Making Each Day Count

As the year comes to a close, I reflect on the highs and lows, lessons learned and memories made. 2024 flew by quickly, but I consider it a year of personal growth – relationships with family and friends strengthened and new places explored.

My last post for this year is to share with you highlights of my last (sort of) adventure to the country that’s always on top of my most favorite places to visit. In late November, work brought me back to Tokyo for four days, for what would be my last trip to Japan for 2024.   

Typically, I would book a flight through Haneda Airport as it is just a taxi ride away from Tokyo. However, due to last minute changes in my itinerary, I would be landing at Narita Airport instead. Adding to the chaos, the Sunday of my flight to Japan coincided with the Philippines bracing for a strong typhoon, delaying my flight by four hours. Though waiting in the airport and the time spent flying are my least favorite parts when traveling, I came prepared with some downloaded tv series to watch and took that time to also catch up on my reading. I sighed with relief when we finally touched down to Japan, and thankfully I didn’t wait long in line to get through Immigration. As I passed through the Pokemon welcome wall at Narita, excitement replaced the exhaustion from the full day of travel.

I took the Narita Express train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station. After more or less an hour, I said hello once again to the historical red brick walled Tokyo Station, readied my Google Maps, and walked on to Anagoya Ginza Hirai which was quietly tucked in an alley close to my hotel, for my grilled eel dinner. I was introduced to the Hitsumabushi dinner, and the staff showed me a YouTube video on how to enjoy my grilled eel. I had not been to this restaurant before, but I had high expectations after reading raves about it. The reviews were true – I had a fantastic meal!

The next few days were mostly dedicated to work, but I made sure to carve out time walking the streets of Ginza at night, enjoy the cool early winter air, and indulge in good food. What I like about Tokyo is the wide variety of food options – from the konbini, to kiosks, restaurants, and food courts at the basement of department stores – it’s a foodie’s paradise.

Here are the food places that stood out for me on this visit:

• Anagoya Ginza Hirai (Hitsumabushi dinner)
• Restaurant LUKE with Sky Lounge (5-course lunch set)
• Chirihama (lunch set: sashimi and eel)
• Rodda’s (scones and clotted cream)

My business trip to Tokyo was brief, but it was as usual, nothing short of amazing. Japan never fails to leave me in awe, and as early as now I am already looking forward to returning next year with D to explore somewhere we have not been.

Thank you for joining me in my journeys this year. Here’s to 2025 bringing all of us peace, prosperity, love and joy!