Tokyo's Watering Hole: Albatross (Golden Gai)

Golden Gai is my favorite watering hole in Shinjuku because its perfect for finding your "crowd". Into films? they have a bar for that. Into music? goth? You can find your own niche there. The best way to get to chat someone in a bar is finding a common interest. In Golden gai, they have "themed bars" to cater to your whim.

Your landmark is Don Quixote in Shinjuku. Its a 24-hour store for all knick-knacks and party items. (Warning: don't enter the shop if you are heading for Golden Gai. You might end up ludging plastic bags in bar). 

Just go straight till you sense that you are in the wrong side of town. Tons of billboard featuring men in boyband poses, dark alleys with big, black men offering "services". Don't fret, you are already in Tokyo's infamous Kabuchiko neighborhood.

Ez and I are about to give up till along a corner alley, we chanced upon this narrow alleyway with loads of lights. SUCCESS!! The next challenge is finding a bar with vacant seats! Most bars only have 6-10 seats.

We chose Albatross. It's a two-floor bar with a big chandelier on the bar section. While the bar tender cannot speak English, the bar has an English menu.

 It's often frequented by foreigners. The whole place is filled with gothic paintings and rotational exhibits from Japanese artists. They have a second floor playing all sorts of music. Make some room and gain a friend!

Funky interiors! Check out those expensive whiskeys for mixes! 

English Menu! We just had to have one of each. Ez likes the Peppermint cocktail, spicy gin and mojito. 

Voila! They even gave us free appetizers!

There are two other narrow alleyways with small bars such as Albatross. Check them all out! Perfect for a bar crawl! Each bar has its own specialty. I wanted to check out La Jetee but I was worried if I got more drinks a) I would be to hung over for tomorrow's itinerary b) I couldn't find my way back to the hotel.

For those staying at Citadines, here's an alternate route to spare you from going to Kabuchiko. When you see this sign (from the hotel, you'll pass three Family Marts), just turn right. Go straight and you'll see those narrow alleys on your left.

If you have those midnight cravings, Yoshinoya is still open on your way to Citadines. Or there's always Family Mart. They've got rice meals, sushi and rolls! I love the iced milk teas they have in tetra pack. 

Tokyo's Watering Hole: Yurakucho Yakitori Alley

I fear that drinks in Tokyo would be ridiculously expensive. Surprisingly, most of the spots I visited were Makati prices around Php250-500 for a round of cocktails and Php200-300 for a beer. Plus, you'd get the good stuff- no rounds of  Al hombre or Emperador here. 

What goes well with a round of beer? Excellent pulutan. In picking places to drink, I've always been picky of the food. No fancy schmancy dining, just well-done fried stuff or meat grilled properly.(I don't understand how people can just char chicken bordering burnt blackened meat).

Yurakucho Alley

I was a bit sad that I didn't get to fully explore and eat at all the grilling spots here. After exploring Bic Camera- a building full of camera accessories, paraphernalia, techie goods- it's always a good idea to refresh yourself with a bottle of cold Asahi and grilled chicken ass. 

Yurakucho Alley is right across the gigantic BIC Camera store!

A handy thing to bring is a print out of this (just remove the prices), so you can just point out whatever part you want. Some of stalls do not understand English so this will come in handy.

I love tongue, heart, uterus and stomach! For the less adventurous, there's always the chicken and cartilage.

This little alleyway leads to more yakitori places. Its like a huge neighborhood of isaw restos! It gets jam-packed of office people unwinding themselves after work!

It's quite hard to find the place. According to this site: http://blog.wandr.me/2011/07/dining-under-the-train-tracks-tokyos-yakitori-alley/, its easier if you take exit  A2 at the Hibiya station. Turn right at the top of the stairs and walk along side the railroad until you see the passage way with the glowing lights and the grill smoke rising from it. 

One of my favorite places in Japan- grilled meat and alcohol-infused tea!

Grab a chair, drink on the side street and relax. It's always nice to chill after a long day of exploring the city. The people here are really nice and helpful.

This is a common sight in the area. People with grilled meat and beer.

Not after the buzz but like the "beer taste?" (I never know anyone who prefers the dark, malty taste of beer without the buzz). If that's your think, try Hoppy. It tastes a bit like San Mig without the alcohol.

