Last Day In Tokyo: Asakusa, Chirashi Lunch, Tempura Dinner And Short Stopover In Hongkong

Previously:
Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, Kawasaki

After a visit at Asakusa Temple, we then had some chirashi don or assorted fresh sliced fish serve on top of soft Japanese rice with some wasabi and pickled ginger.  Seafood in Japan, without a doubt, is ultra fresh and delicious.

On our last day, we didn't go outside so much.  It was a very freezing day.  We only went out again at night to had some tempura dinner nearby our hotel in Nippori.

Then the next day, our flight left early in the morning with 8 hours lay over in Hong Kong.  So we decided to walk around the city and grabbed some yummy roast pork and Chinese noodle soup.  See you guys again soon in my next trip.  Octie Appetie...

Konbanwa From Tokyo, Again!!

This is my third round in Japan.  I will explore a few new more places and food.  This trip is a short one only 6 days 5 nights with Hong Kong Airline and on the way back we make a long stop over at Hong Kong.  Hope you guys will enjoy my blog in Japan... 

We catched Skyliner instead of NEX from Narita Airport direct to Nippori.  My favourite place to stay in Tokyo, it would be Ikebukuro.  But this time we went with the whole big family and they arranged it in advance for us.  So we stayed together at Mystay Hotel Nippori.  It is less than 10 minutes walk from Nippori station, however the area is pretty quite and less shops and restaurants compared to Ikebukuro.

After dropped our luggages in the hotel, we then pre-booked our JR train schedule for the next 3 days at Ueno Station.  We bought JR Wide Pass that valid for three consecutive days.  Perfect for us that stay there for four days.  It costs us 10,000yen and need to be purchased outside Japan like any other JR Pass.

Then for dinner, we had some random ramen around Ueno.  The shop is a typical Japanese ramen shop packed with locals, squishy sitting area all facing the bar/kitchen and vending machine used to order the food but all in Japanese.  However, the lady was so nice and kindly help us in ordering the food.  There was a huge bowl full of ramen and toppings sat in front of me that abit too much for me to handle it alone.  But it was a great dish and the broth was so thick and flavoursome.

After that, we headed to Shibuya for my favourite sushi bar.  I don't know the exact name of the shop but from the busy Shibuya crossing, you just need to keep walking straight and the sushi bar is on your right side.  This is a standing sushi bar.  The chef make-to-order fresh according to your order.  The price is reasonable and good quality ingredients used to satisfy customers.  This was the third time we were here and they always serve equally good sushi.  Happy tummy....

Sushi was just our light midnight snack.  Next, we tried the grilled Kobe beef on skewers.  I only tried the 500yen beef, because I don't want to spend all of my money on the first day.  Because there are plenty more other goodies around Tokyo.  The charred oily part of the beef was the best part from all.  I would have ten more stick if it is free.  It is that delicious and melting-in-my-mouth.

For the next five nights, we stayed at Hotel Mystays Nippori.  It is far from the word luxury but the price is quite cheap and friendly service too.  The room is just a standard ordinary Tokyo-hotel room.  The bed was too tiny for the three of us.  However, the room is completed with small pantry.

Hotel Mystays Nippori
5 Chome-43-7 Higashinippori, Tokyo
Ph: +81 3 3891 2710

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Gala Yuzawa Snow Town

Last Day In Japan: Santa Monica Crepes And Grilled Beef Tounge

Previously:
Japan Day 12: Kawagoe

What not to be missed while we were in Harajuku, is of course their famous yummy crepes.  When people are arguing about which one is the most delicious or which is better than the others.  Honestly for me, as I had tried crepes from three different stalls without following people opinions, I found that they are equally good.  If you guys have a doubt to which you should choose, go with your heart and don't get confused from bloggers.  I believe, if they are not good, the stall won't be there or won't last that long.  So give them a chance!!



Oreo strawberry crepe



Cream cheese crepe

I prefer a hot crepes over the one with a fancy ice cream on it.  My cream cheese crepe was the best, melted cheese on the hot soft crepe, what could possibly go wrong?

For our lunch, we randomly picked this restaurant that located on the upper level of Shinjuku station, right at the end on the corner.  We didn't remember the name of the restaurant, because at first we just wanted to have some beef meal.  Didn't realize, in here they are selling only beef tounge.  I'm ok with beef tounge but not so into it, however it turns out to be one of the best meal while we were in Tokyo.  Super delicious and the tounge itself is tender yet they still keep a little chewy texture of the tounge which is pretty good for me.  Simple meal yet delightful.  

View of Shinjuku railway from restaurant

Cats in the one of the shrine opposite my hotel

Strawberry pancake at the airport



Kid's meal at the airport

That's all folks, my trip in Japan this time.  Hopefully see you guys soon in any other part of the world.  Thank you for reading.  Octie Appetie...

Japan Day 12: Kawagoe

Previously:
Japan Day 11: Owakudani And Yunessun, Hakone


Kawagoe is a small town in the northwest of Tokyo.  What so special about this town is that because this town is reminisced us with an old town feeling from the Edo Period and allow us to imagine the streets from past centuries as their government retains the buildings and ambience of the past.  In its main street is lined with its old clay-walled warehouses and merchant homes (called kurazukuri), Candy Alley and Kitain Temple. 


Kawagoe is located only about 30 minutes away from Tokyo by train, therefore made them suitable for a day trip destination.


Colourful sakura blossom

The most beautiful one so far that I've seen

Kurazukuri

Toki-no-kane (Time Bell Tower)

Candy Alley (Photo copied from Japan-guide)

Old town style coffee shop

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Last Day In Japan: Santa Monica Crepes And Grilled Beef Tounge



Japan Day 6: Pierre Herme And Bake Cheese Tart, Shinjuku

Previously:
Japan Day 5: Monjayaki At Tsukishima, Tsukiji Fish Market And Kabuki-za

Underneath Takashimaya Shopping Centre is a food heaven especially for a sweet-tooth person like me.  A few shops sell nice-looking and mouth-watering cakes.  There is also a branded shop, Pierre Herme here joining one of them.  After take home some best cakes according to me, we headed home.  At Shinjuku station, just before we about to get in.  We saw this long queue of cheese tart shop.  Back then 2 years ago, we had never heard about BAKE cheese tart shop.  (Now, is like branches everywhere including Bangkok).  Of course, I need to try this regardless.  OMG !!! It was the best of the best cheese tart I've ever eaten in my entire life for sure.  The base was still crunchy, despite the soft and creamy cheese filling.  The filling was incredibly yummy,  sweet yet moderately salty as well, just what I like.  What a cheat day today with all this sweets. 



BAKE cheese tart from Hokkaido

Vanilla tart - Pierre Herme

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Japan Day 8: Greeting From Okinawa