Don't Give Up...

 ..."Before the miracle can happen." ~ Fannie Flag

     We went on another Japan quick trip this past weekend. Since January we've been trying to get to Japan for just a weekend so Taby and her partner along with my grandson can get away. So finally after time off planned and flights looking a lot more decent. We made it out last Friday early morning and got into Narita, Japan for a three days and two nights getaway!

Gate waiting for shuttle bus.

My son in-law has never gotten a chance to see Japan except through the airport, so it was a first time for him and my grand baby. We made it to our hotel and then took the shuttle bus to get lunch at the mall. Of course I had to stop by my favorite shop, Patty's. Lots of new Swimmer items too! But I decided not to get anything, because my bedroom is small. My excuse! LMAO But just look at all those cute items!! Haha!

Patty's selection of cuteness!

We ate lunch at the mall and got our usual. Bought some supermarket snacks and food items. Went immediately to the claw machine room and Taby and Brenavin tried their luck. They did win a Micky and Donald Plush for baby! Yay! Sara and I just frequented the Gatcha machines and I got a few items there...

Sunset from hotel room.

As the sun set on Friday our first day in Narita. The next morning Sara, Taby and family were ready for breakfast. We had the buffet style breakfast always given at our hotel and enjoyed the views of the Koi pond. Then, we were ready for the Temple!!

Breakfast before the adventures...

 We caught a taxi to the Narita-san Temple. Brenavin and baby have never seen. So we made it there and it wasn't to busy just yet since we got there around 8am. We went to our fave spot where the Sakura trees were and in early bloom...

Brenavin, Taby and TJ.

Taby and my boy!

Kitties, Ohayo Gozaimasu!

We were even greeted by the local cats there!! The flowers were so beautiful. I had to take a shot with my little travel buddy!! Mostly the white Sakura trees throughout, but there were some dark pink Sakura trees as well, though not as many.

Small Puppy CC and Sakura blossoms.

Beautiful blooming Sakura!

This tree above has some little green birds picking at the cherry blossoms and making it fall onto us. It was so sweet and just the sight and sounds were so meditative. One of my favorite places to be for sure!!

a panoramic view of where I sat while waiting for the kids to come back to me...

After leaving the Temple, one of Brenavin's spots to see was this store called, "Up Garage". I think it's more like a Proline or NAPA store like on Guam! Lots of car stuff!! Just glad we made it there for him and he got a chance to enjoy it. Taby found this for me to look at, a resin gear knob with flowers inside. Too bad my little gear on the Prius may not be able to hold this one. Haha!

Gear knob, so cute!

Just a peek at the selection there.

After this shop, we caught a taxi to the mall for lunch and more shopping. We found a little eatery in the supermarket and got ourselves some freshly made candied apples and strawberries a Japan version of 'Tanghulu' called, 'Furitsu Ame', which are basically, 'candied fruits' like this strawberry one. So yummy!!

Candied apples.

Candied Strawberries.

Brenavin wanted to try this place he saw by Mcdonalds and he got this Indian dish of cheese bread and dipping sauces of veggie curry and I forgot the other curry flavor?! It was yummy too! We just relaxed and enjoyed our time checking out more shops.

Chapati above with curry sauces.

Gatcha Swimmer hair ties!

Fueki Kun Gatcha!!

We finally made it to the Gatcha room that they had in the mall that I went to last time. I wanted to see all the machines they had there for March. So many cute things too! I opted for just one item from the shop (I will share in separate post). Haha!! Sara got something as well.

bag from Mister Donut.

After a long day of walking around, we decided to get some dinner and head back to the hotel for the day. Taby and Brenavin decided to have a date night and Sara and I watched baby. They left later that evening, while Sara, baby and I watched some Japanese anime and ate our sweets from Mister Donut! Yummy! There was a Sakura mochi donut as well. Oh my goodness, Krispy Kreme ain't got nothing on these donuts!! LMAO!

Mister Donut choices, Sakura, Strawberry Mochi, and Chocolate dipped.

By Sunday morning, we did our usual start of breakfast and then planning our adventures for the day. We decided to check out by 11am and leave our bags at the hotel. We took our shuttle to the mall and spent the last day, just enjoying the sights of the mall and Brenavin getting stuff for his family. Sadly, the rain finally came by Sunday, though we had beautiful weather on Friday and Saturday, thank goodness! Sunday was gloomy, cold and wet. I kept saying lucky thing we went to the temple on Saturday and not waited until Sunday to go!!

Fujiya Peko Chan!!

 We checked out Book Off this time and Daiso there. Yes, still Daiso. Though we have a Daiso on Guam there are more things at Japan's Daiso and its way cheaper. Haha! So we enjoyed seeing the vast selection and enjoying the dollar versus yen goodness!

Book Off views.

More Book Off views.

By 1pm we were ready to eat lunch. Taby and Brenavin wanted Sara and I to try out the place they ate at the night before, Bronco Billy's Steakhouse. We took a taxi to the restaurant. Lots of rain and traffic too. Oh my goodness, it was very good and the beef steak had so much flavor to it! Definitely something Sam might enjoy!

Bronco Billy's Steakhouse Restaurant.

Grandbaby and Sara.

By 2pm, we decided to get back to the hotel get our bags, and head out to Terminal 1 for departure. We caught the shuttle bus to the airport and made it safely to the airport for some last minute shopping for Brenavin and Taby. Then onto our gate to wait for departure. It was an overall great time and definitely one of our memorable trips for sure, most especially for B and TJ!! Now, we got back safely home by around 2am. We are happy everyone enjoyed the trip! Yay!

