Tokyo

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Timeless Tokyo

A January 2007 trip to Tokyo by Nicole-san

Cool Times at the Ice BarMore Photos

An insider's guide to the cultural mecca of the East. From vodka bars made of ice to natural hot springs surrounded by monkeys, Japan offers a taste of everything.

  • 20 reviews
  • 5 photos

Courtyard Tokyo GinzaBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Courtyard Marriott Ginza"

The Courtyard Marriott has gotten a recent face lift. The newly renovated hotel, in the heart of Ginza, is conveniently located 10 minutes from the entertainment mecca Roppongi, and 15 minutes from the chaotic youth playground in Shibuya. Enter into the swanky main lobby, decorated in a modern Zen theme, and you will be greeted by the first-rate hotel staff.

The hotel offers a convenient bus shuttle to Narita Airport for 3,000 yen, which is cheaper than the Narita Express, and it picks you up in front of the hotel. Reservations can be made at the front desk with frequent morning and afternoon departures. The shuttle take about 1 1/2 hours.

The standard guest rooms are small, and a little outdated, but the hotel is undergoing a complete renovation, which should be complete by April, 2008. Standard room amenities are offered, including a mini bar, hair dryer, dry cleaning services, and in room massages. The hotel features two restaurants. Fiore dishes up Western style favorites in an intimate, and modern setting. Ginza Muraki is the traditional Japanese restaurant where guests can enjoy "kaiseki", and expensive and elaborately presented Japanese meal. Through the month of April, the hotel is hosting a cocktail hour with free hors d'oeuvres and drinks to celebrate the renewal. There are also many cafes and bistros within walking distance of the hotel, and you are only a short train ride away from some of Tokyo's world-class cuisine.

The hotel offers the comfort and familiarity that travelers expect of the Marriott name. While it's not one of the most unique hotels on the block, the convenience and location make up for its lack of luxury.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Nicole-san on April 7, 2007

Courtyard Tokyo Ginza
14-10 Ginza 6-Chome Tokyo, Japan
+81 (3) 35460111

NinjaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Ninja Restaurant

The dining scene in Japan can be described as a gastronomic paradise. An endless menu of cuisine and price ranges, guarantees almost anyone can find something to please their palate. For those looking to blow a week's paycheck in one night, the uber hyped theme restaurant, Ninja is a good choice.

Tucked away in the swanky business district of Akasaka, the restaurant is easily lost among neighboring high end eateries with trendy decor and more prominent locations. Dare to venture inside and you're greeted by a maitre d' decked out in, of course, a ninja costume. Two knocks on the wall and a mysterious door opens with a ninja appearing from thin air. Holding only a lantern he leads you through the ninja training compound, complete with a drawbridge and ninja river. Guests are lead back through the dimly lit restaurant to solid wood tables where the waiter produces a thick scroll drink menu of ninja beauty cocktails.

A masked ninja circles the restaurant performing magic tricks. Ninja offers 3 set courses and a sizeable a la carte menu featuring typical Japanese fare such as sushi, yakitori, and tenpura, coupled with a few "Japanized" dishes like Caesar salad. The dinner courses are brought out slowly and the portions are small, so those with a big appetite and a small amount of patience might be happier elsewhere. The presentation and service are exceptional and the ambiance is one of a kind. Although reservations are recommended, they are not required. Groups can reserve a private dining room which feature sunken seating areas and sliding bamboo doors. Overall the food is not the best, but the experience is worth the fortune.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Nicole-san on December 15, 2006

Lock UpBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This catchy eatery has got the theme dining experience locked up in Shibuya. Located on the basement level of the Grand Tokyo Building, Lock Up is not your typical sushi and sake izakaya. In fact, the 2500 yen set course featured margarita pizza, tortillas and cheese, and even fried calamari pieces. But hey, what do you expect; it's prison!

The entrance looks like the set of a Rob Zombie horror film, but don't get too distracted by the unusual decor. The floor gives out in some places. A scantily clad jail warden greets you at the door and leads you back to your dining cell in handcuffs. Once seated, your cell door is locked and the fun begins.

The wait staff serves up prison favorites such as beer and a small mixed drink menu. The cocktails are served Frankenstein-style in a science lab beaker with a liquor filled syringe. After we finished our drinks and starters, the lights went out and the entire cell was pitch black. We could hear screams coming from the far side of the prison. The jail wardens taunted the inmates through the iron cell doors. And then our cell door flew open and a crazed inmate in an orange colored jumpsuit leapt through the door with an ax. Everyone screamed.

