Summary. On this final day in Japan, we visited Sensoji Temple and markets, another animal cafe, and then had the best ramen of the whole trip, at the airport of all places! In this post we also reflect on our time in Japan, including whether this destination is right for you.
[This blog is part of a 15-days in Japan series].
Sensoji Temple. Our time was limited today as we were flying home later that afternoon. We also had a few more souvenirs we needed to get before heading out, so the Sensoji Temple are ended up being a good last stop of the trip. The street leading up to the temple is lined with a large market known as Nakamise, which dates back several centuries. The Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. Completed in 645, this is the oldest temple in Tokyo, though much of it is a reconstruction as it was nearly completely destroyed during WWII. Arriving here early is a good idea since this popular tourist stop very quickly was overrun with visitors by mid-morning.
Harry Hedgehog Cafe. For our last Japanese experience, we decided to try another animal cafe since we loved the cat cafe we visited so much. This one is situated just down the street from the Sensoji Temple, so we decided to check it out. It features a variety of animals, not just the hedgehogs we were interested in seeing.
The otters were absolutely adorable, putting on the cutest little show for everyone to see!
Part of the experience is being able to handle the animals.
Impressions of this cafe: In contrast to the cat cafe, we didn't feel entirely comfortable with the situation. While the animals seemed healthy, the smell was overpowering, leaving us questioning why that was so. Additionally, the areas where the animals spent their "shift" with the public were just adequate. As foreigners, it's challenging to assess these situations, but if you're uncertain about visiting a Japanese animal cafe, we recommend skipping this one, as there are others with better conditions.
Going home. After the animal cafe, we said good-bye to Tokyo and caught the train to Narita airport for our evening flight home.
Best Ramen at NRT. After 15 days in Japan, we found the best place for Ramen - at the airport! Who knew? If you're traveling through Narita International Airport, we recommend stopping here for one last bowl of authentic Ramen.
Lasting Impressions of Japan. As we wrap up another That's How We Travel family adventure, we are left with some lasting impressions of Japan, namely:
This is a great country to visit if you are new to Asian countries, especially with families; the transportation is easy, everywhere is very safe; it's currently very economical; and the people are very cordial.
If you love history, there is more ancient buildings and artifacts in a small square-mile in Kyoto than you'll probably find anywhere else.
If you're into food, this is certainly the place for you.
This all being said, if you're the adventurous type, and want to feel a little bit like you're living on the edge, Japan will be much too safe and secure for you. It's really like the U.S., only cleaner and more efficient. Other drawbacks are the crowds and their overuse of plastics. Even with these issues, we would not hesitate to recommend this really cool country.
Comments