Hear me out. I’ve been to several countries and I must say, Japan is so far on top of my list. I’m doing a travel series and I will lay out why Japan is my favorite country that I’ve visited so far. This is the first leg of my 3 city-tour of Japan. First stop is Tokyo.

📍Shinjuku. This place never sleeps. Tons of bars and restaurants.

Day 1: Arriving in Shinjuku

Our hotel, Shinjuku Granbell Hotel, was the epitome of chill—a cozy retreat in the heart of the city's hustle and bustle. After a smooth check-in, we wasted no time in dropping our bags and hitting the streets in search of our first taste of Japan.

Diving into the Shinjuku Scene

With rumbling stomachs leading the way, we found ourselves wandering through the labyrinthine streets, soaking in the neon lights and the eclectic energy of Shinjuku. From ramen joints to yakitori stalls, the options seemed endless, but we were in no rush. Our first stop was a small restaurant that serves eel.

*Eel-eesistible!* 😝

Found this tiny spot that serves grilled fish and fish parts. Definitely for adventurous humans!

Golden Gai: A Hidden Gem

Eventually, we stumbled upon Golden Gai—a maze of tiny bars and eateries tucked away in narrow alleyways. Each establishment had its own vibe, but they all shared one thing in common: a laid-back atmosphere that invited us to unwind and enjoy the moment. Most of them have karaoke!

*Test your karaoke skills!*

Tiny alley packed with electic bars.
📍Golden Gai

Chilling Out at a Local Izakaya

We settled into a cozy izakaya with low lighting and a chill playlist in the background. As we perused the menu, we couldn't help but feel at home amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The friendly staff welcomed us like old friends, and soon we were sipping some local beers and nibbling on delicious bites.

Taking it All In

As the evening wore on, we savored each moment, letting the flavors and the vibes of Shinjuku wash over us. There was no need to rush; this was a night to be savored, a snapshot of Tokyo's laid-back charm.

Convenience Store Finds

In between our culinary adventures, we couldn't resist popping into convenience stores like 7-Eleven to grab some snacks. From onigiri to matcha-flavored treats, these quick stops added an extra layer of fun to our exploration, allowing us to sample a wide range of Japanese delights on the go.

Day 2: Exploring Harajuku and Shibuya

Waking up to a new day of discovery, we headed to the iconic neighborhood of Harajuku, where the streets pulsated with youthful energy and quirky charm.

*A wonderland for shopaholic!*

The street fashion in Japan is top-notched. This area emphasizes that.
📍Harajuku

Our first stop was the serene Meiji Jingu Garden, where we marveled at the majestic temple and the rows of sake barrels, each bearing wishes and blessings. We also witnessed a wedding ceremony in which attendees were wearing traditional Japanese attire.

📍Meiji Jingu Garden. These wooden sake barrels known as sakedaru wrapped in straw blankets are stacked and bounded together by rope on a wooden frame.
The decoration of barrels known as kazaridaru signifies a spiritual connection and relationship between brewers and shrines for prosperity. Most brewers donate these sake barrels to shrines for Shinto ceremonies, rituals and festivals. Japanese believe that sake acts as a symbolic unification of Gods and people. *Wikimedia*

After soaking in the tranquility of the gardens, we ventured deeper into Harajuku and stumbled upon a unique gem—a guinea pig/hamster/hedgehog café. Surrounded by fluffy friends, we enjoyed a moment of pure joy before continuing our exploration.

*A guinea pig petting my sister.* 🤭

This place is adorable. They inform you how to properly hold and pet the animals.
📍Harajuku Kawaii Land Kyun Kyun Animal Petting

*She’s camera-shy*

A baby hedgehog looking kawaii.

Next on our agenda was a stop at Reissue, a café renowned for its whimsical latte art. Sipping on our intricately crafted coffees, we couldn't help but marvel at the skill and creativity of the baristas.

*Your not typical latte art!*

This was the main reason why we went to Harajuku. We ended up waiting for about 30 mins to get in but it was worth it.
📍Cafe Reissue

*Isn’t it George-ous?!*

My frenchbulldog, Blue, on top of a coffee. 😂 The artist, George, gave us his card as a remembrance.

The trip to the cafe was just a testament of Japanese work ethic. They put 100% effort in everything that they do. And we’ve seen that all throughout our trip there.

With caffeine fueling our spirits, we made our way to Happy Pancake, a hotspot known for its fluffy pancakes that seemed to defy gravity. Each bite was a cloud-like sensation. The wait for this place is quite long too, around 30 minutes to an hour.

