Exploring Tokyo Japan
On my travel bucketlist, one of the places I’ve ALWAYS wanted to explore is Tokyo! Luckily, I was invited by Netflix to witness the special premiere of their upcoming original series – Lost in Space! I got lost while exploring and ate a lot of ramen during my Japan trip so I’m sharing with you my must-visit places when in Tokyo during springtime. Enjoy!
Walking around our hotel in Shiodome
For my first time in Tokyo, I was fortunate enough to come exactly during Sakura season in April! I was checked in Hotel Villa Fontaine, Shiodome and I loved how it was right next to a train station. I spent 4 days in Tokyo, Japan (around 3 full days) so I’m sharing with you my itinerary and MUST-VISIT places when it’s your first time!!!
LaQua Mall
Bonus: I don’t really suggest this one if you have SUPER limited time if you can spare some, check out LaQua mall (it has a cool rollercoaster!) – you’ll enjoy a nice stroll and check out Japanese brands that we don’t have here.
TenQ Space Museum
Day 1: Go on a food trip in Shiodome City Center and Roppongi Hills
Exploring Shiodome
Ichiran Ramen in Shiodome
I am a ramen lover so my first order of business is to have a slurpy bowl of delicious Ichiran ramen. It’s worth the wait, I promise!!! Our hotel is walking distance to a big strip of eating places in Shiodome and that’s where this Ichiran branch is located. If you don’t fancy ramen, there are plenty of choices.
right beside Shiodome train station | Outfit: Zara
Dinner time in the Shiodome area | Outfit: Keepsake The Label
Even after activities in different areas, we still found ourselves coming back to this busy area in Shiodome to grab dinner because there are so many choices.
Roppongi Hills
After the media event, somebody from the Netflix team suggested we check out this place called “Roppongi Hills” – she even mentioned they light up the Sakura trees in such a pretty way that a lot of tourists go there. As soon as we arrived, I honestly wasn’t immediately impressed by the place but as soon as we got on top of the bridge, I just loved every moment appreciating the pretty trees.
Sakura in the evening
Roppongi Hills | Lost in Tokyo crew | Jannie, GC and Yuki
Day 2: Head over to Harajuku and Shibuya
Dress: Fray I.D.
Cat Street, Harajuku
White cape: Keepsake The Label | Scarf: Parfois
Cat Street
Yummy Takoyaki (Japanese pancakes)
Cat Street
Dress: Fray I.D. | Shoes: New Look
Located in Harajuku, Cat Street is this artsy strip of shoppes and boutiques that you’d want to walk into. It’s filled with independent Japanese brands and food stalls – it’s where you can find the popular “Luke’s Lobser” sandwiches but the line was too long I wasn’t able to try it.
Crazy long line at Luke’s Lobster | Cat Street
Shibuya Crossing
After exploring the Harajuku area, we walked over to the famous Shibuya district. I really enjoyed this place because there are so many malls and shops – it’s a perfect place to spend a whole afternoon in. It has a mega Don Quijote branch (perfect for buying pasalubong) and lots of restaurants to choose from as well.
Sakura themed desserts everywhere!
Really good chicken and chips!
GC Clarete of Globe | Shibuya at night
Day 3: Visit Hamarikyu Gardens and Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukiji Fish Market
Boots: New Look
One of my favorite places in Tokyo – the Tsukiji Fish Market! Although it’s unfortunate that it is rumored to be closing in October due to its contaminated water (don’t drink tap when you go!), this place is still worth a visit. As you walk along Tsukiji Market, you’ll be greeted by plenty of food stalls with mouth-watering selections – from savory to sweet.
Tsukiji Market | White strawberries on a stick
This one is around Php400 (for just strawberries), some are quite pricey but I really wanted to try it – it turned out to be really sweet. Yum!
Strawberry Fruit Sticks
Buttered scallops
One of my favorite parts about Tsukiji? SCALLOPS EVERYWHERE. I love it when they simply cooking it with butter and garlic. The price points of the grilled scallops is 500 to 1000 YEN which is around Php250-500 – not bad at all.
Grilled scallops with uni on top
Tsukiji Fish Market
Hamarikyu Gardens
In Full Bloom
Now, since it’s springtime and there is an explosion of cherry blossoms everywere – of course you’d like to head to a big park! The nearest to us in Shiodome is this lovely park called Hamarikyu Gardens. I enjoyed it so much that we even went there twice!
Top: Twill Cavern | Bags: Style Cat
I was beyond lucky that the Netflix Tokyo invite came just in time during Sakura season. I’ve always wanted to experience and see cherry blossoms in full bloom – this was the perfect time! We checked out the nearest park from our hotel – Hamarikyu Gardens and as soon as we got there, I was just in AWE of the beauty of it.
Jannielyn of GMA Network | Hamarikyu Gardens
GC Clarete | Globe
Small entrance fee at Hamarikyu Gardens
There is an entrance fee of 1000 Yen to enter the gardens (around Php500) but it’s so worth your money because the park is huge.
Netflix Lost in Space Premiere
Now, the most exciting part of the trip – meeting the cast!!! Lost in Space is a Netflix original series of a family (The Robinsons) getting trapped in an unknown planet and doing everything for survival. I’ve seen a few episodes and honestly? I LOVE IT. I was literally on the edge of my seat as I was watching. To show you more about my Tokyo trip. check out my vlog! In my next post, I’ll be sharing with you the behind the scenes of this media event.
My Tokyo Adventure Vlog
Arigato! Til my next adventure!!
XO,
Yuki