January 4, 2017

After visiting Matsumoto the day before, I had to make a game plan for when I would visit the other cities on my list, so the next two days were spent back in Tokyo to accommodate my plan.

I started the day in Harajuku with my mind set on going to an owl cafe. Unfortunately, you need to make a reservation a day or so ahead of time because it’s that popular, so I couldn’t do that. Instead, I chilled outside of a cute little spot nearby called CookieTime, that specializes in cookies, shakes, and flat whites. I bought a flat white and five mini chocolate chip cookies. This spot was actually featured on a video by one of my favorite YouTube J-vloggers.

Without much else on my list for the day, I swung by the famous Cafe Kitsune since I was in the area again. This time it was thankfully open! I got a delicious matcha latte.

After finishing my drinks, I decided to go to my first onsen (an indoor hot springs)! I chose the Oedo Onsen Monogatari that I had read about in some Tokyo and Japan books I had purchased before the trip, as well as watching some of my J-vloggers visit. It’s one of the most popular ones in Tokyo most likely due to the amusement park vibes on the inside. You are able to rent yukata to wear throughout the onsen until you get into the actual hot springs baths. The baths at this particular spot are gender-divided. There was an indoor and outdoor section to the bathing area as well. It was quite a thrilling experience, one I will never forget, getting out of my comfort zone of being naked around a whole bunch of other women. I ended my visit here with a relaxing 50-minute massage; my first ever massage!