Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Omokado | Review by 王小鈞

Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO & Pikachu Sweets

Pokémon, the pocket monsters phenomenon loved across the world. In addition to the Pokémon Centers in 11 cities across Japan, the official plushies and merchandise can also be found at Pokémon Center locations worldwide. Inside you’ll find original pokémon goods, games and consoles to shop.

• Ikebukuro
• Miscellaneous Goods

I’ve gotten really into Pikmin lately, so on this trip to Tokyo I made a special stop at Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO to look for cute Pikmin and Pokémon merch.

The moment I walked in, I couldn’t help but gasp. The entire floor was packed with Pokémon items, from plushies and stationery to everyday goods and limited-edition products. There was so much to see that I wanted to stop and browse every corner.

I originally thought I’d “just take a look,” but once I saw all the adorable items, I totally gave in. My shopping basket kept getting fuller and fuller. It’s such a fun place to shop, but definitely dangerous for your wallet.

If you love Pokémon or Pikmin, this is an absolute must-visit on a trip to Tokyo. You’ll definitely be going home with a huge haul!

AFURI Ebisu

Located just a 3-minute walk from Ebisu Station, this stylish ramen shop specializes in tanrei-kei (light and refined) ramen, crafted with pure natural spring water from Mount Afuri in Kanagawa and a carefully simmered blend of chicken and seafood. AFURI has expanded from Tokyo to Kanagawa, Hokkaido, and even overseas in the U.S. and Hong Kong. The Ebisu branch is open until 5 a.m. and operates as a completely cashless restaurant.

• Meguro, Ebisu

If you’re traveling to Tokyo and love ramen, you absolutely can’t miss the super popular AFURI Ramen.

My top recommendation this time is their yuzu shio ramen. It’s light, refreshing, and full of depth. The hot broth has a rich chicken aroma with a gentle hint of yuzu, and it never feels greasy. The more you sip, the smoother it gets!

The noodles have just the right texture, and the aroma of the seared chashu makes every bite unforgettable. It was so good that before heading home, I even went to a convenience store to buy AFURI instant ramen so I could bring a little taste of Tokyo back with me.

If you like lighter-style ramen, AFURI’s yuzu shio ramen is definitely worth adding to your Tokyo must-eat list!

CIAL Yokohama

“CIAL Yokohama” occupies the floors B1 to B3 of “JR Yokohama Tower”, a station building directly connected to the West Exit of JR Yokohama Station. It is a shopping center that meets a wide range of gourmet needs, with the first basement floor selling high-quality sweets, prepared foods, and grocery items; the second basement floor has a fresh food market selling mainly fresh foods; the third basement floor has a food hall that can be used as a favorite stopover space.

• Yokohama

If you’re staying near Yokohama Station, CIAL Yokohama is a food paradise you’ll want to visit every day! You can find everything here, from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to desserts. There are all kinds of Japanese food, ramen, cafés, and souvenirs.

The basement floors also have a supermarket, which makes it super convenient to buy fruit, prepared foods, drinks, or late-night snacks. You really don’t have to worry about finding something to eat.

It’s easy to get to and fun to browse around. Whether you’re traveling independently or staying near Yokohama Station, I highly recommend adding this place to your daily must-visit list!