And then the lights flickered cautiously back on and everyone laughed. The psychopath was really just a waiter, dressed in children's footie pajamas and a teddy bear hood.

Lock Up is a unique dining experience, and the set course is an excellent value. It included about 7 courses and dessert. Drinks are not included, but range from 500 yen to 900 yen. But Lock up is not for the well heeled, Ginza crowd, seeking an upscale dining experience. Or anyone with a heart condition...
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nicole-san on December 28, 2006

Trip Irie Dining BarBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Trip, recently opened this January, is an urban retreat serving up "Asian resort dining" in a beach-style atmosphere. Intimately lit and adorned with bamboo and parasols, the vibe is an ecelectic mix of Japanese Zen meets Ernest Hemingway. Trip is so convincing you might expect to see world-class beaches when you look out the windows of this third-floor establishment.

Trip has gotten the recipe right; a perfect blend of good food and exotic ambience without the pretentiousness of Ginza or Omotessando. Their 50-page drink menu contains everything under the sun, and there is a one drink minimum. The drafts are a little pricy, but there are plenty of other concoctions to quench your thirst. During dinner there is also a 300 yen table charge per person. The menu features decidedly modern Indonesian cuisine with selections such as spicy risotto, a variety of pastas, foie gras, and endless seafood choices. Dishes range in price from 900-1500 yen, starters average around 500-700 yen, and portions are fairly generous.

All major credit cards are accepted and the check is chicly presented in a bamboo box. For more information you can check out the website at http://trip.ne.jp, but the site is mostly in Japanese.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nicole-san on January 14, 2007

Chinese Cafe EightBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This 24-hour eatery sits across from the swanky Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills. As if the Hills weren't an experience in itself, dare to step inside the always crowded cafe and you will be wonder if you have mistakenly stepped into an adult entertainment shop. The peculiarly phallic interior is open for interpretation, with the main attraction being a giant steel rod suspended from the ceiling in front of a Chinese gong, that strangely resembles a derriere...

The cafe is frequented by the young and hip, as well as many foreigners curious about the breasts and bottoms that adorn the cafe's walls. The menu is extensive and cheap, portions are average by Japanese standards, and it is customary to sample and share a variety of dishes. The house special is the Beijing duck, which can take a bit of time to prepare, but is so tender and flavorful it's worth every minute. The duck is fileted and served with a sweet Chinese plum sauce and literally melts in your mouth. Other favorites include crab fried rice, szechuan spicy tofu, and even deep fried scorpion which is considered lucky in the Chinese culture.

Dishes range in price from 400-900 yen, while the lunch menu features about 50 appetizers for 200 yen. Larger plates average around 2500 yen. There is also a 1500 yen all you can drink for two hours special which is good if you are unlucky and forget to make a reservation. I would definitely eat here again, but so would many other bargain hungry diners, so play it safe and make a reservation.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nicole-san on January 18, 2007

Chinese Cafe Eight
3-2-13 Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku Tokyo, Japan
+3-5414-5708

Buttu Trick BarBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Like the treasure at the end of a weathered map, this place is difficult to find, easy to miss, but worth every penny. Located on the 7th floor of the giant Book 1st in Shibuya, the restaurant is easily lost in the infinite neon chaos that is Shibuya. But venture past the endless rows of books and otaku to the rear set of elevators, and when the doors slide open on the 7th floor, you will feel as if you've stepped inside a genie's lamp.

Although the restaurant is decidedly Thai, the cuisine is heavily Indian and Chinese influenced. The staff is extremely friendly and the atmosphere inside is a sexy, smoky red that invites you to kick back and stay awhile.

There is a 300 yen table charge per person, but the reasonable food and drink prices somewhat offset this cost. The tables and booths are situated around a giant bronze Buddha, illuminated by soft candlelight. Some of the smaller tables feature overstuffed chairs, while the larger tables comfortably seat large groups. Although Buttu Trick attracts a mostly young professionals crowd, I have seen a few well-behaved children with their parents feasting on the Asian fusion cuisine.

Dishes are relatively small, and best ordered in large quantities to be shared and savored. Starters range from 400 to 700 yen and include typical Asian fare such as spring rolls, Indonesian fried rice, Thai chicken peanut salad and Vietnamese pho soup.

Entrees range from 700 to 1200 yen and include curry served with yogurt and a warm, puffed pastry in the Buttu hand brand, a variety of sushi rolls, pad thai noodles and an excellent dessert menu.

