3 Days in Tokyo-Part 3
I’m back from Japan and happy to say I had an amazing time, as per usual.
My timing was such that I was able to go to Yoyogi Park and meet up with Tynan, Leo Babauta, Nick Gray, surprise guest, Sebastian Marshall, and a group of other like-minded folks, which included a number of Tokyoites and travelers.
I’m including this simply because I’d like to suggest you check out their writing and follow their blogs if you don’t already. And if you get a chance to take a museum tour with Nick Gray, by all means, do it. The man is a museum tour leading monster.
The group went to the Edo Museum in Ryogoku, where Nick led a tour of the museum despite only having been there once earlier the same morning to familiarize himself with the museum. This is a museum I had been to about 4 years ago and declared boring. Nick took the challenge in stride and created an interactive museum tour I will never forget. It wasn’t boring, that’s for sure. Strangely enough, I’d be happy to go back. I won’t describe his style of museum tour leadership, just know that the man is great at what he does.
He’s based in New York and does tours of the Met, so next time you’re in NY, get in touch with Nick and take a tour.
Okay, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Day 3 – Savor Some Great Coffee, Shop ‘til You Drop, and See the Harajuku Girls
Harajuku. Mention Harajuku and people instantly think of Harajuku girls and Gwen Stefani’s song, which introduced them to the world. Well today you will have the option of getting photos of the girls who dress in all the outrageous clothing, and checking out the freshest fashions Tokyo has to offer. The best time to see the Harijuku girls is usually on Sunday in the afternoon.
11 am – There’s no need to get an early start as most shops won’t open until 11 am, so I suggest starting with some delicious coffee. Go to Fab Cafe (which opens at 11 on weekends) or Streamers (which opens at noon on weekends). Both are in Shibuya and only a 10-20 minute walk to neighboring Harajuku. I learned about both of these places from the always mysterious and hard to track down, Sean Bonner. Choose Fab Café if you want to play with a laser printer and Streamers if you want a slightly shorter walk to Harajuku.
In the Harajuku/Shibuya areas, go down Takeshita-dori, Meiji-dori and Cat Street. You will find everything from the most cutting-edge Tokyo street fashion to one-off specialty concept shops from major brands like North Face. Trust me, it will be hard not to spend some money.
If you want more upscale stores that rival the stores in Ginza, think Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Prada and the like, then you should also check out Omotesando.
Some great Japanese stores to keep an eye open for are: Uniqlo and Muji. Uniqlo carries reasonably priced clothes that are similar to gap but funkier. I am a fan.
Muji has all kinds of stuff from snack foods, to clothes, to pens and paper goods. Check it out. It has this very clean modern aesthetic and their stuff is affordable.
1:30 pm – If your energy is lagging or you want to try something uniquely Japanese, I recommend grabbing some takoyaki at a takoyaki shack so you can keep your energy up while shopping without losing all the time it would take to have a sit down meal.
This last recommendation is for adventurous eaters as takoyaki are octopus balls. No, not that kind! Gross!!! They are pieces of octopus coated in batter and grilled in round molds and covered with all manner of toppings. If you are not feeling bold enough to try them, you can certainly get a donner kebab or some sweet or savory crepes from a shack or a small food-truck. Just don’t go to a sit down restaurant yet. Remember, you still have more souvenirs to buy and more credit cards to max out! I kid, I joke. Don’t spend your money on stuff you don’t need.
Takoyaki is a Very Popular Japanese Snack
Takoyaki Shack (I love Street Food!)
Takoyaki on the Grill
2 pm – Now it’s time to see those Harajuku girls. They usually do a little procession down the street and over the Jingu Bridge. You will generally find them congregating near Jingu Bridge near the park, where you can get photos of them.
2:30 pm After the photo-ops, if you’re more interested in strolling than shopping, Yoyogi park is two minutes away in neighboring Shibuya. It’s beautiful and huge. Plus, if you wander far enough, you just might find a group of greaser dudes with giant pompadours dancing, hanging out and posing.
5:30 pm – After shopping or checking out Yoyogi you’ve probably got a serious appetite. Especially if you’ve only had a snack up until now. It’s time for some okonomiyaki. This dish is unreal. It is often described as Japanese pizza or a Japanese pancake. It is hard to describe.
Look at the photos and trust me, you must eat this concoction. It is very hard to come by outside of Japan (at least in the U.S. that is true)! I almost forgot to mention it pairs well with an ice-cold Asahi draft.
Okonomiyaki with Noodles
Okonomiyaki Grill
Asahi Super Dry
7 pm – If you haven’t had enough shopping or were unable to find a gift for your quirky cousin, head back to Shinjuku and go to Tokyu Hands. Tokyu Hands is a “Home Goods” store. It is 7 floors filled with the most fantastical, unique, useful, memorable, crazy, interesting and reasonably priced stuff. How else can I describe this place? Space Invaders ice cubes? Check. Plastic Bacon iPhone cover? Check. Psychadelic Skull hand towel? Of course.
Psychadelic Skeleton
It’s safe to say, you must go and experience it for yourself. It is in the Times Square Building near the Shinjuku JR Station. There are actually more locations but this one is just blocks from the Shinjuku Station in the big Takashimaya Building. If you have time, which you may not, you could also check out Kinokuniya bookstore.
Night time – You’ve been here for three days, you know what you want to do again or where you want to go that you haven’t yet. Go do it.
I usually go find one of my favorite yakitori spots and go a little crazy, knowing I won’t have food this good until I’m back in Japan.
Tomorrow morning it will be time to catch the Narita Express back to the Airport and start planning your next visit to planet Tokyo. Even the airport will entertain you.
Narita Express
Narita is No Fun for Samurai
No Katana on Board
My Favorite
Is there anything you love to do in Tokyo that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments below.
