Father's Day in Tokyo: Senso-ji, Skytree, Gundam & a Sony Haul

It’s Father’s Day, it’s a Sunday morning, and we’re riding through Tokyo in a Toyota Alphard with practically no traffic. That’s the thing about early mornings in this city — the streets are empty in a way that feels almost eerie, like you’re moving through a scale model of one of the biggest cities in the world before anyone switches it on.

The people who were with me had not greeted me. Expensive smartphones in every pocket, and not one of them set a reminder. I’m such a diva. But we had a full day planned, and honestly, that was gift enough.

Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo

First stop was Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa — Tokyo’s oldest temple and one of its most visited spots. We were there before 9:00 AM on a Sunday and it was already packed. I can only imagine what it looks like by noon.

The approach through Nakamise-dori is lined with souvenir shops on both sides, some open, some still pulling up their shutters. Traditional goods, snacks, trinkets — it stretches on for a while before you actually reach the temple grounds. It’s a genuinely beautiful walk, even with the crowds, and I’ll admit: I’m not normally a crowds person. I’d rather be out in the provinces somewhere quiet. Osaka was lively but not like this. Tokyo operates at a different volume.

That said — it’s an experience. And Senso-ji on a Sunday morning is something you should do at least once.

Spotted: Mario Kart on the Streets of Tokyo

On the way between spots, we drove past a group of people in actual go-karts — dressed up as Mario characters, driving on public roads. It’s a thing here. You can rent karts and follow a guided route through parts of the city.

I didn’t get to try it this trip, but watching it pass from inside the Alphard was a moment. There’s something surreal about seeing that in a real city — blue road arrows painted on the pavement and all.

Tokyo Skytree and Solamachi Mall

The Tokyo Skytree is hard to miss — at 634 meters, it’s one of the tallest structures in the world. We weren’t going up the tower, but the Solamachi mall at its base is where we spent a chunk of the morning.

This mall is different. It’s not the rectangle box layout you get in California. It has actual shape to it — curved sections, open areas, different things to do beyond just shopping. There’s a whole outdoor plaza at the base. If malls in the US looked like this, maybe I’d go back. Probably not, because I already know my size and I stopped buying shoes like that. But maybe.

I grabbed a coffee while everyone else shopped. I ordered something called kuro mitsu — Google Translate called it a roasted green tea latte. It was really good. Wished it was a bit hotter, but in 83-degree weather with humidity, I wasn’t going to complain much.

Japan, Honestly

I’ve been posting bits from this trip as I go, and someone asked whether I’d want to retire in the Philippines after visiting my dad’s family in Palawan. The honest answer is no. As beautiful as it is, I’m just too used to America. I’d probably get over it in a week or two.

Japan, though — Japan is different. I don’t know if I’d retire here either, but I could see staying for a much longer stretch than I could anywhere else I’ve been. Here’s why: everyone just treats each other like they matter. Not because they have to — it’s just how things work here. At one of the outlets we visited, there were people directing traffic at the crosswalk, and as cars came through, they bowed. That’s not something I’m used to. It struck me.

And then there’s tipping. I actually wanted to tip here — more than I’ve ever wanted to in my life — never thought I’d hear myself say that. But you don’t tip in Japan. If you try, they’ll chase you down and give the money back. The receipt doesn’t even have a line for it. That’s just how things work, and somehow it doesn’t feel like anything is missing. The service is incredible anyway.

The Toy Floor: Pokémon Center, Kirby Cafe & Jump Shop

We made our way to the fourth floor of the Skytree mall chasing a rumor about a Pokémon Center — and found it. There was already a Pokémon store at an outlet the day before; my son grabbed a few things there. This one was louder, more crowded, and had even more to look at.

I didn’t get into Pokémon growing up. Anime in general kind of passed me by — I was either reading subtitles (too slow for me) or had no idea what was going on. I ended up in video games instead. But watching my son completely lose his mind at the Pokémon Center made it 100% worth the detour. There was also a Kirby Cafe nearby. I don’t know what Kirby is. My kid does, and that’s enough for me.

Katsu Lunch in Tokyo

After the mall, we ate at a katsu restaurant — I want to say it was Katsu something, I’ll link the actual name in the video description. Six people, and the bill came to about 92 dollars. For that quality of food, that felt almost criminal in the best way.

The wasabi was real wasabi — not the horseradish paste you usually get in the US. You could tell because it had heat without the nasal-burning rush. I ordered the 1.5 cutlet set, and when my other son didn’t finish his, I finished it for him. No regrets.

Diver City: The Life-Size Gundam

From there we drove to DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba to see the life-size Gundam statue outside. I used to watch Gundam as a kid — also Robotech, which I know is a whole other conversation. I didn’t get deeply into the lore of either, but I watched them.

Nothing prepares you for how big that thing actually is in person. I genuinely had to step back to fit it in frame. The reaction I had on camera was not for the bit — that was just me actually losing it over a giant robot outside a mall.

Shinjuku: Godzilla and the 3D Cat

We ended up in Shinjuku to see the Godzilla on top of the Godzilla Hotel, and there’s also a 3D cat billboard that’s become a thing — a massive LED screen that makes it look like a real cat sitting on the building. The streets were closed off, I think for a Sunday closure or maybe something to do with Father’s Day. Either way we walked it at our own pace, which was a nice change of speed.

Shinjuku at street level is just a lot. Giant screens, neon, people everywhere — it’s the Tokyo you see in movies. Worth doing once, and if you’re looking for camera shops, this is your neighborhood.

Father’s Day Surprise: Sony A7 IV from Bic Camera

And then — the gift.

My wife and kids took me to Bic Camera in Shinjuku. I’d been hunting for a Sony camera since we arrived in Japan, knowing that Sony is a Japanese company and prices here are generally lower before export markups and US taxes. What I found was a brand-new Sony A7 IV body plus the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS lens.

To give you context: the same combination in the US would run about $3,986 after taxes. In Japan, with the foreigner passport discount at the register, I paid around $3,000 to $3,100 total. That’s close to $900 in savings, and it’s the international version of the camera, so it carries a valid US warranty.

I’ve had the A7 IV before — got it open box from Best Buy around Christmas, body only. Sold it eventually. Getting it again, brand new, with the lens, for less than what I paid for just the body used? Happy camper.

For context, this whole trip I’ve been filming primarily on the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, which has been genuinely great. Small, portable, and stable — I just have to remember to check focus. The A7 IV is for when I want to step up image quality for the channel. Two very different tools.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. My knee had been bothering me for days and I was popping Ibuprofen like candy, but I walked out of Bic Camera with a new camera and a lens, so everything was fine.

That’s a Wrap on Japan 2024

The day before this, we did a day trip to Mount Fuji — Chureito Pagoda, Lake Kawaguchiko, two thrift stores, and a JDM car export lead. That was the farthest we drove the whole trip and honestly one of the best days.

This was the last full day out. The next day was Shibuya Sky, a free afternoon, and a night out in Tokyo — no tours, no schedule. Just the city.

If you’re just finding this series, it started with landing at Kansai International Airport and walking Dotonbori at night: Arriving in Osaka — Kansai Airport, Dotonbori & Kura Sushi.