The drink menu is a little overpriced but features some exotic choices such as a mango beer, Cuban mojitos, and a variety of mixed drinks. The iced chai tea is also refreshing. Drink prices average around 900, beers around 700.

Buttu Trick Bar is an excellent choice for entertaining expats, first dates, or just a girls' night out. The welcoming decor, outstanding food, and unpretentious service will keep you coming back again and again. Just don't forget to draw yourself a map so you can find it.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Nicole-san on January 25, 2007

Buttu Trick Bar
7F Book 1st, 33-5 Udagawacho, Shibuya Tokyo, Japan
03-3477-2208

Coldstone CreameryBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This cool creamery has been serving happy customers in America for the last several years, but is a newcomer to the Japanese marketplace. With three locations in the Kanto area, (Grandberry Mall, Landmark Plaza, and Roppongi Hills) this cutting edge ice cream parlor is confection perfection.

If the warm, inviting scent of waffle cones doesn't lure you in, your curiousity will. The lines of people spilling out from the shop filled with singing and dancing ice cream scoopers will surely stand out among the typically conservative Japanese dining establishments. The lines move fast, and sometimes you may still be left with the difficult task of choosing just one signature creation. With three sizes—Like It, Love It, and Gotta Have It—customers can create their own blend of exotic creams (cake batter and red licorice to name a few) and mix-ins. The cheerful staff will throw a scoop full of your cream of choice onto the signature "coldstone" and then professionally mix in fresh ingredients such as graham cracker crusts, cheesecake bites, and warm brownie chunks. The clatter of the scoops and whimsical singing give off a Santa's workshop ambiance.

The Like It size runs about 500 yen, but it is worth every last spoonful. If you choose to enjoy your creation in a freshly baked, chocolate dipped waffle bowl, add an extra 200 yen. Seasonal and monthly flavors are also featured regularly. This cool creamery is hot, hot, hot!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Nicole-san on February 4, 2007

Coldstone Creamery
Tokyo, Japan

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

I’m not a smart man, but I do know what love. And if you fancy some finger lickin’ good shrimp and seafood, you will love the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant and Market. Located on the first floor of the Tokyo Dome City complex, this all American eatery serves up fresh food in a lively atmosphere. The interior resembles a dock with movie memorabilia adorning the walls, and flat screen TV’s showing clips of the Tom Hanks classic (in Japanese of course!). The menu features a no fuss selection of dishes with enticing names like "Boat Trash" which is a bucket of battered and fried shrimp, lobster, mahi mahi, and french fries dusted with Cajun spices. Another house special is the "I’m Stuffed" shrimp which is a platter of crab filled shrimp, brushed with warm butter and baked with spicy Monterey Jack cheese. For the land lovers, Bubba Gump offers staples such as a pulled BBQ pork sandwich, hamburgers and a couple of salads. The Run Chicken Run is delicious as large enough for sharing.

Drinks are extremely expensive, with beers starting at 700 yen, and mixed drinks reaching 1800 yen. The souvenir glass will set you back an additional 400 yen. Desserts are mouth watering and equally expensive, including Mama’s Cinnamon Bread Pudding, a Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae and homemade key lime pie. The dessert average around 1000 yen.

When you’re ready to order, simply flip the sign on your table to Stop Forrest and your friendly wait staff will be more than happy to take your order. Overall, the mood is festive, the food is fantastic, but be prepared to spend a small fortune. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is open from 11an-11pm. For more information, you can visit their website at www.bubbagump.com

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nicole-san on March 4, 2007

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant
LaQua, First Floor Tokyo, Japan
+81 (338) 687-041

Thong from BangkokBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Yes, you read the name right. It really is called the THONG from Bangkok. This little gem, hidden in the basement of the bustling Yokohama station will lure you in with the scent of exotic spices, and culinary bliss. And even though the richly decorated interiors will make you feel as if you're in a crowded Bangkok market, there's no need to bargain for a good price.

The à la carte menu is very reasonable, and the lunch sets are an all out bargain. Appetizers range from 350 yen for a single fresh spring roll to 800 for a table platter of fried rolls with fresh avocado. The lunch sets include soup, a generous main dish (you can choose from ground chicken or beef mixed with fresh mint and a variety of spices), a fried rice dish, a fish choice, or noodles. The sets are served with jasmine rice, and a refreshing coconut milk and tapioca dessert. The sets run about 1100-1400 yen.

