There are always things that I wind up missing on a trip, that I wish I’d had time to do. I mean, I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to see every single noteworthy thing a place has to offer in matter of days – and I always want to see and do and experience and eat everything. It is a rare travel occasion when I’m not left wanting more. And that’s just in normal cities – Tokyo is the biggest city in the world. There are 38 MILLION people in Greater Tokyo, covering some 5,233 square miles. Of course I’m going to leave with some escapades unexperienced, it’s inevitable. I’ve made my peace with this, as I know I can always return for the elusive more, but it doesn’t stop the list from forming in my mind.

So, dear readers, I thought I’d share this list with you – the seven things I wish I’d made time for. Hopefully it will help all y’all have fewer regrets when you return from jolly old Japan – and now I have the start of my to-do list for next time!

#7: Omakase Sushi and/or Old-School Japanese Fine Dining

This is a small regret, as we still ate so incredibly well and worked in a lot of sushi and traditional foods at less formal, and less pricy, spots.  But I would have liked to go somewhere nice for at least one more meal.  I even know where I would have booked – Sushi Yuu or Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai – so if y’all go to either of these spot, tell me everything about your meals!!  I am not above living vicariously through others from time to time, after all.

#6: Tokyo Bay Sunset Cruise

This one would’ve happened, and been accompanied by a nice meal to boot, but if you also want to do this then you should book about a month out (from what I can tell).  I also really wanted to do a cruise down the Sumida River when the cherry blossoms were at their peak, but that peak bloom happened juuuuust after we left town.  Sometimes, timing really is everything!

#5: Visit an Onsen (or stayed in a Ryokan with private onsen)

Me having multiple tattoos was what kept this one from happening.  While it’s not impossible for the inked to find welcoming Onsen and Sentos, especially in Tokyo, the options are limited.  Plus even those that do allow tattoos with coverups often have limits to size and number, which I always exceeded (I only have 5, and three are tiny, but the hand sized one on my shoulder and the 3-inch wrap on my calf made things tricky).  There are also locations with privet baths for families, and Ryokan (traditional Japanese hotels) with in-room baths, but it just didn’t work out for us in the end.

PS – onsen and sento are both public baths (where you are required to be fully naked!), but onsen get their waters from natural hot springs, while sento simply use heated tap water. You can see a full guide to Public Bathing Etiquette here.

#4: Todoroki Valley

Todoroki Ravine Park, in the Setagaya neighborhood, is Tokyo’s only ravine and supposedly an excellent place for Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing).  There’s a brook and a waterfall, a traditional Japanese garden, a temple, and walking paths to enjoy the komorobi effect (light filtering through the foliage).  Above the ravine, there’s another temple with fabulous grounds (including cherry blossoms) and restaurants with great food and great views.  Unfortunately, it is a bit of a trek from where we were staying, and there was nothing else in the immediate area to draw us.

#3: Edo Open Air Architectural Museum

Really wanting to fit this in made me feel like such a nerd, but it sounds so cool to me!  Restored, preserved, and reconstructed historic buildings from the Edo and Showa eras?  The feeling of stepping back in time?  Traditional craft demonstrations?  I don’t know if the staff are all dressed in period costumes or not, but they sure are in my mind!  This dreamy, probs touristy, nerd zone is out in West Tokyo, in the Tama region, along with a bunch of other neat stops that take you into a more local-life world along the JR Chuo line from Shinjuku Station.  I think it would’ve made a great day, but it simply didn’t happen!

#2: Day Trip to Mt Fuji

I had such a good plan for this!  In fact, I had two different options – to travel to Kawaguchi-ko, a small town on a lake with Mountain views; or a busier trip through Hakone to Lake Ashi-no-ko, which would have included a very scenic journey there and taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) back.  But when it came down to it, either of these options would have been a lot for us to cram into one day, especially considering my travel companion is not as young as I am (and I do not think of myself as young to begin with).  Ce la vie, next time!

#1: Tokyo Sky Tree

I love to go up to high places and see expansive views!  Love. It.  And on a clear day, you can see all the way to Mt. Fuji from the Skytree.  We put this off until our last few days, when the weather was supposed to be gorgeously clear and it was weekdays, so the crowds might be less, but alas!  It just wasn’t to be!  We thought the air was just super smoggy that Monday and Tuesday, but it turns out strong winds were blowing sand over from a dessert in China – either way, visibility was low, so we eschewed this in favor of other activities.  This is the tallest building in all of Japan, though, and I will see Mt Fuji from it one day!

Wanna know more about my adventures in Tokyo? Check out the Tokyo Page for all my posts and info about this trip! And follow me on the social medias, ask questions below, or email me if you want my whole dang spreadsheet!

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