Hello Japan
- Vinita Bennett
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
I can't believe how time has flown since we lived in Tokyo for a full three months back in 2013. I haven't returned since then. Thirteen years later, I'm back for a family reunion. We spent our first night at The Okura Tokyo, which offers an amazing view and is very close to where we used to live. The Okura Tokyo is one of Tokyo's prestigious "Big Three" luxury hotels. Reopened in 2019 and designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, it blends refined simplicity with timeless Japanese elegance, highlighted by the restored Okura lanterns in its iconic lobby. The hotel features a famous teppanyaki restaurant where we enjoyed a perfect dinner on our first night of the family and friends reunion.
Next on our itinerary, we embraced the motto of eat, pray, love. We stopped at Hase-dera Temple for its enchanting atmosphere, as believers in Buddhist philosophy. Hase-dera is located in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is known as the temple of flowers and is part of Samurai City in Nara Prefecture, the head temple of the Shingon Buddhism Buzan sect. The wooden Buddha statue stands 9.18 meters tall, making it one of the largest wooden Buddhas in Japan. After praying and our pilgrimage, we enjoyed an amazing lunch at Meigetsugu, which served a legendary grilled eel rice. I don't eat eel, but they also offered an amazing grilled chicken lunch box. After that, we headed to Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture. We wandered around Acao Forest (which is actually a park, not a forest) - the grounds are on hills overlooking Sagami Bay and consist of 13 themed gardens, each with its own unique style. The park features a fully transparent glass café, a landmark of the area. After a few drinks, it was time to check in at The Pearl Star Hotel Atami, which offered us an ocean view and a ryokan-style accommodation with a private onsen in the room. Before we knew it, dinner time arrived, and we enjoyed Wagyu Yakiniku at the hotel. Just another amazing dinner.
The next day, we had an excursion to Japan's longest suspension bridge - Mishima Skywalk in Shizuoka - and Panorama Park (Izu) with ropeway access to the 452-meter-high observation deck! The terrace seems to merge with Suruga Bay (Japan's deepest bay), reflecting the majestic image of Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest peak. The mountain and sea contours create a natural masterpiece. Funny enough, when I used to live in Tokyo, I never saw a full view of Mt. Fuji because she was always shy. We once made a trip to hike under the cave at the Mt. Fuji base camp, but it was so cloudy that day. This time, she wasn't shy, and we got to see her clearly.
We mainly traveled around Tokyo and stayed in lavish accommodations both in Tokyo and Hakone. Admittedly, the highlight of my trip was the accommodation in Hakone, which surpassed all my expectations. I love the traditional Japanese accommodation called ryokan, but I also need a touch of luxury, first-class service, and spectacular meals. Fufu Hakone was the perfect choice. I never imagined soaking in the famous onsen three times a day; let me tell you, my skin feels good, light, and relaxed. An onsen is a traditional Japanese hot spring with bathing facilities built around them. My own room had a private onsen, so I soaked right after waking up, again in the late afternoon after being out and about, and after dinner. The public onsen at Fufu is also lovely, although you’ll smell the sulfur, which isn't too overwhelming, but it's typical for a local-style public onsen where everyone is naked, no bathing suits are allowed. I wasn't comfortable doing that, even though I wanted to experience it like a local, but I have my limits, LOL. However, I did try a public onsen the next morning at 6:30 am when no one was there, and I felt like I owned the whole place and felt comfortable. I stayed for 30 minutes, and that was enough :-) Fufu Hakone also offers breakfast and dinner, and I honestly tell you that the Japanese cuisine at Fufu Hakone is world-class and meticulously prepared. I love dining and staying here so much. I'll definitely come back in the future.
During our stay in Hakone, here are a few excursions we took:
Pola Museum of Art
Hakone sightseeing cruise and tea ceremony on Lake Ashi - themed Matcha lake experience
Ride the Hakone Ropeway to explore Owakudani, known as the “Valley of the Earth”
Shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlets
Where to eat:
Sanrokuen - a traditional Japanese restaurant in Fujikawaguchiko known for its robatayaki (charcoal-grilled skewers) served in a historic, rustic farmhouse setting, offering a unique cultural dining experience where you cook your own meat, seafood, and vegetables over a central hearth.
Itoh Dining by Nobu is a teppanyaki restaurant that offers exquisite Kuroge Wagyu Beef, Tsukiji seafood, and Hakone vegetables. They truly serve the finest beef I've ever tasted. The experience of beef melting in my mouth was unparalleled when I indulged in a meal at Itoh Dining by Nobu. The best steak I've ever had can only be found in Japan. A5 Wagyu beef there is simply extraordinary.
