#tokyo tips

[shoku-and-awe]

Black-owned restaurants to support in Tokyo

I can wholeheartedly recommend Soul Food House and Calabash (h/t @todayintokyo!). SFH is probably the best food of its kind in Tokyo and my love for it is well documented, and I still dream about Calabash’s peanut soup and chicken yassa.

I’ve heard both Kyle’s Good Finds (bakery, Nakano) and Addis Restaurant (Ethiopian, Meguro) recommended before, but Queen Sheba (also Ethiopian, Nakameguro) is a new name to me! Yeah, it’s a short list so far, but I hope to see it get longer as Black-owned businesses here grow and thrive.

[shoku-and-awe]

A rare treat (in Tokyo, anyway)—falafel! On brown toast, which is almost just as rare! My husband brought the falafel home from Cleopatra Kebab near Inokashira Park, which is rapidly becoming my favorite kebab place. Their chicken has wonderful crispy bits, and their lamb (also very rare here!) is just delicious.

[shoku-and-awe]

ワイズ サンズ 東京 // Wise Sons Tokyo This place just opened up and I’ve been itching to go. The rye, corned beef, cucumber salad, and macaroni salad were basically perfect. Matzoh ball soup is something I’ve only had a few times in my life, but theirs was very nice. We also got some bagels, which I will report on later...

Since I’d read that they wouldn’t have sweet bagels, I was worried that they wouldn’t last long. Japan doesn’t necessarily get savory bread. I also kinda worried that the prices/quality might not be sustainable, but I’m hopeful now! My prediction is that in the next year or so, they’ll drop the matzoh ball soup (I liked it, but I’m not sure Japan will) and add a sweet bagel (hopefully not matcha). As long as they stay open, I’m happy.

[motokiesta]

Tokyo Map

Here are some simple drawings of map to illustrate how things are. 

 In simplest way, Japan is like that...and so is Tokyo. And Motokyo is focusing on the east side of Tokyo in blue highlights, which is called 23 ku (ward or county for you). It's the most exciting area of Tokyo (no offense to the west side people).

Here is the east side of Tokyo. Basically, this is all you need to know (no offense to the west side of people) but this is usually the area people visit and people call it downtown Tokyo. Yamanote line goes around the Tokyo area, as long as you master how to use Yamanote Line, you should be able to get to most of places in Tokyo downtown. 

[casaderea]

Travelling to Tokyo: Quick Tips

Photo: Akihabara

1. Walking shoes are your best friends! Especially if they’re easy to put on/take off (ie: velcro, slip-ons, etc). 

2. Do research on public transportation in Tokyo! There are at least three different lines (Tokyo Metro, Tsukaba Express, JR line, etc.) with separate tickets.

3. Invest in a coin pouch -- Japan heavily uses cash and their “$1 and $5″ are 100¥ and 500¥ COINS. More details on money in my mini-blog.

4. Tokyo is crowded. You WILL bump into someone.

5. Learn basic phrases: Sumimasen - excuse me Arigato gozaimasu - thank you (formal) Gomenasai - sorry

6. Get a pocket wifi (or a provider with free international data).

7. American electronics will work with Japan outlets (as long as it has 2 prongs)

8. Bring a hand towel -- it’ll come in handy, especially for bathrooms with no paper towels.

9. Walking while eating is rude in Japan (but drinking should be fine?). There aren’t a lot of garbage cans in Japan either, so make sure you throw away any garbage whenever you can.

10. When using stairs, stay to your left. When going up/down an escalator, stand on the left side and walk on the right side.

11. Smoking indoors is accepted at most places. Be prepared.

12. Do not tip! It can be considered rude.

[drunkentraveller]

Take the driverless train to Odaiba. Skip the subway even IF that is cheaper. Möre fun this way.

[drunkentraveller]

Tokyo Tip #4

If you see someone in a stall near a temple, selling fries from sweet potato.. stay away. It is not salted, it is sweet. It is sugar and sweet. So buy if you  want candy. If you want fries - do stay away.

[drunkentraveller]

Tokyo tip #3

In Shinjuku you will find an event that is mainly targeted towards us visitors. Robot Show with optional dinner. Food is a bento box costing something like 1000 yen. The event itself costs 6000. It is a massive attack on two of your senses; sight and hearing. The show is filled with happy girls dancing and drumming. Some ridning huge robots. You will see huge bots walk around and fight. Lasers fly and always some music. No real bots but the dress-up is good. The masks are well done and it is a happy feeling. Don't expect an adult show but some burlesque elements are there.