DAY 4 (TOKYO/SHIBUYA > KYOTO) August 6, 2024 (repost from KCR/ER1 Japan Tour 2024)

For day 4 of Japan, we woke up early and grabbed some breakfast in the hotel downstairs. This is an example of the breakfast we were given.

After eating we all made sure that our suitcases were fully packed, did multiple checks that we had our passports, made sure hotel rooms were empty then headed to the lobby to meet the full group. Everyone began bringing their suitcases outside to load them into the truck and then met back inside to do a quick check that everyone had their belongings before leaving. As a group we all walked to the train station and got on our first train of the day. That train was pretty crowded since it was still rush hour at that time but we made it work. After that we got on another train and ended up at Tokyo station. The first thing we did at the station was get our Japan Rail passes that we need to travel across the country for the rest of the trip. After we got that sorted out we went into Tokyo station which was super busy with lots of shops and paths. We took the train to Shibuya then we went our separate ways. Some people walked the scramble then went to different shops like Nintendo and Sanrio. After walking the scramble, Brie and I went to a higher level so that we could see the scramble from above. It was cool to see both views.

Then we went into a mall that had many different open shops. It was cool to see how that mall was different from and the same as the ones we were used to in America. The setup was very nice!

After the mall, Brie and I rode the train back to Tokyo station (by ourselves!). We felt very accomplished having got back to the right place. Then we met everyone in Tokyo station and waited for the bullet train that would take us to Kyoto. The train was very cool and felt like an airplane on wheels! We got to see many different landscapes of Japan while on the 2 and a half hour ride

After arriving at a platform, we took one last subway to Kyoto. From there we then walked to our hotel which was very close to the subway and noticed the amount of food places that were close by including a 7 eleven, McDonalds and a 23 hour restaurant.

We arrived at the hotel and waited to receive our key cards and all of the information. Eiko then gave us everything we needed and we headed upstairs with our suitcases that were dropped off at the hotel for us. People then went there separate ways. London, Chloe and I then decided on getting dressed up and heading out to the streets of Kyoto to find a place to have a nice dinner. We walked a lot throughout the streets and took many pictures at a river.

Brie & London