My Mom’s 60th Birthday Trip to Japan | Traveler with 1,000 Reasons Why

Japan has been a country I’ve always dreamed of visiting. So, when planning my mother’s 60th birthday, I couldn't think of any other way to celebrate than with a family trip around Asia.

Our first leg of the trip was to Tokyo, Japan for three nights, and we were all excited to go! My mom had previously been to Japan many years ago, while touring as a traditional Korean dancer around various countries in Asia. Though initially apprehensive about returning (she said she had already visited and was more excited about exploring a new country), Tokyo won her over as we created new memories together.

I wish I could have spent more time in Tokyo, but this trip was a great teaser for future trips to this amazing city. In the meantime, here are four must-see spots when visiting Tokyo:

Imperial Palace & East Gardens: (1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan): Located in the Tokyo Imperial Palace, this historical site is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is open to the public and can be accessed via the Ote-mon, Hirakawa-mon, or Kitahanebashi-mon gates. Reservations are required to visit the Imperial Palace and limited spots open monthly, so I recommend checking the site regularly to secure yours.

Unfortunately, we only got to see the exterior of the palace because the castle is closed between the end of December and early January every year. Because of this, we were only able to explore the surrounding area outside of the gate. That being said, the encompassing area looked huge from the outside, and would likely take a few hours to explore.

Senso-Ji Temple (2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan):

The oldest established Buddhist temple in Tokyo visited by over 30 million visitors a year, this is one of the most famous and significant places in Japan, which consists of a main hall, several large pagodas, and entryway.

I loved visiting Senso-ji Temple because it was bustling with so much to see and do. A pathway of gift shops and food vendors lead visitors towards the temple. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs. Additionally, Asakusa (the neighborhood in which Senso-Ji is in) is known to sell traditional Japanese temple footwear, called Tabi shoes. I loved the Persimmon-colored pair I bought!

Upon entering the temple, we realized there were barely any signs in English, so it might be helpful to use a translation app to help guide you through the temple. Additionally, although it’s a religious temple, it is also very much a tourist spot, so expect to see more tourists taking photos than worshippers inside.

Outside of the temple, there were a few rickshaws stationed outside the main temple entrance that you can ride for about $65/per person for a 30-minute ride. They'll take you around the neighborhood and explain the sites to you in English while making stops so you can take photos.

Tsukiji Fish Market (Japan, 〒104-0045 Tokyo, Chuo City, Tsukiji, 4 Chome, 及び６丁目一部): Originally opening on February 1935, this attraction was the largest fish market in the world. The main wholesale operations moved to Toyosu Market on October 2018 and the former location is being replaced by a new stadium for the Yomiuri Giants baseball team. Visitors can still explore the outer market, which boasts more than 400 markets, restaurants, and stores.

We arrived around 11:00am and was surprised that the market was not as dense with people than we initially anticipated. Even so, it’s a great place to walk around to explore the restaurants (especially to get fresh sushi!), fish vendors, and cutlery shops. Visually, it will keep you entertained!

Even though the outer market has hundreds of vendors, I honestly felt a bit underwhelmed. I may not have explored the entirety of the area, but it seemed like the market itself was not as big as I imagined. If you’re hoping to experience the actual bidding market, you will need to go to Toyosu Market, a 30-minute train ride away. Additionally, some vendors have also made the move over to Toyosu Market, double check online before you head over if there’s a particular place you want to try.

Dinner at Tonkatsu Maisen (several locations): A popular restaurant chain famous for its tonkatsu, or deep-fried pork cutlets. The original location is located in Shibuya City (4 Chome-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan) and used to be a traditional Japanese bathhouse back in the 1970’s.

I'm used to Korean katsu, in which the fried pork is cut thinner, similar to an American chicken fried steak. However, the Japanese version is much thicker and (I think) much tastier! I would even go so far as to claim this to be the best meal I had in Japan during my trip (even beating out the Anthony Bourdain-recommended $150 omakase restaurant)! We visited the Maisen closest to our hotel inside a shopping mall, but if given the chance, I would definitely plan on visiting the original location!

You can choose from a variety cuts of pork, ranging in price from $16-$36. But keep in mind that they're limited in stock on certain cuts. When we went, they had already sold out of the cheaper options. Every katsu set you order comes with a side of unlimited "coleslaw," which was essentially shredded cabbage drizzled with ponzu sauce. Simple, but actually really good.

In conclusion, even though my mom was initially reluctant to visit Tokyo, in the end, this trip was an exciting and new experience that supplemented her first trip with new memories she could cherish with her family. Though these are but four spots I recommended based on my first trip to Tokyo, there are definitely more sights and restaurants I would love to visit. I’ll be sure to update y’all on future trips to Japan!