Traveling to Tokyo At Home

Hey folx! I'm back with another Destination Date Night. I meant for this to go up on Wednesday, but as you may have heard, the West Coast was hit with a massive heatwave and as we don't have central air, like most of the people in the PNW, our window unit and portable unit were not doing the best. The portable was in the bedroom, so we could sleep and the dog had a place to escape, since it was the only room that was cool-ish. 

A few weeks ago we decided to go back to Japan, but this time we were very interested in focusing on Tokyo. We have actual plans to visit Tokyo in the future, but it's going to be a bit, since we know there are a lot of things we want to do, including going to Tokyo Disney and DisneySea. 

I found a perfect backdrop of the Shibuya district, where the world's largest crosswalk is. It's basically just a big shopping and dining district. 

I threw a red tablecloth on our table, because red is a very lucky color in Japan, a bonsai tree, a Japanese flag, a really fun city guide, and a cat plush that is made of a repurposed kimono that I picked up when we visited the Portland Japanese Garden.

Every year, Cost Plus World Market has a crop of Hello Kitty items, so I purchased a bottle of HK soy sauce and a set of sake cups, because she seems to be a big staple in Japanese culture. 

Since we did sushi for our last Japan night, we decided to do the trendy (in Portland) thing and get ramen and some sides. Here's what's on the table: pork gyoza, vegetable roll (because you need veggies), Tsukemen Spicy with chashu pork, and Yuzu Ratan with chicken broth and chashu pork. 

I'm not sure why I didn't think ramen would be that filling, but it totally was and we both only ended up eating half the bowl. I actually really enjoyed everything I ordered. I've not been that interested in going out for ramen, much like I almost never order soup out. I'm more openminded about ramen now. 

 

I much prefer gyoza over potstickers, because I like the crispy wrapper. These were especially good...and pretty photogenic.

While we ate, we watched a video of the Robot Restaurant Show, because this is a thing I've always wanted to do. It's like a mix of Tournament of Kings, a parade, and a fashion show. You dine and watch a crazy show that includes floats and robots and dancers. It's got awesome music. 

While I didn't order a drink from the restaurant I got dinner from, I did pick up a locally-made canned sake. I much prefer their bottled sakes (SakeOne), as the Yomi sort of just tasted like sad white wine. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't like it enough to finish the can or buy it again. Eric just did a ginger beer with his.

I'll admit that I 100% bought this sake based on the can design. I was waffling between it and a bottle of plum wine that had whole plums floating around in it. I don't know if that would have been better, but I am probably going to try it at some point to see for sure. 

After our dinner show, we took two tours of the Shibuya district, where we actually saw the same shops and restaurants as we had on our backdrop. One of the tours was a daytime walk and the other was a nighttime walk.

I also picked this interesting shrine walkway backdrop that felt like it was something that was probably in the city, but you probably felt like you were no longer in the city. I didn't do any research to see where it might be located, but it's totally something I would see and it would draw me in. 

I specifically purchased this gorgeous (and affordable) short kimono with a geisha scene on the back for this dinner and wanted to show it off, because it's really pretty and I wore it to a family gathering the other weekend and got a lot of compliments on it. It's lightweight and floaty and I can't wait to wear it some more. 

If you're looking to have your own Tokyo Destination Date Night (or Family Night or general staycation), there's a lot you can do to make it special and immerse yourself in the culture. 

• A great backdrop
• Tokyo's Shibuya district
• Rainbow Bridge
• Torii Gates (the walkway one I have)
• Japanese flag
• Tokyo Olympic flag/banner
• Sushi restaurant bunting
• Bonsai tree
• Lucky Cat
• Tokyo guidebook
• This fun one I have
• Fodor's with side trips (get all the deets on the country)
• Tokyo walks guide
• Ramen bowls - these come with chopsticks and soup spoons
• If you have littles, check out these training chopsticks
• Sake set
• Ramen cookbook
• Tokyo cookbook
• Japanese flashcards - learn Japanese with your family/loved one
• A good YouTube playlist
• My playlist with tours and dinner show
• A good J-Pop music playlist
• You can also find great shows on Netflix, like Midnight Diner, to engage with more Japanese culture

There you have it. We had Pocky for dessert, because I didn't actually think about it and the restaurant I ordered from didn't have a dessert menu. We were also really stuffed, so this was perfect. We'll eventually come back around and do a catch-up dessert, which I will post on Instagram. 

There's so much you can do to make this staycation awesome, educational, or romantic. Whatever you're looking for. With the upcoming Olympics Games, you might want to deck out your living room and feel like you're there. However you choose to immerse yourself in your destination, you may find that you're planning a future trip to Tokyo, too. 

What are your favorite Japanese foods?

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I may be compensated should you choose to make any purchases through them. This allows me to keep this blog running for you. Thanks in advance!

Domestic Travel and Transportation During the Pandemic

Although the pandemic is still active across the globe, travel within one’s own country is largely unrestricted and therefore small family vacations or short breaks are possible. But no matter with whom you travel and from where, you need to be aware that restrictions and procedures are still largely in place across many nations and even intercity or interstate travel isn’t advised by governments, although no one will stop you. However, international travel is currently heavily regulated.

Image Courtesy of Pixabay

In the United States, for example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises not to travel anywhere within the country unless you and your party are fully vaccinated. They also advise regular testing before and during travel for the unvaccinated. In addition, social distancing measures such as mask-wearing and the two-meter rule are highly regulated in all public settings and enclosed spaces.