But Ez and I prefer our alcohol-infused tea. Like sipping a refreshing buzz with a mild buzz! Not too heavy on the stomach, so there's more room for yakitori!

Tokyo Free Guide (Yes, its free!)

I've always relied on research and just try to "wing it" once I get there. But there are times when I wished that I was with a guide especially when I get lost in translation.

During our last day in Tokyo, we managed to squeeze in a guided tour courtesy of Tokyo Free Guide. Check their facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/tokyofreeguide. A few weeks before our trip, I booked through email. You need to fill out a form and they'll assign you with a guide. We were lucky we got Nana Tsukada. She was very helpful and she even took us on a guided trip to Ometesando, Harajuku, Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine all in one day!  

While most people would like to do their own DIY itineraries (I did ours), having your own tour guide is a nice way to get to know the culture of a place and discover places in Tokyo you normally can't find on your own (yes, finding Design Festa was an impossible feat given our limited Nihongo skills). 


Nana was a very accommodating guide. She showed us around and was very knowledgeable (with a few trivia on Japanese history and people). Really had a wonderful time during the whole tour. She picked us up at Citadines and our first stop is Meiji Shrine.

There are sake barrels (and in the picture, wine barrels from France) in the shrine's entrance. An article from Japantimes states that, "In Japan, sake has always been a way of bringing our gods and people together,” Tetsuo Hasuo of the Japan Sake Brewers Association. Shinto shrines and sake manufacturers maintain a symbiotic relationship, in which the shrines conduct rites to ask the gods for the prosperity of the brewers, and — this is where the barrels come in- the brewers donate the grog that shrines need for ceremonies and festivals."

There is a ritual one needs to observe before entering the temple. You need to wash yourself at the purification fountain near the shrine's entrance. Use the ladle to fill with fresh water and rinse both hands. Then transfer some water into your cupped hand, rinse your mouth and spit the water beside the fountain. You shouldn't transfer the water directly from the ladle into your mouth or swallow the water. 

Afterwards, we headed off to Yoyogi Park. It's very near the shrine so its nice to just take a stroll and look at the displays and people during their Sunday festivities (sports, walk the dog, etc). There is even a huge display of organic items and hippie goods. Like a H-U-G-E Legazpi Sunday market!

Harajuku street! Its super chaotic on Sunday. People in their cosplay outfits. Kids shopping for kawaii items. Its packed with teens.

Any trip to Japan wouldn't be complete without visiting Daiso for cheap loot. I got a patterned fan with The Great Wave off Kanagawa print for quite a steal.

Walking around the neighborhood, you will encounter really flamboyant displays and fun pieces (that I'll never ever pull off). Check out this rainbow-colored skirt:

Hungry from all the shoopping and sight-seeing? There are a lot of options for snacks. Just a few blocks from Daiso, this creperie is an institution.

But since we had our mind set on having lunch at a place near Design Festa, Nana took us to Sakura-tei. While I already had my fare share of Okonomiyaki during my stay in Tokyo, it was my first to try Monjayaki. Diners can mix and cook it on a hot gridle! 

Monjayaki Set: we got the set where there's a ton of cheese and mochi!

Some westerners get queasy at the sight of this. But we are pretty much used to yummy/ugly things. 

There were a few exhibits (and you can buy cute trinkets from artists).Design Festa is very near the resto.

If you are not really interested in arts, go here for the Monjayaki and for photo-ops. The place has funky fixtures.

On the other side of the street, you will see a bunch of well-known "hip" brands such as BBC/Ice Cream, BAPE, APC, Chapter, Neighborhood. Ez and I just want to stuff ourselves with APC goods, if only we had a ton of cash to spend. Plus, its the store with most tasteful music playing. :)

Tokyu Plaza Ometesando has an all-glass covered store front! 

We then explored Ometesando Hills to explore the shops and checked out Kiddyland (beside Maison Martin Margiela!). 

Fans of Studio Ghibli will be pleased that Kiddyland has floors dedicated for anime fans.

There's even an aisle of Totoro stuffed toys.

Further ahead is Oriental Bazaar. If you are looking for souvenirs for moms/aunties/officemoms and what have yous. They have those usual stuff you bring home to furnish homes (decorative pieces, kimonos, sandals, t-shirts).

