Why Tokyo?
Tokyo, City of Contrasts-Where Old meets New
10 Interesting Facts about Tokyo. Tokyo is the capital and largest city of Japan, a global hub for finance, culture, and technology, and is home to the world's largest metropolitan area population. Situated on the island of Honshu, it blends modern skyscrapers with ancient temples and shrines, offering a wide range of cultural and commercial experiences from vibrant shopping districts to historic sites like the Imperial Palace.
The city's history dates back to its origins as a small fishing village called Edo, which grew into the powerful political center of the Tokugawa shogunate before being renamed "Tokyo," or "Eastern Capital," when the Emperor moved the official capital there in 1868.
CAFES
My favorite cafes in Tokyo
Little Nap Coffee Stand
Little Nap Coffee Stand This adorable little coffee shop is a must try for some delicious coffee and a pastry to start your day. I tried their caramel and fig bread and it was positively sinful. The cafe itself is tastefully decorated and the staff is incredibly friendly. While you won’t find much room to sit as it is a small space, you can stand by the bar facing the window or, if the weather is pleasant, there are a couple of tables outside. This coffee shop is a great stop on your way to the Meji Shrine as it's near Yoyogi Park.
Address:
5-65-4, Yoyogi, Shibuya 151-0053 Tokyo Prefecture
What I like about it
High-quality coffee, including filter options and seasonal single-origin pour-overs In-house roasted beans. Desserts like banana bread and cake Ice cream (with a recommendation for an affogato). Cozy, chic, and unpretentious Small indoor seating area, but with outdoor seating available Friendly and welcoming staff. Plays music from a turntable, contributing to its relaxed feel Often described as a beloved spot for both locals and tourists
Kawaii Monster Cafe
Want to visit the Kawaii Monster Cafe in Tokyo? It’s one of the most fun and craziest cafes I’ve been to. It’s truly a unique experience that I can recommend to everyone who would like to do fun things in Tokyo, no matter your age. The Monster Cafe is located in the Harajuku neighborhood, and it’s famous for its crazy and colorful designs and food dishes! Items like, rainbow spaghetti, rainbow playdoh cake, and rainbow cereals served in a cat bowl, just to mention a few, which all seem to be taken from out of this world. It offers the perfect mix between crazy and cute! i love the food's bizarre twists and colors.
Address:
YM square building 4F, 4-31-10, Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
What I like about it
The Kawaii Monster Cafe opened in 2015 by Sebastian Masuda. It has since become an iconic attraction in Harajuku and attracts both tourists and locals alike who want to have a good time. The restaurant concept is to showcase the original culture of Harajuku and visualize it in one place. The Monster girls working at the cafe are so-called “Harajuku girls” known for their fashion. Some tourists and locals take it a step further and add their own touch to the visit by dressing up in various ways.
Sanrio Cafe
On June 5, Sanrio opened the doors to SANRIO CAFE Ikebukuro. A directly-operated and permanent cafe on the first basement floor of Sunshine City Alpa in Ikebukuro, it's sure to put a smile on all Sanrio fans' faces, especially if you're a fan of Hello Kitty! SANRIO CAFE Ikebukuro is composed of two areas: a standard cafe space and a cafe wagon corner dedicated to takeaway. Here you can enjoy eating and drinking in the cafe space surrounded by your favorite Sanrio characters, or get some of the delightful drinks and sweets to go.
Address:
Sunshine City Alpa B1F, 1-28-1 Higashi-ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
What I like about it
At the Cafe Space, you're able to enjoy delicious meals surrounded by cute Sanrio characters. There's Hello Kitty and Pompompurin illuminating the walls as teacups, very cute! All seats within the cafe have Sanrio character plushies laid out, meaning if you come alone you're never alone!