TOKYO
Popeye
Bar
The list of beers that Popeye stocks takes about 20 scrolls of a mouse to get through, and manager Aoki Tatsuo boasts the largest selection of Japanese beer in the world – from Echigo Weizen to Hidatakayama Karumina. The happy hour deal (5pm to 8pm) offers select brews like Fujizakura Kōgen with free half-plates of pizza, sausages and other munchables. Popeye also has a ‘hopulator’ machine that can add extra hops to any beer. There’s a convivial, nonsmoking atmosphere here as well as jovial staff who know their suds. From the station’s west exit, take a left on the main road and pass under the tracks; take the second left and look for Popeye on the right. The core of the beer menu is Japanese craft from top-tier breweries. Popeye’s doesn’t serve a craft beer just because it’s underrepresented or regional or experimental. Aoki demands consistent high quality and doesn’t hesitate to offer stern words to brewers making sub-par beers. Beyond flagship Japanese craft beers, Popeye serves a selection of fine American craft, a few Belgian and European brews, and even some original contract brews. Aoki trains his servers well, so ask if you need recommendations. Prices are all over the board and actually kind of weird: ¥924, ¥1029 and ¥1155 are just a few example prices for pints. The average is just above ¥1000—slightly higher than the Tokyo average. In additional to pints and half-pints, higher alcohol beers like barley wines are served in snifter glasses, while multi-beer samplers and beer towers (for sharing) are popular, too. Popeye usually has some kind of special deal going on, and the website has a printout coupon of the day. Get a members card for additional discounts and advantages.
Kururi
Noodles
The lineup of ramen fanatics outside this cramped, anonymous noodle shop proves its street cred among connoisseurs of miso, the house seasoning. The miso-rāmen, broth is swamp-thick, incredibly rich and absolutely delicious. There’s no sign, so look for the lineup next to a liquor shop with a striped awning; buy a ticket inside from the machine and wait for some perfection in a bowl. If you like places that give old dishes a burst of new life with fresh interpretations, follow Ramen Adventures founder Brian MacDuckston one day, down to Kururi. Its innovative twists on miso ramen mark it out as a place that really thinks about its food. After being awarded countless accolades, it has risen to the top on many people’s lists, including MacDuckston’s. “They use different types of miso paste, fried with fresh vegetables and added to the broth, creating a wonderfully rich soup with a lot of impact,” he says. Expect to wait in line for anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. Miso ramen here is ¥700.
The miso-rāmen, broth is swamp-thick, incredibly rich and absolutely delicious. There’s no sign, so look for the lineup next to a liquor shop with a striped awning; buy a ticket inside from the machine and wait for some perfection in a bowl.
Food Zaou Food Food Food Food Food Food Food Seafood
Kyūbey
Sushi &Sashimi
If you can splurge on only one Tokyo sushi experience, make it this one. Established in 1936, Kyūbey’s quality and presentation have attracted a moneyed and celebrity clientele ever since, seeking incomparable quality and presentation. Go for broke with kaiseki (course menu, lunch/dinner from ¥10,500/15,750), or have it served on pottery by famed artisan Kitaoji Rosanjin for ¥31,500. Otherwise just peruse the Rosanjin exhibition on the restaurant’s 4th floor. Kyūbey made headlines in 2009 when it bought at auction half of a single bluefin tuna that sold for a ¥9.63 million (and sold single cuts of toro from it for ¥2000).
The idea may sound gimmicky in theory – a boat-shaped restaurant where guests fish from the aquarium below – but in practice, Zauo is a riot for any age. Toss the line in from your table and wait for a tug; when you catch a critter you’re met with praise from the waitstaff in the form a chant-y cheer and a clap. If you have a craving for a specific dish, you can order it from the kitchen rather than plucking it out of the ‘sea’, though, surprisingly, it’s about ¥1000 cheaper if you catch it. One thing I didn’t know (and something that Google’s Japanese IME helped me to notice) is that ざうお (zauo) turns into the kanji 座魚, which isn’t actually a word (as far as I can find) but does consist of two kanji that pretty much sum up this restaurant… “Sit” and “Fish.” That’s pretty much what you do. You sit on giant boats that are inside aquariums (or a side room, also right next to the aquarium) and you fish for your meal. The fish are pretty much as dumb as fish, and bite within seconds of you putting the bait in. Mmmm. Then, the server comes over and asks you what you want to be made from the fish you just caught. There are quite a few choices, but like I mentioned before it’s all about getting something raw to take advantage of the freshness.
