Tokyo Gourmet Trip --Day 2 (Part 2: Hotel-Shinjuku 新宿)

13th May 2009

After the lunch, we wandered around the department store and the Tokyu Hand next door. At the basement food court, we found these Wagyu beef counter (black-haired Japanese cattle, the most well-known type is Kobe beef). Yes, they are expensive. But look at the marbles, aren't they gorgeous? In Japan, the basement floor of most major department stores are purely for food. There will be a wide variety of ready made food available from sushi to tempura at pretty decent prices. However, unlike other countries in far east, they are not proper food courts as there are no tables or seats for you to sit down. They are for take away only.

It's time to check in. We started to head back to the hotel. On our way back, we passed this Crispy Creme. I couldn't believe there was such a big queue for it. Is it just me or the Crispy Creme donuts are just mediocre. In Japan, they have a Japanese version of donuts chains called Mister Donuts. Their donuts taste miles better.

This is the hotel we will stay for the next 7 nights. Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku Hotel

This is our room. Small yet comfy. The bed is surprising comfortable. The hotel supplies all the amenities: Slippers, Shampoo, conditioner, liquid shower soap - all in large bottles, foaming face wash.. razors, q-tips, comb and brush, and toothbrush and toothpaste all in a basket. The black cotton buds, yes black, are the best ever cotton buds we have ever used. All these are refilled every day.

By this time, we were totally knackered and decided to sleep for a couple of hours. We couldn't even bothered to take a picture of the super high-tech toilet. We will come to that later.

Zzzzz...... 2 hours later, we woke up after one of the most deep sleep I have ever had. I will give crecit to the bed. But also because of jetlag. We are now ready to go out.

It's already in dark. Night time Shinjuku.

Let's get a drink from the vending machines. Have never seen so many vending machinese in a country. There are literally some on every street. Some of them even sell cigarettes. The price is reasonable(from 100 to 300 yen). Simon seems a bit confused.

Go to Day 2 Part 3