To get to Tokyo, we took the fastest bullet train going 175mph for about 2.5 hours. It would have taken 5 hours by car.
We all got bento box lunches from the train station called Ekiben. Most of us got the self heating kind where you pull a string on the bottom to heat it by putting water on a chemical pad. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekiben
The Tokyo hotel was located in the Akihabara district which is known for electronics and video/ card games.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3003.html
We had to try KFC on the way to dinner because, why not. It was definitely better than the States but only original recipe, no extra crispy. I just got a small piece.
Dinner was a Yakinuku restaurant called Gut’s soul. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jg99uCc2uN8VKi3X9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
They bring meats to your table and you grill it. We went with half our group and it was so much fun. Lots of laughter.
Japan has not had any legal form of gambling but they have made a work around called Pachinko where you play at one place and cash in your winnings at a nearby place. It is loud and brightly lit with flashing lights. It kind of resembles the Vegas slot machines crossed with pinball. We attempted to play just to say we did it but got there 10 minutes before closing so Pachinko no. We did do it the next day so stay tuned.
When we got back to the hotel I got peer pressured into going to the Onsen which is a steam room and hot soak/ public bath. I didn’t go the first two hotels not because of the nudity but because of my tattoos which are prohibited while using these areas. Tattoos are associated with criminal activities. You can get stickers to cover them but it would be a lot of stickers for me, lol. Turns out if you go late night, there aren’t a lot of people to care. I went to the women’s side. You take a shower, hot soak, sauna, and then if you are brave, an ice cold soak, and then another shower. I skip the sauna and ice bath but the whole thing is super relaxing. I will be sad not to have it.