Atre Shinagawa | Review by 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人

For this trip to Tokyo, we chose to stay near Sugamo Station, where there are relatively fewer tourists. It was very close to the APA Hotel where we were staying, just a few minutes away on foot. Early in the morning, we first went to the nearby Beck’s coffee chain for a hearty and affordable breakfast to recharge for the day ahead.

Then we took a walk to the locally famous Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street. In the morning, the shopping street was full of lively, everyday energy. We wandered through the warm and welcoming little alleys, casually browsing all kinds of small local Japanese shops and getting an up-close look at the everyday lives of Japanese people.

This kind of wandering experience—getting away from the hustle and bustle and slowly settling into the pace of local life—has always been my favorite way to travel. If you enjoy a relaxing stroll, I highly recommend coming here to experience a different side of Tokyo’s old shopping streets.

This time, I planned a two-day, one-night Disney trip, and for me, it truly was a dream come true. On the first day, I went to the more thrilling Tokyo DisneySea. As soon as I entered the park, the exotic streetscape of the American Waterfront immediately made me feel as if I had stepped into a fairy-tale kingdom.

Besides the fun attractions, the DisneySea-exclusive Duffy and Friends characters were another major highlight. If you collect merchandise, don’t miss the different themed gift shops. By evening, the entire harbor looked incredibly magical against the sunset and lights.

Since I visited DisneySea on the first day, I chose to stay at a nearby hotel. The biggest advantage was being able to keep playing until the park closed and then easily head back to rest. The next day, on the way to Disneyland, I also rode the uniquely designed Disney train. The cars were full of charming details, and even the hand straps were shaped like cute Mickeys, making the ride itself feel like a delightful experience. If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, I really recommend including a Disney dream trip and fully experiencing that pure fairy-tale magic.

On my second visit to Tokyo Disneyland, I finally made up for the not-so-great memories from last time. I remember coming with a tour group on my first visit, and it happened to be a Japanese holiday, so the overwhelming crowds were really too much. This time, I specifically planned a two-day, one-night trip—one day at DisneySea and one day at Disneyland—so I could slow down and fully enjoy the experience.

This time, I chose to stay at a hotel near the entrance to Disney and got the wonderful benefit of early park entry. On the morning of the second day, after a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, I excitedly headed to Disneyland. There happened to be a special Easter event, and the entire park was decorated in colorful, magical displays. I was also incredibly lucky to see Mickey strolling around as soon as I entered.

When you visit Disney, of course you shouldn’t forget to enjoy the classic parades in the park. Although the weather wasn’t very good during this visit, the entire parade was still very entertaining. At night, the magical light show was even more stunning, with every detail done beautifully.

Walking through the magical park, I couldn’t stop taking pictures at every corner. Compared with the rush of my first visit, the relaxed pace this time was so much more comfortable. If you have the chance to bring your family, I recommend staying at a nearby hotel to enjoy early park entry. It really adds so much to the overall happiness of the experience.