Lobby Greeter

View from my room

My room 1705

Literally… bath room

Found Donki

View from starbies

Sun rise in Shinjuku-ku

A lot squishy in American standards

Street signs in Shinjuku

Toilet

Lobby greeter

Funny sign I found at 7-11

Dinner

Egg salad and fruit sandos are so good here. Getting food from the kombini (convenience store) is a real thing and part of their culture. It’s not a tourist thing, per se but what they really do here as a local.

Morning has broken

This morning… I’m off to find my first Eki stamp. Clare and I found out about how train stations throughout the nation have stamps (rubber stamps) to represent each station. In a country full of trains… this should be an adventure.

I didn’t come out as nice as the picture above but it works. I tried a few times but maybe it’s over used and the details have since gone away.

It’s a depiction of the hotel (Shinjuku Prince) that I stayed in with Pop. The subway station is under the hotel or somehow connected to it. Time to find some coffee. I know there are some in the “Kombini” (Japanese for convenience store) but instructions are written in Japanese and I don’t want to bring attention to myself and pull out my translation

Below are some things that I saw along my walk 😊

The Seibu Shinjuku Eki Stamp

The Limo Bus schedule from airport to hotel and vice versa. ^

The kids finally woke up and heading out for an adventure. But first…. Coffee!

Truffle + sausage pizza bite (?)

Cappuccino

Looks like a scorcher today. Today also looks like it will be the peak of this heat. Suppose to get rain around the 13th. We have that monsoon coming in but not expected to hit Tokyo but around the southern region such as Okinawa. It looked like it was heading into China.

Spinach feta croissant + cinnamon roll and a soy latte

Cool coffee house!

The above coffee shop is still in old style inside. I would put it at 30s-40s interior or older. Not positive if that’s how they decorated it. The walls are still quite dark and I just love it. I have to take the family here to ooogle with me.

I don’t know what the rocket ship building is called anymore but surprisingly enough, Pop and I walked there and I cannot remember why. More than likely we were lost.

Looks sketchy but this is quite lively with izakayas in the evenings.

Izakayas are little alcoves that could probably fit 2 couples inside but they mostly sell bar type foods. They don’t open until the evening but it’s simple food fares for the weary salarymen or late night karaoke “party peeps!”

Shinjuku station.

Below is the same route that I took with Pop to get to the Shinjuku station to Tokyo Station.

This is where the assassination took place

Far right of station

Eki Stamp for Tokyo Station

This says: “Tokyo Station”

Outside of where we arrived

Tōkyo station

Exterior description of station

The middle building of station

This building is now a super duper fancy hotel - Tokyo Station Hotel. Next time I am in the hotel… I will give you a better idea

Closer view of middle section of station

This is the old Tokyo Station.

Naked man statue

Assignation site of Prime Minister Hara Takeshi in 1921

Book shop

I have NEVER been to a book store where I felt uncomfortable… until now! I have never been uneasy with paper and ink… until today! I felt so illiterate that I nearly cried!

This map did not help us at all! I hope some blind person was more successful!

Bacon and cheese “hot pocket”

Watching them make hard candy! Worth going back!

Tatami mat for my lulu pig collection.

Pyramid watermelon?? ¥108,000 = $684.65 for 1 melon!!

Below are some truly over priced fruits we found at the grocery store in the station.

¥1296. = $8.22usd (for 4)

Oooh! The sweets look great too! I think I want one

Are kimonos making a comeback? I may want to get one too! Haha 🤣

This is called Mega Muffin -

It has double sausage, single egg, bacon and cheese.

Tomorrow’s task! Happy meal surprises!!

Kanno Coffee

I am not a coffee ice cream person but this was so delicious!!

My knee was so mad it me today that it called in reinforcements from my hip and back to make me stop and rest a bit.

Apple tartin + soft serve ice cream + coffee jelly

Square watermelon? ¥21,600 = $136.93 usd (for 1 melon)

Mushroom spaghetti with Japanese twist

How to order…

Doesn’t take long for food to arrive

Bolognese spaghetti

Leaving the department store

Breakfast of champions!

