2016 Japan Vacation, Day 3: Pokémon, Owls, and Good Times

Our first full day in Japan started early. About 4:30 in the morning, I heard Kai's voice coming from the next room. I went to check things out and he was showing his grandfather the Pokémon he had caught in the Pokémon Go game. I told him it was too early to being using electronics and told him to go back to bed. He did, but I don't think he fell back asleep and we were all up about an hour later.

We relaxed at home for a few hours.

My wife was dressed up as she would be seeing her high school friends that day.

Then we went out for the day. Unlike our last trip to Japan, the weather so far has been pleasant. We have yet to experience the extreme heat and humidity that is the norm here during the summers, and that I understand is happening back home. On this morning, as we walked around, it was perfect for walking around (though it did warm up some by afternoon).

Our first stop was a Sega game center where Kai tried out several claw machines in an attempt to win a plush.

Alas, it was futile.

But no worries, our next stop was a Pokémon Center where there would be plushies galore.

My wife had left to see her friends, so Kai's grandfather and I had Kai for the rest of the day.

Kai enjoyed seeing the wide selection of Pokémon plushies.

His grandparents had given him gift cards to use while in Japan, and Kai filled a basket of Pokémon.

Then it was time for lunch... pizza!

We had a little time to kill before a 2PM appointment, so we went to small aquarium in the same shopping mall as the Pokémon Center.

They had some unusual creatures, like this white octopus.

Kai enjoyed this miniature desert island.

And then it was time to go for our appointment at an owl cafe. Yes, that's right, an owl cafe. Apparently cat cafes are very popular in Japan, and now a cafe is attempting to out-do those with cats.

The "cafe" is a room filled with about two dozen owls of all sizes and colors. By appointment, you can visit this place along with about a ten other people.

Kai enjoyed going around the room and petting all of the owls.

You can even have an owl perch on your arm.

Or your head.

The owls were somewhat docile, though some pecked at you.

This was one of my favorite owls.

We had done so many of the popular tourist things the last time we were here; we wanted to try something very different this time... something that you would only find in Japan. And what is more unique than an owl cafe?

After that, we went to the Tokyo Dome and looked around. There is an amusement park outside the Dome. Kai wanted to ride on this water ride, but the line was 40 minutes long so we only took a picture of it.

And then spent time catching more Pokémon.

It was another fun day. We'll have one more day in Tokyo before we head out for our next destination.