Tokyo

Tokyo

We finished our trip with 3 action packed days in Tokyo.
Vaulks 16 Mar 2015   ⋅   4,780 views
  • Tsukiji Fish Market

    A must-do, particularly as the market is about to be moved away to make room for the 2020 olympics. If you are a very early riser (or on a late night), then you could try to get in to the famous Tuna auction. In reality, only 120 people are allowed in for two sittings (60 at each) - 5.25 and 5.50am - and queues begin forming much earlier. Following the auctions, the market is closed to tourists until 9am.

    We opted to miss the auction and turned up for a leisurely stroll at 9am followed by a fresh sashimi / sushi breakfast. There were massive queues at Sushi Dai (recommended by many sites) so we avoided it and walked straight into a small place down the side of the market - Ryu Sushi. Great experience.
    13 Apr 2015 3 comments 4 photos ⋅ 918 views
  • Asakusa Temple

    2-11-9 Kaminarimon, Taito, Tokyo Prefecture
    Take the metro out to Asakusa and walk around the temple compound. There are some good shops behind the main street that runs from the lantern to the temple.

    There is a fantastic Soba restaurant nearby. Walk away from the large lantern (back to the lantern and temple complex) and about 5mins down there on your right is the place - Namiki Yabusoba, Taito. There was a long queue, but it moved quickly (15mins) and was well worth the wait.

    You can then get a boat back down the river to the beautiful Hama Rikyu gardens. This Shogunate and then imperial garden was only opened to the public in 1946. Boardering the Shimbashi and Ginza region, it is a haven of peace and quiet. Well worth a visit, and a good combination with Asakusa and he boat.
    13 Apr 2015 6 comments 7 photos ⋅ 805 views
  • An Evening in Ginza

    Book a table at Kondo just to see how a ** Michelin Restaurant does Tempura. (we missed out as we did not have a reservation!).

    Other recommendations for the area are - michelin starred, Birdland. We didn't think chicken sushi was appropriate for my pregnant wife! If you do go there, please note that it is underground on the exit from Ginza station.

    Star Bar - the greatest bar I have ever set foot in. Very intimate whisky bar with incredibly attentive waiters. No cocktail menus - they just make what you feel like. Fantastic. Iberico Ham and cheese to nibble on too. Not a great night for my pregnant wife!

    In the end we ate in a Hokkaido restaurant under the railway line, which was decent.

    High Five Bar is another recommendation in the area.
    13 Apr 2015 0 comments 1 photo ⋅ 755 views
  • Ginza-Maranouchi and the Imperial Palace

    Start in Ginza for a coffee opposite the Mitsukoshi Department Store. At 10.30 there is a very Japanese opening ceremony with endless bowing as you walk through the store.

    Then walk along to Matsuya Debt store, which has an amazing food court in the basement, buy a picnic and head to the Imperial Palace East Gardens through Maranouchi.

    Beyond the Imperial palace gardens you come to the famous Yasukuni shrine, where the Japanese war dead, including 'war criminals' are remembered.
    13 Apr 2015 2 comments 3 photos ⋅ 628 views
  • Roppongi - Bars and Restaurants

    We went to Roppongi a couple of times for two of the most fantastic meals.

    On Friday night we ate at an amazing Teppanyaki restaurant called Omae XEX. This was not cheap (!), but it was worth it. We had a set chef's menu, which included sushi, soup and then delicious wagyu beef, washed down with some rather good wine! A must try, but make sure you book, and ask to sit at the Chef's table.

    The walk there from Roppongi station was fun - winding back streets with really cool looking bars. One stood out, with an acoustic guitar being strummed outside. Witnessing the odd 'pick-up' outside Almond Cafe at the Roppongi cross roads was interesting.

    R2 looks like it would be a fun bar for a late one and Gen Yamamote (nearer Azabujuban) was recommended for cocktails, but we never made it,

    Saturday lunch, we treated ourselves at L'Atelier de Joel Robochon. Good value for 4 courses, but they get you on the wine! A very enjoyable lunch.
    14 Apr 2015 7 comments 9 photos ⋅ 1,514 views
  • Lost in Translation - Shinjuku and the Park Hyatt

    Visit the New York Bar for a drink, Lost in Translation style. It has great live music (extra cover charge) from 8pm and really cool cocktail menu. You could also treat yourselves to a meal there.

    Alternatively wander down into Shinjuku and check out Golden Gai
    14 Apr 2015 0 comments 1 photo ⋅ 446 views
  • A sunday stroll - Harajuku, Omotesando and Shibuya

    Head to Harajuku, walk through Yoyogi park to the Meiji Shrine where you may see a wedding in full flow. Return to the entrance to Yoyogi park for the midday (Sunday) dancing Elvises. Sadly, they are not an all weather event, and the rain kept them way when we were there.

    Then walk down Takeshita Dori to see other weird and wonderful fancy dress.

    There is a fantastic Tonkatsu restaurant in Omotesando, called Maisen. Stop there for lunch and then finish the walk with a visit to Shibuya and the amous cross roads.
    14 Apr 2015 3 comments 4 photos ⋅ 878 views
  • Accommodation - Shimbashi

    We left it very late so were very limited in our choice of hotels and had to pay through the roof for it.

    We stayed at the APA Shimbashi Toranomon. The hotel room was literally a shoe-box with the bed touching three walls, but it was perfectly comfortable and in an excellent location.

    It is a short walk from Shimbashi station, which is on the circle line. It is also a short walk to Maranouchi and Ginza.
    14 May 2015 0 comments 1 photo ⋅ 583 views

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