Category Archives: Japan 2025

Japan 2025

Saturday June 21 – Tokyo

June 21, 2025 Michelle

Woke up around 6 am this morning but lounged around a bit before heading down for a quick egg and bacon sando before seeing out for Ginza.

Took the Marunouchi subway line one stop to Ginza and walked around. Ginza is known for its many high end restaurants, stores and art galleries.

As we were a bit early, a lot of stores were not yet opened; however, the 10 floor stationary store, Itoya, was opened so we managed to spend about an hour and a half looking around. So much stuff! Getting cards, craft supplies, wallets, agendas, pencils, colored pens and expensive pens, including an $11,000 pen! Definitely, wouldn’t want someone asking to borrow that one.

Then checked out the Matsuya department store food floor – so much food that looked so good. No places to eat there so we ended up going for ramen at a nice place down the road.

Had a craft beer with the ramen that was quite hoppy.

We then spent over an hour going through the Uniqlo flagship store that had 12 floors and about a billion tourists. Had a whole floor of graphic t-shirts so I ended up buying a couple.

Afterwards, considered getting a drink at the Lions Beer Hall, which was built before the Second World War. However, there was a line and we weren’t interested waiting in line so wandered back towards the metro, first locating our restaurant for dinner and then stopping at a chopstick store, which sold some expensive chopsticks.

The Ginza metro station feels very slick and high end and had some art work on display, including this glittering piece:

Got back to Tokyo Station and had a couple of beer at a place on the second floor before heading back to the hotel for a quick break before dinner.

After a very short nap and a shower, we headed out for our nice kaiseki dinner at a place in Ginza. Took the metro line there and walked the couple of blocks to the restaurant, Ginza Adachi Naoto. Small place with 6 seats at the bar and two tables for 4 people each. Dinner was a 9 course kaiseki dinner.

The meal includes various types of courses including a soup course, a sashimi course, a tempura course and a dessert. The dessert was a great pink grapefruit and milk custard that was a great finale to the meal. We had some sake to start and then some white wine.

After the 2.5 hour dinner we headed back to our hotel as I was definitely feeling sleepy. Also needed to pack up and get some sleep before my shinkansen ride tomorrow to Hokkaido.

Japan 2025

Friday June 20 – Tokyo

June 20, 2025 Michelle

Slept well last night and, apart from a trip to the washroom, only woke up when my alarm went off at 7 am. Felt like I could have slept until 9, if I didn’t set it.

Got ready and we went for breakfast at a noodle place in the station. I had an iced coffee and the cold duck soba, which was a perfect breakfast as it was refreshing and didn’t feel too heavy. The restaurant was nice and felt almost like you were sitting in a train car in the middle of the station.

After breakfast we headed to Shinjuku on the metro to do some exploring. Spotted Godzilla, ready to attack Tom Cruise.

Wandered around Shinjuku, starting with the seedier area, Kabukicho, which has a number of pachinko places, peep shows and restaurants. The Golden Gai area is also over there with tiny bars. Not very lively in the morning while we were there though.

Went to the Levi’s store, where you can get custom embroidery done on the jeans and jackets. Also wandered around few floors of the Bic’s store, which seems everything from pharmacy items to washers and dryers to cameras and electronics to watches, including Rolex and other high end watches.

Moved back closer to the station and went to Takashimaya department store and wandered around some of the 14 floors.

Stopped on the 14th floor for lunch at a waygu yaero restaurant. I had the set with the tempura, which included the miso soup, egg custard with potato, crab and shrimp, and the waygu with rice, poached egg and bonito broth. A big lunch but an amazing meal.

After lunch wandered around and visited a few vintage shops, one had a bright orange pair of pants that cost $20,000 – definitely not a Value Village!

Took a JR train back to Tokyo Station and picked up an iced coffee at a little supermarket in the station that also sold bottles of Moet Chandon for around $45.

After a bit of a rest, we took the JR Yamanote line to Akihabara to check out the lights and shops. Grabbed some ramen for dinner as it was quick. Had some gyoza as well.

Then wandered around a bit and checked out a few shops, including Bic and a trading card store that had one for sale for almost $30,000!

It’s Friday night and the main street seemed to attract a bunch of high end cars and car enthusiasts with people crowding around, taking photos.

