Tokyo in December? Yep. And it charms you even in the chilly months! I landed at Narita a couple days ago, walked through the customs point, forgot that there are two sign in sheets, corrected it, hit the budget bus counter, had my ticket to Tokyo Station in 2 minutes and had to wait outside in line for a whopping 11 minutes before my bus arrived. Nice comfortable seat, uncrowded bus and a smooth one hour trip from the airport to the Tokyo Station train/bus conglomerate in the center of Tokyo, close to Ginza, Marunouchi and Chuo City districts. Walked to my favorite little hangout, Hotel Intergate Tokyo Kyobashi. Here is a Kadomatsu New Years display that I have photographed before but I still really like. And again, thank you Tokushima Cook for letting me know what these displays are called!
Small immaculate rooms with no view to speak of but a good price just 600 meters from the Station and right on top of Kyobashi and Takaracho subway stations. Fell out immediately and slept for 9 hours.
First stops, as usual, were for breakfast, coffee and snacks, so I walked 300 meters above ground and then stepped down into Yaesu Underground Mall for all of the above. I visited Hoshino Coffee for their rather good coffee and ham and cheese toast.
Then it was over to Tully’s to read and relax over a cheesecake and Royal Milk Tea. Neither of these places are the absolute best at what they do, but they both serve good coffee and rather good light snacks or meals. And both are ok with me just relaxing and reading on my phone or using my laptop. Tokyo is a very welcoming city, it is hard to believe how large it is because each little district feels like its own small town, albeit a small town with building 8 to 40 stories tall…
That evening I decided to try Roast Beef Ono Akihabara or Sushiro, both of which are located in the Anime/Manga shopping district. I wandered about as the sun was sinking, just marveling at the incredible variety of anime products on sale, and the crowds of people shopping there.
Then I hit Ono, but the line was around the corner so I visited Sushiro for another try of conveyor belt sushi. I had a great experience last year so I was fired up to try a new version. And was promptly disappointed with bland sushi. Nothing terrible, just nothing very good, the highlight was probably the 2 types of flounder, one smoked and one fresh/raw.
But the sashimi, mackerel and other plates were all mediocre. But it was cheap and fun.
I had some Lawson’s chili cucumber and a royal egg for breakfast, then it was off to my new favorite coffee shop, Ueshima Coffee Lounge. It has nice little desserts and various coffee dessert drinks I have been working my way through. Plus it has a super comfortable chair in a corner window that looks out on the people walking by. Love to eat Jamaican Rum things and drink my coffee as Tokyo walks by.
It was time for lunch so I found a nearby subway station. Clean and efficient and remarkably complex, but easy to use once you get used to it.
Ichiran is another favorite of mine in Tokyo so this might look familiar to some of you. Again, line formed early so it was a 20 minute wait to get in but then it was down a narrow hall of back to back diners, each facing into a small private dining space. There is a roll up bamboo screen in front of you that the “cook/server” pulls up, takes your order sheet and then promptly comes back with your beer, extra egg/pork and then brings the steaming bowl of ramen for you to get to work on. Very good ramen served in an interesting manner. Love this place!
Wandered about a bit, hit Marunouchi/Naka-Dori Street shopping area for the winter Illumination. Beautiful lights running down a hugely popular shopping street.
My final stop of the visit was to Okonomiyaki Kiji, located underground in the Marunouchi shopping area next to Tokyo Station. Had a bit of trouble locating it because the name is in Japanese script and the red door hanging was hidden until the restaurant opened at 1100. Short line wait, I was in at the counter by 1105 and greeted by the chef. I got an excellent peppered octopus fresh off the grill, followed by a rather good beef tendon with extra cheese and green onion. The half cooked egg was a perfect addition.
Kiji is the real deal. Again, you know the chef loves his work when you look up from just devouring a meal he prepared and he is smiling at you with satisfaction.
Off to Bangkok in a few hours, I am really enjoying this trip!
