Jiyugaoka to Shinjuku — this is where I’m taking you for my WalkVentures Stepisode 4!
Today, I planned to walk from Jiyugaoka to Shinjuku, where Keio Plaza Hotel is located. I’ll be picking up my sister from the hotel since she’s staying there for their work orientation.
Below is today’s planned walking route which is around 11 km, and should take about two and a half hours. Not bad, I think! Let’s do this! 💪
It was already around 5:30 PM. The sun was still out, but the temperature wasn’t too hot anymore, so I started the 11km walk. Most of the route was along the streets. The streets were a bit narrow, so I had to be extra careful, especially since I was listening to music while walking. I made sure to lower the volume for safety.
Unfortunately, I didn’t pass by any big park where I had planned to sit down and rest. I came across a small park though, but there were too many mosquitoes, so I decided not to linger.
One funny moment is that I waited way too long for a traffic light to turn green, not realizing I had to press the button for it to change. Epic fail! But I guess that wait ended up being the rest I needed. 😄
I passed by the Meguro River. I’ve heard it’s especially beautiful in spring since it’s lined with so many Sakura trees. It was quite windy when I walked by, so I thought maybe I could include a Meguro River walk in one of my next Stepisodes. Let’s see if I can make that happen.
The sun has already set, and it's beginning to get dark, but I'm still out on the road walking. Look at the beautiful sunset sky! 😍 Sunsets are truly my favorite. They're so calming, they ground me and remind me that everything comes to an end, whether it's life's problems, struggles, challenges, or even heartbreaks charot!
I started feeling thirsty halfway through the route. Good thing vending machines are everywhere in Japan. My favorite sports drink is Pocari Sweat because it's low in calories and really satisfying.
It was almost 8PM when I arrived at the hotel. Good thing my sister had just finished her activities as well.
Tonight, I played tour guide for two hours. We explored the Shinjuku area and also went to Shibuya since it's her first time in Japan. I had to bring her to the most basic and touristy spots in Tokyo. We even walked from Shibuya to Harajuku, but it was already a bit late, around 9 PM, and most of the shops on Takeshita Street were about to close. Sadt! ☹️
I registered more than 25,000 steps today and feel a bit exhausted but happy that I completed the walk from Jiyugaoka to Shinjuku. I’ve been planning this for two months and now I’ve finally achieved it. More walking plans and routes to tick off in the coming days.
That’s all for this stepisode. Catch you on my next WalkVentures! 👣
* All content is mine unless otherwise noted. All photos taken with my iPhone 14 Pro Max.