Double-Date in Asakusa
“This trip is a gift to our “Employee of the Year” winner!!!”
I received a Google form from Michelyn one day.
She wanted to celebrate and treat her “Employee of the Year” to a round-trip for her, Stephanie, the winner, and her boyfriend chose Japan!
YESSSSS!! First time for everything.
After watching me on “The Reluctant Traveler,” Michelyn thought I was the perfect local guide.
I had the pleasure of guiding two couples from the Blue Mountains, USA. This was their company retreat.
Michelyn is the President of a Human Resources company called, Stratus HR, John is the CEO and Stephanie is the Business Development Consultant. “Stratus HR is a Professional Employer Organization that alleviates the burdens of human resources administration, workers’ compensation, employee benefits, and payroll administration. More info here.”
I picked them up in the Bunny Mobile from their hotel in Shinjuku, and we headed straight to Kappabashi “Kitchen Town.”
First stop: Plastic food samples. We each picked our favorite food… and draft beer.
Me: Are you shopping for anything in particular?
Yeah… Nail clippers
Japan is known for good quality stainless steel. Many come here to Kappabashi to shop for knives, scissors, but this was my first time someone requested nail clippers! Another challenge I faced!
Michelyn and John were looking for steel nail clippers with a handle.
It wasn’t any of these!
I desperately asked the staff at Kiwami if they have nail clippers with a handle, and they knew exactly what I was talking about and brought out a big case that was not displayed on any of the shelves. Luckily, they only had two left in stock. I also researched online and I only found these (see above).
John bought both nail clippers LOL! He read somewhere online that Japanese steel nail clippers are phenomenal and they will outlast a human life. I thought this was an incredible rare find. Now you know where to find them!
Fine Edo-kiriko Glass for the ladies
Many tour guests love this shop. They always find something very special.
Stephanie found a beautiful glass vase (left). Michelyn loved her Edo-kiriko glass (right). She said it is perfect for her bar at home.
Edo-kiriko is a design that is distinctive to Asakusa Edo culture. All the glass in the shop are made by local artisans. How special to take home art history!
I could tell the gang was getting a little “thirsty”
Getting cultured at Edo Taitō Traditional Crafts Museum
Ramen for Lunch
Michelyn requested ramen for lunch. In Japan, there are so many kinds of ramen. She wanted to try something less oily and on the cleaner side. I know just the place! I, too, like my ramen on the cleaner side.
I took the gang to my favorite vending machine ramen shop in Asakusa.Their char siu is amazing! Only $8 usd per ramen! The men ordered a couple Asahi bottled beers. John had two servings of char siu and mopped the whole thing. He loved it!
A city of old and new: Asakusa
Praying at Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple.
“Legend states that two fisherman caught a golden statue of Kannon—the merciful nirvana achiever—in what is now the Sumida River. Despite trying to return the figure to the river multiple times it always came back to them. Being recognized as Kannon, it was enshrined. Although Sensoji Temple was founded in 628 the current crimson building is much more modern, as it was rebuilt after being destroyed in WW2.”
Lucky fortunes! This is the exact same spot we shot “The Reluctant Traveler” for the fortune scene where I told Eugene Levy that he has hit his peak.
Rickshaw Time!
I’ve arranged the gang for a 12-minute rickshaw ride. This is the first time I saw a female driving it! She is so tough. There used to be four female drivers in the company, but thanks to social media, it has increased to 20. Talk about girl power!
Palm Reading
The best part about traveling is getting to know yourself more and exploring a part of yourself that you’ve never thought you’d see.
I like to take my guests to get their palm readings or fortune readings done to get a different perspectives on themselves. Japanese readers are very accurate.
For 2000 yen ($14 usd), you can get a 10-minute palm reading by this guy on Denboi Street across from Stars Plaza where they display the handprints of Asakusa legendary celebrities in show business. He’s quite popular among the young Japanese people.
The gang felt relieved that he only said good things and a few things to fix and watch out for.
Sayonara
We hopped in the Bunny Mobile and dropped the gang off at Tokyo Sky Tree Observatory Deck, which is just a 12-minute car ride away.
It was a cloudy day unfortunately, so the sunset was not visible. But the night city sky must’ve been spectacular.
Get tickets to Tokyo Sky Tree here (5% Klook promo code is CYBERBUNNY)
Congratulations once again Stephanie!
All your hard work and dedication has paid off. Another big congrats on the recent engagement! (He proposed before Christmas). What a year for you in 2023: Year of the Rabbit!