Shinjuku GoldenGai
Golden Gai is a few minutes walk from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station, between the Shinjuku City Office and the Hanazono Shrine.[3] Its architectural importance is that it provides a view into the relatively recent past of Tokyo, when large parts of the city resembled present-day Golden Gai, particularly in terms of the extremely narrow lanes and the tiny two-storey buildings. Nowadays, most of the surrounding area has been redeveloped: The street plans have been changed to create much wider roads and larger building plots, and most of the buildings themselves are now much larger high- or medium-rise developments. This has left Golden Gai as one of a decreasing number of examples of the nature of Tokyo before Japan’s ‘economic miracle’, that took place in the latter half of the 20th century. Typically, the buildings are just a few feet wide and are built so close to the ones next door that they nearly touch. Most are two-storey, having a small bar at street level and either another bar or a tiny flat upstairs, reached by a steep set of stairs. None of the bars are very large; some are so small that they can only fit five or so customers at one time.[3] The buildings are generally ramshackle, and the alleys are dimly lit, giving the area a very scruffy and run-down appearance. However, Golden Gai is not a cheap place to drink, and the clientele that it attracts is generally well off. Shinjuku Golden Street Theatre is a tiny theatre in one corner of Golden Gai[4] that puts on mainly comedy shows.[3]
Tokyo Ghibli Museum
If you’re traveling with your family, or you are a fan of Japanese Anime, this afternoon tour to the renowned Studio Ghibli Museum is for you. You’ll soon see why Studio Ghibli is famous for creating the best quality Anime around, and is known as the Disney of the East. You’ll join other animation lovers and take a bus to Mitaka, where the Ghibli Museum stands on a 4000-acre site in a green park. Enjoy a guided tour of the museum (approximately 45 minutes), then you are free to explore on your own for a further 45 minutes. The museum houses various exhibits describing the animation process, a play space and movie theater showing a short film by director Hayao Miyazaki, known for his award-winning film ‘Spirited Away’. Children are specially catered for, and the Ghibli characters feature in a fun way throughout the museum. There is also a restaurant and gift shops where you can purchase food and souvenirs. After exploring the museum, your guide will travel with you to Tokyo Station by local train, where your tour will end.
Tokyo Sumo Wrestling Tournament
Don’t miss the opportunity to see a traditional Sumo tournament when you’re in Tokyo. You’ll take the subway with fellow Sumo fans to the Kokugikan (Sumo Amphitheater) and enjoy a traditional Sumo wrestling tournament. You’ll also visit the fascinating Sumo Museum to see Sumo-related objects from the Edo period to the present. At the amphitheater you’ll experience a Dohyo-iri (entering the ring) ceremony and see exciting Sumo matches from your B-class reserved seat on the second floor. English commentary via audio headphones is available. The Sumo match will last approximately 2.5-hours, after you will have dinner at a local chanko restaurant (if option selected), where you can enjoy the traditional food of Sumo wrestlers. Please note: Your guide will meet you at the ticket gates at the Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal and escort you to the museum and tournament, and then later to the restaurant for dinner. The guide will not join you for dinner. Whats included-B- class reserve seat on the second floor Professional guide Chanko dinner (if option selected) An fm radio will be provided so you can listen to tournament announcements in english Sumo information pamphlet and sumo-ranking list (in english)
ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
Sumo (相撲 sumō?) is a competitive full-contact wrestling sport where a rikishi (wrestler) attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring (dohyō) or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally.
Muji
MUJI products vividly embody both our product-design methods and our overall philosophy. Since its birth in 1980, the MUJI brand has attracted a steadily increasing number of consumers, precisely because of our growing understanding and refining of sales principles. Our goal of offering products that excel in quality at lower prices has been achieved by avoiding the waste typical of much product-manufacturing and distribution – in the form of unnecessary functionality, an excess of decoration, and needless packaging. Responding to the perennial consumer demand for reasonable pricing, MUJI has accordingly designed and developed countless successful products. With our unique development processes and our ongoing exploitation of innovative ideas that always take the consumer’s perspective, we have in many cases re-defined “user-friendliness.” Notably, in order always to offer high-value products that are reasonably priced, MUJI travels the world in the conscientious procuring of quality materials. MUJI is not a brand whose value rests in the frills and “extras” it adds to its products. MUJI is simplicity – but a simplicity achieved through a complexity of thought and design. MUJI’s streamlining is the result of the careful elimination and subtraction of gratuitous features and design unrelated to function. MUJI, the brand, is rational, and free of agenda, doctrine, and “isms.” The MUJI concept derives from us continuously asking, “What is best from an individual’s point of view?” MUJI aspires to modesty and plainness, the better to adapt and shape itself to the styles, preferences, and practices of as wide a group of people as possible. This is the single most important reason people embrace MUJI. MUJI – in its deliberate pursuit of the pure and the ordinary – achieves the extraordinary.