Pop would disagree but cheesecake + morning java cannot be beat! Haha

Earl Grey chiffon cake

Takeshimaya welcome guy

This is the coffee shop that Pop and I used to go to…

Because they were open early and they have really good coffee! Now that we know they are open at 7am… we can skip McD’s now! Phew!

Inside the store… Pop and I oogled the windows

We stopped for lunch in this Showa Cafe in the mall

These are the buttons to operate the toilet

As I mentioned before, McD’s is the only place that is open a little earlier than the others… or so I thought!

The loo in McD’s

They don’t use seat covers but this thing above. In all honesty, I prefer this one over the paper protector. The reason being is that it’s alcohol based and feels cleaner to me than the paper protector.

Sunrise from my window

Breakfast

There are not many places that are open early in the morning here in Japan. Most places do not open until 10 at the earliest - except for McD’s.

This is NOT the Shinjuku crossing like Shibuya but it was a landmark for me to know where to go

We were returning to our scene of the crime and had to go back to Hands. One of our fave stores right now but it’s a bit further than my body can handle today.

Yesterday, I had walked nearly 18,000 steps- which, by the way is about 16,000 more than I’m accustomed to in LA!

Our bill… conversion in USD would be $15.97

I believe that each ramen bowl was ¥550 ~> $3.48 usd

The kids had add-ons so the bill was obviously higher but still! What a bargain! 😊

The morning view

This is where we usually have coffee now. A bit pricier than McD’s and less crowded than Starbies… but totally worth it!

Okay. Time to get off my bench and head behind me. Apparently, it’s a Pokemon something building. Who knows? I haven’t been on this side, and this happens to be the 30th anniversary of Pokémon.

As we exited the station (without getting lost this time), we stumbled upon this store! There is NO WAY I am going to skip out on an electronic store! No siree bob!

I did not venture into yodabashi the last time I was here and I could totally outfit my entire kitchen with Japanese kitchen gadgets and be happy. Alas, Japan plugs are similar to US ones and the EU has their own special ones. So outfitting my kitchen would not be possible… but a cook could dream!

I also do NOT know why this is the only place with rows of benches that I have found. It’s quite unusual to see. Even when you see concerts, it’s standing only.

All weekend, they had these girl bands performing in the afternoons and evenings. I got in trouble for taking this pic by security but I don’t even know who they are! The guard just told me 🙅‍♂️

Got the point and I rushed away. Boe said it was probably because I was on the wrong side of the road.

By the way… we are used to driving on the left side and also the same side that we walk. Here in Japan, they drive on the right side and also walk on the left side. I cannot tell you how many times Boe pulled me out of the walkway for being on the wrong side. I’m used to walking on the right side but not here. The things you learn. Hopefully, I will get it correct before the end of the day.

This was the first place we ate with Pop.

We called it the #78 store. It was because Pop was waiting patiently (or as patiently as he could) to get into the Rolex store. Then after about 30 mins, I had to check on him and he was still waiting. He was #78 and they were on something like 75. Pop had not gotten inside the store when his patience ran out. Piman! So I took him upstairs to get something to eat and wait.

Hopefully, we can find this garden upstairs.

Fruit Sando

Going to see if I can find an “Einstein” patch for my hip and lower back after we are done here. Then to venture outside before the rain starts for the WEEK! Nice!! Can’t wait for there to be a break in the heat.

Beef stew

Chokorēto cookie + yuzu sparkling lemonade

Tourist Info centre

This is how I knew they had chokorėto chip cookies

The person sitting in front of me had one!

We have one of these between the Bradley Building and Grand Central Market in DTLA. I finally found an acceptable “Chokoreto” (chocolate) chip cookie and it happens to be in Japan! Go figure!

Tourist information centre

On the hobble to the info centre, I found a bench! Doesn’t look like one I’m used to but I know it’s a bench.

Important information

This is a nice mall that is connected to the station… if anyone wants to visit

I knew that if I turned 180° that the path would lead me to the tourist information center where I was heading anyway! Phew! Less pain trying to get to where I wanted to go.

Eki Stamp

This is what I came for. I tried to find the Pokemon limited edition ones but they were more difficult to find with my anxiety levels. So, I decided to abandon that challenge.

