A Taste of Tokyo After 20 Years

Our week in Tokyo, Japan, began at The Lively Hotel in Minato City, a trendy and vibrant home base for exploring the endless layers of this iconic metropolis. Landing in the capital felt like a homecoming, especially as our first visit to Tokyo was just shy of two decades ago, a memory that quickly inspired some nostalgic adventures and meaningful discoveries.

The Lively Hotel is a group of lifestyle hotels in Japan, perfect for travellers who work online; they offer an excellent work area, fast Wi-Fi, and free drinks throughout the day.

The culinary journey started strong as we ventured to Nishiazabu Shirukuya, a Teppanyaki restaurant we stumbled upon via Google. If you are a fan of succulent and tender beef, then Teppanyaki is for you. It's also fun cooking it over your very own hot grill! Tokyo’s food scene never disappoints, and this experience set the tone for what would become a week of indulgence.

Later, we explored Tokyo’s famed cocktail culture at Bar Amber, followed by Tokyo Confidential, an award-winning Kiwi-owned bar where a touch of home added to the charm. We soon became regulars at Tokyo Confidential, the team were an absolute delight, loads of fun and of course excellent at their craft. Tokyo Confidential also has a fabulous terrace overlooking the Tokyo skyline.

One of the highlights of our trip involved a heartfelt walk down memory lane. On our first visit 20 years ago in 2005, we had dined at a cosy yakitori restaurant, long before smartphones could guide us anywhere. Determined to revisit this cherished spot, we dusted off an old photo, deciphering a snippet of the name 'Yakitori Gan-chan' and the restaurant's exterior, which barely hinted at its identity. Miraculously, we tracked it down just around the corner from our hotel! The real magic? The owners were still running the place after all these years.

Sharing photos of them from two decades ago was an emotional moment for everyone, with a fellow patron stepping in to help translate the sentiments. It felt like time had stood still; the same hot stones cooked the delicious yakitori, and the sake was as welcoming as ever. The evening was a celebration, not just of the food, but of enduring memories and the incredible joys of aging well.

Walking home, we stumbled upon the glittering Tokyo Tower, its sparkling lights casting a warm, nostalgic glow over the city. It was one of those understated moments that reminded us just how captivating Tokyo’s skyline can be at night.

Of course, mornings were exquisitely caffeinated with visits to Streamer Coffee Company, a gem near our hotel that soon became a favourite. Their perfectly brewed coffee, paired with cinnamon buns, was practically impossible to resist and fueled many of our wanders around Tokyo.

For dinner later in the week, we switched gears to Korean cuisine at Korean Bistro, a buzzing spot where potato pancakes, Korean Fried Chicken (aka KFC), and rounds of Soju created an unforgettable sensory feast.

We spent our days getting lost in this wonderful city; it truly is the cleanest in the world. There is no need for the 3-second rule in Japan! Wandering aimlessly led us to a range of discoveries, including beautiful city-wide installations by Naotaro Moriyama; these colourful creations added magic to every corner we explored.

Naotaro Moriyama

Night-time karaoke adventures brought more surprises; we found ourselves (well, Wayne and our new friends) belting out ABBA classics and trying daring eats (like scorpion from the Tequila!) at Home Base, a karaoke bar, alongside welcoming new friends and a fantastic crew.

The Scorpion Tasting

A food adventure like ours wouldn’t be complete without trying Okonomiyaki at Yocchan, a small but bustling spot serving savoury Japanese pancakes. Limited seating made the place feel wonderfully intimate, another signature trait of Tokyo's local dining establishments.

Tokyo - Japan

Finally, no visit to Tokyo is complete without diving into Ginza, the city’s high-end shopping paradise. Naturally, we stood at the famous zebra crossing and spent the day exploring everything the district had to offer.

Tokyo - Japan

The cherry on top of our Ginza adventure was dinner at Sushi Kiyoshi Ginza, an esteemed Edomae sushi restaurant. Led by a chef with over 25 years of experience, the attention to detail here was astonishing. From carefully sourced seafood procured directly from fishermen to expertly blended rice varieties, every bite was a masterpiece. The experience challenged our taste buds but rewarded us with a deeper appreciation for the artistry of sushi dining; fresh ginger and sake came in handy as we ventured outside of our culinary comfort zones.

Tokyo - Japan

As our week in Tokyo came to a close, we reflected on how the city had welcomed us back so warmly. This whirlwind week was the perfect way to kick off our adventures across Japan. From here, we’ll travel through Sapporo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagasaki, and Okinawa before we make our way to Seoul.

Until then, thank you, Tokyo, for once again stealing a piece of our hearts!

Tokyo - Japan

Date visited: 3 February 2024