After a nice policeman helped me with buying my refillable metro card called Pasmo, I took the metro from Nishi-Shinjuku to Shinjuku Sanchome. I navigated through the department stores, Uniqlo, Muji, and other stores to find Golden Gai. The Japan Travel and the Japan WiFi apps were clutch in navigating the side streets.
Golden Gai is a popular night spot with small establishments. I wanted to try the original Nagi Ramen - this was my plan for dinner last night but good thing this ramen shop is open 24 hours! I found the big red circle sign, and climbed steep stairways (practically a ladder) to a very small and approximately 10 seat ramen shop. I paid via a small vending machine at the top of the stairs that produced a ticket that I handed to one of the ramen chefs.
I thoroughly enjoyed my egg noodle ramen in a sardine broth with a side of fishermen's rice, even though I didn't slurp like the other Japanese patrons. Here's a collage of the Golden Gai street, the steep staircase, and of course my meal:
I then navigated back to the metro and took it to Ōtemachi, so I could visit the Imperial Palace. Today is the Emperor's 84th Birthday and a National Holiday, so you're allowed to go to the inner part and the Emperor and his family greets the well-wishers. After bag checks, security, and a long walk, we made it to the inner courtyard. We were all given flags and waited for the Emperor and his family who were making appearances three times this morning. I saw them for their last appearance and waited about 20 minutes by the time we got to the residence. The Emperor, Empress, both sons and their wives, and the daughter of her second son came to celebrate. Here are some photos of the experience:
After it was all over, I followed the massive crowds, as we exited "slowly and cautiously":
I then took a stroll through the east imperial garden which was simple and understated. The whole garden is surrounded by a moat where there were many joggers.
I then made my way back to Ōtemachi station and hopped on the green Chiyoda line to Meiji Jingamae where I popped over to Harajuku Gyoza - a popular dumpling spot. There was also a line across the street in front of Luke's Lobster which was started by a Georgetown grad in NYC. After about 10 minutes of waiting, I made it to a counter seat and while I ordered by pointing to the menu, I managed to spill my water over the counter. Here are my dumplings:
I then walked down to Omote-sando, a kind of 5th Avenue with lots of designer shops. Here's a group of Santas on motorcycles on this stylish avenue:
Just westward, after a short walk was the Meiji Shrine. Here's the reconstructed Tori or gate:
As you walk up the path, there's an offering of Sake from the Meiji Sake Brewers Association:
Before entering, you bow at the gate, but you also wash your hands and rinse your mouth:
And inside the shrine where the souls of the Emperor and Empress are enshrined:
I even got to witness part of a Shinto wedding ceremony:
Then I headed to the Meiji Garden where there is a famous spring of pure water called the Kimayasa Well:
While waiting, the guard entertained us by summoning local birds:
Here's the Emperor's favorite fishing spot:
And a tea house:
I then took the JR Yamamoto green line one stop to Shibuya. Here in the station, you can witness the famous crossing:
Inside the station is a famous mural depicting the atomic bomb above Hiroshima - it has been compared to Picasso's Guernica:
Just outside is Hachiko Square, honoring a famous dog that waited for his master at the station everyday, even after his master's death - here's me with the statue:
Then I got into the Shibuya crossing action as I headed to Center Gai, a shopping area pictured here:
Then on my way back, back into the famous crossing - waiting for the light, the change, and then in the midst of the crowds:
By this time it was late afternoon, so I took the metro back to my hotel and picked up my duffel and headed to Ginza. The Hilton rates skyrocketed due to the holiday weekend, but this worked out perfectly as I need two more stays to make Silver status.
So for two nights, I'm staying in Ginza and heading back to the Hilton on Monday as it's close to Shinjuku station where I leave for Hakone and Kyoto on Tuesday. Also Ginza is convenient when I want to check out the early morning tuna auction at Tsjukiji Market on Monday. It's closed today due to the Emperor's Birthday and closed Sundays.
For several reasons, I booked a traditional Japanese capsule hotel, Tokyo Bay Ginza Hotel. Not only is it economical, but I thought it would be local and cultural. It's like a hostel, but you get your own pod which has a light, an outlet, and a USB. The remainder of your belongings are in lockers and you use shared bathrooms and showers. It is unbelievable how clean this place is - you actually have to vacate from 10 am to 4 pm so they can clean it everyday. Here's my capsule #450:
For dinner, the Hilton concierges did their best to book me at different Michelin starred restaurants. Unfortunately, due to the late planning and holiday, I only got into Sushi Ginza Iwa. Many of the high-end restaurants only allow regulars and reservations have to be booked by a hotel for foreigners.