Transportation Options Might be Limited

The potential for Covid-19 transmission means that many businesses, especially those that rely on public numbers, aren’t operating at full capacity. Establishments such as theme parks, cinemas, and restaurants are good examples of this but travel-related businesses are also affected.

Coach operators, bus rentals, passenger trains, and airlines are excellent domestic transportation options. However, many of these businesses might not be as accessible as you are used to. In many nations, government guidelines and laws are forcing these types of businesses to operate at limited capacity and to strictly enforce Covid safety. You need to stay patient and check all local transportation options when planning to travel.

Courtesy is a Must

When traveling via public systems such as planes, trains, and coaches, the restrictions and limited capacity can become somewhat frustrating and/or stressful. However, we should all remember that we are in this together and nobody, especially the travel employees, is to blame. 2020 saw an increase in air rage incidents causing the FAA to hand out more fines than before and increase the amount.

Even though international air travel is restricted, in comparison the rates of incidents are higher in ratio when compared with how many flights are taking place. While some fines of this nature are issued in relation to mentally unstable or criminal individuals, during 2020 and into 2021 many have been in relation to people being asked to follow Covid rules such as mask-wearing, staying apart a certain distance, and using antibacterial products. By asking for these simple rules to be followed, travel employees are simply doing their job and trying to keep everyone safe.

Stay Up-to-Date with Covid Policies

As recent incidents have shown, such as the UK’s removal of certain countries from their “Green List” without prior warning, Covid-19-related policies and procedures can change at the drop of a hat. For this reason alone you should try to stay on top of national and local Coronavirus policies as you travel domestically from city to city or state to state.

Various health department websites for each state, local area, or tribe (United States) will provide the most recent news concerning Covid-19 policies. While many are likely to be the same, some differences are possible and are usually reflected by Covid-19 infection rates in each region. Where it is higher, it is likely that strict measures are imposed and the opposite is likely to be true for lower infected areas.

What to Know About International Travel During the Pandemic

Just because America and a few other places are doing super well right now in regards to Covid, we may get complacent thinking this is the norm everywhere. I have been putting off flying domestically, because the safety protocols don't really meet my specifications right now and I don't really trust strangers in an enclosed space, making me uncomfortable in an airplane despite being fully vaccinated. Since international travel involves Covid testing for the most part, I would be more likely to travel out of the country.

If you're like me, know there should be some things to think about if you're planning an international trip soon:

Know the numbers

Just because the U.S. has fairly good and rising number of vaccinated folx, it doesn't mean other countries are doing as well. Many places still can't get vaccinated and there are governments that aren't making the ones they have available as widely as they could/should. Look at the vaccination percentages and also the Covid numbers. Both are really important to know in order to feel safe in any given place. You also should keep in mind that even if you are okay with taking the chance, there are variants out there that you could still contract, and you could also unknowingly spread Covid to other people who may have been okay before. 

What if you get stranded

There's still a chance that Covid numbers boom wherever you go, so have a plan. What if they go back into lockdown and you're stranded there? Can you afford to get stuck in another country? Will your insurance cover you? Is there a way for you to get home if the country closes? What if you get sick with Covid and have to go to a foreign hospital? you may be stuck there for weeks or months while you recover. You may be putting undue strain on an already strained medical system. Do some research and think about how you might be affected if the worst happens. 

Follow the rules

Even if you're fully vaccinated (which should be a given if you're traveling internationally) that doesn't make you immune to rules. Wear your mask on the plane whenever you aren't eating or drinking. Don't pretend you are just so you don't have to wear it. If a place requires you to get tested or present your vaccination card, remember that it's not just about you and places are trying to keep their own people/guests/customers safe and healthy. Don't make their lives harder. If they request you wear a mask, even outside, either do it or go elsewhere. Pitching a fit isn't helpful to anyone and just makes you look like a jerk. If you don't like the rules, that's on you.

Be Kind

I know this may sound like a "duh" suggestion for you, but "air rage" has dramatically increased with the pandemic. Remember that everyone's in the same boat and travel can be stressful. You don't know what people are going through, so try to give them some slack. I try to remember this even when not traveling, but especially when dealing with those in the hospitality industry, flight crews, and customer service. They're stuck there doing their jobs and you making it harder just adds more stress they don't need. If something goes wrong, give them a chance to fix it before getting upset. Things happen and sometimes mistakes are unavoidable. What matters is how they're handled once it's brought to their attention.

Tip Better

In places where tipping is normal, I suggest tipping better than you usually do. This pandemic has been hard on a lot of people and people are struggling, trying to make up for the year plus of lost income. Remember that when you go out to eat, use Uber or a cab, go on a tour, or use other services. I even tip more than usual when I visit food trucks. In fact, I feel really good about helping people so much that I plan to continue doing so even after the pandemic is over. Even at home I have a snack/sanitizer/water bin in front of my house for delivery drivers and mail carriers. They've been doing a lot more with people being stuck at home and don't always have time to stop for snacks or water. It all goes back to being kind to people and realizing we are privileged to even be traveling during this time. 

If you aren't planning to travel out of the country, but still want to go somewhere - because we all do - check out my list of great domestic destinations. If you also aren't into flying right now, a road trip can be really fun and indulgent. Check out my tips on how to make your road trips better, and packing tips for your trip.

Are you planning to travel this year?