Just a Girl in Tokyo
A Spontaneous Adventure: My Unexpected Trip to Tokyo, Japan
Last November (2024), I did something totally out of character—I booked a last-minute trip to Tokyo, Japan. And you know what? It turned out to be the trip I didn’t even know I needed. The irony of this trip (and an example of how the universe works) is the day my friend told me about this trip, that morning I added Japan to my list of travels for the next year (2025). Prior to that morning, I hadn’t had any desire to go to Japan, but I’m so glad I did. I booked my flight and hotel a few days before I left. I booked them both on Expedia. I flew United and stayed at KOKO HOTEL Ginza 1-chome.
Have you ever taken a spontaneous trip and realized halfway through, “Wow, I really needed this”? That was me in Japan.
Here’s the crazy part: the same morning a friend told me about their plans to go, I had just written “Japan” on my 2025 travel vision list. Up until that day, I hadn’t even been thinking about Japan. That’s how wild the universe can be.
Within five days, I booked my flight and hotel on Expedia. I flew nonstop with United from LAX to Haneda (roundtrip was about $1,500) and stayed at KOKO HOTEL Ginza 1-chome—about $1,150 for six nights. Not bad for a clean, well-located hotel in one of the nicest parts of Tokyo.
Travel Tip:
United Airlines definitely keeps you fed—two full meals and a snack. I grabbed a sandwich before boarding and after that first meal, I was stuffed. Honestly, I just wanted to sleep. Fourteen hours with no Wi-Fi and no one able to reach me? Heaven. I fully embraced the digital detox.
We landed around 5 PM, just as the sun was setting. I caught a stunning view of the ocean as we approached Haneda Airport—no photos, just a moment for me to soak in.
Arriving in Tokyo: What You Should Know
Getting through immigration involves multiple stops, so make sure you complete your customs form online and have your QR code ready before arrival:
👉 https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001
Before leaving the airport, grab some cash from an ATM (I took out 30,000 YEN, roughly $200 USD) and get a Suica card, which is essential for using Tokyo’s metro. I loaded mine with $200 and used it all week—on trains and at shops. A lot of stores accept credit cards now, but not all.
Navigating Tokyo:
If you’ve taken a subway in any major city, you’ll find Tokyo’s system pretty straightforward—especially with Google or Apple Maps. Just make sure you have international data set up. We took the train from the airport, changed lines once, and then walked to the hotel. It felt long (especially with luggage), but the walk through Ginza was beautiful.
First Impressions of Ginza:
Imagine Rodeo Drive meets Times Square... but spotless. I’ve never seen a cleaner city. Designer shops, quiet streets, no trash in sight. At first, I thought, I don’t need to shop. Spoiler: Gucci got me. 😅 More deets later.
First Night:
We dropped our bags and hit the town. First stop: ramen at Ippudo (so good). Then we found Pop Inn Bar, a hip-hop bar with great energy and even better drinks. Highly recommend the homemade lemon sour—chef’s kiss.
PopInn - Google Maps link
Ippudo - Google Maps link
Oh, and it was raining, but luckily the hotel offered complimentary umbrellas. Bless them!
About the Hotel:
Small but clean and functional. Everything was low to the ground, which took getting used to. The bathrooms had bidets (fancy), and while the TV only had Japanese channels, I recommend downloading shows to your phone or iPad if you're like me and need TV to sleep. All toiletries are in the lobby—honestly some of the best I’ve tried. I brought home the scrub towel. Game changer!
Day Two: Full-On Tokyo Mode
We started the day with the most expensive coffee I’ve ever had—$10! It was from X Coffee After THREE, and while pricey, the coffee was beautiful. The vibe, music, and presentation? Top tier. But honestly, I preferred the coffee from Doutor, a local chain, and way more affordable.
Places We Explored:
Itoya (Ginza Stationery Heaven)
This is a must for paper and pen lovers—seven stories of stationery, office goods, cards, ornaments, and pure joy.
Google Maps linkMuji
Think of it as Japan’s minimalist version of IKEA—but with food, toiletries, accessories, and clothing. I loaded up on snacks and souvenirs.
Google Maps linkTsujita Ginza Ramen
This spot was buzzing. It took about 30 minutes for our group of five to be seated. You order from a vending machine, get a printed ticket, and hand it to the staff when called. It’s all counter seating, but so worth it.
Google Maps linkNakamise-dori & Sensoji Temple
A beautiful, historic area filled with traditional shops and stunning architecture. It felt like stepping into another time.
📸 Highlight idea: Your favorite moment or snack from the market.Shibuya Crossing & Hachikō Statue
Iconic Tokyo moment. Standing in that famous crossing was surreal. Don’t miss the Hachikō statue nearby—it honors the loyal dog who waited for his owner daily, even after they passed away. 🐾
📸 Highlight idea: Time-lapse or selfie at the crossing.Dinner at Gon Pachi (aka The “Kill Bill” Restaurant)
Incredible vibes, dim lighting, wooden beams—this is the spot that inspired the iconic restaurant scene in Kill Bill. The food and ambiance were both unforgettable.
By the end of Day Two, my legs were done. We walked a lot—but that’s the beauty of Tokyo. Around every corner, there’s something new to discover.
So boom—Day 3, we were up hella early for a full-day tour of Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Lake Ashi, and the Bullet Train. And when I say full day, I mean full day. This tour ran for about 10 hours, so pace yourself!
👉 We booked through Get Your Guide (link here: Mt. Fuji & Hakone Tour).
Travel Tip:
Have one person book for your whole group since seats are assigned on the bus. It makes things much smoother.
The Drive:
he bus ride takes you through some gorgeous scenery, but the roads can get super windy. If you’re prone to motion sickness, definitely pack Dramamine or your go-to motion sickness meds. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
Mt. Fuji:
It was cold! Bundle up with a jacket, scarf, gloves, and some extra layers. The views are breathtaking, and even if you’ve seen pictures of Fuji a hundred times, nothing compares to seeing it in person. It’s one of those “wow, I’m really here” moments.
Lunch Stop:
The tour includes a buffet-style lunch, which was surprisingly decent. Nothing too fancy, but enough to refuel for the rest of the day.
Lake Ashi Cruise & Hakone:
Sailing across Lake Ashi felt peaceful, like something out of a movie. Hakone had this serene charm to it too—mountains, water, fresh air. Definitely worth it.
Bullet Train Back:
The day ended with a ride on Japan’s famous Shinkansen (bullet train). Quick, smooth, and efficient—such a cool experience if you’ve never been on one.
The Yuzu Drink Fail:
Somewhere along the way, I tried a yuzu drink from Starbucks. Big mistake. Zero out of ten. It was a texture thing—like drinking grated lemon peel. Not my jam at all.
Dinner in Ginza:
Back in the city, we grabbed Italian food at Pizzeria Trattoria Mergellina (Google Maps link).
The pizza was light, airy, and flavorful. The salad was crisp and refreshing. After a day of Japanese flavors, a little Italian comfort food hit the spot.
By the end of the day, I was done. Between the bus ride, the cold, the sightseeing, and the walking, my bed was calling my name. I knocked out quickly—good thing too, because Disney TokyoSea was on the agenda for Day 4! 🎢✨
Would I go again? Absolutely. Would I bring more money and an extra suitcase? Without question.
Stay tuned for more highlights from the rest of the trip!
