The final four nights are spent in Tokyo. When we reached Tokyo on the 11th day, it was late afternoon.
We checked into the hotel and returned the rented car.
The hotel we stayed in was Shibuya Stream. It is connected to the train station and within walking distance to the main shopping area in Shibuya.
In Tokyo, we did the usual tourist things like shopping and visiting Shibuya Sky, about which I am sure you can find lots of information online. There were also a couple of instances where we had food that was, at best, average.
I shall not mention these forgettable experiences.
I will condense the four days and highlight the noteworthy places I visited (in no particular order).
New Torigin Ginza – Good place for Yakitori
I learned about this place from recommendations on YouTube. They specialise in chicken and have yakitori for all parts of chicken.
It was yummy and did not burn a hole in my wallet (for a food joint in Ginza). Locals, too, love to patronise this place, and if you want a place to snack in Ginza, definitely check it out.
Iyoshi Cola – Craft Cola
While shopping in the Harajuku area, this shop caught our attention. The decor looks more like a traditional Chinese medical hall than a drink stall. Upon closer inspection, we saw that it was a shop selling craft cola.
The flavours are rather special, and it tastes good too! The cola is served in a pouch; when soda water is poured into the pouch over freshly made syrup, it is ready to enjoy. The first sip leaves you pleasantly surprised at not just how refreshing the citrusy carbonated liquid tastes going down but also by the coffee and whisky-like aroma that lingers on the palate.
Oroji Tonkatsu とんかつ 王ろじ
One night, we visited the Disney flagship store in Shinjuku. We passed by this shop and saw a queue snaking outside. The people waiting to go in were mostly Japanese. Thinking to myself, surely this must be something good, we, too, joined the queue.
We waited for about 30 minutes for our turn to enter.
While waiting in the queue, I did some research online. This shop has a history, having been established in to be sure it w 1921. Their tonkatsu is served with katsu curry. Their fried giant ebi was very delicious, too!
Cat Cafe Mocha Shibuya
I decided to visit this place when researching the trip. I had a fun time there!
Just a tip: You should make it for their feeding time, shortly after they open the doors or just before closing hours.
Once you enter, you pay for the time you wish to spend in the cafe. You can also buy treats for the cats separately. If you want to feel like the most popular person in the world, remember to spare some cash to purchase treats for them. They will all run and cling to you.
Christmas Light Up at Roppongi Hills
Each year, the 400 meters of Keyakizaka Street behind Roppongi Hills becomes one of the most popular couples’ strolling spots, with brilliant blue LEDs decorating the trees and Tokyo Tower providing the perfect backdrop.
It takes some effort to get there; besides the illumination, there is little to do. There was supposed to be a Christmas market, but unfortunately, we are too early for that, and the market will only commence in a few days. So do check the events calendar for going.
The streets are packed with the younger crowd doing TikTok videos and snapping selfies.
That can be an option if you have some time to spare and nowhere to go.
~The End~
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Click below to read about the rest of my trip!
Autumn in Japan, Two Weeks Self-Drive Travel Itinerary (Nagano, Hakone, Izu, Tokyo)
