Brooks Cafe, Omote Sando, Tokyo

It's about 32 degree this day.  I felt like something cool and chill for a lunch.  So I got a smoothie and a sandwich in this cozy place.

Tokyo Bay

Daiwa Roynet hotel, Nishi Shinjuku, Tokyo

Originally I was supposed to try this hotel, but ended up staying at Hilton.  The hotel is very new in the Nishi Shinjuku area.  The lobby deco. is quite contemporary and to me a bit boring.

Shimotakaido Asahizushi, Mylord mall, Shinjuku station, Tokyo

I've seen a TV program about how some people abused the free table booking in Japan.  Those people booked tables in various restaurants in case they aren't sure which restaurant to go in the last minute.  Ended up some restaurants had some empty tables.  Most of all, some restaurants serving sushi and sashimi had to waste the food.  This time I ran into this situation.  I was told the place was fully booked but almost half of tables weren't yet occupied.  As I returned after an hour, it was still the same.

So the other night, I returned and tried it.  Had a very nice sushi platter at just JPY3,200 (appro. HK$230) and a salmon seaweed salad at JPY680 (HK$50).  Another good thing about this restaurant was that they served some reduced salt soy sauce.  The sashimi was very fresh and the rice too.  I'll have this one on my travel list for future visit in Tokyo and if I can, search it in other Japanese cities.

Nishi (West) Ginza, Tokyo

I'd still prefer to stay at Ginza because of its historic and cultural heritances.  Many shops and restaurants still keep their classic and premium style.

Midori Sushi, Umegaoka, Tokyo

Got brought to this shop in Umegaoka, about 2-3km west of Shibuya.  The shop has been here over 20 years and expanded with several branches in Ginza, Shibuya, Akasaka...etc., and a branch in HK lately. Ordered quite many pieces of sushi and sashimi.  It's about JPY15k, appro. HK$1,050.  If it's in the same standard in HK, it could be 3 times higher.  It's a bit unfortunate that a sudden urgent business matter arose that my friends and I didn't finish the meal.  Then the waitress came to say "sorry we need to close".  

Hilton Tokyo, Nishi-Shinjuku

Got a good rate from a HK hotel booking site, at US$250 a night, vs US$400 on those popular booking sites.  The room is double the size of the other hotels nearby.  The rooms have recently been newly renovated and the air-conditioning system also refurbished.  The only drawback is the sound proof.  In taking into account that there are a gym and a swimming pool, US$250 with a 30 sq. m, room and nice bedding and deco. in the prime area Nishi Shinjuku, it's a very good deal.  

Abused freedom, in the busy streets of Tokyo

Have seen quite a lot of tourists carrying heavy camera gears including a giant tripod to shoot people crossing street.  Some even stood on the other car's or shop's side wall.  

Nishi (West) Shinjuku, Tokyo

Moments in Tokyo

 

築地玉壽司, Takashimaya dept. store, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Seems like this trip takes most of the eating places in the department stores of Tokyo.  However, this way of selecting the restaurants would be easier especially when you are travelling in a group and that you don't have any reservation.  Furthermore, the restaurants are in a more spacious seating and quieter.  

This sushi place has its headquarters in Tsukiji.  Somehow I still prefer the seafood don set with 5 pieces of sushi.  So filling but so good too.

Cafe of Wako Annex, Ginza, Tokyo

Passed by this place some years ago but too crowded to try.  This department store is a landmark of Ginza and so this cafe is also very popular.  Interesting that the drinks and snacks aren't that expensive. Not sure if it's under this price factor, the drinks and snacks seemed not to be that impressive.  I'd prefer the one in Seibu Shibuya.

石楠花，懷石料理 - 12F Ginza Mitsukoshi, Tokyo

Got so impressed with this kind of cuisine in Sapporo that I had to try it in Tokyo.  Naturally I thought we could get something good from the prime area like Ginza and further that some renowned department store like Mitsukoshi.  So we went up to the restaurant floor and found this place.  The price is almost double of those I tried in Sapporo.  Perhaps the rent is the main factor.  Quality-wise, it's not bad though it's not as delicate as the one I tried.  However, it's very pleasant to see the beautiful decoration and presentation.