Other menu highlights include pineapple fried rice which has a surprising sweet and sour taste, red and green curry, eye watering spicy pad Thai, and fresh fish. Desserts average about 500 yen and include pumpkin pudding, mango pudding, coconut ice cream, and bread pudding.

The service was impeccable, and the owner, a cheerful man from Phuket was extremely friendly and very eager to accommodate foreigners. An English menu is available upon request. The restaurant was intimate and busy, but there is no need for reservations. We walked right in during the peak of the lunchtime rush on a Saturday afternoon. I highly recommend the Thong!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nicole-san on March 10, 2007

California Pizza KitchenBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

One of the best chains to immigrate from the States, California Pizza Kitchen has recently opened in the new Lalaport entertainment megacomplex. Devoted diners and newbie noshers will enjoy the exact same menu featured in the U.S.

With exotic specialities like Carne Asada, Thai Chicken, Jamaican Jerk and Pear and Gorgonzola pizza, you'll find something to satisfy even the most discerning tastebuds. The pizzas are served on a warm, doughy, hand tossed crust, but thin is in for the carb-conscious.

CPK offers the traditional staples like Sicilian Sausage, Margherita, and Hawaiian Pizza, but why not be adventurous and try a BLT pie, Salad Pizza, or California Club?

The Kitchen also serves salads, a few pasta dishes, desserts and a full bar, but pizza is their bread and butter. The stylish interior and unbelievably friendly, English speaking staff only add to the charm of this California chain. Reservations are not required, but may be ideal for large parties. CPK is open everyday from 11-11pm and is located on the 3rd floor, near the large Toho Cinema.

To reach the Lalaport Complex, take the JR Yokohama line from Machida station to Kamoi Station. There is another branch at the Kawasaki Station in Shinagawa.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Nicole-san on March 20, 2007

California Pizza Kitchen
Lalaport Yokohama 3F (Unit #35100) Yokohama, Japan
+81 (45) 414-2415

Mike's Tex Mex RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

It's sombrero-meets-sushi at this lively TeX Mex restaurant in Higashi-Rinkan. A favorite among English teachers and military, Mike's Mexican is the closest you'll get to the border this side of the Pacific. By no means do they serve authentic Mexican fare, but Mike's does an admirable job, serving up non-Japanese sized portions of refried beans and freshly made guacamole.

Appetizers range from 400-800 yen and include chips and salsa/guacamole, taquitos, and quesadilas. Most of the entrées are served with gut wrenching portions of Mexican style rice and beans, and are available in spicy or mild. The menu features straightforward staples such as burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas, tacos, and quesadilas. Dinner prices range from 800-1200 yen with your choice of bean, chicken, or beef. Finish the meal, or start your evening off with an ice cold Corona or Dos Equis and lime. Bueno!

Perhaps the generous portions make up for the lack of space at this small Mexican cantina. There is an outdoor patio with seating for about 15 people, but the inside was very crowded and difficult to accommodate large groups. Although the food is still distinctly Japanese (they have a guacamole omelet!), it's some of the best Mexican food I've stumbled upon. Ole!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Nicole-san on March 23, 2007

Absolut Ice Bar TokyoBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Cool Times at the Ice Bar
A visit to the Absolut Ice Bar Tokyo can evoke any number of clichés about being cool, but the gimmicky lounge in Roppongi’s Nishi-Azabu District is just that. Kept at a chilly –5° C, reservations can be booked in 45 minute time slots. When coupled with the steep cover charge of 3,500 Yen ($35 USD), the experience seems like pure piracy. But 30 minutes in the subzero ice box is plenty of time to sip vodka cocktails and chill. The cover charge includes a sci-fi-esque cape and gloves and your choice of cocktail. The exotic drink menu features green tea liqueur, champagne and cassis concoctions, all mixed with vodka of course and served in a frozen tumbler. The bar also features a frozen love seat to lounge around, eskimo looking bartenders, and a "cool crowd." We had to huddle together to stay warm, but beware; if you happen to melt your ice glass you'll be charged another 800 yen to replace it...
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nicole-san on December 15, 2006

