Japan Travel Log
July 4 - Day of Arrival
- Took in the 360° skyline from Tokyo Skytree, recognised as the tallest freestanding broadcasting tower in the world.
- Spent the afternoon battling vintage and modern arcade games in Akihabara’s neon-lit game centres, right in the heart of Tokyo’s famed “Electric Town”.
July 5 - New Planets!
- Experienced teamLab Planets’ barefoot digital art in Toyosu.
- Strolled the Imperial Palace East Gardens.
- Hand-made seasonal wagashi sweets and tasted them with ceremonial matcha.
July 6 - Exploring Mount Fuji
- Explored Oshino Hakkai’s eight crystal-clear ponds, fed by Mt Fuji snow-melt.
- Took in amazing views of Mt Fuji from Lake Kawaguchiko, the most popular of the Fuji Five Lakes just north of Fujiyoshida.
July 7 - Business & Blessings
- Toured Dan’s company headquarters in Tokyo—thanks for the invitation!
- Enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere among the tall cedar trees at Meiji Jingu Shrine.
July 8 - Amazing Green!
- Strolled through Hamarikyu Gardens’ tidal ponds.
- Visited Senso‑ji Temple’s iconic Kaminarimon gate.
- Wandered over the warm avenues of Ueno Park.
- Explored the Tokyo National Museum’s samurai armor collection.
- Relaxed in the wonderful Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
July 9 - Miau 😼
- Visited Gōtokuji Temple-Tokyo's 'Lucky Cat' temple.
- Played with some cats in a cat cafe while enjoying a drink.
- Enjoyed Tokyo's nightlife in Shinjuku.
July 10 - Scroll, Stroll, Soak—Repeat
- Lost myself in the dreamscape of teamPlanet Borderless.
- Wandered the maple-lined paths of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden.
- Relaxed in a traditional japanese Onsen.
July 11 - Mangrove Greeting Party
- Wheels down on sun-baked Ishigaki—humidity slapped harder than the welcome sign.
- Hopped on a rental bike to keep the island's one lonely mangrove company.
- Looped Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, chasing sea views.
July 12 - Gear Shifts & Sea Drifts
- Pedaled from Ishigaki City all the way to the northern jewel of Kabira Bay.
- Rode through 33 °C heat and 80 % humidity—challenging but rewarding.
- Finished the day at Angel Beach, relaxing in clear shallows and fine white sand.
July 13 - Peaks & Pineapples
- Hiked Mount Omoto, Okinawa's highest summit, up a dense jungle path—strenuous but rewarding.
- Strolled the quiet, rugged north coast of Ishigaki, pausing at hidden lookout points.
- Sampled two local pineapple varieties— peach and golden—and found new favourites.
July 14 - Sunburned but Spirited
- Sheltered indoors to soothe a nasty sunburn.
- Re-visited the Angel Beach for some fresh air.
- Teamed up with a friendly German traveller and turned recovery time into a relaxed bar-to-bar wander, sampling local awamori.
July 15 - Snorkels, Stocks & Sea Views
- Snorkeled in the blue cave, where sunlight paints the walls turquoise.
- Hiked up to the Emerald Sea Observatory Deck for sweeping views of reef-ringed coastline.
- Swapped Taiwanese stock tips over bowls of ramen.
July 16 - Islanders 1
- Ferried to heart-shaped Kuroshima, where about 200 people share the island with 300 cows.
- Rented an electric bike any% speedran all the beaches.
- Snorkelled a reef near Taketomi and explored the phantom island that disappears at high tide.
- Ended the day bar-hopping with new friends and sharing travel tales.
July 17 - Islanders 2
- Hopped a short ferry to Taketomi, greeting the island's famous water-buffalo carts.
- Sampled fresh buffalo milk and silky caramel pudding—simple perfection.
- Strolled around the city center and bought souveniers like a good tourist.