*It melts in your mouth, not in your hands.* 👅😉

My honest take? They are alright. Not something that I’d go back for. The texture was really fluffy, but the pancake lacked flavor. It just tasted like egg. So I highly recommend to get the ones with flavored creams/butter or fruits.
📍Happy Pancake

As the day drew to a close, we made our way to Shibuya Crossing, where the chaotic energy of Tokyo reached its peak.

📍Shibuya Crossing. That “I made it to Japan” moment. 🥹

We crossed the streets probably at least 5 times in a row just to get pictures and videos and to savor every moment. Amidst the swirling crowds, we paid homage to Hachiko, the faithful dog whose statue stood as a symbol of loyalty and devotion.

Hachikō 🫡

Feeling a deep connection standing beside Hachiko - a moment as if I’m standing next to a long time friend. 🐕💫
📍Hachikō Memorial Statue

Finally, we capped off our day with a quintessential Tokyo experience—dining at Ichiran Ramen. Slurping on steaming bowls of noodles in our own private cubicles, we savored the rich flavors and the sense of camaraderie that permeated the air. They have locations within Shibuya crossing area, go to the alley ones. They have less crowd and wait time is less than 30 minutes compared to major street locations where the wait is at least an hour.

*Where anti-social social club hangs!*

A unique ramen experience where you can sit in their solo dining booth and enjoy eating in peace.
📍Ichiran Ramen

*Best ramen—no cap!*

You wouldn’t want to miss this!

After filling our bellies, we did some shopping at GU (ジーユー, jīyū). It is a Japanese discount casual wear designer, manufacturer and retailer, and is a sister company of Uniqlo. The name is a pun of the word jiyū (自由), meaning "liberty, freedom" (from high cost clothing). I found a plaid trench coat for less than 20 bucks which I get compliments every time I’d wear it.

Day 3: More Tokyo Scenes

As the sun rose on our final day in Tokyo, we were ready to soak up every bit of the city's electric energy. Armed with our smartphones and a serious case of FOMO, we set out for a day packed with Insta-worthy moments and unforgettable experiences.

Morning Matcha Fix at Starbucks Reserve

Our day kicked off with a pilgrimage to Starbucks Reserve, because, let's face it, no trip is complete without a perfectly curated coffee pic and caffeine overload. Sipping our lattes amidst the chic décor, we couldn't help but appreciate the cozy ambiance of Tokyo. This is the third Reserve I’ve been to, and I’d describe the layout of this one as closely paralleled to the Chicago location. Only visit this place if you have extra time, otherwise check out the local ones!

*Matcha - matched!*

I didn’t realize until later that my entire outfit was screaming matchaaa 😎

Foodie Adventures at Tsukiji Market

Next up: Tsukiji Market, where we dove headfirst into a sea of street food delights. From mouthwatering takoyaki to grilled octopus, every bite was a culinary adventure waiting to happen. And let's not forget stumbling upon that hidden sushi gem—a discovery worthy of a million likes. Hands down, the best sushi I’ve ever had! And no, I won’t share the exact location but give a clue through the picture. 😉

Retail Therapy at Uniqlo

With our stomachs and camera rolls full, we made a beeline for Uniqlo, because who can resist a good fashion haul? From trendy streetwear to cozy essentials, the store had us swiping our cards faster than you could say "fashion icon." Let’s just say I bought clothes for the rest of our Japan trip—Kyoto & Osaka.

Gaming Galore in Akihabara

No trip to Tokyo is complete without a visit to Akihabara, the ultimate playground for gamers and tech enthusiasts. Armed with our gamer gear and a competitive spirit, we spent the afternoon battling it out in the arcades playing the classic dance revolution and claw machines. I was fascinated seeing some folks there who I could tell that they just got out of their workplace and literally killing the games that they’re playing. The speed, the coordination—it was hella impressive!

*Chala-La Head-Cha-La!*

Growing up watching Anime, I was so thrilled visiting this area.
📍Akihabara

*GiGO - Get into the Gaming Oasis*

“Welcome to a place where you can escape reality. A place where you can immerse yourself in the most enjoyable experiences that stimulate all your senses.
Day or night. With friends or by yourself. This is your destination to truly let go, be free and make dreams come true.
Feel the adrenaline boost. Let your imagination run wild. Laugh with all your heart. See the world with new eyes.”
📍GiGO

BBQ Bliss at Genki Taisho Wagyu

As the sun began to set, we headed to Shinjuku for the grand finale of our Tokyo adventure—a feast fit for self-proclaimed foodies at Genki Taisho Wagyu. With plates piled high with mouthwatering BBQ goodness, we toasted to an epic trip filled with memories that would last a lifetime.

Tokyo seems like a different world

The Island of the Virgins

Experiencing the Vibrant Rhythms of Rio: A Carnaval Adventure