A magical day in Asakusa
I received an email from the mother of the pack.
“We believe your presence would add a touch of magic to our family adventure… and make it truly unforgettable.”
I was truly delighted to receive this super well-written “cover letter level” message! Wow!
Most of my tour guest’s inquiries are parents who are extremely busy day-to-day with their super-hero careers. Jenny wanted a family-fun day but did not want to plan it, nor have the time to do so. That’s where I come in!
The family is coming all the way from the east coast of the U.S. I must make their trip worth it!
Jenny said she’s down to do everything and anything as long as there is matcha involved. She watched me on “The Reluctant Traveler” and was super impressed by my funny bunny character and wanted me to sprinkle some “inspiration” to her oldest daughter, V, who is at the tender age of “finding herself.”
This is actually a common request I get from parents since they think I am an example of authenticity that is relatable to multi-generational global viewers. I’m really flattered because the journey was not easy, even though it may look effortless. I did not find Cyber Bunny until after I graduated from university. So V still has lots of time, but to be a young professional in whatever path. I do agree with mom though, it’s best to start as early as possible.
We picked up the gang at Tsukiji Market in our Bunny Mobile and headed to Asakusa.
“The Reluctant Traveler Experience”
We started the tour from Kaminarimon (“Thunder Gate), the iconic gate of Asakusa, and strolled along Nakamise Shopping Street.
Jenny was a fan of the travel show, so we stopped by the mochi shop where Eugene Levy and I ate mochi.
V enjoyed her cucumber on-a-stick and Jenny’s youngest daughter, W, did not like the mochi, but at least she tried it! Good job!
Fancy Fans
They must love pink!
It was a hot summer day in late August. It was like stepping into a sauna. I took out my fan and started to cool myself down, so my makeup wouldn’t melt off my face.
Both V and W suddenly wanted to get their own. (I swear I’m not trying to be a salesperson! I don’t get any commission from this!)
We all had matching fans. How cute!
What’s a goshuinchō?
V found a beautiful goshuinchō 御朱印帳. Direct translation means “a book of seals.”
Goshuinchō is a book that you collect seals or stamps that are handwritten by monks. It’s similar to collecting stamps of all the countries you’ve been to in your passport. In Japanese culture, goshuinchō were used as a sort of passport to the next life, proof of how devoted or faithful you are to the pilgrimages to these shrines and temples. This book will also be burned with your body after death during the cremation.
It’s the ultimate Japanese cultural souvenir and memory!
Kanzashi, Hair accessory
Wig for oiran
While Jenny and I emailed back and forth, she mentioned that her girls would like a hair accessory or some kind of jewelry. I know just the place!
Komachi Hair, コマチヘア was established at Asakusa in 1925. There are 3 locations within this area. Their lineup of hair accessories are legit. This brand even provided makeup, wigs, hair accessories for the theaters and red light district back in the day. One of my favorite Kanazashi is from this store.
Google Map: Komachi Hair Store 1
Komachi Hair Store 3 (we went here)
W scored a hair Kanazashi that matches her eyes! Absolutely beautiful!
V scored some pink crane earrings to match her pink outfit and fan!
Pick your fortune
After we said our prayers to the temple, it was time to pick our fortune. The options are: Best, Good and Worst.
Did you know that Sensoji Temple has the most amount of “good fortunes”? It’s always been like that for some reason.
So which one is the best fortune?
It depends on your perspective, but it is believed that “good fortunes” is the best one you can pull. To a certain extent, staying consistent is considered better than living life like a roller-coaster, flying through the highs and lows.
“Good fortune” means:
There is potential for growth
It’s a sign that you are right where you need to be in life
You are not at rock bottom. Congrats!
You are careful and always on your toes
Good job, keep going!
For those that draw “Best Fortune” like Eugene Levy in the show, there are two ways of interpreting this.
Congrats! This is YOUR year!
Or as I told him, you are already at your highest peak.
Trusting you have a good life can lead to a path of careless mistakes. So be careful!
Eugene Levy looked at me in disbelief and was very confused LOL. Bad-Good Luck?
For those that draw “Worst Fortune,” you have nothing to lose!
Do not fret, it’s only going to get better from here on out.
Maybe draw another one?
Take what resonates and if you don’t think this fortune is for you, you can tie it up and leave it.
The Best Matcha Ice Cream WORTH Standing in Line for
Jenny was so excited for this!
At Suzukien, do note that you need to queue up and get a ticket before entering the store due to its high traffic. When we arrived, they had already finished giving out the tickets for the next time slot. However, the guy at the store saw my disappointed face and the children, so he was kind enough to sneak us in. It was a miracle!! Bunny Power!!
There are 7 levels of matcha intensity. Level 1 is sweet and milky and Level 7 is bitter. Level 3 is recommended for those that like a balanced flavor of bitter and sweet.
The green tea leaves are from Shizuoka prefecture.
I tried the No. 7 premium bitterness because I love my matcha extremely bitter! The gang got something on the sweeter side. I highly recommend getting two scoops while you’re at it!
We went upstairs in the cool AC and enjoyed our ice cream in this little corner.
The shop is located behind Sensoji Temple across the street. It’s about a 3-minute walk.
Arts & Craft Time
For the next hour, the girls and I made these cute masks at PINK ASAKUSA, 日本文化体験カフェ a Japanese cultural experience center. You have a choice of painting a fox mask, maneki neko cat figure and cat mask.
They also offer activities like calligraphy, make your own goshuin or fan, mizuhiki crafting and even an opportunity to watch traditional Miko dancing.
More info here for schedule: https://pink-japan.com/
Google Map: Japanese Experience Cafe＆BAR Pink.Asakusa 日本文化体験カフェ
This cafe turns into a DJ bar at night! Great place to meet and socialize with people from around the world.
My tours include babysitting service
While the girls and I stayed in the nice AC, the parents had a nice hour to themselves so they decided to go to the hedgehog cafe nearby. Spending time with family is important, but setting time as a couple is just as important to maintain a healthy relationship... at least that’s what other experienced couples tell me!
I’m grateful that Jenny can trust me with her girls and that the girls were okay being left alone with me without mom and dad. Until we completed our masks, we were chatting it up like teenage girls and talking about what we want to do in the future, it was so cute! (I felt like 13 years old again!) W told me she’s too young to think about the future and V is undecided. I respect that.
Rickshaw Cruise
Dad didn’t know this was even an option, but he was having a field day!
“Woohooo! We love Cyber Bunny!!! Wahooo!”
30-minute rickshaw course. This rickshaw guy is my favorite :)
Mini Origami & Dress Up Time
I figured we had a full day of having fun, so it was time to sit down and hydrate, use the bathroom, check the phones, relax etc. While Dad had some time to catch his breath, I taught Jenny and the girls how to make a heart and a butterfly out of origami paper. They did a fantastic job! Better than me!
Jenny also mentioned V loved to play dress up. So I brought extra ears and a kimono jacket, haori, for V to wear. She loved it! Girls love dressing up.
It was time to say sayonara. I think I saw Dad tearing up tbh.
I sent the gang to Shinjuku in time for their dinner reservation at Alice in Fantasy Book 絵本の国のアリス in the Bunny Mobile. After a full day tour and spending time with the girls, I hope I was able to spark some “inspiration.”
I believe the most important lesson for kids to learn is giving kindness and compassion through action. Since kids copy what they see, I try my very best to be a good role model as someone on social media… both on and off camera.