Half Butt bench

Taken from the NeWoMan building. Lost again!

Finally got a happy meal!

I highly recommend getting their exclusive dipping sauce. I have found that each country has their own exclusive sauce and it’s worth trying.

Statue Pop and I found.

When I got out, I found this statue. In another chapter of my visits to Japan, Pop and I got separated here too!

Translation of my Eki Stamp

Smaller than in the states

The flavour here and texture is different than in the states. A LOT less breading and salt but tastier. Only problem is that it seems greasier too!

Tastes like Calpico drink. Nice and light for dessert

Some sort of mochi. Cannot say I recommend.

That’s it for my day’s venture.

Funny sign

On the way back to our room, there are lots of places to choose from and this place is bluntly honest! I like that!

We decided to go to 7-11 (right below our rooms) and get dessert.

The labyrinth they call Shinjuku Station

Perhaps, we could venture into Shibuya today to see Hochikō.

Early morning view

Expecting a storm to come in later this afternoon, but the sky looks too bright to have rain.

This is what you can ask for refills

Tonkatsu lunch

Ton = pork

Katsu = cutlet/ chop etc.

Iced tea

They serve tea like we have water.

Dessert

We were sampling one of fave desserts back home. It’s a mochi like dessert with roasted powdered whatever that powder is and you drizzle the molasses on it - depending on your desired sweetness level. \240It hit the spot! 😊

Cabbage salad dressing in the glass

Katsu sauce in the spouted ceramic ware

Our favourite miso with Pop

Tiny clams Miso

Server buzzer

When you want to order, you press this button and your server will come. I think it’s nicer than them hovering all over you like buzzards! 😡

They also do not come around and check up on you. They only interact with you when you press this button ^

Translation of above

As we continued discovering what else was in the subnade we found 2 markets. The stuff below is their granola that we usually pay big bucks for in LA. Here it is only… $2.37 (if you get the ¥400 version.

We found these duo snacking away

I was looking for Baymax pictured below but we couldn’t find it. 😢

We also found a way out to the regular train station and when we came out of the tube… it was raining. ☔️

Looks fancy but not

Melon soda, regular cola and bubble water

Fried chicken

Bar food only

This should be interesting. We should have gone for the $3 ramen at this rate! Haha

Beef garlic rice

Hamburger egg dish

As you can tell by my lack of descriptions… this was NOT up to our normal Japanese experience.

Time for ramen!

We tried to be Anthony Bourdain and embrace the food culture

Garlic chicken ajillo

Showing comparative size plate

Garlic toast

Size of this plate

Grown up chicken nuggets

Ahhhh! That’s much better! Thank you Hidakaya! You saved the day!! 😊

Tonkatsu ramen with garlic and gyozas

Lens filter that I hope will work.

Zunda ~ kiwi crepe

Earl grey peach

I like how they described this!

Sugar mini donuts

I would have never thought I would see Randy’s Donuts here since it’s an LA thing but good for them. Unfortunately, Randy’s donuts were sold a few years back and the recipes don’t taste the same anymore.

Look at the arrows

Our train just left and now it’s time to visit Nakano Broadway.

Can you figure out this sign? Me neither!

Izakaya Row

That’s what I call it because there are lots of them on the way to the train station.

Red bean paste + sweet potato

Tayaki

My back is killing my hip and we stopped to sit and replenish some lost water from sweating! 🥵

It may be raining but it’s humid rain

Red Bean Paste

This is a thing here in Japan and it was freshly made. So, we stopped to try them. My opinion? 🤙

Sweet Potato

Then we split up for a little bit so I could some place to rest my back and I stumbled upon the hidden food court in the basement!

12 August 2026

Happy birthday, Pop!!

… and found this wonderful looking bakery!

Yakiniku- Japanese style k-bbq

We are here with Pop and for his birthday. In December 2024, Pop and I found this place by accident. Looked good and we said, “why not?!”

Time to head back before my body parts start falling off!

My stash from Nakano

This was all that I picked up in Nakano. Going to the capsule store is always fun! You never know what will come out of the machine.

