August 22, 2025

Day 1 in Tokyo  started with an 8 hour private van tour, with pickup at the Port of Yokohama and drop-off at WPU Downtown Tokyo Hotel, in the Shibuya Area. 

First stop - Meiji ji ( Jingu) Shrine built in 1920 dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.  It's like a Central Park right in the middle of a bustling city. One of the most famous shrines in Japan surrounded by a tranquil forest of over 100,000 trees. We learned that Shrines have Tori gates and Temples do not.

Next the famed Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world! One crossing can have as many as 3,000 people crossing at one time, over the 5 crosswalks. We were there after rush hour, around 11am, so not at the peak of  craziness!

Next was the very crowded, most visited temple of Tokyo, the Senso Ji Temple. This Buddhist temple is over 1400 years old. You enter through the Kaminarimon ( Thunder Gate) adorned with a giant red lantern and then walk down Nakamise Street which is packed with shops and food stalls on your way to the Temple.

Stop 4 was a combo - ZOJOJI TEMPLE, which I wanted to see because of the care guardian deities and TOKYO TOWER which stands 333 meters tall, in the background, a powerful symbol of Japan's post WWII recovery & resilience. When it was built in 1958, it was the tallest freestanding structure in the world, surpassing its inspiration the Eiffel Tower.

Next Sherrie Bob and Sarah left us for their appointment at Team Borderless and Bosco and I went with guide to check out the tribute to Hayao Miyazaki, a famous director, at the Nippon Television Headquarters. They have a Giant Clock with his most notable characters featured. We also had fun at a neighboring plazas Human Centipede statue.

Our last stop before picking back up the gang and heading to the Hotel was the Odaiba Marine Park. Odaiba is a man made island in Tokyo Bay, accessed by their Brooklyn Bridge wanna be Rainbow Bridge and the area is full of shopping, dining, entertainment and a scenic park along the coastline, complete with their own Statue of Liberty.

By PAT PATRICK June 21, 2026
Bosco and I went back to the Marina Bay Sands, Marquee Night Club for Dancing on Friday night. We got to the club around 11pm and they stayed open till 5 a.m! There was a little bit of a cue to get into the club, but I had bought our entry tickets online prior, so we went through quickly.
By Pat Patrick June 21, 2026
What a gorgeous night this turned out to be. Great company and amazing views with yummy food. Life is Good!
By Pat Patrick June 21, 2026
After walking through the Luxury Mall of MBS we went through the tunnel, under the street to the Hotel Towers . The lobby is very much like a Vegas Casino. Tower 1 is where the observation deck & Le Noir Cocktail Bar is at the front of the Ship and the french restaurant Ce La Vi is located behind these closer to Tower 2. Then comes the infinite edged swimming pool and end the aft section of the Ship is the italian restaurant & bar Lavo . We went up to the 57th floor and requested a walk in reservation at Lavo around 6 pm and we got lucky and were seated out on the terrace by 6:30 pm. We were there for sunset and both light shows, with prime viewing spots. They didn't rush us out at all and we enjoyed a yummy meal! When we left around 8:30 there was a crazy long cue waiting for tables, we got so lucky!