Jun 27
2012

Fuji Mama Chindouchuu: Narita to Tokyo

in Fuji Mama Chindouchuu, Japan, LFM Videos, Travel

Shibuya, Tokyo

I am currently in Tokyo with the entire Fuji family.  We’ve been here since June 14th, and only have a couple of days left until we return to the US.  If you’ve been reading my posts for a while, you might know that I’ve been returning to Japan each year for short visits after moving back to the US from Tokyo four years ago. (Wow, has it been that long?)  But this is the first time we’ve been able to make it work to bring the Fujilings along.  Mr. Fuji comes every summer on a business trip, and we were finally able to find enough airline tickets together using miles to bring us all out!  Every time I return, Japan alway feels like home, but this trip feels even more so.  Having the kids with us, having play dates for the kids, and doing familiar things like pushing a stroller through crowded streets all makes it feel like “we’re back.”

Fuji Mama Chindouchuu

I thought I would put together some videos to give you a better look at the place I love so much.  One of the hardest parts of putting this new video series together has been coming up with a name that I liked.  I went back and forth over a million ideas and nothing felt right.  Then last week I was with my friend Noriko and she suggested the word 珍道中 (“chindouchuu”—an incident-filled journey) as part of the title.  Perfect!  In a way, I think that chindouchuu describes my entire site.  Each post represents some little experience/incident along the way, often represented in recipe form.  I’m a very nostalgic person, and so the thought of sharing the little bits of Japan that I love really resonates with me.  I find that the joy in life often comes from through the little, seemingly insignificant, things.  So that’s the Japan I’m going to be sharing with you through this series—the little bits that I think make Japan so special.  The little bits that help show why I love this country so much!  Let’s start out with arriving in Japan.  Going from Narita International Airport to Tokyo can be an overwhelming experience the first time you do it.  Tokyo, a metropolis of about 36 million people, can be a bit of an assault on the senses.  There is just so much to take in.  But I’ve learned to love the structure and beauty found within the seemingly crazy chaos.

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

LiztheChef June 27, 2012 at 8:12 pm

Eager to read and watch every moment of the Fuji family journey. Meanwhile, clicking too quickly on the share button. Come home safely with tons of stories.

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Betsy June 27, 2012 at 8:52 pm

Cool video! I’ve always wanted to go to Japan and am looking forward to seeing clips from the rest of your trip. How awesome for you that you got the bring the kids back too!

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kristi June 28, 2012 at 6:18 am

Great video! I can’t wait to see more. I’ve only been to Narita Airport, but not in Tokyo. I can’t wait to go some time.

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Meg June 28, 2012 at 8:56 am

Great video!

Did you draw the logo, Rache? I really like it!!

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Urban Wife June 28, 2012 at 1:37 pm

Wow! I love all the buildings in the city at night. Stunning. Thank you for taking us to Tokyo through the video lenses. Have a safe trip back stateside. :)

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Sarah June 28, 2012 at 3:04 pm

I miss living in Japan SO MUCH! I wish we could go back. Great post.

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Rema July 2, 2012 at 10:54 am

The vid makes me so homesick!! I grew up mostly in the Osaka area but have spent much time and Tokyo and love it just as much. I miss Japan more in the summer than in any other season. Thanks for sharing!

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Nancie McDermott July 2, 2012 at 12:57 pm

What a beautiful treat! Love this chance to look out the back seat of the station wagon of your journey, so to speak. Looking forward to more…

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Fuji Papa July 3, 2012 at 12:12 pm

I would love to make that trek again, if for nothing else than a return engagement at Kaikaya’s By the Sea (or however it is spelled), one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at.

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rhonda bowling July 6, 2012 at 9:36 pm

I really love your recipes and videos..the only problem I am having is figurng how to subscribe to the
fuji mama websight, I haven’t seen any links.???

thanks

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Anne (Freimuth) Statland August 23, 2012 at 7:45 am

How fun!! I have found a new blog to follow! What drew me here was the Nikuman post which came up in Google. Then this video. We love Japan — I was born and raised in Okinawa, but have returned there and mainland Japan 4 times since 2003 — I wish we could go back more often or even stay for an extended period of time. Thank you for this —

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