The Miffy (Nintje) ones actually light up! Lemme turn it on for you… hold da line q

Time Walker

This was the reason we had to go to Japan for a weekend with Pop in 2024. This time around, it was the perfect place for the kids for find some manga and other anime stuff.

Look how many scoops/flavours she got!

The line looked long and my back was killing me… so I passed it up

We ventured deeper into the mall …

Aren’t they the cutest??

The chocolate one is Nintje after spending too much time in Hawaii! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Haha

Matsuja on the right side + Times Square in back left

Bowl size difference - regular vs small

Happy Birthday, Mama and Pop!

Well… I don’t have a microwave so Boe recommended Dutch style.

This morning…

Coffee, watermelon and apple tart

We picked up the apple tart yesterday in Nakano Broadway. It was a bakery that I passed with Pop but did not go in that time… so we went in this time and it did not disappoint.

Morning view

Mexico in Japan?

Wonder if that says “restaurant”?

Shrine

Naked lady

I found naked guy statue in Tokyo and naked lady statue in Shinjuku.

You see billboards like this all over.

King Kong

Park pathway

Left to right:

Success, mind and good luck

Alter along the way to shrine

This is where you return your amulets

Hanazono Shrine

Steps to shrine

Gulay inside soup

Morning miso soup

Coffee jelly

Mystery gate for a thin meter reader

This thin gate was next to daily Yamazaki but it’s thinner than the handle and made me wonder how anyon could fit in there!

Egg salad looks good

On our walk back to Homebase, I spotted this sign …

Not as cool as my other signs but always 👀

Pictures can say 1,000 words

In the cab (on the window) was this sticker that says what you can and cannot do in the cab. One would think that in a country as conservative as Japan, they would refrain from doing those things but one did not take into account the tourists.

The cabbie had drop us off somewhere else because the road was closed it too much traffic. I don’t know. Whatever the reason, we had to walk. Good thing too because we found this café inside one of the malls. It was called “Le Cafe - Joël Robuchon”.

I know not many people would know who he is but I do. He’s a famous Michelin star chef that was once Gordon Ramsey’s mentor. Sadly, he passed away on 2018 from pancreatic cancer. In his wake, he left behind these goodies for us to sample 🥰😊

Curry bread (kare pan), focaccia á la saucisse et croissant aux amandes à crème de myrtilles

I cannot say enough how amazing my almond croissant with blueberry filling was. It was perfect for a rainy day with some tea- alas, the line was too long for hot tea & I ended up indulging without it. Oh well! Have to go back again! Haha

Perilous street walking

It was perilous walking the street in the pouring rain and not knowing where you are or where you’re going. You could barely see anything and I was soaked to the bone… even with an umbrella. Okay. I get it. It was my uv parasol but it is still a rain umbrella too. We ended up stopping at Don Quixote to get a slightly bigger for us. It was too much. Yep! You guessed it. As soon as we were done purchasing the rain stopped.

We stopped at the hotel lounge for shaved ice…

Apple soda & apple juice

Earl grey & Peach Shaved Ice

Time for dinner! Haha

As we were making it back to home base, we passed the shrine one last time and asked the cabbie to take us Pepe’s- which happens to be the name of the mall connected to POP’s Prince hotel. He dropped us off in a weird place AGAIN!

Tonkatsu Ramen

Cut through this building - something Tower

We took the escalator down, so you can see the crowd size.

Gyoza and miso soup

NOW it’s time to head back to dry land home base.

Potato wedges

Grown up chicken tenders

Can you believe all that was only $15??

There was another ramen not pictured because it happened to the same.

That’s it for walking outside in the rain. Time to head back to…

Oh dear Lord! Is there another concert going on?

Yep!

Some boy band this time. So we had to walk up to go down to our home base somehow.

Yesterday’s mishap

Red apple croissants

Clouds starting move a little.

Dango - mochi balls with teriyaki sauce

My last morning view

Last time we see Godzilla!

Meat pasta with French fries

Found a place to have lunch…

Our cute server

Our new Homebase - Hamacho Hotel

We made it to Nihombashihamacho! A lot different from where we just were. A LOT quieter without that Hollywood feel to it. If you know what I’m implying.

Looks like a small shrine in the “city”

Off to check out the small neighbourhood grocery near the shrine.

