Japan: Tokyo 2018 - BB's First Visit!

[Discoburg]

I love Harajuku and Shibuya. Mad shopping there.

[BabyBlade]

Day 2 Part 1 - Shinjuku & Ueno

 

Lunch at Kappo Nakajima, located at Shinjuku. It's about 10 minutes walking distance away from Shinjuku Station. They are widely known as Tokyo's cheapest Michelin Star restaurant, or probably one of the cheapest. They serve only sardines (called Iwasahi in Japanese). The sardines are cooked/prepared in four different styles - raw sashimi, deep fried, simmered and lastly sardine served in eggy casserole (which I had) - kinda like the katsu don style.

 

 

All set lunches comes with miso soup, Japanese rice and pickles. Hot tea is also included. If I remember correctly they cost about 800 Yen. That's just about SGD10! They open at 11.30am but try to go early as there was already a queue when I reached at 11am.

 

You will only find their 800 Yen set meals available during lunch. Dinner menu is of the atas price range.

 

Taste wise I find it ok. I wasn't blown away by what I ate (mine was the Yanagawa Nabe), neither did my friend who had the raw sashimi. But at SGD10, I would say it's well worth the money for an expensive city like Tokyo!

 

After lunch we took a slow walk over to Don Quijote (Don Don Donki) over at Kabukicho Shinjuku.

 

My everyday must have.

 

 

 

Heck there are Don Quijote everywhere in Tokyo but I just had to visit every single one that I came across. They are massive unlike the one we have in SG! 

 

Photo opportunity with Godzilla right here.

 

 

Headed to Ueno - Ameyoko after shopping at Don Quijote. You can take the JR Yamanote line to reach Ueno. Another 8 to 10 minutes walk and you will reach Ueno Ameyoko market street. I would say this place is a little like Taipei's Dan Shui. They have anything from bags, to clothes, dried food, fresh food, spices, cosmetics.

 

 

Anyone know the brand of these Japanese jackets? Damn stylo but most of it are SGD700+ onwards. There are a few shops carrying this brand. Love the style and graffiti of it but too expensive for something I've not done my research on.

 

 

Took another 10 to 15 minutes walk to the other side of Ueno, which I will continue in my next post. 

 

Looked up over my head and I saw a sky full of clouds. So so beautiful.

 

 

 

Before I end off this post... One thing to lookout for when you are in Tokyo will be their tax free shops for tourists! Quite a common sighting actually in all their touristy places. You will see signs/stickers offering tax refund (8%) being plastered all over. This include popular places like Don Quijote and Matsumoto Kiyoshi (a drugstore/cosmetic shop I've come to really love). 

 

To be continued.......!

[sean_nofear]

For first timers to Tokyo, I recommend landing in Haneda instead. Faster and cheaper into east side of Tokyo.

 

Also look at map and look for hotel and attractions on one compass point to ease your travels during rush hours. Maybe remember to avoid Tokyo rush hours if you are visiting on weekdays.

 

eg. if staying east side of Tokyo, look to spend time in Ginza, Imperial Palace area, asakusa, Tsukiji, Akihabara, first, instead of wasting time traveling to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno.

 

And if must visit Tokyo Disneyland, plse land at Narita and stay in Chiba/Disney Resort area to ease your travel headaches and grumpy kids.

 

Or if you first timer into Japan, know that Tokyo and Osaka offer different vibe and experiences. I recommend experiencing Osaka instead of Tokyo. Tokyo city centre is not representative of Japan holiday experience.

[BabyBlade]

I think Tokyo Disney Sea will be better.

Disneyland just felt it really for <10yrs.

Last Dec went Shanghai Disneyland, even my daughter was laughing at some of the ride..

 

I went to DisneySea as well. But didn't even last half a day there.

[kdash]

waa nice. i also going Tokyo in May, can i hijack this thread?

[Mrmilktooth]

their culture is so nice!.. so polite and considerate on the train!!..

 

really first class!..

 

alor prc can speak japanese too!!..

 

 

wish to go visit osaka next soon.. went to tokyo around 3 years ago.. Mt. Fuji awesome! and cold ..

[Discoburg]

Am going to Osaka in May bro.

