We started off the day by exploring Shinjuku on the other side of the train station, the Nishishinjuki area instead of Kabukicho. What a difference! It actually reminded us a little more of the downtown core we are used to in Montreal, but bigger and with WAY more interesting architecture.
We started with a stroll through Chuo Park
Next was the observatory on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
The views were spectacular! I just can't get over how FAR the city goes!!!
This is also where I bought my only souvenirs from the trip - these cute reusable shopping bags. Couldn't resist. One for me and one for my mom if she wants it.
Time for lunch and I wanted conveyor belt sushi so we headed off to a place in the Ginza district that I had bookmarked on my map. Frank likes sushi and extra appreciated the idea that he could visually examine the items so knows what he's getting!
Unfortunately, there was a very long line up when we got there so we needed a plan B. I spotted an Udon Noodle restaurant which I like, and Frank said he would just have a drink and an appetizer bite of sushi.
I enjoyed my meal - I order a half portion of noodles with some shrimp tempura and soft boiled egg and some chicken. I couldn't eat the chicken because it was too jiggly and rubbery with the skin on it which isn't for me. The eggs in Japan are so delicious! No clue what the thing floating in my noodles was... I took a bite of it but didn't taste like much.
Thank God for the bib! The slurping can get messy when you have no technique!
Next, we wandered around a bit in the Ginza District, which is where all the glitzy upmarket boutiques are located like Channel, Gucci, Louis Vitton, Prada, Dior etc.... It's a nice area to explore but it was getting hooooottttttt
We also explored the Tsukiji Fish Market which is a dream for street food lovers! I'm a snob, I prefer wine and table service. Still, it was a fascinating stroll.
By about 3PM we had made it to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and a walk through the rose gardens. It was a perfect oasis on a hot day.
Supper was in the lounge or restaurant of the Keio Plaza Hotel... I think! I didn't take pictures because it's so Western so who cares. We often spend a little extra money to have more familiar options in this way, in fancy Western Hotels. It's a little decadent but so easy on the brain. Neither one of us wanted to make efforts at the end of a long day. I think I had a club sandwich and some cheese.... and GREAT wine!
On the way back to the hotel we passed by Omoide Yokocho again and the pictures were better than in the morning, but still didn't quite capture the correct vibe. It just wasn't dark enough yet.
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