Nice loo handle!! 🤩

Tonkatsu meal set

Strawberry ice with dango & black tea biscuit

Chicken cutlet set meal

Our little brown bird came to visit us

We found a 24 hour market across the street from Homebase.

Desk

… and like that… our room is ready

Smaller loo. Much smaller loo

Oooh! Fancy bed lights!

I was waiting for my crew to arrive before heading out to dinner.

The bed

A sign that the passing storm is over.

I took the crew to Wako tonkatsu (like the one in Shinjuku) in Yodobashi Akiba.

Tonkatsu

Then we headed back to Homebase where we sat in the bar and relaxed.

Peach Melba ice cream with meringue thing

Sorry. Not much to say because I’m tired.

Off to Shinjuku to show him around and maybe the kids will meet up with us there.

Off to Shinjuku to show him around and maybe the kids will meet up with us there.

Common benches found here in Japan

How to find out next stop

On our way to Shinjuku

Can’t help but think of Mama ♥️

Someone got his wings! 🥰

I thought he was supposed to be in Bruxelles (Brussels)

Below is the food court in kabukicho Tower

Our last stop in Shinjuku was to visit Joël Robuchon bakery

Funny warnings in the subway lift in Shinjuku san- chrome station

In Hamachō

A little prayer shrine for animals and childbirth

Simple Japanese breakfast (mine)

Below are some sticker graffiti I see throughout Shinjuku.

Big breakfast but not mine

Got my new Eki stamp from Hamachō Station ♥️

Visited Godzilla one last time

Bus stop benches face the other way here.

Here in Japan, the bus benches face the sidewalk rather than to look at traffic or your bus arriving.

Hot milk chocolate

Hello Mama!! (Asian Swallowtail)

As I was trying to find a table, I picked this nice one that kept calling out to me. When I looked over my shoulder, there was Mama! ♥️

Iced chocolate milk with ice cream

(Chokorēto ice)

Looks good doesn’t it? Well… the iced chocolate thingy was difficult to eat and we managed to make a mess all over the table! Of course we did! That’s what we do best! Haha

We got bored waiting for the kids so we went to Ginza Tokyo Hands

Meat pasta

We had done a lot of walking today so we just went to the diner across the street. The “robot” diner. I think we will just our not, Lenny. Sounds like a good name for it.

Someone is trying all the beer in this country - Asahi on tap!

Wow! That’s something like $3!

Back home, we were getting this for like $10 on sale!

Corn Potage.

Chicken mushroom dinner

Not one of my most fave dinners

Unagi-don

Pancake with bananas, cream and chocolate drizzle

After dinner, we went to the market for some breakfast for tomorrow.

Introducing Lenny, our server.

I tried Japanese corn postage and it’s actually pretty good. I have to look up a recipe for it.

My latest bathtime find - Dratini

Good night all! See you tomorrow

I wonder what the cost of living is out here!

The prices for fish seems reasonable to me.

Apple pie

One of my better selections! It’s flaky like a puff pastry.

Shrine

It was busy this morning. I wonder why.

On our way to Asakusa to see some shrines and temples but also to see some Japanese crafts. I’m so excited!!

Sign for the shrine below

Finally found the kids at our meeting stop. We got a little separated by different exits from the train station. Which reminds me… a got a new Eki stamp!

Tōkyo tree and Asahi merch store

Asakusa train stamp (Eki stamp)

Black coffee and strawberry dragon fruit yoghurt drink.

Stay tuned. More to come! 😊

Blood orange sometning

Whatever sweetness I lost in the apple, it all magically appeared in this drink. It was so so sweet! Not fond of it but at least, I can say I tried it.

Sensō-ji Temple

We went to the tourist information centre and went to the observation deck to get a bird’s eye view. Doesn’t it look scary crowded? Well… I will have you know, it was scarier in person!

Funny name for a bar

Strawberry Mochi

Kaminarimon

Tōkyo Sky Tree

The Number 1 apple pie in the world

I cannot say enough how delicious this was! It was flaky and sweet but not overly sweet.

Kaminarimon in all its glory

Other side of Kaminarimon

Tachibana Inari Shrine

5+ storey Daiso??!

