“The Reluctant Traveler” Experience on Easter Day
Mother-Daughter Duo from San Francisco spent Easter Sunday with the Bunny in Asakusa! That’s hilarious.
This year, the weather has been dark and rainy so the cherry blossoms arrived late this year. According to the 2024 Sakura Forecast, it was supposed to start blooming by March 23rd and reach full bloom by March 30th. Our tour day was March 31st, and I’m beyond grateful that there were about 3 trees that decided to fully bloom for us.
Getting to know my guests
Before arrival, I like to know my guest’s interests and preferences. Between emails, I ask random questions like their favorite drinks/ foods, colors, characters, anime, and of course, their dislikes. I learned that they are big fans of Sanrio. So… to give them the ultimate fan service, I dressed up as Hello Kitty, just so we can take this photo (below). Yes, I had it all planned…
Ally (daughter) is a sweet angel who has quite a sweet tooth.
It’s her lucky day because Asakusa is full of street foods of both sweet and savory. Both of them were vegetarians, so taking that into consideration, I narrowed down a few places that didn’t have any meat.
I understand how important dietary restrictions can be and how certain foods make us feel. I’ve been a Type-1 diabetic for 15 years, so I take this very seriously!
Where we filmed the mochi scene in “The Reluctant Traveler”
This is the spot where Eugene Levy and I ate mochi. We had Mitarashi-Dango (soy miso glaze) and Koshi-an (red bean). However, I had a feeling the ladies would enjoy something more dainty and aesthetic for the pictures LOL.
“Now this is more like it!”
This is the mochi dango that all Japanese girls in kimono like to take their Instagram pics with. It’s small and decorated with just the right amount of sweetness! They both loved it! Isn’t so cute?
Flavors: Sakura (left), Matcha (right)
Google Map: Asakusa Soratsuki | 浅草そらつき 本店 (cash only)
They brought the sunshine from Sunny California!
It was a beautiful warm sunny day. Make sure to bring water, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and comfortable shoes. If you can, wear layers to take off. Finally, travel light! The weekends are very hectic, so be prepared to stand in long queues and swim through the crowds.
Rest assured, this bunny knows all the short cuts and hidden paths.
Prayer and purification ritual at Sensoji Temple
It was Easter Sunday, so of course, we had to pray.
We first purified ourselves with incense smoke to remove any toxic thoughts, feelings and illnesses. Then washed our hands at the fountain. Lastly, threw some coins in the temple and said our prayers as we bowed our heads to the Goddess of Mercy (Kanon).
Julie (mom) had a great question…
“Do we pray to Jesus Christ or Buddha?”
I get this question a lot whenever I make videos about temples and shrines. Japanese culture is very open to anyone who wants to take part of their customs and traditions. Of course, you can pray to either or both! Even the universe is okay if you’re non-religious.
You should pray to whoever or whatever that makes sense to you. I usually pray to my ancestors and the hosting deity.
Oracle fortunes
Another scene from “The Reluctant Traveler,” like Eugene Levy, Ally also drew “Best Fortune”! Julie drew “Worst fortune”!!!
It all depends on your perspective. If you resonate with what it says, keep it! If you don’t, tie and leave it at the temple site. These are just for fun/donation to the temple, so it doesn’t need to be taken seriously!
More Sweets!
Tiramisu flavor (left), Creme Brûlée flavor (right)
Even on a weekend, the line for this matcha crepe was not bad at all. It’s usually past the store around the corner, so you know it’s really good!
This was also my first time trying this crepe and it was very tasty! Love the color and packaging. It had a mild matcha flavor which pairs well with creamy tiramisu and creme brûlée. The tiramisu crepe has “Asakusa” written in Kanji!
Although, I would pass on the matcha latte. Better to get that in Kyoto!
What is the ribbon for? Mizuhiki is a type of decoration used on money envelopes for celebratory purposes (ex. marriage, child birth, graduation etc.). Depending on how it’s tied, it has different meanings for each celebration. Instead of throwing it away, keep it!
Google Map: Asakusa Chaya Tabanenoshi | 浅草茶屋たばねのし
Best Strawberry… Everything
Ally loves strawberries, so I knew she would love the strawberry smoothie from this shop. I must warn you, you’ll never be able to drink Jamba Juice Strawberry smoothies ever again.
There are two types of smoothies: One with milk and one without. Both are very good with generous cup size!
If you’re lactose intolerant, might want to get one without milk, which tastes very sour and tarty! I prefer the milky one.
For those that like to start Happy Hour early, try the Strawberry beer, tequila shots, high ball, and sour.
Google Map: Asakusa Ichigoza | 浅草苺座
While they were riding the rickshaw, I was Uber Eats and delivered the strawberry smoothie and cider for when they were done.
Yes! You are allowed to take food and drinks on the rickshaw. Kanpai! (‘cheers’ in Japanese)
Fortune-telling
Both mother-daughter are very into energy reading, so this was a perfect activity to get to know them even more.
Julie and Ally enjoyed what they heard. They also asked great questions for the reader at the end.
As women, we are very in-tune with our intuition, mind and soul.
This is my secret spot to take guests. Most of my guests really enjoy this part of the tour. Part of traveling is learning something new about yourself from a different perspective.
Depending on the day and time, it’s a different reader, but I think they are all good!
Trust me, I’ve experienced really bad aggressive readers who have only told me useless things that were just common sense at triple the price! To add, readers overseas are overpriced or only available online. I feel this shop is the sweet spot and I feel emotionally relieved every time I come in for my reading.
Since most readers in Japan don’t speak English or those that do speak broken English can’t really articulate themselves accurately, I do my best to translate. An example when I mean “bridging the gap between the East and the West.”
If you want to get to know yourself more or look 6 months into the future, get yourself a reading done in Japan!
Kappabashi Window Shopping
Last spot of the tour is Kappabashi. This is where you can buy cooking ware, knives, uniforms, ceramic plates etc. all tax-free. (bring your actual passport)
Ally dreams to attend a prestigious art college to be a visual artist one day. During the tour, I did my very best to throw culture and art in her way within the short amount of time we had, so she can be inspired to create her own art in the future.
I showed her a traditional glass art called, Edokiriko. Asakusa is known for this type of glass cutting. I love the colors and how it shines through the light.
Many of my guests in the past enjoyed bringing a glass home to sip on whisky near their fireplace or home bar.
Doesn’t she look so cute in those ears?
Back at the hotel for their next appointment!
Do you like my car magnet? I just ordered it!
