The true city that never sleeps
Or sleeps all the time … anywhere, on the train, the floor or at work! They work so many hours that they just try to sleep whenever and wherever possible.
I learned a lot about work ethic in japan! The subway is filled with suits at 11:45pm and when they tell you that they work 14hours a day, that will make you think about your working hours at home!
Sleeping at work is not frowned upon, because it is a sign of their hard work! People even pretend to sleep at work!
I have been there in September 2015 for a bit and I tried to squeeze in everything that I wanted to see.
It is difficult for gamers or fellow lifters to find everything you are interested in!
Everytime I`m travelling, I look for a great gym and a great all you can eat buffet!
This post here will definately help you find those places and I`m going to give you some general guidelines that make life easier in Tokyo!
Arriving
I arrived at Haneda airport and it was pretty easy to find the right directions!
You don`t need japanese yen before coming to japan (128yen = 1€ ; 118yen = 1$). You can withdraw cash everywhere (7/11 and familymart)!
I went to the pasmo card vendor to get my subway/train card, which is by far the most comfortable way to travel throughout tokyo.
You can also buy beverages and snacks with the pasmo card, which makes it quiet handy.
Important Apps
Google translate for japanese
(you can download japanese language package for offline use, or get this translator if it is released one day)
Japan connected free wifi
(one click and it searches for free wifi`s and automatically connects, otherwise you always have to sign up)
Tokyo subway navigation
(it works offline and you can just type in the start and end destination and it will direct you where to go on the subway, which makes travelling around much easier)
Accomodation
You can stay in many districts, but most famous are Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi and Asakusa (the old town)
I was staying in a Hotel in Shinjuku for my first trip.
Hotel rooms are extremely expensive and the rooms are very small (mine was 10qm²)
Afterwards I would recommend staying in a hostel, because you can meet new people, it is cheaper and you will find english speaking japanese.
There are also capsule and love hotels around every corner.
You can recognize “Love Hotels” on the signs rest and stay. Those Hotels usually have bigger rooms than hotels for a lesser cost, but you can only stay there for several hours, not days.
Rest = rest for some hours
Stay = stay over night
You can only stay or sleep there if you are with a woman, or if you are a woman!
Sightseeing in general
One important thing: the last train goes at midnight. There are no trains between 00:00 – 05:00.
#Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Go to any Shinjuku station – get wifi – start google maps and walk!
I nearly spend a whole day in the national garden… one word “Tsugoi”
It is cheap and perfect for LISS Cardio (walking) – go get some black coffee and enjoy!
https://www.instagram.com/p/6qxMepvjaQ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/8_BQ79vjYu/
#Meiji Jingu Shrine
Stop in Harajuku and follow the many tourists!
A very traditional place and it can be combined with a shopping and sightseeing tour through harajuku!
https://www.instagram.com/p/8I6wZAvjcu/
#Asakusa – Old town
Enter Asakusa into your subway app and follow the instructions!
Asakusa has some beautiful shrines and it is nice for walking and has many traditional stores for shopping or to get souvenirs.
Definately get a “sushi” knife there, since asakusa is famous for their sushi knives.
#Shibuya crossing and Hachiko
You cannot miss this! Go to the east exit of Shibuya station and there it is, the famous meeting spot and loyal dog Hachiko.
Next to the statue is the impeccable and busiest crossing in the world.
Go to the next starbucks and watch the crossing. Probably the most overused wifi hotspot in the world, keep leeching that data!
https://www.instagram.com/p/7XOYEfPjVb/
#Odaiba and a traditional bathing house “Onsen”
One of my favourite destinations! Go to Odaiba via train and spare time for one whole day.
Go to Fuji TV for the famous ball and keep walking around in that area to see the mini statue of liberty and the sight of the rainbow bridge!
Gets even more beautiful at night.
Visit the near Onsen, which is a hot japanese bathing house and enjoy – a must do in japan!
The Onsen has everything, from food to massages, japanese gardens and more!
https://www.instagram.com/p/69zNeRvjYa/
#Tokyo tower
The sky tree is the highest viewing spot, but more expensive and has a long waiting time, depending on the queue!
In my opinion the tokyo tower is by far the best. No long queue, it`s not that expensive and you have an amazing view.
Don`t go to the last deck though, waste of money, it`s just a small room up there and the view did get worse!