Looks like some place I may have to check out!!

Near our home there is a bakery (or 2) within a minute walk! So we tried this place and they were so nice!

Level 3 spice with chicken cutlet

Curry version of Salisbury Steak

Mild level 0 spice and it was still spicy!

It’s getting late! Will chat with you all later!

おやすみ - Oyasumi - good night

おやすみなさい。素敵な夢を。- Oyasuminasai sutenkinayumewo - good night, sweet dreams

Love their vehicles around here!

Nice smooth streets

Latte

Tokyo Stock Exchange

Front of shrine near the grocery

Long Flight latte (latte with an added shot)

Menu of coffee shop

Cold drink menu

Cool bridge structure

Hamachō station to Shinjuku

Waiting here at the station for train to arrive and take us to Shinjuku and then to Nakano Broadway.

Why are we going back, you ask? Thank you for asking! We are going back to play with the capsule stores. Yes it’s plural! There or so many of them! Haha

We are also going back to have Yakiniku for lunch and maybe grab some pastries for later. We shall see.

We were supposed to go to Tōkyo too but it may be too much in one day. Perhaps, Tōkyo needs its own 2 days for exploration. I don’t know yet.

We should see the imperial palace and other tourist places but it’s a bit difficult with the actual tourists around. Some are quite rude!

Went to the basement to find a kimono for a co-worker but found the ice place instead. Looks good, eh? \240My flavour was soda ice and my guy’s flavour was coffee (kōhī) I can honestly say, I liked mine! Haha

We stopped at the capsule store and found these little Miffys and decided to have them pose for us! Haha

Excelsior coffee

I was looking for yogurt and got iced latte instead. Oh well.

I will have to remember to get this rice seasoning

I need a haircut!

Not so illiterate NOW! Haha

Hello! Everything is delicious—it’s a delight! We pride ourselves on being a beloved, handcrafted bakery. We prepare a wide variety of fresh-from-the-oven breads, including curry bread, maple melon pan, Camembert cheese bread, and our smooth bacon-wrapped creations. Please be sure to stop by and try them! (French translation^)

I can read the big sign but not what is written on the post! Go figure.

My Japanese is quite limited to:

Ramen o tabemashita

Tonkatsu o tabemashita

Kyō no gogo, ton katsu o tabemasu.

Kazuku to resutoran ni ikimashita.

Ko kazuku to resutoran ni ikimashita ka?

Oh wait! I may know a little more…

Arigatou gozaimasu!

Itadakimasu🙏 (we say this at the beginning of all our meals) it translates to: “we gratefully receive this meal.” In Shintoism they don’t just thank God for the meal but to the plants and animals that gave up their lives so I can live. Mind you we say this and do the sign of the cross too.

Gochisōsama deshita. 🙏😊 translates to: thank you for the feast I gratefully received.

I didn’t know there was a Sumo place here!

This is where the train platform lets us off.

The (S10) line of the Shinjuku train

See you all later after I rested and thought of something to do this evening.

This is what the place was called. I highly recommend.

By the way… you may be wondering what is with all the Pokémon. Well, it’s because this happens to be their 30th anniversary. So why not celebrate all year with them?? Besides, I am not here for much longer. Another 13 days so I want to make the most of my time with them.

Lasagna like but…

Over risotto (also known as short grain rice). You would think it’s a weird combo but I KNOW that Cynch would ❤️ THAT sort of combination! It really was much better than I make it sound. Of course they had pizza but I was in the mood for something saucy.

See? No pasta

My latest buddies - Ditto and Sprigatito

Bath time is over and it’s time for bed. I hope soaking in the hot tub will help my AS (ankylosing spondylitis). It’s gotten better in some ways but in others, it’s getting worse.

Oh well.

I hardly take selfies because that’s just the way I am - especially if I’m not wearing make up but I don’t know how to wear make up in humidity. This is what I look like today:

You would think that with my jumbo suitcases, I would actually have some clothing inside but the reality is, I do not 🤫. I had to donate a few of my belongings when I was in Hawaii because they were too big. So we’re off to Shinjuku … AGAIN, to find something to wear.

