I was in Tokyo during a particularly exciting weekend in the city: the Tokyo Marathon. Westin Hotels partnered with AbbottWWM to host runners and their supporters on marathon weekend, providing training support, recovery equipment, and post-race refueling. I got to attend and cheer on some new friends. My trip also coincided with the beginning of peak tourism season in Japan. The country is famous for its cherry blossoms during spring, so much so that the sakura the Japanese term for cherry blossom is unofficially considered the national flower.
All this to say I managed to pack in a solid itinerary within a few days , filled with seasonal highlights and year-round faves, plus time to relax and take care of myself a tricky thing to do while traveling. Case in point: My hour flight from Detroit left at 1 p. I landed in Haneda airport, one of two major airports that serve the city. Both offer options for international flights — the main difference is that Narita sits about 30 miles farther outside the city center.
TBH, it was mine and I regret nothing. The vegetable curry at the hotel was delicious. Despite my best efforts, I found myself wide awake by 7 a. Japan is known for its cutting-edge beauty treatments like onsen baths and head spas.
And after a long travel day and pretty brutal time change, prioritizing quiet mornings allowed me to recharge and set the tone for busy, fun days. The drink is made unsweetened using freshly ground matcha powder, usually with a sweet treat or pastry alongside it to balance out the bitterness.
Trust me on this: You need to get an egg sandwich from the nearest convenience store. Other items to try: onigiri rice balls and fruit sandwiches with strawberries and whipped cream.
