Jacob and I loved Tokyo so much that we both agreed that it was our favorite city in Asia. I wrote about the first time I went with my family three years ago here but it was a whole different experience coming back with Jacob. We really did our research prior to our trip because we wanted the best of what Tokyo had to offer. The main goal of our trip was to eat but we did do some tours on the side too. I have a new appreciation for Japanese food. It has always been my favorite cuisine since I was a kid but it tastes so much better in Japan. You don't have to go to the Michelin restaurants for a scrumptious meal, even just the restaurants in the subway station will blow you away. I listed down the restaurants we ate in below.
Sushi Tokyo Ten
Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Sendagaya 5 – chome 24 No. 55 2F
Tel: +81 03 6274 8540
Opening Hours: Breakfast 7am – 10am, Lunch 11am – 3pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 2am Daily
http://sushitokyo-ten.com
This is the first time I've eaten in a restaurant with no menu. It's served Omakase Style because the menu is decided by the chefs. The dishes are presented from the lightest to the heaviest. In Japanese, Omakase means "I'll leave it up to you."
Ichiran Ramen
Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 6 Chome−5−６ サンポウ綜合ビル2F
Tel: +83 3463 36671
Opening Hours: 24 hours Daily
I'm not a fan of ramen but they say that you can't go to Japan and not try it. After asking all my friends who've been to Japan, everyone unanimously said that Ichiran Ramen was the best. The broth was very tasty and the noodles were perfect. I enjoyed my meal but not as much as Jacob did. He had two large bowls!
Yakiniku Niku En Shinkjuku
1F, Kibo Kabuki-cho Bldg., 1-22-7, Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: +81 3-6457-6030
Opening Hours: 11:30 am - 5:00 am Daily
Another thing that you have to try when in Tokyo is their Yakiniku or "Grilled Meat". The meat just melts in your mouth. You'd want to eat it everyday of your life if only it wasn't so expensive. Niku En is one of the more affordable restaurants to try yakiniku. It costs 2,5000 JPY (Php1,200 per person) for their 6 kinds of meat.
Tempura Abe
Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chūō, Ginza, 4 Chome−3−７ B1F スバルビル
Tel: +03-6228-6077
Opening Hours: 11:30~14:00(Weekends 11:30~15:00) and 17:00~21:00
Tempura is definitely my favorite Japanese dish. We were strolling around Ginza when I started to crave for it so I googled the best place to eat nearby. Sadly, the first two places we checked out were fully booked. I found Tempura Abe listed in the Michelin guide. It was a small restaurant that could only seat around 10 people. It's a good thing we went early because we made it just in time. You can choose either 3, 4 or 5 course meal. It's a little pricey at 8,000 JPY (Php3,800) for a 5 course meal but it was worth it. The chef is Mr. Abe who was trained at the famous Nadaman restaurant. He's been cooking for 30 years. You can see his skill and technique in each dish. It's really like a work of art.
Bills Tokyo Plaza
Tokyo Plaza Omotesando Harajuku 7F, Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5772-1133
Opening Hours: 8:30-23:00 Daily
Fluffy pancakes are all the craze now in Tokyo. I was so excited to try it for myself! It's not at all like the regular pancakes you make at home. It looks thick but once you bite into it, it's so soft and light.
Han no Daidokoro Bettei
2 Chome-29-８ Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
Tel: +81-3-5489-7655
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am-3pm, Dinner 5:30pm, 11:30pm (Monday-Saturday)
Wagyu beef is special because it's marbled meat that is made from cattles in Japan. In Han no Daidokoro, the wagyu is imported from Yamagata. This was our most expensive meal at 10,000 JPY per person (Php4,800). It was delicious as expected but for the value, I would still prefer Niku En. The winning dish was the Wagyu Beef Sushi but everything else was just so so.
Omoide Yokocho/ Memory Lane
Japan, 〒160-0023 Tōkyō-to, Shinjuku-ku, Nishishinjuku, 1 Chome−2−2, 13 ナガセ西新宿ビル
For those of you who are yakitori lovers, this is the place to go. It's a narrow street of food stalls, yakitori grills and bars. A lot of locals and tourists go here so expect it to be crowded. It was hard for me to bring out my camera so I just opted not to. These were the only photos I was able to take.
Blue Bottle Coffee
4-1-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Of course I had to look for the best coffee in Tokyo as well since I'm a coffee addict. Blue Bottle Coffee originates from Los Angeles and they brought it to Tokyo four years ago. Every cup of coffee is brewed in front of you.
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| Mirror wall in Tokyo Plaza Omotesando Harajuku |
Disney is really the most magical place on earth! Tokyo Disney Sea is so different from all the other Disney's around the world. I don't know what it was but there was just something so special about it. The attractions aren't as famous as the ones in Los Angeles or Hong Kong but you still feel the enchantment. I couldn't stop smiling the entire time I was there! You can get discounted tickets through KKday.
Day Tour from Tokyo: Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai, Ice Cave & Wind Cave
We booked this tour through KKday. It was so beautiful even if Mount Fuji didn't show herself. The weather was gloomy. It was raining on and off that we stayed in the bus most of the time. I would love to do this tour again during cherry blossom season. I'm sure that would be amazing.
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