SHOPPING 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan SHOPPING Okachimachi area, reborn as “2k540 AKI-OKA ARTISAN” from the “city of craftsmen”.
Kiddyland
This multistorey toy emporium is packed to the rafters with character goods, including nostalgia inducers like Hello Kitty and Ultraman. It’s not just for kids either; you’ll spot plenty of teens and even adults indulging their love of kawaii (cute). KiddyLand moved up the street while its building was renovated, but it should be back in this location, its original spot on Omote-sandō-dōri, by the time you read this. For half a century, KIDDY LAND has provided fun times and helped make dreams come true for both children and grownups. And, by keeping abreast of changing times and lifestyles, you will find something new and exciting every time you visit. From specialty articles to character items to an immense variety of toys, there is something for everyone. For all that is new, KIDDY LAND toy store comes to mind first and can be enjoyed by every member of your family.
SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING
This laid-back, minimalist arcade under the JR tracks (its name refers to the distance from Tokyo Station) groups a few dozen shops focused on craftsmanship. The eclectic mix includes everything from pottery to wood products to cute aliens, a nod to Akihabara from a mall that is more akin to Kyoto than Electric Town. You can find customisable wood cases for your iPhone at Hacoa (ハコ ア), dainty kaleidoscopes at Sōshin Kaleidoscopes ( 創心万華鏡) or figurines at Studio Uamou (ｽﾀｼﾞｵ ｳｱﾓｳ), showcasing the cartoonish creations of designer Takagi Ayako. The latter shares space with Boo , one of a handful of quirky cafes here. Lately, east area of Tokyo is becoming interesting. People with quality gallery, studio, cafes, and shops, and a sense of high angle I have begun moves to the east area. Facilities on the theme of “manufacturing” in the background of this flow, appeared to okachimachi area. And workshops that can experience style shop and studio became one product to be able to buy only here, of manufacturing, shops full of personality enables a variety of collection. Not only sell things simply, it is a shop that allows proposal of life style.
Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo
Hotel Sunroute Plaza
1-28-13 Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan
2-3-1 Yoyogi, 2-40-９ Kabukicho, Shibuya, Tokyo 151- Shinjuku, Tokyo 0053, Japan 160-0021, Japan
+81 3-5379-7208
+81 3-3375-3211
+81 3-5292-3330
Featuring a fitness room and daily continental breakfast, the Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo is just a 5-minute walk from the Shinjuku Gyoenmae subway station. This designer hotel includes studio apartments with free Wi-Fi.
Fantastic location, just a few minutes walk from Shinjuku station. Very friendly and helpful staff. Rooms clean and modern, spacious.
Guests are served a complimentary breakfast each morning. In addition to multilingual staff and dry cleaning/ laundry services, Hotel Villa Fontaine SHINJUKU features an elevator (lift). Complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access is available in public areas and an Internet point is located on site.
HOTELS HOTELS HOTELS HOTELS HOTELS HOTELS HOTELS HOTELS HOTELS HOTELS
Hotel Villa Fontaine Dromy Inn PremiShinjuku um Shibuya Jingumae
The Peninsula Tokyo
6 Chome-24-4 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan +81 3-5774-5489
1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0006, Japan
Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya Jingumae is a charming 3-star hotel set in a prime location in the centre of Tokyo. Local tourist attractions such as Yoyogi National Gymnasium, NHK Hall and Ota Memorial Museum of Art are not far from the hotel. Also easily within reach are Omotesando Hills, National Children’s Castle (Kodomo
Superbly located in the prestigious business district of Marunouchi, opposite the Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park and within minutes’ walk of the shopping capital of Ginza, The Peninsula Tokyo offers commanding city views, luxurious comfort, sophisticated facilities, extraordinary dining options and the legendary Peninsula service.
+81 3-6270-2888