The restaurant was a 5 minute walk from my capsule hotel, and the sushi restaurant had 7 seats. The chef kept serving me first which was stressful as only after I saw others eat, would I realize that I did something wrong. Sometimes you're supposed to eat with your hands or you use the salt instead of soy sauce, as an example.
Nonetheless, it was a memorable meal as the sous chef was a bit clumsy and the chef was very sweet. He laughed when I said, "gochiso sama deshita" which means "it was quite a feast". Here's a collage of some of the courses - pic stitch doesn't have enough boxes:
After my over $200 meal, I walked back to my $40 a night hotel - here's a photo of the main shopping drag in Ginza:
I stopped into a convenience market looking for some shoe inserts, but only saw all these face masks which everyone wears on public transportation:
Back at the capsule hotel, I showered and got ready for my pod. I'm proud that I didn't need a nap today and hopefully I broke my jet lag due to the sensory overload of Tokyo!
I then made my way back to Ōtemachi station and hopped on the green Chiyoda line to Meiji Jingamae where I popped over to Harajuku Gyoza - a popular dumpling spot. There was also a line across the street in front of Luke's Lobster which was started by a Georgetown grad in NYC. After about 10 minutes of waiting, I made it to a counter seat and while I ordered by pointing to the menu, I managed to spill my water over the counter. Here are my dumplings:
I then walked down to Omote-sando, a kind of 5th Avenue with lots of designer shops. Here's a group of Santas on motorcycles on this stylish avenue:
Just westward, after a short walk was the Meiji Shrine. Here's the reconstructed Tori or gate:
As you walk up the path, there's an offering of Sake from the Meiji Sake Brewers Association:
Before entering, you bow at the gate, but you also wash your hands and rinse your mouth:
And inside the shrine where the souls of the Emperor and Empress are enshrined:
I even got to witness part of a Shinto wedding ceremony:
Then I headed to the Meiji Garden where there is a famous spring of pure water called the Kimayasa Well:
While waiting, the guard entertained us by summoning local birds:
Here's the Emperor's favorite fishing spot:
And a tea house:
I then took the JR Yamamoto green line one stop to Shibuya. Here in the station, you can witness the famous crossing:
Inside the station is a famous mural depicting the atomic bomb above Hiroshima - it has been compared to Picasso's Guernica:
Just outside is Hachiko Square, honoring a famous dog that waited for his master at the station everyday, even after his master's death - here's me with the statue:
Then I got into the Shibuya crossing action as I headed to Center Gai, a shopping area pictured here:
Then on my way back, back into the famous crossing - waiting for the light, the change, and then in the midst of the crowds:
By this time it was late afternoon, so I took the metro back to my hotel and picked up my duffel and headed to Ginza. The Hilton rates skyrocketed due to the holiday weekend, but this worked out perfectly as I need two more stays to make Silver status.
So for two nights, I'm staying in Ginza and heading back to the Hilton on Monday as it's close to Shinjuku station where I leave for Hakone and Kyoto on Tuesday. Also Ginza is convenient when I want to check out the early morning tuna auction at Tsjukiji Market on Monday. It's closed today due to the Emperor's Birthday and closed Sundays.
For several reasons, I booked a traditional Japanese capsule hotel, Tokyo Bay Ginza Hotel. Not only is it economical, but I thought it would be local and cultural. It's like a hostel, but you get your own pod which has a light, an outlet, and a USB. The remainder of your belongings are in lockers and you use shared bathrooms and showers. It is unbelievable how clean this place is - you actually have to vacate from 10 am to 4 pm so they can clean it everyday. Here's my capsule #450:
For dinner, the Hilton concierges did their best to book me at different Michelin starred restaurants. Unfortunately, due to the late planning and holiday, I only got into Sushi Ginza Iwa. Many of the high-end restaurants only allow regulars and reservations have to be booked by a hotel for foreigners.
The restaurant was a 5 minute walk from my capsule hotel, and the sushi restaurant had 7 seats. The chef kept serving me first which was stressful as only after I saw others eat, would I realize that I did something wrong. Sometimes you're supposed to eat with your hands or you use the salt instead of soy sauce, as an example.
Nonetheless, it was a memorable meal as the sous chef was a bit clumsy and the chef was very sweet. He laughed when I said, "gochiso sama deshita" which means "it was quite a feast". Here's a collage of some of the courses - pic stitch doesn't have enough boxes:
After my over $200 meal, I walked back to my $40 a night hotel - here's a photo of the main shopping drag in Ginza:
I stopped into a convenience market looking for some shoe inserts, but only saw all these face masks which everyone wears on public transportation:
Back at the capsule hotel, I showered and got ready for my pod. I'm proud that I didn't need a nap today and hopefully I broke my jet lag due to the sensory overload of Tokyo!
My mouth is watering over that delicious sushi!!
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