The next morning I headed north from my hotel, and dropped in to a 7 Eleven to pick up a coffee decorated with cute cats.
I continued north toward Yoyogi Park.
Yoyogi was a vast park. I traced the outline around to the left edge. Being mid winter, it was a little too early for the Cherry Blossom, but I could see how beautiful it would look a few months from now.
I continued my north-west trajectory, making a stop by to see if Little Nap Coffee stand was open—sadly, it wasn’t.
I continued walking from Yoyogi north, eventually making my way to Shinjuku.
Suddenly, I noticed the scale of buildings change as I reached Shinjuku proper.
I had arrived at Shinjuku station.
I wandered through the complex, and down the side of the station, where I found a place that made up for Little Nap Coffee stand being closed.
Blue Bottle Coffee Shinjuku
- ¥
- Price
- Coffee
- Shop
I’d heard that this Blue Bottle can get ridiculously busy, so I felt quite lucky to be able to grab a takeaway filter without much hassle.
Coffee in tow, I made my way for the Metropolitan Government Building.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- ¥
- Price
- Observation
- Deck
I visited the South and North towers in turn.
After having my fill of photography and novel souvenir shopping, I left the government buildings.
After spending some time trying to decide where to go (I was somewhat curious to try a Japanese Sizzler branch nearby), I ended up finding a Hamburger BBQ place in Shinjuku.
溶岩焼ダイニング bonbori 新宿店
- ¥¥
- Price
- Hamburger BBQ
- Restaurant
This BBQ place served up cheese burger patties on hot plates with a side of rice.
I placed my order on a vending machine, and exchanged it again for my deconstructed burger.
After the rather filling lunch, I headed back towards Shibuya via the JR line to Harajuku.
In Harajuku, I again headed down Takeshita street—which was far less crowded early Monday afternoon—and visited a local Owl café.
Unfortunately they were fully booked, so I made a reservation for the next day.
I walked back from Harajuku towards the hotel, back through some market stalls, where I spotted a rather photogenic french bulldog sitting in a pram.
That evening, I emerged from my hotel, made my way to the Shibuya station, and boarded a train to visit Akihabara.
I alighted from the train as sunset approached.
Akihabara at night hits you right in the face with its sights and sounds.
A truly visceral, visual sensory overload.
After wandering around many a lit up street, I headed for Yodobashi-Akiba, a truly enormous department store for videogames, and technology of all sorts. Including an incredible range of cameras.
After determining I’d spend my travel allowance on drinks and food rather than new cameras, I headed for a nearby bar.
Beef Kitchen Stand
- ¥¥
- Price
- Bar
- Place
One hot sake later, and failing to drunkenly find a highly rated Soba place, I ended up at a Go-Curry Katsu curry chabin.
Go Go Curry
- ¥¥
- Price
- Katsu Curry
- Chain
Full of Katsu curry, I wandered around Akihabara exploring the streets and arcades.
Some time later—after somehow finding room for dessert from a nearby dessert shop near the station—I caught a train back to Shibuya, and turned in for the night.