There is always something so serene and peaceful about Japanese Gardens, and Koishikawa-Kōrakuen Gardens was absolutely no different. My favorite part was how lush and green this garden was, but then the network of trails would lead to a beautiful red Japanese-style bridge or stone walkway through a pretty pond.

I knew from the moment we walked into Waraku it would be special. Hidden down a discreet alleyway and floors that were lined with tatami mat floors made the experience even more authentic.My favorite was being able to try the expertly prepared blowfish.

I really enjoyed walking through the narrow alleyways and the street-lined shops in Kagurazaka. Stopping at the tea shop and seeing how many varieties there are was such a treat. Also, a stop at Akagi Shrine is a must to see how modern architecture mixes with old Japanese tradition.

In Tokyo, it’s an interesting and wonderful attraction that can give you a good taste of a unique experience. Plus, I learned the difference between a ninja and a samurai, and got to try my hand at hitting the bulls-eye while throwing a ninja star.

Roji is not what you'd expect from an Izakaya, but that's what made it so interesting. We sat in a private, dark circular room with comfortable cushioned seats. We had a wonderful sampling of what they had to offer, sharing everything izakaya-style, and my favorite was the Age dashi tofu with ground daikon. The lightly deep-fried tofu melted in my mouth!

Kabukicho is the gritty entertainment district of Shinjuku with flashing neon lights, 24-hour bars and a large godzilla sitting high atop a skyscraper overlooking it all. I can't get enough of the narrow alleyways of Golden Gai, the section that has over 300 tiny little bars.

The Shinjuku Prince Hotel was conveniently located right in the heart of all the action of Shinjuku. It's sleek and modern interior was appealing, especially in the green lounge area. Breakfast buffet had a lot of choices that were both Japanese and western.

The flight from Tokyo to Tokushima was just over an hour—quick and easy! It was a short flight, but they still managed to do a quick beverage service where I drank a refreshing green tea. Plus, even though it was a domestic flight, my checked bag was free of charge.

Hallelujah Sweets Kitchen takes you behind the scenes of their delicious factory to learn about the history and see how some of their most popular products are made (there are even samples!). But, the best part was the hands on experience of making my own tanuki character. My chocolate covered raccoon was a bit lopsided but I was still awarded a certificate of completion.

Tokushima Sampa Ramen is a fast food place where you will see dozens of workers lining the seats at noon. A size small (which was actually quite large) costs about $6.00 and was one of the bests one I ever had. We also ordered a plate of gyoza which were crunchy on the outside, just how I like them!

The Uzunomichi Eddy interactive museum makes it fun to learn about whirlpools. The best part was being able to "play the eddy". In this room you create the illusion of a whirlpool just by touching the wall. With each touch a small round eddy appears, making the room come alive.

This Naruto Whirlpool happens under the stunning Onaruto Bridge, so the best way to see it is by boat. We took the half hour round-trip ride and anxiously waited for a whirlpool to appear. Because this natural phenomenon can be a hit or miss, be patient and if you don’t see it the first time, try again!

Dinner was on the 14th floor of the Grand V Rio Hotel, overlooking the boats in the harbor below. It was a fancy dinner with white tableclothes and a beautiful view! We were served chicken with a trio of sauces for dipping. We were able to cook the meat ourselves on a tabletop burner, which added to the experience.

The show at Awa Odori had lively music that had me moving my feel in my chair. They asked the audience to come on stage and learn the gejaraku dance and of course I had to give it a try. It was easy and fun! Plus, they awarded me with the best dancer certificate with a Japanese fan as the prize.

The room at Grand V Rio Hotel was nice, but not too formal so you could truly feel comfortable. The breakfast buffet had a very large selection of both western and Japanese food.And the view from the breakfast buffet was overlooking the harbor.

Ryōzen-ji was a beautiful temple where we were able to feed the fish, ring the temple bell and also pick a wish from the box. Mine was a "minor good fortune", which I left at the temple tied to a tree in hopes that the minor fortune would not come true.

At the Aizumicho Historical Museum I was able to make my own indigo blue hankerchief. We were able to select from several different patterns, I chose a pretty starburst. They then assisted me in tying rubberbands around the cloth in just the right way so after it was dunked in the dye it would have the pattern I desired. The finished product was a great souvenir!

The Anime Festival was a great peek into the cosplay culture of Japan. It happened right along the river and there were dozens of people dressed up as different animation characters, many that I have never seen before!

Lunch at Awa Kappo Isuzu may have been the most beautiful meal I have ever seen with lots of choices. There was eggplant tempura, pumpkin, sea bream fish, sardines and so much more. The setting of lunch was as pretty as food. We sat on tatami mat floors in our own private room!

The Tairyuji ropeway gave us spectacular 360 degree views of Anan city in Tokushima as we rode it high up in the sky! Plus, at the top we were able to explore the stunning Tairyuji temple. The temple is #21 on the 88 temple pilgrimage. There were 117 stairs to climb to get to the main temple, but worth every one. It was stunning!

Dinner at Ichigo was held in a pretty private room with sliding shōji doors for extra seclusion. There was quite a selection of foods; seared tuna, fresh sashimi and a tender steak that we got to cook on our own personal tabletop burner.

My room at Hotel Sun Ocean was so cozy room and had a small bathroom that had everything I needed. For breakfast there was a choice of Japanese or European. I chose the latter of the two and got to cook my own eggs on a tabletop burner, so I could make them just like I like them!

The Hiwasa Hachiman Shrine festival was a lively event where 8 portable shrines were represented. We listened to the beating of the drums and followed the parade of shrines down into the water. It was enlightening to be able to participate in such a traditional part of the towns culture! We also got to try some of the street food, like Takoyaki which are ball shaped snacks filled with octopus.

Odori was a farm to table restaurant that specializes in local chicken dishes. Inside the restaurant even had a little store section that sold some handmade goods. I ordered the traditional Oyakodon dish whose name means "parent-and-child" because it is made with chicken and egg. It was delicious and I can see why it is a very popular dish in Japan!

Yakuouji is temple number 23 on the pilgrimage of 88, the last of the temples in the Tokushima prefecture. Walking up the stone stairs led us to the most beautiful view of the city and water below, plus we could see the stunning Hiwasa castle from there. The grounds of the temple were so green, with moss was growing everywhere, and there were even a few crabs running around!

Awa Ningyo Joruri is a theater and museum based on the art of puppetry. I had no idea how much was involved in making one of these intricate puppets work. It takes three people to work just one! They gave me the opportunity to try my hand at operating one. It was very tricky trying to manipulate the eyelids, head and one arm at once, so I definitely respect the artistry.

The Tokyo & Tokushima program is a great blend of modern, unique and traditional Japan. While traveling in Tokyo you feel the energy of the flashing lights and the peacefulness of a Japanese garden. While in Tokushima you will be immersed in the culture of the Awa Odori dance, beautiful temples and Japanese food. The itinerary will give you exposure to both cities, their traditions and their food culture.