Our First Few Days in Tokyo
We were so happy and excited to be in Tokyo again. Even though both my partner and I have been to Tokyo many, many times prior, Tokyo is a city we never tire of. Especially since it took us seven long years to return, there were many changes for us to see. In fact, we even forgot how to get to some of the sights we used to hang out in. For our first full day in the Japanese capital, we headed to Shibuya. It was very early when we arrived there and since much of the city was still asleep that morning, many of the shops were still closed. The good thing though was that we had the statue of Hachiko all to ourselves.
Another reason why we went there early was to check out the Suit Company where for years I bought my clothes for the fall and winter. While the store was still there, it had been renamed to Suit Square. I tried out many clothes but they were either too small or too big. I ended up not buying anything. From there, we headed to Roppoingi Hills and the Meiji Jingu. Little did we know that there was now an Ikea opposite the temple grounds. We had brunch there too.
After visiting the Meiji Temple, we headed back to Shibuya by way of Roppongi Hills passing by luxury brand stores like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and the like. We were pleasantly surprised to see a resurrected Oriental Bazaar. For years, I shopped there and bought souvenirs like blue and white pottery, Kokeshi dolls, and even kimonos. It was nearly 5 pm when we saw the building where the Universal Language, another upscale clothing store, I loved shopping in near Shibuya station. Unfortunately, it had closed and in fact the entire building it was in was empty and totally vacated.
If there is one thing Tokyo outshines any other world city I know, it is the city's love for fashion. On many occasions, I spent my entire vacations just shopping there day after day. I can't wait to return. It's been three months since our trip here but I still dream of going back really soon. Honestly, I'm just waiting for airfares to go down and we shall book!
Any vacation to Tokyo for us was not going to be complete without a visit to the Meiji Jingu. Although I'm Catholic, I still go there to pray and give thanks for all the blessings I've received.
Marc with Hachiko in Shibuya
There was a ramen restaurant close to our hotel and it was our go to place at night before we retired to our hotel for the day. The food was so good and so cheap we went there several times during our entire stay.
This was the ramen restaurant I talked about. It was an absolute gem of a place and its staff super friendly. The elderly lady who worked as the cashier came to our table while we were eating and gave us bigger and better chopsticks to eat our noodles with. It was so thoughtful of her.
With friends, Hajin and Minori, in Nakameguro. We were so happy to see Hajin once again. It had been seven years after all since we last saw him in Tokyo. On this trip, we got to meet his new bride. They had been married just two months at the time of our visit. They treated us to a sumptious dinner at an old style Japanese restaurant.
Eager to shop for new clothes at the Suit Company and Universal Language, my favorite Japanese Clothing stores, we were surprised and shocked to find out that they had been combined and renamed Suit Square. Many of their branches we used to shop in had closed and the remaining stores themselves were smaller in size.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Oriental Bazaar in Roppongi Hills. I thought they had gone out of business because I don't recall seeing them in their old location when I was in Tokyo last. It turns out, they too had downsized and opened a new one story shop on a small alley just a few meters away from their old site. We bought two pairs of Kokeshi dolls. Two newly wed couples in their traditional Japanese wedding outfits.
A huge Christian Dior boutique in Roppongi Hills
Marc at Meiji Jingu. I have to say, the news were right when they reported about the overtourism in Japan. We had never seen as many visitors to the country in all the years we've been going there. The weak Yen was a major factor for sure.
Each and every time I am in Tokyo, I shop. The malls we went to were packed with customers. Each one of them. This particular mall was located on one end of Roppongi Hills.
If it is luxury shopping one wants, one goes to Roppongi. It is here that luxury brands lined this popular street for miles.
A quiet temple we passed by as we made our way from Meiji Jingu to Ropponggi then to Shibuya. I honestly don't recall its name nor its exact location anymore.