Shinjuku / Yotsuya / Ikebukuro

Okadaya Shinjuku is a great place to go to for textiles. They have two buildings; one with six floors of fabric (cotton, velvet, silk, satin, organic cotton, fleece, velor, wool, etc), traditional Japanese materials and other special textiles; and the adjacent building carries seven floors of basic materials (buttons, thread, string), …

To fuel up for a busy day today, I ate breakfast at Bubby’s in Ark Hills. They also have five other locations in Tokyo you can view on the link below. Surprised that at 9:00 a.m. on a weekday there were only a few people.  I liked the outside seating, …

Located on the 60th floor of Sunshine City sits Sky Circus, a virtual reality space with six cool VR experiences that kids and adults can enjoy. You can also enjoy a panoramic view of the city while playing in  the colorful attractions – many with English instruction. Tully’s Coffee also …

If you have a big family or big eaters, and live in central Tokyo one of your go to supermarket shopping locations should be Hanamasa Wholesale Supermarkets (Niku no Hanamasa (肉のハナサ). Hanamasa is a wholesale supermarket whose roots began as a supplier to restaurants, but is now open to the public …

The Good Morning Cafe Sendagaya opens every day at 7:00 and offers great breakfast options for the best price in Tokyo. If you are staying in the Shibuya or Shinjuku area it easy to get to; located right next to the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Enjoy breakfast and then walk 8-10 …

Had a fantastic time at LUSH Shinjuku’s “Lush Party” where kids, and adults, can experience making fresh handmade bath bars or experience skin care for your skin with the LUSH staff who can instruct you on how the high-quality and natural ingredients work.  If you are looking for other places …

Blue Bottle Coffee (ブルーボトルコーヒー) opened their newest shop in Nakameguro. They now have stores in nine Tokyo locations and don’t seem to be slowing down – Sangenjaya, Meguro, Nakameguro, Shinagawa, Roppongi, Aoyama, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and their 1st was Kiyosumi Fukugawa (where they also roast).  I`m thrilled to have a …

Zusso Kids Hair Salon is a great place to get your kids first haircut. They have everything a child needs to keep them entertained; mini cars to sit in, small toys for toddlers, and a selection of Japanese and Disney movies to keep them entertained. They will shampoo, cut, blow …

If you have children ages 5 and up I recommend you attend the Ikebukuro Life and Safety Learning Center 池袋防災館.  Sign-up to take the FREE 1 hour 40 min tour and get a full education on the risk of fire, smoke, and earthquakes. The tour leaders are retired firemen and women …

Bingoya Japanese Craft Shop has one of the widest selection of Japanese crafts in Tokyo. From paper to ceramics you will find what you are looking for at Bingoya. The store merchandise is located on five floors categorised by type of product. You will also find a very knowledgeable shop person …

Although Pokémon was invented in 1995, it continues to innovate and attract new fans who LOVE the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.  If you live in or are visiting Tokyo, you have to visit the Pokémon Center Mega Store at least once. I can assure you a gift …

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku has one of the best views of Tokyo, and it is free (well Taxpayers are footing the bill). From Tokyo Tower on a clear day, you can see the fantastic size of Tokyo from Mt Fuji in the west, Tokyo Bay to the …

Don’t let the fact that the Sunshine Aquarium is located on the top of a shopping center sway you from visiting. The Sunshine Aquarium (renovated in 2017) is a great city aquarium where kids and adults can view a variety of ocean and freshwater fish and aquatic mammals. The Sunshine …

Kids and Firefighting fans will enjoy a few hours at the Fire Museum in Yotsuya, Tokyo. This  free five-floor museum run by the Tokyo Fire Department both explains the history of fire and earthquake prevention and protection in Japan and is a fun, interactive environment for kids to climb on …

Shinjuku Chuo Park is a huge park with a great kids playground, running paths and a summer water play area. It is a great park to have a picnic lunch in after visiting the Tokyo Metropolitan Building to see the amazing view of Tokyo (for free). Shinjuku Chuo Park is …

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Park is a mega Tokyo park nestled in central Tokyo. You can get lost in the 58.3ha (144 acres) park and imagine that you are far away in a Japanese villa, French estate garden or British landscape. Plan to take a lunchbox, and have a …

Arakawa Amusement Park is one stop amusement rides, a petting zoo and in the summer a water splash river. It is only 100 yen to enter the park. Arakawa Amusement Park opened in 1950 and is the only ward-operated amusement park in Tokyo. Arakawa Amusement Park 荒川遊園, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo We recommend …

Pasela Resorts Shinjuku Yasukuni Dori is another great spot on our list of Top Indoor Tokyo Birthday Parties from 0-8 year olds. Pasela Resorts offers Private Karaoke rooms with songs in both English and Japanese, multilingual food menu filled with asian cuisine, appetizers, finger foods, meats, pastas, their popular honey toast, and drink …

Shake Shack is a New York City based American restaurant chain that uses all-natural 100% angus beef completely free of hormones and antibiotics. They pride themselves on sourcing incredible ingredients from like-minded farmers, bakers and food purveyors. “Our burgers are made with 100% all-natural, antibiotic-free Angus beef burgers (no added hormones). Our …

If you have a Samurai or history buff in your family, you will enjoy a visit to the boutique Samurai Museum in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The museum although quite small is filled with Samurai artifacts, a live action show on Samurai sword skills and casual photo shoot in costume. A visit …

Koishikawa Korakuen in Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo is one of the oldest Japanese gardens in Tokyo. It is lovely to visit any time of the year but especially in the fall for foliage, winter for Plum Blossoms and irises in late spring. The garden is a traditional Japanese garden with three main …

Space Museum TenQ is an entertainment museum set up to deepen your knowledge about the universe. Patrons can visit 9 different space related areas beginning with their projection mapping room. Sit and watch the walls undergo a variety of transformations then watch visuals of space and philosophers from past to …

Tokyo Dome City is an easy destination amusement park. Kids from 6+ to teens can enjoy a half day at the Tokyo Dome City riding cool water thrills, roller coasters and drop and scream attractions.  Toddlers and pre-K also have fun on the merry-go-round and the huge ferris wheel. Korakoen …

Mr Farmer is known for their farm-to-table concept, delivering fresh, locally produced food to local consumers. Whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free Mr Farmer offers something for everyone. Mr Farmer Komazawa (their 4th restaurant) is located in Komazawa Olympic Park at the Nishi-guchi gate or near the Jabu Jabu Ike (paddling …

Had a fabulous time at the Ninja Trick House in Shinjuku. Highly recommend for Ninja Fans. Learn the difference between a ninja and samurai, sword tricks, ninja star throws and learn hidden tricks of the ninja. Great fun in a small or large group. Located in a Shinjuku`s Kabukicho, and …