I think my guy’s body has finally decided to make him slow down because he has a minor cold. Oh well… a bowl of ramen would have been just the ticket for him! Haha \240 Alas, he is not a ramen person so he has to remain grounded.

Found this cute guy!

This little guy sparks much joy!!

My new travel buddy!

I forgot my sunbrella (both for shade and rain) in the car at home so I had to invest in another and this one is faaaaaar less heavy than the last! “I am satisfied with my care.” - Big Hero 6 (Baymax)

We needed a place to rest my hip and what better place than a coffee shop?! Maybe some place that serves food rather than snacks but I’m okay with it here at Excelsior Caffé. They have nice ice.

Yep! That IS a hole in the ground!

Hard pass from me! ^

Oooh! Maybe I can make a tiny Japanese village for my bookcase

Oooh! Special blend (quite satisfying!)

Prosciutto and arugula pizza

Both were quite tasty. I think, weirdly enough, I preferred the carbonara version.

Brown sugar shaved ice.

This is the not so fancy toilet sign

Shrine/temple

This is where the monks come to learn how to go on missions.

This building shares space with our fave store - Hands

Takashimaya is a FANNNNNNNNCY store. Similar to our Nordstrom’s or Bloomingdale’s but I think there is one fancier than this one called Isetan. I THINK it’s fancier. Not certain.

Anyway, at this “fancy” store/mall, I figured that the toilets would be fancy too. Ummm… that doesn’t look fancy AT ALL!!

I did not know exactly how to use it without falling or wetting myself… so I waited for the other stalls to open.

Ready for my coffee

Carbonara Pizza

Mint Blanc cake

Oh noooo! I forgot the other cake! Earl Grey Sponge cake. 🍰

As we were making it back down through the store… I stopped this cool nano block creation

Ultraman turns 50 this year!

We stopped at a place called Mia Bocca. It’s basically Japanese interpretation of Italian food.

I must say… it’s really not THAT bad but what do I know about Italian food? I haven’t been to Italy yet.

Egg living room and me

That is my translation of the above sign. Unless they are using Salon as salon and no translation needed then it would be Egg Salon and me. Go figure! Haha

This place is good but it was so crowded so we passed for lunch but came back around for coffee and pastries - normal mirienda time.

Oh no! Too blurry to read the others but people were rushing me!

I don’t know what it is about Sumikogurushi that I just adore! Maybe because they have the same body type as me?! Hehe

The bus stop bench is facing the other way

And THIS is why I did not rent a car here

Call me Wimpy but I was not about to drive here in Japan. I cannot read the signs and they drive on the other side like the Brits. I would be too freaked to even TRY it.

My latest addition from the capsule vender! Haha

Ah! Our beloved ramen place - Hidakaya

There is my ramen!

Gyoza Girl got her dream dinner

One last stop at Family Mart and I will call it a day 🤫

I absolutely needed fruit! This is what I could find at the Kombini store. It works,although I’m super full!

Mine is only the toast, egg and miso soup.

Clouds look a little ominous! I hope it doesn’t rain because I forgot my umbrella.

… I have parasol but not really an umbrella. The rain here comes with wind and my poor parasol flips and I end up getting wetter than without cover.

Oh well… we decided to go into Shibuya today to see what we can find there.

The famous Shibuya Crossing

We made it to Shibuya. I think we need to come back so My Guy can see it too. I know he would love it. I think it would be nicer in the evening but since he’s not feeling well, I don’t know how much I can push him.

We also found…

Hachiko!

Story has it that Hachiko greeted his master everyday after work but one day, his master did not return but Hachiko kept waiting by the station until he passed away.

When was the last you saw me drink beer?

Smash burger (with fried egg)

Truffle fries

Wow! They call it a WC here too! Hehe haha

We stopped at the chocolate cafe in the hotel. They really DO know their coffee and chocolate.

Chocolate shaved “ice”

The one above is chocolate shaved ice… cream. Not just watery ice but actual ice cream! Holy Moses! Was it good and I don’t like chocolate ice cream that much. Actually, I’m really picky about my chocolate and it’s not one of my go-to anything.

What sort of door is THAT ^?

