Introducing Brian to where I grew up in Tokyo

Brian and I are spending the next 3 weeks in the land of the rising sun!

Our very first trip to Japan together is special one because I have the opportunity to show Brian my childhood where I spent 10 years growing up from ages 5 until 15. My Dad was transferred to his company's Tokyo Bay location from Seoul, South Korea. So my family was relocated to Japan where we spent many years living in Western Tokyo.

Yesterday, I took Brian on a train ride on the JR Chuo line and showed him my childhood neighborhood Mitaka City, my old house, and stomping grounds.

We took the Chuo line from Shinjuku station

Arrived at Mitaka Station in Western Tokyo 20 minutes later

Walked out of Mitaka train station to familiar sights, sounds, and smells

Looked down from the train station deck to see that Mitaka City still looked exactly the same

Found my old street, Shimorenjaku 4-chome!

Took a selfie with Brian on my old street

Found my old house. All of the homes on this block were still the same hues of gray and brown.

I was so happy to find my old house and walk on the same block

Found my piano teacher Mrs. Tanaka's home, and paid her a surprise visit!

My piano teacher Mrs. Tanaka's home. Still looks the same.

Paid Mrs. Tanaka my piano teacher a surprise visit. She was my lovely piano teacher for 10 years.

Stopped by my favorite local Japanese restaurant where they have the world's bet Katsudon (pork cutlet on rice.) This restaurant has been running for 44 years in the exact same spot. It was my favorite traditional Japanese restaurant growing up in Mitaka City.

The interior of my favorite Japanese restaurant, still looks the same after 44 years.

The interior of my favorite Japanese restaurant still looks the same after 44 years.

The owners of my favorite Japanese restaurant have been running this restaurant for 44 years in the exact same location. They remembered my Mom and I after all of these years!

Brian showing his Katsudon meal and miso soup.

I was so happy to taste my favorite Katsudon restaurant in the whole world. It tasted exactly the same as I remembered it as a child.

Found my favorite toy store, "Fujiya." Above Fujiya used to be a McDonald's where I had my 6th birthday party with my Japanese kindergarten friends.

Natoriya was a Home Depot like store, that my Mom and Dad loved to browse at.

Nihon-Do was a stationary store where I would buy school supplies. I remember the owner was

a mean lady.

"Andense" Butcher shop. My Mom bought a lot of our meat here.

I remember this particular statue in front of "Andense" butcher shop. This statue must have been around since WWII.

My Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic for my childhood allergies.

Walking around Mitaka City in Western Tokyo felt nostalgic and much smaller than I remember it to be as a child. The sights, sounds, and smells were all the same with some new residential buildings, shopping centers, and restaurants that were built since then.

It was a wonderful day showing Brian Mitaka City where I grew up and spent my childhood years in Western Tokyo.