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Aaron & Xixi's Japan Trip 2014

Aaron & Xixi's Japan Trip 2014

Xixi and I booked a last-minute trip to Tokyo for our 2 year anniversary and my birthday, which turned out to be amazing. We got the chance to fly First Class & Suites, met up with fantastic friends who brought us to all sorts of wonderful places, and of course got in a ton of shopping and - most importantly - eating!
Aaron 07 Sep 2014   ⋅   7,525 views   ⋅  6 favorites
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  • 01. SQ First Class: Singapore to Tokyo

    Changi Airport Terminal 3, Singapore
    Thanks to the power of Krisflyer miles (204,000 to be exact), Xixi and I were able to fly First Class on Singapore Airlines to Tokyo. We started the adventure in The Private Room - SQ's exclusive lounge only for passengers flying First Class. After a great dinner (and a couple too many glasses of Dom), we had a great flight on SQ's new 777-300ER - one of 3 in the entire fleet! The icing on the cake was that we were the only passengers in the entire First Class! What a way to start a holiday :)
    07 Sep 2014 ⋅ 8 comments ⋅ 14 photos ⋅ 635 views
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  • 02. Shopping @ Shibuya 109

    Shibuya 109, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
    Our first hotel was in Shibuya - right above the famous Shibuya crossing and the Hachiko statue, as well as conveniently located next to a bunch of shopping. Our first stop was Shibuya 109, and Xixi fell in love at first sight. We spent far too much time here but kept coming back every day for more. Those interested in Japanese and Korean fashion will definitely be able to find stuff they like here. And for the guys... at least there is free wifi!

    http://www.shibuya109.jp/en/
    09 Sep 2014 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ 5 photos ⋅ 399 views
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  • 03. Ichiran Ramen!

    1 Chome-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
    Our first meal in Tokyo - Ichiran Ramen. Came highly recommended by a few close friends and family, and it was easy to see why. Like most of the other traditional Japanese ramen shops, you place your order via a vending machine and then wait for it to be prepared. The seating arrangement is a narrow hall of individual cubicles. When your order is ready, a partition at the front of the cubicle opens and out comes your meal.

    The entire concept was a huge contrast to much of the dining we were used to, and one can literally order and dine without saying a single word. A very unique experience and the ramen was excellent as well!

    http://www.ichiran.co.jp/english/html/kt_shibuya.html
    07 Sep 2014 ⋅ 4 comments ⋅ 8 photos ⋅ 564 views
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  • 04. Yakitori @ Omoide Yokocho

    Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku Station West Exit, Nishishinjuku 1-chome, Shinjuku-ku
    On our first night in Japan, we accidentally stumbled upon Omoide Yokocho, a cosy walking street littered with dozens of tiny yakitori stalls packed with locals and the occasional tourist. We spent a few minutes scouting out which ones looked the best (and, more importantly, had an English menu) and chose one. After a few rounds, we decided that one venue wasn't enough and proceeded to another for seconds! Definitely a highlight of the trip.

    http://shinjuku-omoide.com/english/
    07 Sep 2014 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ 10 photos ⋅ 532 views ⋅ 1 favorite
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  • 05. Crepes @ Harajuku 原宿

    神宮前1-20-6, Shibuya, Tōkyō, 150-0001, Japan
    Harajuku is a prime spot to see the more unique aspects of Tokyo's youth and fashion culture. There are tons of teenagers dressed up in cosplay dresses, typically as dolls, gothic, schoolgirls, etc. There are also lots of trendy shops for fashion and accessories.

    For us, the main attraction was the famous crepe shops in the heart of the area - Marion Crepes and Angels Heart. We definitely had to try both.