Yunnessun Resort and SpaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Hakone is a short one and a half hour train ride from Tokyo and is a popular area for Japanese hot springs, or "onsen." The traditional onsen are typically outside, scalding hot, and tinted yellow with a hint of sulfur. There is also a strict rule against swimming suits. For all of the above reasons, Yunnessun Resort and Spa is a welcome alternative among foreigners. With over 25 unique baths, it's easy to spend an entire day at Yunnessun. Favorites include the green tea bath, milk bath (with huge, ceramic cows watching over you),and a giant red wine bath. Yes, people try to drink the wine, despite all the signs begging you not to. An essential experience at the spa is the Dr. Fish Bath. Teeming with bacteria eating fish, you dip your feet into the warm, soothing water, sit back and squirm as the fish eat the garbage off the bottom of your feet. There were still a couple attached between my toes when I tried to get out. They must've found something good! The Spa offers many shallow springs for families and children. There are also a variety of restaurants and cafes,a relaxation lounge overlooking the mountainside, and massage and esthetique services. Don't miss the opportunity to sample a vending machine beer, easily purchased with a swipe of your electronic armband. The Spa uses a cashless payment system. Upon arrival guests receive a unique wristband which can be used at all of the dining facilities, vending machines, and spa services. Spending money has never been easier!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nicole-san on December 15, 2006

Yunnessun Resort and Spa
1297 Ninotaira Hakone Tokyo, Japan
+81 0460-2-4126

Ueno ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

On a spring afternoon, Ueno Park resembles the last train home on a Saturday night. The cherry blossom lined sidewalks erupt with locals and tourists alike, all scrambling for prime real estate under the sacred trees. Japan's largest public park is an eclectic mix of sights and sounds. Art afficionados can easily get lost in one of the many worthwhile galleries, notably the Tokyo National Museum, the National Science Museum, the Museum of Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Modern Art Gallery. The Ueno Zoo is nearby and is popular among families with children. Most of the museums close around 5 pm and dining facilities are overpriced and nothing spectacular.

Follow the masses away from the station towards the small street vendors for bargain shopping and cheap street eats. Shouting shopkeepers compete for your attention, and your pocketbook selling anything from cheap designer sunglasses to pounds of the day's fresh catch. Small stands sell mouth watering skewers of pineapple and strawberries for 100 yen, chocolate dipped bananas, and intoxicating takoyaki (octopus meatballs). The streets are chaotic, crowded and smelly, but you feel like you've stumbled into a bustling Asian market and you can find some good deals on souvenirs if you have the patience to crowd surf.

Ueno Park is also "home" to a large number of Tokyo's homeless. The community is orderly and close knit with many people living in makeshift tents. Rows of shoes are lined neatly outside of the shelters. Unfortunately the community has become as much of a tourist draw as the museums and the zoo, and people take photographs of the community without much regard to those living there.

Ueno Park is pleasant any time of year, but is most enjoyable during the sakura, cherry blossom viewing season. Just be prepared to rub elbows with the locals who set up camp underneath the trees with plenty of sake and a karaoke machine.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Nicole-san on February 25, 2007

Ueno Park
5-20 Ueno Koen Tokyo, Japan 110-0007
+81 (3) 3828-5644

Fertility FestivalBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Every March, a group of middle aged men carry an 800-pound, wooden phallus down the crowded streets of Komaki. Crowds of cheering and slightly intoxicated locals, foreigners, and pregnant women, push and shove for the chance to rub the sacred member which they believe will bring good luck and fertility. This eccentric festival begins with the offering of traditional Japanese sake, which is blessed and distributed among the crowd.

Before the 2.5 meter long phallus is carried ceremoniously into the “female” shrine, it is on display for the public to take photos with. Because the event is such a draw for tourists, the local media is eager to take photos of foreigners, in interesting poses in front of the phallus. My friend and I felt like celebrities as the cameras flashed and we were interviewed about our first impressions by the local news.

The festival begins around 2pm and lasts for approximately two hours. Throughout the day, cultural events take place, including a fan dance, a swashbuckling sword demonstration, and local musicians. The shrine is surrounded by vendors selling suggestive souvenirs such as penis lollipops, penis sake sets, and genitalia ashtrays. There are also yakitori tables, crepe stands, chocolate covered bananas, and deliciously grilled meats. The final procession of the sacred symbol ends at the entrance of the female shrine where the festival officials throw hundreds of rice cakes to the awaiting crowd.

A smaller, but equally unique festival is held on April 1 in Kawasaki at the Wakamiya Hachiman-gu Shrine which can be reached by train. Kawasaki Daishi station is a 30min train ride from Shinagawa Station. Take the Keikyu line to Keikyu Kawasaki Station and transfer to the Keikyu Daishi line. A one-way ticket is ¥230. The temple grounds are located about a 15 min walk away. You don’t want to miss it!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Nicole-san on March 19, 2007

Fertility Festival
Kawasaki Daishi Station Tokyo, Japan

Lava Hot YogaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Work up a sweat at Tokyo's "hottest" yoga and fitness studio. With several locations around the Tokyo area, Lava offers traditional exercise classes, in a heated studio. Classes cost around ¥3,000 for a one hour session and include bottled spring water, towels, and access to the powder room.

