王小鈞's Reviews Page 3/40

When visiting Asakusa, besides exploring Kaminarimon and Nakamise Shopping Street, don’t miss OZEKI (オオゼキ). It sells a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, meats, and fresh foods, along with plenty of everyday Japanese ingredients to browse through at your own pace and discover interesting finds.

Whenever I travel to Japan, I really enjoy visiting local supermarkets to see what Japanese people usually eat and compare prices. You might even find something unexpectedly good!

If you’re staying nearby or want to pick up a few things after exploring Asakusa, stop in and experience everyday life at a Japanese supermarket.

When visiting the area around Senso-ji Temple, besides Nakamise Shopping Street, don’t miss the nearby Shin Nakamise Shopping Street. It’s a covered arcade, so you don’t have to worry about rain or hot weather, making it very comfortable to explore! There are plenty of stores along the way, so you can take a leisurely stroll and see what there is to browse and buy.

We originally thought it would be packed, but surprisingly, there weren’t many people when we visited that day. It felt relaxed and easy to walk around, which was a little different from the lively Asakusa scene we had imagined!

If you’re planning to visit Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street, you can stop by here as well. It doesn’t require a special detour, and you can experience a different side of Asakusa〜

Located in Asakusa, Daikokuya Tempura is known for its signature shrimp tempura rice bowl and always draws a big crowd at mealtimes. I came for dinner this time, and it was every bit as popular as expected. After waiting in line for about an hour, I finally got to try it!

When the tempura rice bowl arrived, it was covered with fried items piled over the rice. Just looking at it made my mouth water! The shrimp was fresh and springy, coated in a golden, crispy batter and topped with Daikokuya’s signature rich sauce. It had a savory, salty flavor with a distinctive taste, and paired with Japan’s sweet, delicious rice, every bite was satisfying.

Although there are quite a few other well-known tempura restaurants around Asakusa, each with its own character, I still especially like the traditional, unpretentious flavor of this long-established restaurant. There isn’t much flashy decoration; it leaves a lasting impression through its familiar, classic flavors.

If you’re in the underground mall at Tokyo Station and want a quick meal without spending too much time waiting in line, consider this Sanuki udon restaurant! The restaurant has been passed down through three generations and has a century-long history. It has also won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award 14 times at the Sanuki Udon Skills Competition held in Kagawa Prefecture, which is quite impressive!

This time, we ordered two set meals. One came with udon and oyakodon, while the other came with udon and a pork cutlet rice bowl. We visited during mealtime and surprisingly didn’t have to wait in line. The food was also served quickly after ordering, making it very convenient for travelers in a hurry who want a quick meal.

Udon: * The noodles had a nice texture, and the broth was delicious. Overall, it was satisfying!
Fried food: Surprisingly good and went very well with the udon.
Oyakodon: This was rather disappointing! The chicken was very dry. It may have been prepared in advance to speed up service, and the overall texture wasn’t very good.

Overall, the udon and fried food here are both worth trying. The location is especially convenient, the food comes out quickly, and you can enjoy piping-hot udon without waiting in line. However, the rice bowls were fairly average. Next time, I’ll probably just order udon with fried food!

HANAMICHIAN, located inside Tokyo Station, is known for its rich miso ramen. It has been selected for the Bib Gourmand two years in a row and is really popular, with long lines often forming!

This time, I ordered the signature miso ramen for JPY 1,440. I arrived at mealtime, bought a meal ticket from the vending machine at the entrance, and then joined the line. I thought I would have to wait a long time, but I was seated after only about 5–10 minutes, which was pretty lucky!

The restaurant is clean and bright. Although there aren’t many seats, the atmosphere is lively and feels like a traditional Japanese ramen shop.

It’s really nice to find a conveniently located place in busy Tokyo Station where you can sit down and enjoy a piping-hot bowl of ramen! If you like miso ramen, consider adding this place to your food list the next time you visit Tokyo Station!

Tucked away in an alley near the Kabukiza Theatre, Kissa YOU is known for its incredibly fluffy, silky-smooth omurice! Even if you arrive right when it opens on a weekday, you’ll still have to wait in line for a bit, which shows just how popular it is~

Signature omurice—the soft, runny egg is silky smooth, with a buttery aroma and tomato fried rice underneath. Every bite is full of rich, satisfying flavor. The way the egg gently jiggles looks so tempting! It’s simple yet classic, so it’s no wonder this has become a must-try dish for many people visiting Ginza. We also ordered the egg salad toast. The seasoning wasn’t too strong, so you could really taste the eggs and toast themselves. A light sprinkle of sea salt brought out the flavor, while the butter added a smooth texture. Simple and unpretentious, but something you won’t get tired of eating.

