Day 1

Looking in front of LAX International Terminal at night

Waiting outside the LAX International Terminal

A woman sits looking at her phone in front of LAX International Terminal

Alicia waiting outside the LAX International Terminal

Front view of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner at night at a gate at the LAX International Terminal

The JAL 787 Dreamliner that took us to Tokyo; it was our home for 12 long hours

Alicia waiting inside

Inside Tokyo Station, looking into one of the domes

A tall building in downtown Tokyo outside Tokyo station

One of the many, many buildings in Tokyo. This is in the Government District in front of Tokyo Station

Outside the Imperial Palace is a huge garden, lots and lots of land surrounds the palace

Curvy pruned trees around the Imperial Garden in Tokyo, Japan

All the trees in the park were pruned to look like this. Really fun to see

Blooming Cherry Blossoms hang over the wall of the Imperial Garden in Tokyo, Japan

Cherry blossoms on the palace wall

Closer image of cherry blossoms on the castle wall

Skyscrapers rise in the distance with the Imperial Garden grounds in the foreground in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a HUGE city, it was a little strange being in this large open space, practically by ourselves, surrounded by skyscrapers.

Two bridges at the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo, Japan, with the Imperial Palace visible in the backtround

This is a famous double bridge at the Imperial Gardens

Alicia has traveled to many countries, and this is her pose of choice when she’s in front of things.

A view of Tokyo from the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo, Japan

Another one of the amazing views from the Imperial Gardens; this was taken just outside the walls.

A man stands in front of a gate at the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo, Japan

Me standing in front of a big gate in the wall of the Imperial Garden

Passengers ride and look at their smartphones on a Tokyo Metro Subway in Tokyo, Japan

Even though it should have been a busy morning, this subway car wasn’t nearly as packed as you’d think it would be for Tokyo.

People walk in every direction inside Tokyo Station in Tokyo, Japan

People hustling and bustling left and right as they make their trains and head off to their locations.

A view of the outside of a Shinkasen train in Tokyo, Japan

These trains are long, have 8 cars that can hold 100 people each, and go so fast. Such a rad marvel

Alicia excitedly waiting for her first ride on the bullet train. Destination: Nagoya.

A view out the window of the Shinkansen as it speeds along to Nagoya, Japan

The country passes by very quickly when you’re going 180mph, but it’s so smooth and quiet on the Shinkansen.

A plate of hot, delicious Gyoza served at a restaurant in Nagoya, Japan

Gyoza and more Gyoza. I LOVE this stuff so much. I wish we had Gyoza restaurants in the states, not just a place that has them as an appetizer. They can be a meal, dangit!

This is the restaurant we ate at on our first night