Chiyoda & Shimokitazawa

For my last day in Tokyo I wanted to indulge a special treat ( yes another one , please dont judge me^^). Let’s go to Tokyo station.

This station have seen a lot over the years. From the Kanto earthquake to the bomb attack of WW2. The station has always been rebuilded in the same style.

We are in the district of Chiyoda. Already you can feel how different is that place. There is many salaryman. Everyone is dressed super smart here. This is a business district a bit like «Wall Street» in New York. The architecture is quite different too , it’s all very modern.

 

Tall modern buidlings.

Okay I have to say I got completely lost one more time. It tooked me a lot of time to reach my destination. Reading a map offline can be tricky I found. Especially when you drank sake the previous evening. Maybe that’s why I struggled ^^
The distance to walk in Tokyo can be quite big so bring some good walking shoes , you wont look like a fashionista but your feet will thanks you 🙂

Hidden in the middle of a small street in Ginza I have found my «Holy Graal».

Let me introduce you Hidemi Sugino patisserie. Hidemi is a master chef of patisserie. He actually wont the world price for that in 1991. This place had the reputation of having the finest cakes in Tokyo. Let’s try that !

Inside the shop you’ll find many type of cakes and a cafés. You can choose to take away but be aware that some cakes cann’t be taken away. The place was minimalist and very classy.

This is «Marié» , a raspberry / pistachio mousse cake. The texture was wonderfull. So light , fresh with an explosion of flavors once the mousse melted in the month. «Marié» is one of the two best seller here and cost 850yen (7.5 euro). Yes this place is expensive but cake is my religion so it’s okay.

This one is called «Charme» , a chocolate layer cake with cherries inside. The cherry on the top had a bit of gold on top of it. I’m eating gold , what ?? The flavor on this one was also great. It was milk chocolate which was pretty light too. The cherries gave a nice contract to the chocolate. This one costed 700yen (6 euro).

For drink i had a teapot of Roobois tea. This one had a good taste of lemon , great combinaison with the raspberry cake. So total I payed 20 euro. Yes it wa an expensive experience but I dont regret ti. Each cake was a little piece of art. There were full of taste and also very light. I didnt had issue to digest them (this was breakfast for me). If you are cakes lovers you might consider trying that place. Make sure you try their best seller «Ambroise» , a dark chocolate cake that I didn’t had the change to try as it was sold out. It open at 11am so try to be there on time if you want to experience this one.

After a great treat i’m going to a famous hipster district called Shimokitazawa.

Arriving at Shimokitazawa with a great weather. I have been pretty lucky so far with the weather. Autumn is supposed to be a good season to visit Japan. There is less rain than usual and it’s neither too cold or hot. Plus you can enjoy the autumn leaf colors.

Okay so why going to this place ? I heard that Shimokitazawa was a cool district full of young people. I wanted to see how the more alternative people of Tokyo lived like. This place felt like Koenji , young , artistic , vintage and relaxed. But bigger and older than Koenji.

Let’s start with a small lunch in of the cool restaurant around.

I tried Ojiyan for lunch. A japanese risotto with extra toppings including Natto. Natto is a fermeted bean. I was curious to try it since i’m in Japan. The taste was neither good or bad. Quite strong actually. The texture was odd. Natto is known to have many health benefit so I thought okay , just eat it man. It may take time to appreciate new food.
The Café itself was very cosy , a vintage vibe to it with some english rock music in the background.

After a light and healthy lunch i’m ready to dive into the heart of Shimokitazawa.

Many vintage shops.

Cool design.

Another trendy cake shop. Tokyo had so much theses. Temptations …

This café was serving a wide range of different coffee beans. I got a decaff from south america. A good little break. The owner was cute. I feel all these Japanese café owner are really cute ^^
The last colors of the day. Cool Atmosphere.

This place had really something different. Most of the tourist wont go to this district on their stay to Tokyo. It’s true that there is not many things to see or to experience compared to other district. But this place had a soul that goes beyond the eyes. You just have to experience it. I found this places equally as interesting than the more popular ones.
Like Koenji the street were full of vintage cloothing and many cool cafés. It was actually bigger than I thought. Here you can see some authenthic young Japanese lifestyle. I have seen many foreign people here. Shimokitazawa is more popular alternative district than Koenji.

To finish this last day in Tokyo I went to a cafés with a cute theme. Totoro from Miyazaki film ! To find it you have to walk 5min toward a residential area away from the shopping street.

Till you find a magical oasis.

Welcome to «Tolo coffee and bakery». A place were you can eat Totoro cakes ! This make me sad to eat Totoro. Look how cute is that little guy ^^
Inside you will find a creamy filling. You had choices between : chocolate , mango , raspberry , chestnut … You also have some seasonal flavors depending on what mother nature has to offer at that particular time.

The cafés was really cosy. It felt like a little nest. I had the chance to meet a great girl too (you will recognise you 🙂 ). Half Japanese and half American. I think they are called «Hafu» in Japan. «Hafu» stand for «Half» She lives in Shimokitazawa since 5 year and seemed to really loved it. It’s always inspiring to meet foreign people choosing to live away from their home. I think I get why people move here. I mean you can eat Totoro cakes. What else would you need ^^

Tokyo is vibrant yet peacefull. Super modern yet traditional. Tokyo is made of dualities but remain harmonius despite that. It’s fascinating to me. After 7 days here I realize that this city is a massive bubble with many bubbles inside of it. Tokyo feels like and endless Ocean with many different currents. An Ocean that feels safe. There is something to learn about Japanese culture. I only scratched the surface but what I have seen so far is inspiring. I cann’t wait to dive more into this culture.

My next destination is Kyoto. The old capital of Japan regarded as a high spirital place. This should contrast a lot with the super modern Tokyo.

I’m now writing for the Willer Express night bus to Kyoto. If you want to travel the cheap way in Japan night bus will be your secret weapon. For 100 euro I get 3 night bus across Japan. This turn out to be way cheaper that taking trains or planes.
You can also get different pass but make sure you buy it before coming here.

The journey continue.
See you for the next episode people.

I really like , Daisuki 大好き