MACHI café
LAWSON is a convenience store chain with approximately 14,500 stores across Japan. In addition to selling food and daily necessities, LAWSON also focuses on product development, including freshly brewed in-store coffee and sweets. One of its signature services is MACHI café.
I was pretty surprised that you can still find a bento for under JPY 300 in Japan. The portion isn’t very large, but it’s just right for a simple lunch.
Tokyo Somei Onsen SAKURA
Located about an eight-minute walk north of either the Toei or JR Sugamo Station, this hidden hot spring retreat features a pure Japanese-style building and garden, with a serene, modern Japanese interior that unfolds within.
I thought this place was super chill! The overall vibe is really relaxing—not like those super touristy spots. It's quieter, clean, and has a nice Japanese feel to it.
They've got outdoor hot springs, spa pools, saunas, and more. There's even a little beauty area for women. My skin felt so smooth after soaking—totally relaxing. The lounge area is comfy too, with spots to grab a drink or a snack.
Getting here is pretty convenient. It's about a 10-minute walk from Sugamo or Komagome Station. I definitely recommend this spot if you're looking for a place to unwind in Tokyo!
MOL Sunflower (Kansai–Beppu Route)
The new Sunflower ferries Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki, which began service in 2023, connect Osaka and Beppu with overnight journeys departing in the evening and arriving the following morning. The trip itself becomes a highlight of your journey, offering a luxurious and relaxing experience.
Arriving in Beppu at dawn and seeing the steam rising really gives you that Kyushu vibe.
JMSDF Kure Museum
A submarine “Akishio” fulfilled various missions from 1986 to 2004, opens to the public as a museum in JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force) Kure Museum which is called “Iron Whale Museum”. This is the only museum in Japan where you can explore the inside of a submarine used in the past.
The submarine model at the entrance really stands out. Admission to the museum is free, and there are detailed exhibits about torpedoes and underwater mine-clearing operations. You can even go inside the actual submarine to see its interior. It's right next to the Yamato Museum, so you can easily visit both in one trip.
Shukkeien Garden
Shukkeien Garden dates back to 1620 when Asano Nagaakira, the feudal load, ruled the Hiroshima area and ordered the construction of the garden for his villa.
Originally the villa of the Hiroshima feudal lord, this garden features miniatures of many famous landscapes. I recommend slowing down and taking your time to appreciate the detailed design and beauty of the garden.
Laforet Harajuku
The shopping spot opened in 1978 and has since become an icon of Harajuku. In Harajuku, where the number of young people aspiring to fashion, art and music is increasing, Laforet has helped turn the area into Japan’s center with the latest trends.
Came here from Meiji Jingu to grab one of those super popular crepes! 👍
Sunamachi Ginza Shopping Street
In 1932, it was named "Sunamachi Ginza" after the Ginza-Dori shopping street, which was said to be the best in Japan at that time. It is one of the three major “Ginza shopping streets” along with Togoshi Ginza and Jujo Ginza. The street, which is about 670m long, is lined with about 130 stores, from medical clinics and fresh food stores, delicatessens, and preschools.
There are lots of foods that locals eat every day on this shopping street. If you're in Tokyo, you have to try the oden here! There are so many choices, and everything tastes great.
Meat Yazawa Gotanda Main Branch
A steak and hamburger steak specialist directly run by the meat wholesaler Yazawa Meat. The highlight is its juicy hamburger steak made with top-quality kuroge wagyu, carefully selected from across Japan by expert meat connoisseurs.
It’s a restaurant run directly by a well-known meat wholesaler, so both the ingredients and the pricing feel solid.
Just the A5-grade wagyu alone is enough to make your mouth water.
Ikuta Ryokuchi Park
Located in a corner of the Tama Hills, Ikuta Ryokuchi is the most representative greenery park in the suburbs of Tokyo. Within the park grounds covers a wide range of areas of woods centered by the perfectly kept sawtooth oak and quercus acuta (the Japanese evergreen oak), and precious natural resources such as wetlands and bubbling springs.
The park is huge and filled with greenery, preserving its original forest state. At the end of May, the irises are in full bloom. It's a great place for a leisurely walk and to relax your mind and body.
Chuson-ji Temple
Chuson-ji Temple, founded in 850 AD, owns over 3,000 national treasures and important cultural properties and is also registered as a World Heritage site. This temple was built to transmit the powerful wish to comfort the spirits of those killed in the Tohoku War, no matter which side they were on.
Visiting in winter, there's a short walk uphill from where the tour bus drops you off. The slope was really slippery and icy, so I was pretty nervous about falling. Our group had a lot of elderly people, so honestly, it's not the best time to come when it's snowing.