Inside is a One Piece store and the One Piece theme park, which for me as huge One Piece fan was the one of the best parts of the whole trip!
https://www.instagram.com/p/6z-aPlvjfk/
Sightseeing for gamers and “otakus”
#In Shinjuku
Capcom Cafe
A Resident Evil, Devil May Cry and other capcom masterpieces related restaurant with a show.
Artnia Square – A Final Fantasy cafe
It hosts Final Fantasy themed foods and tons of Square related figures and toys
There is also a retro gaming bar in the golden gai bar district, which I couldn`t find
#in Odaiba
Fuji TV Building
In this area there are several hotspots:
The One Piece restaurant Baratie(top floor) and the ball which appears in tons of animes all the time and more
Jump Store
Straight accross the street from Fuji TV is a shopping mall and in there is the “Jump Store”
#in Akihabara
Just keep strolling around and you find alot of sights, like the gundam cafe next to the train station
Donki Don Quijote and Maid cafe – close to the train station
You can buy several souvenirs and in the 5th floor is a great maid cafe with a stage show and more!
I checked out a recommended maid cafe. It looked horrible, but I saw this cafe while exploring “Don Quijote” and it had a queue of many local japanese guys, which is always a good sign!
#in Sunshine City, a mall – 3-1-3 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku
J-World – Dragonball, Naruto and One Piece theme park
It was pretty cool to see all the Dragonball related content and riding on a Jindujun. Feel free to explore
https://www.instagram.com/p/BClJnjGvjWd/
#in Minato
Tokyo Tower – Exit is Akabanebashi
Inside the tower is a One Piece Store, a One Piece restaurant and the One Piece Theme Park
I didn`t go to the restaurant, the food looked horrible and it was overpriced aswell.
The theme park is amazing!
https://www.instagram.com/p/7MyylLPjWr/
Check out my youtube channel for more One Piece in tokyo
Gyms and all you can eat
#Gyms
I was desperately looking for a gym or place to workout atleast once or twice and smash an all you can eat sushi place after the gym, but it was more difficult than looking for a needle in a haystack.
Gyms like Anytime fitness didn`t let me buy a day pass or didn`t speak english to ask for one.
Luckily I found a Gold`s Gym in harajuku! You need to bring your passport and pay 25€ for a day pass.
I did a full body routine with a few sets and high intensity to preserve my strength until I get back home and soak up as much of the glycogen from the sushi escalation later.
I love fasting throughout the day, especially when I am travelling, so I have a caloric buffer and can go ham on buffets or parties without gaining any fat.
I do not gain any fat while travelling! All the walking, exploring, fasting and eating intelligently makes this effortless, but I do never pass up on food that I wanna eat!
Hana is a chain known for their all you can eat sushi!
It is recommended to make a reservation! I went there after my workout at around 5pm and I ate around 70 of those amazing nigiris!
You can call that carbbackloading!
https://www.instagram.com/p/6uE0yXPjco/
Restaurants
#Kill Bill themed restaurant “Gonpachi”
Quentin Tarantino was inspired by Gonpachi and rebuild this restaurant in china for the movie Kill Bill and the memorable fight scene against the crazy 88!
https://www.instagram.com/p/7DctM7PjSz/
#The Lockup
In this restaurant you literally get locked up behind bars and can order several horror themed foods and drinks.
It includes a live horror show!
Shinjuku: 2mins by foot from the train station, check the signs on the building you need to take an elevator up.
There is also one in Shibuya. I preferred the one in Shinjuku though!
#Sushi-Zanmai
is a 24hour Sushi chain that serves amazing sushi, but not all you can eat.
Definately try the sea eel, my favourite. Absolutely delicious.
I went there twice in one evening. Once before going to a club and later on at 7am. The cooks there do 12 hour shifts.
They do not really do rolls in tokyo, but the nigiri there is on a whole nother level!
#Hakushu
The best beef of my life!
Pretty expensive, but really good meat! When you enter the really small restaurant, you think you are at the wrong place!
The kitchen is really old and a really old woman and man prepare the meat for you. They have probably been doing this for years
Also check out the food stands around every corner filled with amazing crepes, baked sweet potatoes, mochi and other delicious treats!
https://www.instagram.com/p/7fi9IQvjQz/
Nightclubs
I have been to three nightclubs. What can I say… a lot of tourists!
If you wanna go to a club, definately check out “Feria”, it was the best one by far.
Go out and explore the world, it is fascinating how much travelling and exploring the world can affect you!
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