Matsuya Ginza
A long-established department store opened in 1869 stands on a main street in Ginza, Tokyo. A location is easily accessible where the store directly connects to Exit A12 of Tokyo Metro Ginza station.
It's right next to Ginza Station, and I especially recommend checking out the B1 floor. Plus, they offer tax-free shopping!
Yomiuriland
Yomiuriland is the historic, representative amusement park of Tokyo that is located in the area spanning across Inagi, Tokyo and Kawasaki, Kanagawa.
The illumination event started in 2022!
Personally, I think this is the most beautiful light display spot in Tokyo. 🌃
Sanrio Puroland
Guests can meet Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty and My Melody at this indoor theme park. Sanrio characters put on authentic performances like shows and parades that mix stories, dances, and songs together.
After finishing up at Sanrio Puroland, you can head to the Keio Plaza Hotel restaurant right next door for a big Hello Kitty dessert feast! Too bad we were already stuffed from eating inside and only saw it after we left…😢
Asakusa Toyokan
Asakusa has been fostering the culture of amusement since ancient days,and that is where this theater stands to host comedy talks. Its name is officially Asakusa France-za Engeijo Toyokan. The likes of Kiyoshi Atsumi and Hachiro Azuma stood on stage here and became TV stars later. The famous Beat Takeshi began as an elevator boy in Toyokan and debuted as a comedian pair, Two Beat.
If you've watched 'Asakusa Kids,' this is a must-visit spot! 🦅
Kawaii Maid Cafe and Bar Akiba Absolute Area
The imagery established that Akihabara is famous for maid cafes. Many people might have been curious to visit there but it is actually hard to really go inside a cafe. Akiba Absolute Area is recommended for such beginners.
I went to the second location, the wine bar Absolute Area, about a year ago.
The interior has a classic vibe and feels even more relaxing than the first location! 🥸
Kabukicho
Kabukicho is the entertainment district that sits just steps from the east exit of Shinjuku Station. It’s a major hub for izakaya pubs, amusement centers and nightlife spots to enjoy after hours. With neon signs lit up through the entire night, it’s earned the nickname of “the city that never sleeps”.
It's been a while since I last came here. Now that the pandemic is more stable, the crowds are back. The shops around are still doing okay. Hope it gets as lively and bustling as it used to be!
Third Generation Taimeiken
Founded in 1931, this long-established Western-style restaurant moved from Shinkawa to Nihonbashi Muromachi due to the redevelopment of the Nihonbashi area. The restaurant is divided into two floors: the first floor offers a casual menu that lets diners enjoy the taste of a venerable Western-style restaurant, while the second floor offers a more sophisticated Western-style menu in a relaxed atmosphere.
The legendary dandelion omurice! Definitely one of the must-try restaurants in Tokyo!
Hoto Jinja
This shrine stands on Takashima Island in Karatsu Bay. It was built to enshrine Nozaki Okinokami Tsunayoshi who defeated pirates who were raiding Takashima 450 years ago.
Can you really get good luck here???
Kikyouya "Kikyou Shingen Mochi”
Kikyou Shingen Mochi, which has been on sale since 1968, is one of the most famous sweets in Yamanashi Prefecture. Mochi, which is soft and bite-sized, is eaten with plenty of Kinako (soybean flour) and Kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup) served separately.
It's been almost three years since I last went to Japan! I just bought some Kikyou Shingen Mochi the other day, and eating it really made me miss Yamanashi, Japan.
Nikko Toshogu
Nikko Toshogu is a shrine dedicated to the Edo shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. It is the most visited spot within the World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko,” and here you can see 55 exceptional buildings, including 8 that have been designated as national treasures and 34 that have been designated as Important Cultural Properties.
If you visit, make sure to go to the inner shrine—that's where Ieyasu's tomb is!