The classes are taught in Japanese only, but are easy to follow. Trial lessons can be arranged, but be prepared for the serious salespitch after your lesson. Other classes offered included Hot Kickboxing and Hot Hula.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Nicole-san on April 29, 2007

Lava Hot Yoga
194-0022 Tokyo Machida 1-15-13, 3F Tokyo, Japan

Enoshima AquariumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Overlooking the not-so-white sandy beaches of Enoshima Island, the Aquarium offers a world-class view of the marine life metropolis that lies just beyond the shores. Enjoyable rain or shine, the Aquarium is fairly crowded on weekends, with families and a lot of young children.

Admission is 2,000 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for elementary school aged children, and 600 yen for preschoolers. Group discount rates are also available.

The modern and spacious facilities feature separate rooms with individual themes such as salt water fish, an amazing collection of jellyfish, and penguins. The breathtaking floor to ceiling glass wall aquarium is brimming with exotic fish, sting rays, sharks, and colorful coral.

There is also a free dolphin show, which is a strange mix of Cirque du Soleil meets Seaworld. The trainers wear colorful costumes, and sing and dance, as the dolphins jump through hoops. The show wasn't as impressive as we hoped, but was still worth the time.

The Aquarium offers food and fresh fruit smoothies and an interesting "cola" flavored ice cream, but I recommend venturing outside the Aquarium and trying one of the restaurants directly across the street. There was a beautiful Hawaiian cafe, decorated with tiki torches and ukele music. The menu is definitely not Hawaiian but the curry is very tasty.

Enoshima Aquarium is a three minute walk from the Katase Enoshima Station on the Odakyu line. For more information, you can check out their website at www.enosui.com.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nicole-san on June 2, 2007

Zushi BeachBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Windsurfing at Zushi Beach
Beachgoers beware. Despite Japan's island status, white sandy beaches are nowhere to be found on the mainland Kanto area. Most of the oceanfront you wouldn't take a photo of, or even think about swimming in. Although Zushi beach is nicer and cleaner than its sister seashore, Enoshima, it's no walk in paradise.

About 15 minutes from the JR Zushi, or Shin-Zushi station, you will find Zushi Beach. It's a hot spot for wind surfers as the bay picks up some fairly decent breeze. Small beach bars and vendors line the coast, selling anything from yakisoba and beer to umbrellas and giant turtle floaties.

During weekends the beach is unbearably crowded, while the weekday draws mostly families and delinquent high school students (at least they looked like teenagers). There are some restrooms and showers near the end of the beach, closest to Red Lobster.

From Zushi station, walk towards Starbucks and Mizuho bank and go straight (the bank will be on your left). Hang a left at Ikeda Street, walk another 5 minutes or so, and turn right on Ginza Dori. Another 5 minutes you will see an open air surfer cafe and turn right. There should be a sign that says "Zushi Kaigon Entrance" or Zushi Beach Entrance.

Enjoy!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Nicole-san on August 16, 2007

Zushi Beach
JR Zushi Station Tokyo, Japan

911 BlackBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Despite its unfortunate location next to the seedy, infamously raunchy expat hangout, Gaspanic, 911 Black is an unpretentious lounge with good music and great service. Although small, the intimate club has enough room to dance, and corner tables to relax and spend your hard-earned money. The attire is young and chic, and the crowd is a little bit older than the J-pop teeny-bopper joints of Shibuya. Entrance is free, and drinks run about 400-1000 yen.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nicole-san on August 26, 2007

Bar 7HongiBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Bar 7Hongi, meaning seven trees, is a welcome refuge in Roppongi. The bar is said to have been constructed of seven large trees, which lends the intimate pub a grown-up treehouse ambiance. The bar offers a full drink menu and some small snacks. The wait staff are friendly and attentive without being intrusive. This bar is a great place to relax and kick back after a long week at the office.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nicole-san on August 30, 2007

Bar 7Hongi
5-16-4 Mikawadai Bld. 2F Tokyo, Japan
+81 (3) 3568-2227

About the Writer

Nicole-san
Nicole-san
Tokyo, Japan

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