After about 5 hours of sleep it was almost afternoon and I decided this was enough (I got to regret this later).
Fortunately I was very close to the Urawa station. Next up was Kawagoe, the closest town to Tokyo to preserve its Edo era buildings.
The sun was shining bright at 20 degrees and I could put my umbrella's UV resistance to the test (but only after applying some sun screen!)
I found some really pretty shrines represented by pigeons and white snakes and made sure to ask for a goshuin (traditional stamps from shrines or temples, sometimes they hand draw them!)
Closer to the traditional center there was a lot of local tourism even on a work day.
The buildings were absolutely stunning but sadly many of them were next to a busy road with cars. There were some more peaceful side streets though and I even found a traditional candy store (dagashiya).
Next stop, Seiseki-Sakuragaoka in Tokyo Tama, the neighborhood that inspired Ghibli movie Whisper of the Heart / Mimi wo Sumaseba. I hoped to arrive while it was still light out but the travels took longer than expected. Oh well, I took a little break at the bakery at the station and bought the best melon bread ever💚
Right outside there was a little house on a pedestal with Baron and Louise looking through the window.
Finding most locations in the dark was a challenge! I ended up in a silent rural area, where I met another kind elderly man, he asked if I was looking for something. I told him about the Ghibli movie and to my surprise he knew it very well, he walked with me to a few spots and also pointed me in the direction of the famous shrine, from there I also found my way to the roundabout, and there was a cute cafe waiting where I could collect a stamp, it felt very rewarding🥰
Before heading to my next destination I wanted to stop by Tama Center station which was on the way, but I had to go by bus. It was
an incredible sight, the station was fully Hello Kitty themed, just as
many structures in the area, and a bit further ahead you will find the
big bridge to Sanrio Puroland, sadly its doors were already closed but I
was still happy to see it from the outside. There was also a bunch of
super cool architecture nearby.
I
was a bit overwhelmed at this point from all the activity and little
sleep, and thought a little sweet treat might help. Mr Donut was right
around the corner and of course I had to pick one of the cute ones, and
had to cry while eating it🥹
Last
stop before going back, Ikuta station! An anime I recently watched
called NHK ni Youkoso has some houses set in the area, plus a park, and
the station itself! Everything was more out of the way than I realized,
and I had to zoom there at top speed and take the pictures, and then run
back to make it to the last train! With a few minutes to spare I made it back, then had to transfer at one
of the busiest stations in the world, Shinjuku... that was fun. At long
last I was back at my hostel in Tokyo and could sleep normally, best
moment of my life.
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