On our 2017 trip back from Indonesia to the US, we had quite the layover experience. Although being 30 weeks pregnant was not how I originally made these travel plans. For Part 1 of our layover adventures in Seoul, South Korea, click here!
From Seoul, we traveled onto Tokyo via the Narita Airport. Tokyo had long been in my heart to visit. I was most excited about touring this mega modern stylish capital city. However, my pregnant weariness and swollen feet got the best of me. We never did explore the city of Tokyo, but instead spent the day in Narita, Japan and still had a grand time.
My main goals for experiencing Japan were food related. I wanted to eat ramen and sushi and edamame and dumplings. I love love love Japanese food. And other than the sushi [yay pregnancy], I got to eat all my Japanese favorites. Our first stop was at Ramen Bayashi, right on the main street through Narita. The food was exactly as good as I hoped it would be. My husband and I shared the most savory dumplings and the most delicious ramen that I’ve ever tried. After our huge meal, we continued to walk through Narita and take in the sights. We visited a 7/11 because convenience stores in Japan are no joke. Quirky soda flavors, prepared meals, household goods, and unique snacks were all on display at this one stop shop. We continued walking through the carefully curated streets of Narita and found ourselves at Naritasan Park & Pagoda. This large temple complex was a beautiful ancient Buddhist temple with so much to explore. We arrived a little late in the day at almost 5pm, so the temple itself was closing but we could still walk around and enjoy the architecture. Our final stop on our walking tour of Narita was AEON Mall. Usually a shopping mall isn’t my idea of great sightseeing, but I really wanted to find Daiso, a 99 Yen store [$1 store], and spend the rest of our yen on souvenirs for ourselves and family & friends! I stocked up on washi tape and cool stationary supplies, bought authentic fans, designer pens and sushi shaped erasers. All for 99 yen. What a deal. As we took the free shuttle bus back to our hotel for the evening, and prepared to catch our flight back to Chicago the next day, I felt completely satisfied by my Japanese experience. And of course, completely wanting to return.
An American Mom in Asia 