Summary
Our expedition to Tokyo constituted one of our most ambitious journeys to date!
Initially, we had no intention of traveling to Tokyo; our primary destination had been Seoul.
As with any remarkable travel endeavor, following a few glasses of wine with friends, a group of six of us decided to include Tokyo in our plans (the craving for Tokyo was undeniable).
Before long, cities such as Bilbao and Beijing were also added to the itinerary (between the six of us, we managed to visit all of these!). In summary, after a few days in Seoul, Bilbao, and Beijing, we all set off for Tokyo, beginning our adventure in the Ginza district, where we would stay for the following days.
Amidst the jet lag, early flights, and the journey to the hotel (quickly followed by showering, indulging in snacks, and preparing to venture out to explore Tokyo), we found ourselves fatigued, and a few cocktails at the rooftop bar of our hotel were necessary to invigorate us for our upcoming exploration.
However, with friends, cocktail hour seemed to extend beyond the anticipated timeframe, and by the time we exited the hotel…
Why did I classify this as an ambitious trip? We had confined ourselves to merely three days (technically four days and three nights) for experiencing Tokyo. However, Tokyo is an expansive metropolis. Attempting to “see and do all there is” within such a timeframe would be quite challenging; nonetheless, we were in Tokyo to enjoy, not to check off a list, so we proceeded with our plans without much contemplation.
Ultimately, we managed to exit our hotel while grappling with various tasks including how to a.) acquire cash (this was relatively straightforward) and b.) purchase train tickets (this proved much more time-consuming than I would like to admit, especially considering we were a group of six – 😀 ).
After having finalized our plans, we proceeded directly to Shibuya Crossing—a location that was unequivocally a must-visit upon our arrival in Tokyo!
Although we had already been in the city for several hours and had taken a train from the airport, the breathtaking neon lights and expansive street crossing at Shibuya are undeniably awe-inspiring!
Feeling slightly overwhelmed yet thoroughly impressed, we moved towards Starbucks—not to indulge in coffee, but to secure a superior vantage point to admire the bustling crossing (there are several locations providing excellent overhead views, thus it is advisable to conduct a brief search before visiting).
Famished, we ventured down the street seeking ramen. To be honest, we would have eaten anything at that moment; the ramen establishment simply happened to be one of the first we encountered and we unanimously agreed upon it.
This restaurant experience was also unique for us. Unlike the norms we’d become accustomed to in the UK and across Europe, guests were required to place their orders outside the restaurant.
We encountered a machine, whereupon entering cash, we would place our order and receive a slip. Good luck attempting this without any proficiency in Japanese (the machine was exclusively in Japanese) and when you’re just becoming acquainted with the unfamiliar currency you withdrew a short while ago. Fortunately, we received assistance from a local (and eventually from one of the kitchen staff) to place our order and satisfy our hungry stomachs.
Having satisfied our hunger, we returned to Shibuya Crossing to catch our train to Shinjuku—an area I had primarily known by name rather than its vibrant nightlife!
We collectively decided on a visit to the Robot Restaurant—entirely prepared for the campy experience that awaited us, but that was of no concern! When surrounded by the right friends, the fun can be found in nearly any setting.
We were informed that it is possible to acquire discounted tickets for the Robot Restaurant; we received a discount from our hotel, and upon arrival, further discounts for groups could also be found (though it was not as significant as the hotel’s offer).
Interestingly, we were given far too much change, a realization that dawned on us midway through the show; this serendipitous error resulted in us receiving complimentary gifts for addressing the overpayment and settling the correct amount—I am almost certain that I still possess that Robot Restaurant mug at home!
Prior to attending the performance, guests gathered at the bar for refreshments. Upon arrival, I was immediately drawn to the sparkling sake and decided, “Yes! That is my drink…” However, in retrospect, I likely should have opted for a beer. The sake was remarkably sweet and unlikely to induce drunkenness!