    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3006.html
    07 Sep 2014 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ 11 photos ⋅ 634 views
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  • 06. Amazing Sushi @ Ootanino

    Ootanino, 4 Chome-11-7 Nishiazabu, Minato, Tokyo 106-0031, Japan
    To say this was the best sushi we've ever had is an understatement. Ootanino was one of the best meals of any nature that we have ever had the privilege of tasting. Thanks to my buddy Buerge and his wife, we were able to get a reservation in this ultra-authentic, Michelin starred restaurant that only seats about 10 people, and has 3 seatings a day. All the patrons are regulars and friends of the chef, and needless to say we were lucky to get this opportunity as foreigners.

    The menu is entirely omakase, and watching the chef prepare the meal was a masterpiece in itself. Each course was perfect and until now, I still haven't had anything that has come remotely close.
    http://ootanino.com/
    07 Sep 2014 ⋅ 6 comments ⋅ 32 photos ⋅ 1,074 views
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  • 07. Sankei-en garden & Kannonzaki beach

    Japan, 〒231-0824 Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama, Naka Ward, Honmokusannotani, 58−1, 三溪園内
    Our wonderful hosts the Buerges brought us to Yokohama on a day trip to stroll about the Sankei-en garden as well as a leisurely hike at Kannonzaki Beach. Though we just missed the sakura (cherry blossom) season, the weather and environment was perfect. We couldn't have asked for a better day to walk around and take in all of the nature.

    http://www.yokohamajapan.com/things-to-do/sankeien-garden/
    http://en.japantravel.com/photos/kannonzaki-beach-and-park
    08 Mar 2015 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ 18 photos ⋅ 545 views
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  • 08. Tsukiji Fish Market

    5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
    The Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the most famous attractions in Tokyo, housing the largest and busiest fish market in the world. While one typically has to get up crazy early (like 4am) to make it into the actual market and see the tuna auctions, we took it easy and arrived late, walked about the outside areas, then had lunch at the famous Sushi Dai.

    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html
    08 Mar 2015 ⋅ 7 comments ⋅ 25 photos ⋅ 495 views
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  • 09. Great Yakitori with Fantastic Friends

    Roppongi, Tokyo
    A few of my friends and ex-colleagues arranged to meet up for dinner in Roppongi at a great yakitori restaurant with a western spin. It was the first time seeing all of them in years and catching up was a blast. The food was also fantastic, and made for a perfect evening.

    Unfortunately I don't recall what the name of this place was, but we'll definitely remember the great food and even better company.
    08 Mar 2015 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ 15 photos ⋅ 582 views
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  • 10. My Birthday @ Tokyo DisneySea

    Tokyo Disneysea, Tokyo, Japan
    The last full day of our trip was also my birthday, and we celebrated with a trip to Tokyo DisneySea. Lucky for us it wasn't too crowded, and we were able to go on all of the rides we wanted, including the best ride - Journey to the Center of the Earth - twice. We finished out the night with an awesome choreographed light, water, and fireworks show in the bay.
    07 Sep 2014 ⋅ 6 comments ⋅ 15 photos ⋅ 435 views
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  • 11. FOOD! Random other meals

    While perhaps not a chronological event in itself, the food of Japan definitely stands out as something we thoroughly enjoyed. Here are random shots of some of our meals, since everyone loves food :)
    08 Mar 2015 ⋅ 13 comments ⋅ 17 photos ⋅ 443 views
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  • 12. SQ Suites: Tokyo to Singapore

    Nartita Airport, Tokyo, Japan
    While we are usually sad to end a trip - especially one as perfect as this - we were also excited to try Singapore Airline's Suites for the first time! There were only 2 other passengers out of 12 available seats, so it was very private and the service was impeccable.

    We opted to sit across from each other and dine face-to-face, which was a nice compliment to the flurry of courses that one would normally only get in a high-end restaurant. After stuffing our bellies full of great food, we had the double bed set up and grabbed some good sleep before arriving in Singapore. A great way to round out an already amazing trip!
    08 Sep 2014 ⋅ 7 comments ⋅ 25 photos ⋅ 478 views
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