Did we sleep? It’s still dark when the kids wake up and we start prepping for the day.
There is a shopping mall underneath our hotel, which contains a 7-11. Apparently 7-11 is A THING in Japan, nothing like the sketchy-ass one I would shop at between Extended Stay America and the Electronic Arts: Tiburon studio I worked at several years ago while in Florida. It is awesome.
We head to the restaurant hotel, ready to carb-up for our first day. After an incredible buffet breakfast (Western and Japanese-friendly), we meet up with Bill in the hotel lobby. He comes bearing gifts: three pocket-sized towels.
(*Retroactive Note* These were critical throughout our entire trip. Never thought I would quote South Park for out-of-country travel advice but, in Japan: “don’t forget to bring a towel”. No joke; thanks Bill.)
I have wanted to visit Sengaku-Ji Temple, resting site of the 47 Ronin and their gravestones, since I was a teenager. Apparently this is an oddity; Bill isn’t even familiar with the 47 Ronin despite living in the Tokyo area for +20 years. I am a nerd for old Japanese history, and the tale always captivated me, so w/e I drag everyone there for our first day in Japan and it becomes “Daddy’s Fun Park” before we head to a playground.
The temple itself is rather small but beautiful, with information plaques near the graves to recount the historical facts (including one in English), and is one of few temples that has wheelchair ramps – i.e. stroller friendly. There is also an area where water can be poured into a pot to simulate the sound of carp playing; “Mack” had a lot of fun pouring and creating the sound, an excellent interactive element for young ones.
After indulging me and waiting while I took about a hundred photos, we said goodbye and walked to a nearby playground. It was almost literally around the block.
On the way, Bill showed us the magic of “Pasmo” – the subway card that can also be used to purchase vending machine items (which are on every single street here). Awesome.
The park has a surprisingly large playground area including a sandbox, swings, slides, climbing structures, and a water refill station. The kids get their jiggles out while we attempt to recombobulate.
Anyone with kids probably knows the advantage of hanging bags on strollers, so you don’t have to carry them. Well, it turns out you shouldn’t hang an expensive-ass camera that way. This should be obvious but in our jetlagged haze it is not; Ian jumps out of his stroller, the camera weight tips it backward and… crash. There is now what looks like gravel behind the lens cap, instead of a polished, long-distance telescoping glass lens.
Tired, sweaty, and defeated, we forgo walking back to the hotel and opt for the subway instead. Luckily we have Bill, who guides us through the stations/transfers to make it back in under 20 mins. The subways go surprisingly deep – we descend four (4!) levels to catch our train.
We say farewell to Bill, who has been an immense help and excellent company. Without him, our first day would have likely gone much differently and we are grateful. Thank you, Bill.
Kyle bravely ventures out solo while Thing 2 naps, taking a cab to a nearby camera store. Thing 1/Excavator has already memorized the buttons on the toilet remote that sprays his butt, and we haven’t been here 24 hours yet. I’m pretty sure we will need one of these when we get back home.
A stroke of luck – when Kyle returns she informs me that it wasn’t the lens that shattered, just a $10 filter! It is the win we need, before ordering room service and climbing into bed. For better or worse, it is a memorable first day; now off to sleep.
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(Amendment)
Nothing like walking up and down the hotel hallway at 2 am with an 11-month old to adjust to a 14 hour time zone difference.
Travels with Larson and Co 