It's time to check out of Fufu Hakone. I never wanted to leave this place, but we needed to follow the itinerary. We took the luxurious scenic train - Saphir Odoriko back to Tokyo.
東京、こんにちは (Tōkyō, konnichiwa)
Two nights in Tokyo at Fairmont Tokyo exceeded my expectations. The hotel amenities are truly luxurious, and I noticed the small detail that the bedding has a fitted sheet, which I love, and pajamas are provided for guests. There are good choices for Nespresso selections and premium quality green tea that I couldn't resist sipping. Toiletries include Le Labo, which is my second favorite choice after Diptyque but still feels premium to me. Speaking of pajamas, since the beginning of the trip at The Okura, they also provided two sets of high-quality pajamas for guests. Although I wanted to buy them so badly because they feel so good to sleep in, they won't sell them like the ones they offer to guests. But that's okay; when I plan to revisit Japan, I'll remember that these hotels I stayed at also offer these. Do hotels like The Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons in Japan offer pajamas? Someone let me know, as I'm curious. I mean, I always pack my own PJs, but still, this is a very nice touch for hotel guests, and I love it so much. This little thing makes for a memorable stay experience. One thing I love about the Fairmont is the sophisticated variety of cocktails on the menu. If you're my friend or part of my inner circle, you know I'm a speakeasy lover, and whenever I travel the world, I need to find a place to check them out. The hotel has a speakeasy, and it's so cool to find a secret door to access it. Driftwood Bar and the Off Record speakeasy are freaking awesome, and both offer a spectacular view of Tokyo's iconic Tokyo Tower.
On the final day in Tokyo, we had our own freestyle after visiting one of the famous activities in Tokyo, Tokyo teamLab Planets Toyosu - an immersive art museum where you walk through water, created by art collective teamLab. The artworks change depending on the presence of people. It's very interesting, entertaining, and also crowded with people.
Where to eat in Tokyo:
Sazanka - Located on the top floor of The Okura Tokyo, this dining spot offers an unforgettable cooking experience alongside stunning views. Surrounded by the Tokyo skyline, guests can sit at a teppanyaki counter and observe the skilled preparation of premium ingredients right before their eyes. The spectacle of brandy-fueled flames illuminating the grill highlights the uniqueness of this venue. It's the ideal place to enjoy Wagyu beef in Tokyo.
Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan Mai - Located on the 5th floor of Aqua City Odaiba. It is an establishment dedicated to promoting the various styles of ramen found in Japan. There are six restaurants, each representing a different region of Japan.
Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu - Known for being the location of many famous people such as US President Bush, former PM Koizumi's Izakaya Summit, and even more famously known for its scene in Quentin Tarantino's 2004 film Kill Bill, which inspired him to create the movie scene from this restaurant. To me, it was okay, but nothing special. I feel like this is a tourist trap and understand that for any first-timer who wants to experience Izakaya dining with live music, this place is too loud for me to talk. I think with my age, I don't enjoy loud music that I can barely have a conversation with my traveling companions, and what's the point of going there and having zero conversation where you have to yell so you or one another can hear. I'm glad I went to experience it, but meh, I wouldn't go back after waiting 45 minutes for my food to arrive and bottoming up my Dassai 23 sake. Then my patience ran out, so I called Uber back to the hotel.
Hiyama - Michelin one-star restaurant. This restaurant is at the top of my list to dine in Japan. For over 110 years, Hiyama's traditional sukiyaki has brought out the full flavor of Wagyu beef - a true hallmark of Hiyama's craftsmanship. A long-established sukiyaki restaurant that has consistently earned a Michelin star for 10 consecutive years since 2011. The beef melts in my mouth with the chewy Japanese rice and very attentive service in a traditional setting, just impressing me with nothing but First Class. I'll definitely come back to this restaurant when I'm back in Tokyo!
On our departure day, we stopped in Chiba for lunch at Kani Doraku Chiba Ekimae, a famous restaurant known for its crab specialties. The establishment is acclaimed for its meticulously crafted, multi-course kaiseki meals and hot pot. It provides a traditional and serene Japanese atmosphere with private rooms and comfortable seating. It was the perfect farewell venue for my family and friends.
This wonderful journey was organized by my generous father. Thank you so much, papa, for the amazing experience and for treating us to delicious food and excellent accommodations. We love you!
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