Mid-winter Japan Adventure

We land at Haneda Airport, where Elísabet Hulda welcomes the group. This is also an opportunity to install an e-SIM in your phone (internet connection) and purchase a PASMO train card. We then head up to the hotel in Shinagawa.

All mornings start at 10:00. This day begins with a visit to the Shinto shrine Meiji Jingu. It is located in the beautiful Yoyogi public park and is a good example of traditional Japanese architectural style. From there, we then go to Harajuku. A truly beautiful and peaceful morning combined with Japanese traditions and culture.

Once in Harajuku, you can experience a completely different atmosphere. The neighborhood is bustling with life—Japanese “hipsters,” fashion, street food, and countless neon signs. Next, we go to Shibuya and have lunch.

After lunch, we explore Shibuya Crossing, which is Japan’s most famous intersection. Up to 500,000 people cross there every day. It can be amazing to experience the crowds both from the street and from above. The view can be seen from the Shibuya Scramble Square building, next to the intersection.

At Shibuya Crossing, we also find the Hachiko statue—one of Japan’s most famous dogs, who waited for his owner to return from work at the same place every day for many years, including for 9 years after his owner’s death. A fun photo opportunity.

We begin the day with a visit to Japan’s tallest tower, in fact the tallest tower in the world, Tokyo Skytree, which is 634 meters high. From there, you can see the entire city from a height of 300 or 400 meters.

After Skytree, we go to the old neighborhood of Asakusa, which offers traditional streets and the Buddhist temple Senso-ji. There is often enjoyable street food and souvenirs for sale there. It is also possible to light incense to drive away evil spirits. A good opportunity to learn about Japanese religions.

Immediately afterwards, it is enjoyable to walk along the nearby Nakamise Street and see traditional shops, street food, and two-person carts pulled by young, sturdy Japanese men.

We start the day with a walk around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Beautiful towers and traditional fortifications stand alongside skyscrapers on the other side of the street. For the runners in the group, it can be fun to run the entire palace loop, which is 5km long.

Ginza is Japan’s most famous shopping district. You can find all kinds of shops, restaurants, and beautiful boulevards there. Ginza is also known for its interesting architecture and magnificent buildings.