Until next time Japan!! Live, enjoy the little things and take family along for the experiences!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls

"Life is Either a Daring Adventure..."

 "... or nothing at all." ~ Helen Keller

At Guam International Airport Ready for

 

our 11am flight into Narita, Japan.

    Hey guys, here's Part II of my Sistercation adventures. Part I is here. My sister and her husband are enjoying Guam and we had a family BBQ this past Sunday prior to Lita and I going to Japan for a few days. The plan was to spend three days and two nights in Narita, make our way to Harajuku and the Takeshita Dori so that my sister could experience the train rides and do a bit of shopping. We arrived at the Guam Airport without any major issues, except for a lot of rain, ugh. We parked my car, and had to run for the building. Haha! A bit wet, we made our way to the TSA line. Once we made it to our gate, the plan was to get into Narita, catch the shuttle bus to our hotel, check in and then head to Aeon Mall for a bit of shopping.

In the taxi to Aeon Mall.

We ended up taking a taxi to the mall only because the shuttle bus wasn't for another hour and we were ready to eat dinner. Once there we got some fresh fruit and snacks for our hotel room. We strolled the 1st floor first and then headed to the 2nd floor. My sister isn't really into sushi, so we ate at Burger King for dinner. We found some cute things at a Hobby shop, and played some Gatcha machines too. The Daiso had some items like toiletries we'd need for the next three days.

Cute Baby Nanci, I wish I could take her home! LOL

Found a hat for my hubby!

Baskin Robbins Cotton Candy ice cream, Yum!

After Daiso, we called it a night and headed to the shuttle bus depot to catch it and head back to our hotel. The line was short, when we got there, but as soon as the bus was parked, my gosh that line got crazy crowded. We almost missed the bus, because he parked further back since another bus there. We got in and it was standing room only!! Luckily, once the bus stopped at the first hotel, then there was room. Whew! We got to our hotel and we were in for the night.

Avacado and Cheddar Doritos!! Were yummy!

They didn't have strawberry sandwich so I got this one!

I had to get myself one!! Kind of expensive though.

 The next morning both Lita and I got up early, I mean 4am early! Haha! Just relaxed, showered, and waited for our time to head over to the breakfast buffet. We were the first ones to the restaurant. Once in we ate, had our fill and made our way back to our room to change and get ready for the day! The plan was to catch the shuttle bus back to the airport but at Terminal 2 and get our tickets for the Keisei Line into Tokyo, then catch the JR Yamanote line for Harajuku.

Breakfast buffet, was delicious! Yes, that's Melon soda!Ha

Our Keisei Line ticket with reserve seats.

The lady at the train ticket counter was so sweet, she even helped us get tickets to the JR line, and gave us directions. Once on our reserved seated train, we just relaxed and took in the scenery. There were a lot of stops and we arrived at the JR line about an hour and a half later. Once at the JR Yamanote line, we kind of got lost trying to figure out which train track to go too. Haha! But, we found it with a bit of help from a shop keeper. Once on the JR line, Lita got to experience the crazy morning rush with all the suits and teen school kids headed out. She was surprised at how crowded the train was and that personal space, was feeling a bit violated. Haha! 

Once at our stop for Harajuku, we got out and I tried to remember how to get to Takeshita Dori from the train. My memory was foggy and the last time I had been there was 2015 with my family!! LOL The rain didn't help anything either. We just ran across the street and went into a little doorway, waiting a bit. A young woman was heading into a cat cafe and I asked her how to get to the street and she directed us. But before we headed toward the street we decided to get out of the rain and go to the Starbucks to wait it out. 

Starbucks for a break! Mango smoothie!

We made it to Takeshita Dori!!

We left through the back side of Starbucks an found a street that took us into Takeshita. We could see Daiso from the street we walked out of. It was still sprinkling a lot so we headed to Daiso first! Three floors of cute! Lit and I headed to the first floor, it was so crowded. We didn't stay on 1st floor for long and then we headed to 3rd floor next. After 2nd floor. It was good, lots of cute things to buy, but I mainly liked what I found on the 2nd floor, some Rose of Versailles merch!! Yup, Merch!! I made sure to grab all the styles I could! So I got a makeup case, glasses case, bento bag, wash cloth, and smaller makeup case.

Rose of Versailles Merch from Daiso!!

Airport Terminal 2 shopping.

When we left Daiso, we made our way to Mcdonald's for lunch and it was still raining. Ugh. My sister was tired and we just didn't want to wade through the somewhat crowded street and in the rain. So we made our way back to the JR line. I told her we could head back to the airport and shop there, and she agreed. So back onto the JR line and this time because it was only 11am still there was no crowd on the train. We also took the non stop Keisei Line back tot he airport. Yay and got there by 1pm. Ate at a Japanese curry restaurant and then did more shopping. I sat while Lita enjoyed looking around.

Last breakfast before heading back...

When she had her fill of shopping, we caught the shuttle bus back to our hotel and bought some snacks for that night. We just relaxed packed our bags and planned for the next day and catching the shuttle bus back to the airport for our flight back to Guam. We had breakfast at the Buffet, went back to our room, dressed and were ready for the airport. Once at the airport, we did some last minute shopping for family. Then sat at our gate ready for our flight. We arrived back on island by 3pm that day. I told my sister at least we tried and made it to Takeshita Dori as planned. It was a great Sistercation adventure and with my first best friend, my sister! Now her vacation is coming to a close and it will be time to head back to WA.

I'm so glad I made the trip to WA and spending time with my sister was a dream. I will definitely try to visit her again next year. I hope she enjoyed it as well and her partner. Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone to experience things and I'm glad I was able to help my sister do that!

Happy October guys! More on finds next time!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

 

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