Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park, Tokyo

Right next to the bustling Harajuku Station, you’ll find the serene Meiji Shrine (well, serene plus tourists) and Yoyogi Park.  I love wandering through parks, especially when I find street food and a place to sit and relax.  Much like in Harajuku, the people (and dog) watching in the park is pretty amazing.  Because I went around Christmas there was what seemed to be a convention for dogs who were dressed like Santa.  The dogs seemed much less excited than their human counterparts.

© Sarah Milstein 2017

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Asakusa, Tokyo

When in Asakusa, walk along the very crowded Nakamise-dori Street to Senso-ji Temple, buy souvenirs and street food, and cover yourself with smoke!

© Sarah Milstein 2017

Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

I think one of my favorite things to do in Tokyo is to wander around the Tsukiji fish market and try as much food as a I can.  I went two days in a row!  Pretty much anywhere with a line is guaranteed to be good, but I ate amazing sushi at Okame, which only has standing room for 5, and miraculously, had no line.  Definitely order the aburi toro, it was incredible!  We also ate great onigiri at Onigiriyamarutoyo and rolled omelette from a random stand.  In case you’re curious what wasabi looks like, check out the last photo–I had no idea!

Okame

Aburi Toro

© Sarah Milstein 2017

Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan

I just got back from spending two weeks in Japan with my cousin’s family who lives there.  I was in Niseko, which is about a two-hour drive from the New Chitose airport in Hokkaido, for a little over a week.  The highlights included making Snapchat videos with my cousin’s kids, watching this ridiculous YouTube video, playing Heads Up, eating homemade sushi, sukiyaki, and gyoza, wandering about, skiing at the Grand Hirafu, and relaxing at a few different Onsen.  I’m pretty sure I made a memorable impression on one of my ski instructors when we were going through the first lift, and only one leg made it through before the bar closed and he had to lift my leg over the bar so I could pass through to reach the lift.  I couldn’t stop laughing.  Clearly, I’m an advanced skier.

© Sarah Milstein 2017