Maisen Tonkatsu's pork sandwiches to cap off the day! Shared a box of this while chilling at Family Mart for free wifi. :))

Thanks Nana! Definitely one of the best ways to explore Tokyo.

Tokyo Shopping

My friend is heading off to Tokyo in a few days so I'd like to share with him (and to whoever is reading this) the places where I did most of my shopping. For sneaker heads looking for the usual shoes, you can always check out ABC Mart and Sports by Atmos in Shinjuku. There are popular brands like Tokyu Hands, Biqlo (they have this gigantic shop in Shinjuku, an all-in-one shop for electronics and Uniqlo clothing. Biqlo in Shinjuku also has g.u., part of the Uniqlo group that offers a more affordable range of clothing similar to F21).

The shops listed below are a few of my favorite shops to get friends and loved ones unique items that won't break your wallets:

1. Be cultured and shop at the same time! 

The National Art Center Tokyo is situated in what they'd call as the Roppongi Art Triangle (The National Art Center, Tokyo - The Suntory Museum of Art - The Mori Art Museum). While Roppongi's covers all your designer labels (stunning displays and well-designed boutique BUILDINGS!), the Art Center is a good starting point if you want to give your loved ones something that screams Tokyo kitsch without breaking the bank (plus, most of the souvenir items there are one-of-a-kind).  Among the three museums, its a bit farther so better to just get off at the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Nogizaka Station Exit 6 which is directly connected to the Center to save you the hassle of finding this building. 

There are no cameras allowed for special exhibits (I just sneaked a shot of this display). When I went there, a history of ballet costumes (from the original ones used by the cast!) was being shown. 

Among the musuems I've visited, it has the most interesting architecture. Although I prefer Western paintings, the Art center houses local and emerging artists so its always a great stopover before you head off the souvenir area.

The souvenir shop is located on the basement. Its where I got my fish pencil case at 1/3 the price in Village Vanguard. Although most of the items are on the pricey side (no generic keychain and shirts here), but  if you want to give something thoughful (and uniquely Japanese! for hipster friends) this is the place to go. The museum closes at 5:30 pm so be there early!

2. Kiddyland

Went here in my last day. Five floors for the kiddie inside you! Imagine Toy Kingdom if they have more curated collection- for the kid at heart who grew up watching Studio Ghilbi films (they have an entire floor for this!). 

Friends who go gaga over Bear Brick dolls, they have limited editions sold here. For super geek fans- they also have Evangelion and Gundam collection (if you don't have time to go to Odaiba), Star Wars. They even have Sailor Moon.

3. Takeya

For those wanting to get friends from anywhere and everywhere whatever items, Takeya has the cheapest stuff. From Tokyo Banana to chips to spices to watches- they have BUILDINGS. yes separate buildings for every imaginable souvenir you want. Its crazy. 

Store Hours	１０：００～２０：３０
Access
●JR Yamanote Line : 2-minute walk from Okachimachi Station(North Exit) ●Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line : 3-minute walk from Naka-OkachimachiStation’(No.3 Exit)

Three floors of beauty products!!! You have to pay for item purchased on EACH floor. So have your boyfriend tag along to line up for purchases you've made per floor.

Pocky, Kitkat, and all sort of junk food you want to stuff your mouth. Its almost half the price than what you'd normally find in the Philippines.

 They also have tealeaves, coffee beans, nuts for "old" people you want to impress back home.

 No time to go to the fish market? yes, they sell cheap sushi here. for 298 yen, you are good to go. They also have a separate aisle section for Japanese spices/mixes/condiments. Perfect for your pa-foodie friend back home.

Here is Ezra's beauty loot. Ill try to do a separate entry for this but I swear you HAVE to get the DHC Cleansing oil and the moisturizer.

My brother went gaga over the Kitkat cheescake flavor (Rex hates it, thinks that its like eating Mcdo pancakes with tons of syrup in chocolate form). They sell an assorted loot bag with all these chips. Don't get the wasabi flavored chips (only Rex likes them. It's like eating wasabi in chip form, humahagod ang anghang).

Hope you guys have fun shopping. I've tried doing the inevitable- finding my way from Ueno to Tenya to Takeya and geting lost along the way. After several "Takeya, doko desu ka?", its advisable that you just take the station. :)) Its so much easier that way since the station is situated right beside Takeya.