The cafe retains the nostalgic atmosphere of a traditional Japanese kissaten. It’s a great place for a leisurely brunch while shopping in Ginza or enjoying the scenery around the Kabukiza Theatre. If you like Japanese omurice, this place is definitely worth adding to your list! But I recommend coming early so you won’t have to wait too long~

When traveling independently in Tokyo, where you stay is really important! This time I stayed at Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi, and the location couldn’t be better. It’s just a few steps from the Nihonbashi Exit of JR Tokyo Station, and the convenience of getting around makes it easy to highly recommend.

There are plenty of places to shop around the hotel, as well as tons of dining options. Whether you’re taking the train to different attractions or coming back at night to shop and grab a late-night snack, it’s extremely convenient and a great choice for independent travelers!

The hotel is on the upper floors, and the room was bright with a great view from the window. It was spacious and comfortable without feeling too cramped. My favorite thing was sitting on the small sofa by the window, enjoying the Tokyo cityscape and a relaxing stay.

There’s also a super cute little highlight! Since the hotel is part of the JR East Group, there’s actually a model railroad displayed in the center of the lobby, with a little train slowly running around the tracks. It makes you want to stop and watch, and train enthusiasts will definitely love it.

This stay was not only convenient for transportation, but the accommodations were also very satisfying! If you’re looking for a hotel near Tokyo Station that’s convenient for shopping and dining and also offers city views, this one is really worth adding to your list.

When visiting Tokyo, you absolutely shouldn’t miss this historic and charming landmark—the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Station Building! My hotel was near Tokyo Station, so every morning when I went out and every evening when I returned, I could enjoy the station’s beauty at different times of day. I really never got tired of looking at it.

This century-old red-brick building has regained its elegant, classical appearance after restoration. It looks stately and refined during the day. At night, warm yellow lights illuminate the entire building, making the red-brick exterior even more captivating against the night sky. Together with the spacious plaza in front, it feels like stepping into a movie scene. It’s so romantic that you can’t help but stop and admire it.

Tokyo Station isn’t just a major transportation hub; it’s also a paradise for shopping, food, and souvenirs! Inside the station are shopping areas such as GRANSTA Tokyo, offering everything from popular sweets and specialty snacks to all kinds of souvenirs. There’s so much to see, eat, and buy that it’s easy to go overboard shopping. I even thought it was more exciting than the airport duty-free shops (laughs).

The station is divided into the Marunouchi side near the Imperial Palace and the Yaesu side near Nihonbashi. Knowing the entrances, exits, and connecting passages on both sides makes shopping and catching trains much more convenient.

Admire the century-old architecture during the day, enjoy the dazzling night view in the evening, and stock up on Japanese souvenirs while you’re there. Tokyo Station is definitely worth setting aside time to explore!

When you come to Tokyo Station Ichibangai, of course you can’t miss the Pokémon Store, a favorite among Pokémon fans! I made a special trip to browse the store this time and pick out a gift for my nephew. As soon as I walked in, I was drawn to all the Pokémon merchandise, especially the wide variety of Pikachu items. They were so cute that I couldn’t help taking a few extra looks!

Although the Pokémon Store at Tokyo Station isn’t very large and left me wanting to see more, there are still plenty of items worth hunting for. In particular, some of the store-exclusive snack gift boxes have super cute packaging, making them great either to collect for yourself or give as gifts.

The most tempting items are the Tokyo Station exclusives. For anyone who likes collecting Pokémon merchandise, they’re definitely worth checking out! Bringing home both memories of the trip and a favorite character makes them feel especially meaningful as souvenirs.

While you’re shopping or catching a train at Tokyo Station, remember to make time for a little treasure hunting. You might find a small Pokémon item that catches your eye, too!

I stayed near Tokyo Station this time, and Seijo Ishii was the supermarket I visited almost every day! For someone like me who loves exploring Japanese supermarkets and discovering good food, this place is truly a treasure hunter’s paradise while traveling!

Seijo Ishii is known for its carefully selected foods from around the world. From local Japanese specialties, all kinds of bento boxes, bread, and desserts to drinks, fruit, and imported foods, there’s a wide variety of products, and I find plenty of good things every time I visit.

My favorite is the fruit section, which has a really large selection. It’s very convenient when you want some fruit during your trip or want to buy fresh fruit to enjoy back at the hotel!

Another money-saving tip is to visit the prepared food section after 8 p.m. Many items start going on sale, and if you’re lucky, you can get your favorite bento boxes and prepared foods at better prices. Bringing them back to the hotel for dinner is simple and satisfying.

The store is located in First Avenue Tokyo Station near Tokyo Station, so it’s easy to get to, and the business hours are also convenient for travelers planning their shopping. Whether you want to buy breakfast before heading out, pick up dinner before returning to your hotel, or simply browse a Japanese supermarket, I highly recommend stopping by.

When visiting Tokyo, Japanese supermarkets are just as unmissable as department stores and drugstores! Taking a look around every day always brings a little bit of happiness to the trip.