Tokyo Exploration

June 14th, 2022 I went to the Tokyo Station to explore the shops and good spots for sightseeing. http://www.tokyostationcity.com/en/ After graduating from college, I worked for a company which was located near the Tokyo Station (it was more than 30 years ago.) :) The area is now completely changed, and I wanted to find out what kind of shops/amusements/sightseeing information there are in the area. I walked around the following areas: 1. "ecute" and "ecute Keiyo" that are on the first floor (inside ticket gates). I had lunch, cheese curry rice at Book Compass Cafe at ecute. 2. "GRANSTA TOKYO" first and basement floors (inside ticket gates). There are so many restaurants, snacks/accessories/souvenir stores. 3. "Tokyo Station Ichibangai" (outside ticket gates) that has Character Street, Ramen Street, Candy Land, Kurobei Yokocho (lined with eating/drinking spots). 4. "Yaesu Underground Mall" (stores are extensively lined up from the Sotobo...

June 1st, 2022 I went to MIYASHITA PARK. https://www.miyashita-park.tokyo/  I had been hearing that old Miyashita Park was renewed for a while but never been there after its renewal. Actually, I have not really been to the Shibuya station area after its big renovation. Yes, it is dramatically changed. All I knew about Miyashita Park back then was the place for homeless people to stay around and skateboarding practice for the youth for many years. Now it became the four-story facility collaborating with Mitsui Shopping Park, RAYARD. It has caffe, sweets shops, restaurants, luxury brand boutiques, cosmetics, etc. just like a mall. There is Tacobell in there which I rarely see in Japan and really love, and had a burrito for lunch :) On the ground level, there are lined with retro eating/drinking spots which remind me of my Showa era childhood. As its naming "Park" shows, the places for skateboarding, beach volleyball, bouldering are also provided. It will be really fun place to ...

May 29th, 2022 I stopped at the Hibiya station, rent a bicycle and went to WATERS takeshiba. It was about 15 minute bicycling. I didn't know WATERS takeshiba until recently, and I found the place while I was web-surfing. It is open-spaced, has beautiful scenery, and I felt really relaxed when I saw those pictures shown on the website. https://waters-takeshiba.jp/  I found that this area is very good for relaxing with your family members, good friends, and couples. I felt like I was at a Singapore pier. It collaborates with "atre" shopping mall, and there are caffe, restaurants, Children's playground, theaters, movie theaters, hotel, etc. It is also adjacent to Hamarikyu Gardens (one of the Imperial related Gardens). https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index028.html It is another relaxing enjoyable park to spend some time.