Ep 126: Tokyo on Points: How We Fit So Much Into Two Nights (And What I'd Change)
You packed a samurai sword, wrestled a sumo wrestler, and still made it to the airport with time for a Seven Eleven snack run. This is Tokyo, two half days, one full day, and everything we loved.
In This Episode You'll Learn
✔ How we used Hyatt points plus a suite upgrade award at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo — and why the location in Shinjuku is underrated
✔ What Takeshita Street is actually like (the food, the toy capsule stores, the crowds) and what we'd go back to try
✔ Where to find the Pokémon Center and Nintendo Store in Shibuya and why Google Maps might make you feel like you're lost when you're actually right there
✔ Why I'd skip Momo Paradise for our family and what I'd book instead
✔ The free view of Shibuya Crossing you probably don't know about
✔ Where to buy cheap luggage in Tokyo if you over-souvenir'd (Shibuya Baggage Outlet vs. Donki)
✔ Why we chose TeamLab Borderless over Planets, and the honest breakdown of the difference between the two
✔ Our absolute favorite meal of the trip: conveyor belt sushi at Sushiro
✔ What to do in Shinjuku at night, the 3D cat, godzilla, light projection show, the eight-level arcade, photo booths, and Loft (go before 7pm!)
✔ The Senso-ji Temple morning, the fortune ritual, and the tea utensil shop that was worth every minute
✔ How I ended up in an inflatable sumo suit wrestling a retired sumo wrestler (my daughter owes me)
✔ What we bought at drugstores, Uniqlo, and Loft, and what I wish I'd grabbed more of ✔ How we got to the airport stress-free with four people and a samurai sword
This Episode Is Especially Helpful If…
- You're planning a Tokyo trip and trying to figure out how much you can actually fit into two nights
- You're traveling with kids and want honest recs on what's worth it and what's skippable
- You're trying to decide between TeamLab Borderless and TeamLab Planets
- You bought too many souvenirs and need a luggage solution (been there)
- You love shopping, Uniqlo, Loft, drugstores, capsule machines, and want to know where to go, and what recommendations are over hyped
Resources & Mentions
- Hyatt Regency Tokyo, points + suite upgrade award + club access add-on
- Yoyogi Park & Meiji Shrine
- Takeshita Street, Mochi Mochi Japan (boba), candied fruit, toy capsule stores
- Pokémon Center Shibuya & Nintendo Store
- Momo Paradise (hot pot, skippable for picky eaters)
- Shibuya Crossing free view above the capsule store
- Shibuya Baggage Outlet affordable luggage
- Donki (Don Quijote) Kit Kats, browsing, but pricier on luggage
- TeamLab Borderless Tokyo
- SushiRo, conveyor belt sushi, highly recommend
- Uniqlo Shinjuku
- Loft Shinjuku closes early, don't miss it
- Goccha Goccha (capsule store underground in Shinjuku)
- Taito Station Shinjuku Game World 8-level arcade
- Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
- Kakimuna Tea Utensil Shop near Senso-ji
- Sumo entertainment lunch show
- Ueno Park
- Tokyo Banana & Tokyo Banana Kit Kats airport find!
- Seven Eleven Japan creme brulee ice cream, chocolate covered grapes, sandwiches, high chew and more
- American Airlines flight home
Loved This Episode?
If this inspired you to take the trip, do the thing, and stop waiting for the perfect moment, I would be so grateful if you'd leave a review! It helps more women find this podcast and get the inspiration and tools they need to live fully. Thank you so much, love. 🤍
_____________________________________________________________________
Beyond Travel Ways to Work Together:
2 Week Mini Coaching and Lift Library for 3 Months Details HERE
Peace & Prosperity Coaching HERE
Within a 21-day self-guided journey to more peace and calm in your nervous system and life. HERE
_____________________________________________________
Click HERE for the Show Notes.
📲 Let’s Connect:
Connect with me on Instagram - @dorothymcgatlin
Connect with me on Facebook - Dorothy McGatlin
