Tokyo rivals New York in complexity and international flair. A vibrate city with traditions and customs that only a city like Tokyo has. Rarely do we go back to a city multiple times, but Tokyo is one of those cities that attracts us back every time we go to Japan. this time we specifically planned around Tokyo’s sumo tournament Aki Basho at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium. Held every other month in different parts of Japan, we were able to get tickets online for nose bleeds that still had an amazing view of the tournament dohyō (土俵), or ring. If there is a good match, the crowd may start tossing tatami mat pillows into the air.
The food here is fantastic. There is food from around the world, and specialties from different parts of Japan. We enjoyed going to Tsukiji Fish Market in the morning to get sushi from the inner market. We even tried the sumo wrestler (rikishi) stew or Chankonabe. That was an interesting experience but we probably won’t have it again. Having hamburgers in Japan, like at Burger Kitchen Chatty Chatty, surprised us because they’re so delicious. We also love potato chips so we found so many limited edition Calbee chips with flavors we’ve never seen before.
Parks and neighborhoods are always interesting for us to walk through. Some sites we went to were the Asakusabashi, Harajuku, Omote-Sando, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Odaiba, Rainbow Bridge, and Tsukiji Fish Market. Odaiba area has the full-scale Gundam, Aqua City, Odaiba Statue of Liberty, Oedo-Onsen Monogatari, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, and so much more. Afterward take the Yurikamome line to go across the Rainbow Bridge back to the Tokyo Station. We napped on the lawns of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Explored the Asakusabashi area and got late night baked curry at Stone. And we spent time walking the trendy streets of the Harajuku, and Omote-Sando areas. We would have done more but there wasn’t enough time to see everything. So we’ll have to come back again to do more.
Attractions:
Asakusabashi
It didn’t seem that touristy with lots of great food options.
Takeshita Street
Crazy street with interesting shops and kawaii fashion outlets. Tons of tourists here.
Harajuku
Trendy shops are found here.
Omote-Sando
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Odaiba
Rainbow Bridge
Tsukiji Fish Market
Set to move on October 6, 2018, it will move to its new location and be rebranded as Toyosu Market. So you won’t be able to see the inner market anymore but you will be able to visit the new location. The outer market will still be open. See the link below to see how to get to the new location.
https://www.japan-guide.com/news/0042.html
Ryogoku Kokugikan
Sumo tournaments are the only events that occur here.
Eats:
Chanko Tomoegata
You should try this once while you’re in Japan especially if you’re here for the sumo tournament. The sardine balls are delicious. We came for lunch and got “normal” sized portion of chankonabe. It’s good, but we just don’t crave it. But it’s still worth a try.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066459-d1678317-Reviews-Chanko_Tomoegata-Sumida_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
Burger Kitchen Chatty Chatty
This place is worth a try. if you are itching for a bit of Americana, you’ve come to the right place. And yet they still find a way to improve upon this American classic.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066459-d1678317-Reviews-Chanko_Tomoegata-Sumida_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
Stone
Good curry here. A layering of rice or spaghetti with Japanese curry and a good helping of cheese. Then bake it for a golden brown.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066461-d1690364-Reviews-STONE-Taito_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
Sushi Dokoro Yamazaki
Morning sushi was best here out of the two restaurants we tried. Their omakase is worth the dollars, but the wait was a terrible 2 hours. But once inside, you’re in for a treat and I would wait the 2 hours again… maybe… But with Tsukiji Market moving in October 2018, your morning Sushi fix may need to found elsewhere.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066444-d1572402-Reviews-Yamazaki-Chuo_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
Daiwa Sushi
Is there a difference between sushi restaurants in Tsukiji Market? Yes, there is. Daiwa has a good omakase, but we liked Sushi Dokoro Yamazaki more. Yet the wait time is significantly less than Yamazaki because they have two sushi bars and speed more people through their restaurant.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g14129610-d1689062-Reviews-Daiwa_Sushi-Tsukiji_Chuo_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
Sushidai
We didn’t get to try them. But we hear they are really good.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g14129610-d1663012-Reviews-Sushidai-Tsukiji_Chuo_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
Music
Song: Ikson – Horizon (Vlog No Copyright Music)
Music promoted by Vlog No Copyright Music.
Video Link: https://youtu.be/s9CnLO3zY84