Big day of lots of walking today. After hotel breakfast buffet (C+ at this hotel) we all got ready. Millie worked on reading and writing with my mom. She seems to have more patience when it’s not one of us trying to teach her. Her adorable birthday present wishlist:

We walked about 30 minutes to where the science and modern art museums were. Millie was in a whiny mood so I gave her the choice of which she’s like to go to first. She chose the science museum.

It was overrun with school groups and the signs were all in Japanese, but she enjoyed it because everything was interactive. She went off to explore with my dad while my mom, Nick, and I got to relax a bit. Millie and papa were very cute every time I caught a glimpse of them.

She got her Friday ice cream from a vending machine in the museum.

After a couple of hours here we walked 5 minutes to the modern art museum next door. Millie hated being quiet inside but did her best. The adults all scattered and enjoyed the art.

After the museum we were all getting hungry and went to a convenience store for snacks. My parents’ jet lag kicked in and they went back to the hotel to rest. Even though it was only for a couple of hours, Millie was upset to see them go.

We attempted to visit the gardens around the palace but they were closed today. So instead we walked around the palace and to Ginza to do some shopping for things we need. This was a pretty walk but it didn’t stop Millie from asking “when are we there?” (her version of are-we-there-yet) every 10 seconds. Not an exaggeration.

Our shopping excursion was a bust. Muji didn’t have luggage tags and the world’s largest and most packed Uniqlo didn’t have v-neck women’s tshirts or kids’ rain jackets. We rode the elevator up 12 floors, and down 12 floors.

At this point my parents were leaving the hotel to go to Shibuya to explore. Millie couldn’t bear one more minute without them so we got in a taxi and rode 30 minutes to meet up with them for dinner. We had a casual and yummy dinner of gyoza and various other mystery side dishes that I ordered via google translate image of the menu.