“I must see a capybara”
It was the last week of summer break before the kids go back to a new fall semester. I better make this trip a moment to remember before they return to reality…
This time, I received a Google Form with a check list: Capybara, Ghibli Museum, Thrift Shopping, Street food. Sounds like a Kichijoji Tour!
The mother, Carrissa, (with electric yellow hair) and her family are coming all the way from the Midwest, USA. She is a big fan of Sailor Moon, Ghibli, and Spy Family etc., so we clicked instantly.
Street Food Tour
I welcomed the gang at Kichijoji Station. Our first stop is this small gyoza dumpling shop in Harmonica Yokocho. My hair stylist recommended this spot, so you know it’s good! This is the best home-made gyoza in town.
Everyone had their own fried meatball, menchi katsu
Can you tell these men are enjoying life?
Taiyaki fish shop is right next to the Menchi katsu shop. The rotation between salty and sweet is the best! Yes, the weather was still pretty warm for early September! I’d say it was T-shirt and shorts kind of weather as you can see.
Capybara Time!
Have you seen this viral video? The Capybara Song Official Music Video The gang insisted I watch this LOL.
This is the reason why they needed to come here.
The son is actually the one who really wanted to see a capybara on this trip. Dreams do come true!
We had the whole place to ourselves! Usually it’s packed with a maximum of 9 people. They also brought out the cutest cats since they know me.
This would make a really great holiday card.
The Best Fro-yo in Town
It was my first time trying this frozen yogurt. It did not disappoint! They use real fruit and blend it with yogurt. There are so many flavors to choose from. I had the haskapp that day which is like a tarty blueberry from Hokkaido. It’s so refreshing and everyone loved it! I had something similar in North Shore, Hawaii, but it was not that good and they used frozen Costco berries.
Time to do some damage $$$
Carrissa told me the family loves to thrift shop. Kichijoji is one of the best places for that. However, I suggest avoiding the boutique stores that claim they are second hand. Those “thrift” shops are just like Shimokitazawa and marked up triple the price of imported western clothes you can get from Goodwill. SO NOT WORTH! Especially for those who live in the States. Instead, I took them to two of my favorite thrift shops. I have a few more on my list, but we only had time for two.
This is an incredible steal! 200 yen per record!
He is a cap and sneaker head… he was in heaven.
She scored an MCM bunny wallet almost brand new!
Ghibli Cream Puffs
We took the iconic photo in front of the store and took our Totoros to the park. By the last hour, Carrissa’s daughter could not hold back from laughing at my content-taking BTS skills. After all, I am a pro at this... jk it’s only been 6 years on social media. I can tell she and I have the same humor lol.
Carrissa’s smile when she took a bite of the Totoro cream puff <3 It means the world to me!!! She’s been waiting for this moment forever!
Ghibli admission tickets sell out so quickly!
It was 3 weeks away until they arrive to Japan. Carrissa and I immediately got to talking on the time and dates, so we can book 4 tickets for that day. Thankfully, we got them just in time!
Yes, there are lockers available for your shopping bags
As I dropped them off in time for their Ghibli Museum reservation, it was already goodbye since it was only a half day tour… This is always the hard part! I left the scene before I teared up…