Wanted to go back to Tokyo again but decided to explore other parts of Japan.

their culture is so nice!.. so polite and considerate on the train!!..

 

really first class!..

 

alor prc can speak japanese too!!..

 

 

wish to go visit osaka next soon.. went to tokyo around 3 years ago.. Mt. Fuji awesome! and cold ..

 

[sean_nofear]

Am going to Osaka in May bro.

 

Wanted to go back to Tokyo again but decided to explore other parts of Japan.

 

Recommend you go Tokyo area then make your way down south to Kamakura for the spring flowers. Then head along pacific coast area such as Shonan, Yokohama, all the way to Izu peninsula.

 

May in the Osaka area is not known for flowers unless you try southwards towards Wakayama and maybe Koyasan.

[Mrmilktooth]

Am going to Osaka in May bro.

 

Wanted to go back to Tokyo again but decided to explore other parts of Japan.

 

power!!...

 

share iternary nex time..

 

wife wanna visit HP land..

[Discoburg]

Whats HP land?

Will share with you bro.

power!!...

 

share iternary nex time..

 

wife wanna visit HP land..

 

[Mrmilktooth]

Whats HP land?

 

Will share with you bro.

 

Harry Potter ...

[Discoburg]

Harry Potter ...

Ooo osaka have Harry Potter Land? I only thought have universal studio.

[Mrmilktooth]

Ooo osaka have Harry Potter Land? I only thought have universal studio.

 

it is USSHPL then.. hahaha

[Banz86]

Nice ~ I'll be flying there next week for 11 days. 

 

Will be visiting Osaka > Kobe > Nara > Kyoto > Tokyo. 

 

I'm actually exciting for the Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) and the awesome food. 

[Icedbs]

Nice ~ I'll be flying there next week for 11 days. 

 

Will be visiting Osaka > Kobe > Nara > Kyoto > Tokyo. 

 

I'm actually exciting for the Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) and the awesome food. 

 

You will love it......when you are in Kyoto, make sure you visit Araishiyama.  It is a must!! Go up the monkey park hill as well. I think you should be able to see cherry blossom at this place.

 

Then, visit Mt. Inari. I went up all the way to the peak,  It is a tough tough climb, but worthwhile. 

 

After so many trips to Japan, in order of preference, it will be as follows:

 

1) Hokkaido (Sapporo, Hakodate, Onaru)

2) Tokyo

3) Takayama-Shikaragawa-go

4) Kyoto

5) Nagoya

5) Osaka

 

I put Osaka last because I feel it felt the least "Japanese" compare to the other cities. To much hippy crowd at Dotonbori area. The food, imo, not as fantastic as the other cities, but Ichiran Ramen is heaven here. 

 

Enjoy your trip!!

Edited March 22, 2018 by Icedbs

[Discoburg]

How is the shopping at Orange street and Umeda?

You will love it......when you are in Kyoto, make sure you visit Araishiyama.  It is a must!! Go up the monkey park hill as well. I think you should be able to see cherry blossom at this place.

 

Then, visit Mt. Inari. I went up all the way to the peak,  It is a tough tough climb, but worthwhile. 

 

After so many trips to Japan, in order of preference, it will be as follows:

 

1) Hokkaido (Sapporo, Hakodate, Onaru)

2) Tokyo

3) Takayama-Shikaragawa-go

4) Kyoto

5) Nagoya

5) Osaka

 

I put Osaka last because I feel it felt the least "Japanese" compare to the other cities. To much hippy crowd at Dotonbori area. The food, imo, not as fantastic as the other cities, but Ichiran Ramen is heaven here. 

 

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[Icedbs]

How is the shopping at Orange street and Umeda?

 

Didn't go to Orange Street and Umeda is only for the Sky building which is fabulous if you go around sunset time. 

 

Did went into some Umeda shopping malls but didn't find them any special. They are just endless shopping malls.

[Discoburg]

Noted. Then I’ll just change trains at Umeda Station in May.

Didn't go to Orange Street and Umeda is only for the Sky building which is fabulous if you go around sunset time.

 

Did went into some Umeda shopping malls but didn't find them any special. They are just endless shopping malls.