This is a just-for-fun post because I was recently inspired to share my food photos from Tokyo. My former sensei shared photos from Osaka, and her photo (with brief explanation) of takoyaki made me realize that someone else might like to see my takoyaki photo too.
These photos were recently annotated early in 2020, and this notation has already revealed a few closures. Just for fun, I have included phone numbers to the remaining businesses, so if you’re on your way to retrace my steps (and are moderately fluent in Japanese!) please call these businesses ahead to confirm open hours or dish availability.
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For context, this was a trip that I wanted to do to celebrate my college graduation. By sheer luck I was able to meet this goal, with my husband by my side. The luck part is that he was improving his Japanese language skills, and I made a point to learn Japanese culture, social norms, and some nonverbal communication.
We were in Tokyo for a few days and had the best time. We stayed in Akiba, and each morning we picked a part of the city to enjoy and went. We walked ten miles every day, at that was after our train ride to our destination! Shopping was not goal because we didn’t want to buy a third suitcase. We stayed in Tokyo…which was the opposite of restrictive! We enjoyed as many things as possible, BUT this post is all about the food! So here are my food photos that I love to take, and I don’t care who thinks down upon that.
↑ First night in Tokyo, specifically Akihabara “Akiba”
First conbini dinner – delicious!
↑ Hotel breakfast at The b Ochanomizu
Every morning we ate breakfast and picked a section of Tokyo to explore. Highly recommend staying at a b hotel!
↑ Takemura – Chiyoda, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-3251-2328
Snack brunch in a wonderful traditional tea and dessert shop. Very calming space in the city, loved it.
↑ Karashibi Kikanbo – Chiyoda, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-3256-2960
Best ramen of my life. SERIOUSLY. The broth was entire-stick-of-butter rich. So good.
↑ Isagen – Chiyoda, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-3251-1229
Traditional monkfish hot pot! This anko nabe recipe is about 200 years old. We were seated away from the businessmen, haha!
↑ Unknown sushi bar in the old Tsukiji Inner market – Chuo, Tokyo
I ordered the chef’s special and loved it. Two bites of everything is my favorite, and I learned that I especially love raw sardine. Happy birthday to me!
↑ Mister Jupiter’s breakfast; rainbow tuna was most lean to most fatty. 100 percent delicious.
↑ Turret COFFEE – Chuo (Tsukiji), Tokyo – tel. +81 3-6264-1883
We wanted a little something after breakfast. Fun seasonal lattes here, mine included a mung bean popsicle. Also they play American pop music if you’ve missed hearing it in the wild.
↑ Doughnut Plant (closed?) – Shinjuku, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-6380-1211
I tried to buy a different form of green tea each day. Also I super love all of the donuts!
↑ Sector 7G – Shinjuku, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-3205-8722
Surprise rugby bar! Many taps, interesting tacos, and emergency q-tips in the restroom.
↑ Shinjuku Asia Yokocho – Shinjuku, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-3207-7218
1) I love yokochos, great for groups, fun atmosphere, many options
2) I also love bibimbap, and was happy to have a meal with friends
↑ The b Ochanomizu – Chiyoda, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-3254-2888
They have an espresso machine in the lobby. And I totally brought my own mug, haha!
↑ COMMUNE – Minato, Tokyo – facebook.com/communeomotesando
Wonderful outdoor food court, you never know what you’ll find! Super close to Omotesando Station.
↑ Private residence – Mitaka, Tokyo
Dinner with one of Mister Jupiter’s old host families, they made us a feast!
Japanese hospitality at its finest. Thank you Mr. & Mrs. T.
↑ Matsuya – Toshima, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-5396-7098
Quick lunch here. Wasn’t my favorite, but wasn’t bad at all. Itadakimasu!
↑ Hacienda del cielo – Shibuya, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-5457-1521
Mostly Spanish, little Mexican. Enjoyed my coca with cinnamon chorizo!
Great views of Tokyo by the way.
↑ Custard Lab (now closed) – Taito (Asakusa), Tokyo
Woke up craving strawberry, but accepted green tea custard instead. The gold flakes were almost too pretty to eat. But I ate them just fine!
↑ Asakusa Takomaru – Taito, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-6802-8039
Fresh and very hot takoyaki! Cold beer in house, and puppies welcome. Asakusa has a ton of great shopping and people watching.
↑ CoCo Ichibanya – Akiba, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-3851-0006
Inexpensive and filling meal! This is curry with crab cakes, eggs, and light rice. They have a handy English menu too.
↑ Italian Tomato – Ueno, Tokyo – tel. +81 3-5807-2770
Last day in Tokyo, finally got my strawberry fix! Warning – their spaghetti sauce tends to splash, be warned if wearing white!
↑ FaSoLa Cafe – Narita Int’l Airport, Terminal two – fasola.jp
Spending our leftover yen and enjoying conbini snacks we found in my purse. Super close to Gallery Toto (this matters)!
And that’s it! Thanks for joining me today. I don’t know when I’ll be in Tokyo next, but I can’t wait (even though I do not speak Japanese; I barely know enough to not be super offensive). I’ll probably isolate the next trip’s photos into their own post, and when that happens I will link here too.
Lady Jupiter 