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The Count Down to the Tokyo Marathon

May 4, 2023 /

With the snow monkeys in our rear view mirror, it was time to look ahead. We had just a couple days left for sight seeing as we began the count down to the Tokyo Marathon. Join us for one of our last days in Tokyo as we crawl through squishy black holes, visit with Lady Liberty and eat mysterious things at the market in Kanda!

The Bullet Train Back to Home Base

Blue and white bullet train, sitting on a track

We were a little sad as we headed back to “the crevice” aka our spacious hotel room in Tokyo. Not because we were leaving behind the mountains and the snow monkeys. It was because this was our last ticket for the bullet train. Man, there’s nothing like its smooth ride and comfort. Oh, except for the time that I thought Stephen had control of his 20 oz. mocha latte. And he did not. So he got to wear “mocha pants” for the rest of the day.

Man sitting on train, wearing a mask and looking scared

Lady Liberty

Since it was such a beautiful day, we hopped off the train and walked to TeamLab, catching some AMAZING sites along the way.

Rectangular buildings connected by a bronze globe and aerial walkways
Could there be super heroes in there?
Palm trees on grass in front of a sandy beach. In the back ground is the Rainbow Bridge and two rectangular towers
Japanese palms
Woman standing under a yellow and white striped arch. Behind her are stairs and more arches in other colors.
The Thousand Gates
Statue of Liberty in the foreground, the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo harbor are in the background.
Lady Liberty and Tokyo Harbor

Play Time at TeamLab

TeamLab is an interactive art exhibit that is like no other. For instance, when you pick up your tickets, they let you know that you will be barefoot and in water up to your knees. Even with that information, we were hardly prepared for this exhilarating, other-worldly experience.

Man laying on a black squishy floor
Making our way through the black hole
Blackened hallway, lit by red circles
One of many fun hallways
Thousands of twinkling crystal rods, converging to a black spot
The crystal vortex
Digital koi and cherry blossom petals, projected on water
Koi and cherry blossom petals, floating on the water
Man and woman, in masks with their pants rolled up. In water, up to their knees. The water has pink and purple sections, cherry blossom petals floating and koi fish swimming in it.
Playing with the Koi
Man touching a large pink ball over his head
Changing the color of the room by touching the ball
Man laying on his side with his arm under his head. He is surrounded by flowers
Surrounded by flowers
Large silver eggs sitting on mossy grass
The Singing Orbs

Strolling through Yoyogi Park

Earlier that day, we received word that cherry blossoms were blooming in Yoyogi Park. Not wanting to miss it, we took a stroll on our way back to the room. And let me say, this park did not disappoint!

Meiji Jingu Shinto Temple Complex

Large wooden torii in a park
The Forest Gate
Large Shinto Shrine, with traditional Japanese architecture
Meiji Jingu Shinto Temple
Woman standing on a Japanese bridge in a park
A beautiful bridge
A wall of sake barrels
The Sake Barrel Offering

Our Afternoon Repose at Park Cafe

Before we got to the trees, we came across a café and thought it would be a good idea to stop in. Because who can appreciate the blossoms when your tummy is a rumblin’? Am I right?? Also, I had to try the green tea matcha ice cream. You know, for research purposes.

Tray with chop sticks, two bowls of ramen and two beer
Yumm!
Man and a woman holding ice cream cones
The Yoyogi twists

And Cherry Blossoms…Finally!!

Cherry tree in bloom
Woman standing in front of a cherry tree in bloom
Jill and the Cherry Tree
Close up of cherry blossoms
Close up!

Kanda at Night

After sunset, we ventured out to the lively market area by our hotel.

From the street, looking up at a pedestrian walkway between two buildings. There is a giant panda decal in the window
The peeping panda
Rooms full of vending machines containing capsule toys
Tiny toys are a big deal here!
Wall of running shoes
Wall of running shoes at Art Sports
Woman standing in a lively market area under a sign with Japanese letters
Heading into the Ameyoko Shopping District
Woman throwing "gang signs" in front of a funky, panda statue who is wearing sun glasses
The gansta panda
Sitting at an outdoor restaurant in Kanda
The outdoor restaurant
Two glasses of beer on either side of a tall beer bottle
Adult beverage at dinner
Plate with multiple skewers of mysterious meats
Mysterious skewers
Man looking scared holding a skewer with two white balls on it
How bad can it be?
Outdoor market with various meats
The outdoor meat market

So that’s a wrap on day -2 for the Tokyo Marathon! Join us next week as we continue the count down to the Tokyo Marathon! We will run from Godzilla and dine with the Crazy 88s! Stephen is on his way to the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati this week, so be sure to follow his adventures in real time on Instagram – the__travel__oracle. Or if you like getting the latest articles right to your inbox, consider subscribing for free!

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