As we were walking to the metro station, I saw this little door besides the entrance door. Looks peculiar but what do I know? It could actually be a window for all I know.

Barefoot drummer

The Shibuya Scrample

Hachinko

Paying our respects to Hachinko

Yakiniku time

Ready, get set GOOOOOOOOO!

The crowd waiting to do the Shibuya Scramble

NGL ( not gunna lie), there were a lot of dumb people doing weird things at the Scramble! They would just STOP to take a dumb selfie as people were trying to walk by. It’s okay if you didn’t get stuck behind the selfish selfies… but I got stuck a few times. So irritating!

Dance, dance revolution!

Don’t know what he was dancing to but he was grooving along as if to his own drummer! Haha \240Or was he dancing to the barefoot drummer? Who knows!! Maybe he’s taping an audition? Well, whatever he was doing, it was entertaining! Hehe

Found some cool art work at a Pop up

That’s it for tonight. Made it home safely 😊

We finally figured out the train station maze with less and less confusion. Actually walking through it as if we know where we’re going! Haha

Looks like the villagers have been fed

I think my guy is feeling better.

Banana bread cold brew latte

Regular milk latte

Oat milk latte

On our way to Tokyo station to find a hop on, hop off bus to take us on a tour. See you all soon

This place has the most amazing coffee soft serve with coffee jelly! It makes navigating through the Tokyo station maze worth it. I know you may say not but you haven’t tried it!

Anyway… as I wait for it to arrive… this is what we had for lunch

Anchovy + black olive pizza

Japanese beef curry

I can only say meh. It was a beer hall so what do I expect?

This is the reason I came here. The only reason I agreed to coming here! You would too if you could taste this coffee soft serve with coffee jelly.

But… the apple tartin is nothing to sneeze at! It is so delicious! I even had to look up at recipe for it! I will get it done one day.

German platter of meat

Cross the bridge

The moat of the palace?

Looks a little like Central Park

Time for me to move a little bit so I don’t stiffen up more. See you all soon.

The Imperial Palace

Since I cannot walk all the way to the palace… I decided to hang back at Starbies until my hip recovers from the trek we just made from the station.

This is what the inside looks like at this Starbies that is connected to the “Rest House”.

Just passing on the street

Ham pizza

Chicken cutlet dinner

Doria?

Tonkatsu set dinner

Reminds me of “Graveyard of the Fireflies”

Apple “pie”

Apple pie here is different. It’s more like puff pastry with apples on top. Love it! Not thick crust like an American apple pie and not overwhelmingly stacked with apples inside like a Dutch apple taart.

Forgot to mention that we’re at the Robot diner… again! Only because it’s so close to home and my body hurts a lot!

Here in Japan, we pay what they say. No tip included in there because it’s considered an insult. There is no hidden fee. In the Philippines, they were adding in the gratuity already and some places in the states, also add the gratuity in too. Here in Japan… you don’t have to worry. Food is a lot less expensive here too.

Blue soda shaved ice

My latest addition

Meet Ditto and Quaxly

Our “home”

Most expensive breakfast on menu

I keep forgetting to tell you that it’s an all you can drink when you get the set meal. \240Anyway, the above meal is ¥980= $5.71 usd. It comes with the hamburger patty and gravy + salad + soup + toast, rice or pancake (that’s an up charge on pancake) and drink bar. Where can you find THAT stateside??!

Toei Shrine

The Toei Shrine (陶栄神社, Toei-jinja), established in 1969 within the grounds of Hamamachi Shrine in Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo City, Tokyo, honors Japan’s ceramic heritage. It preserves the history of an Edo-period wholesale district historically known for chinaware and tile merchants. (Per Google Gemini)

I guess you figured out that our home base is Nihonbashi-Hamacho. There is another town close by called Ōtemachi. The translation is: Great Hand town. I like that name. Sounds kinda cool like Driehuis/Driehuizen or Koedijk - Dutch towns (3 house/3 houses (- different villages) and cow dike).

Okay. Time to get ready to head into Tokyo again but also, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa and Akihabara today. Sounds like a lot to me. This evening we are supposed to go to a celebration/festival.

I cannot eat a big breakfast …

Never could but I need the energy to walk around town! 🤪