There even appeared to be a gathering of miata enthusiasts!

Headed back to the hotel in the Yamanote line for some rest before my last full day in Tokyo tomorrow before I head off to Hokkaido on Sunday.

Japan 2025

Thursday June 19 – Tokyo

June 19, 2025 Michelle

Up at 4 am this morning after going to bed at 10 pm last night. Felt a bit sleepy and tried to get a bit more sleep but ended up getting up around 5:30. Had some coffee in the room – and decent pour over pack that definitely helped wake me up. Had a nice shower before getting ready.

We went down to the station shop area and found a nice little bar restaurant to have a sando. I got one with bacon and another plain one with an iced coffee. The sandos were really tasty.

After breakfast, we managed to collect our Shinkansen tickets from the machine and load/buy Suica cards.

We then made a quick stop at the hotel before heading out to Asakusa and the Senso-ji Temple. Very crowded by the temple with a lot of tourists. Walked down to the Kappabashi street area, which has a bunch of kitchen and knife stores. Spent a lot of time looking in stores both out of interest and to get some air conditioning as it was very warm and humid.

Went to a place for lunch and had some beef tongue yakiniku set and a very large beer. Probably a bit warm out to be grilling in front of the hot grill but it was easy and good!

Did a bit more wandering around and looking at various shops, including a store that had a high end vintage section, which included various luxury brands like Rolex, Louis Vutton, and Hermès.

Then caught the Ginza line back to the hotel and grabbed a water and an ice cream sandwich to enjoy in my air conditioned room

After a quick break in the room, headed out for a bit of a walk to the Imperial Palace. Still hot out but less direct sun. Took a few photos before heading back towards the hotel.

Headed back for dinner at a sushi conveyor belt place close to the hotel, which was great and a lot of fun. We managed to get the Hokkaido salmon before it sold out. Also tried some lobster guts, scallop, crab, roe, three roe of tuna, mackerel and some others. They had a screen at the table where you order and then the sushi you picked comes flying down the conveyor belt and stops at your table. You collect it and press a button on the screen. Very fun!

After dinner, wandered around for a bit and then headed for a beer in a craft brewery a few levels up. Definitely a lot of local people in this place enjoying after work drinks. I have a beer called Cat Punch.

Looks like Vector Brewing makes a number of cool beers:

Afterwards, we went back to the hotel as everyone was pretty tired!

Japan 2025

Tuesday June 17/Wednesday June 18 – En route to Tokyo!

June 18, 2025 Michelle

Early morning to get ready for my 8:25 am flight from Calgary to Vancouver. No issues getting to the airport with the G7 in town. Managed to get through security and to the lounge in about 5 minutes. Had some coffee and relaxed – definitely started feeling the lack of sleep.

Flight to Vancouver was quick but still got a full breakfast with more coffee and orange juice. As usual, the minute I get my food and full cup of hot coffee, the turbulence starts! Managed to avoid spilling the drinks.

Got to Vancouver on time and was an easy transfer to the international departures without having to go through security again. Had a 4 hour layover so relaxed in the lounge, trying to stay awake.

Boarded my flight to Tokyo and was dismayed with the number of kids in the business class. My irritation was exacerbated by tiredness and the lack of champagne! The dad of one of the families apparently doesn’t fly up front very often as he thought he should try to push my bags and cram his bags in my overhead bin, not even checking the bin right above his seat. I set him straight pretty quick!

They finally came around with the champagne and the flight improved, particularly after a few more glasses and the noise canceling headphones. Nice Japanese meal for dinner and managed to get a bit of sleep but didn’t want to sleep too much.

Had a bit of breakfast and got off the plane, through immigration and customs pretty quick as they have us a fast pass, not that the regular line looked bad. Got a ticket on the Narita Express train, which takes me right to my hotel.

Got to my hotel after navigating my way through Tokyo Station (so many exits) and checked in. It’s 34C here today and when got to my room they have the heated toilet seat on… not sure that’s really required!

Took a brief walk to a bookstore around the block before my friends arrived.

Went to Tokyo Ramen Street below the station by the hotel for a quick dinner and beer and then walked around the shops for a bit.

Now ready for some much needed rest!