Valentine-Birthday Celebration
This brave soul is flying all the way from the West Coast, U.S. to be my Valentine this year <3
Bucket list
Thickest Udon in town
Pokemon Center & Sunshine City in Ikebukuro
Find Japan-made dark contour make-up
Fortune-telling
Happy Hour at Omoide-Yokocho in Shinjuku
TeamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills
Autra is celebrating her birthday this year in Tokyo, Japan!
I picked her up from her hotel in Shinjuku and had lunch at this popular local spot in Ikebukuro.
Thickest Udon for Lunch
Autra let me know she has an egg allergy, so I thought she would like to try udon.
Udon (うどん) is made of wheat flour, salt and water.
Udon is the thickest noodles compared to Somen, Soba, and Ramen etc. Udon does not have taste without the dipping sauce or soup.
Himokawa udon is a 15 cm wide thin noodle. It’s texture is interesting when it slides down your throat.
Himokawa udon originated from Kiryu town of Gunma prefecture, where it is known for textile manufacturing and kimono obi. Doesn’t it look like it resembles a kimono obi?
*English menu available. Check the items you want on the paper and give it to the staff. Cash or credit card ok. Be prepared for a queue on weekends.
Pokemon Center & Sunshine City in Ikebukuro
I do not recommend coming to Sunshine City on a weekend or holiday!!!
The kids, students and locals are all out spending time with each other at the mall like you would in your hometown. The lines for everything are crazy. Best to come on a weekday. It was Valentine’s Day, but everyone is either at work or school, so it was not busy.
Autra and her family are big fans of Pokemon.
The Pokemon Center is located on the second floor of Sunshine City. They also have Sesame Street, Kiddyland, Crayon Shinchan stores. Namco Bandai is located on the third floor for the Otakus.
There were Pokemon plushies that I have never seen before! My Pokemon knowledge stopped at Celebi. LOL.
Pokemon Sweets Cafe
It was impossible to get an online reservation for Pokemon Cafe, so we settled for the Pokemon Sweets Cafe. They only have take-out drinks and no seating.
Just take your photo and enjoy your drinks outside.
Pikachu Jelly with Soda Pop
Polteageist’s Aroma therapy Apple Tea
Pokemon sleeves (purchased separately)
*The soft ice cream has eggs, so we couldn’t order the Frappe drinks with the keychains. Even though I asked to not include the soft ice cream, it was against their policy to serve without it. Oh well, that’s Japan.
This cafe is directly across from the Pokemon Center where you shop for merch.
“Hey Bunny, where can I get some contour?”
I’m always up for a challenge! It is in job description to assist with personal shopping.
＠cosme TOKYO is the Holy Grail for makeup. It’s like a Sephora. Tax-free.
Japan is not great at providing makeup for individuals with dark skin. Our options were limited, but the staff managed to find the perfect shade for Autra. An added bonus was that it was a Japanese brand and it had a nice scent!
You can find this shade Neutral #84 by Decorté on the second floor at ＠cosme TOKYO across from (new) Harajuku Station.
Tip: There is also another makeup shop similar to this in Ikebukuro!
Fortune-telling
Autra herself, used to do tarot readings for others. However, she says it’s difficult to do tarot readings on yourself because you hope for a certain outcome. I took her to get hers done by a professional who can get her an accurate reading.
She did a 10-minute palm reading and a 10-minute tarot reading (both done by separate readers) and resonated with what they have said. I am very excited for what the future will unfold within the 6-month timeframe!
We later got a quartz crystal that the fortune teller recommended, and an obsidian bracelet to protect her from getting sucked into other people’s toxic energy.
Omoide-Yokocho “Memory Lane”
Omoide Yokocho is one of those places I would not want to come alone as a female solo traveler. The Chinese Mama sans can be rude and aggressive, while the Japanese Mama sans are friendly and love to make small-talk, but their English is not great at all, so it can get awkward… These izakayas are a hit or a miss, but having a drink here with good company makes the experience extra special! Just like that scene in “The Reluctant Traveler.”
Please be aware of the 400=600 yen cover charge! They will present a small dish that you didn’t order.
Half-Day Tour: Day 2 Shibuya
Autra had so much fun the day before that she booked a half-day with me the next day! I just so happened to be available <3
Autra wanted to start her day early, so we picked her up from her hotel and spent the morning together.
Grab breakfast at Starbucks to try their new Sakura items at Miyashita Park
Take the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing Photo and Hachiko Statue
Purikura Photo Booth
TeamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills
Sakura Frappuccino & Donut from Starbucks
We were so lucky that Starbucks released their new Sakura limited edition menu items on 2/15 that day!
I’m really glad Autra was able to experience how Japan does Starbucks because the U.S. does not offer this.
Autra was not sure if she liked matcha. I’m all about pushing people’s boundaries. So I gave her a sip of my cold Matcha Tea Latte to try. She didn’t love it, but didn’t hate it. She preferred the Hanami Frappuccino better. It was mildly sweet, which is just right.
*Everything shown has no eggs for those with egg allergies
Did you know that there are TWO Hachiko statues in Shibuya?
TeamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills
TeamLab Borderless relocated from Odaiba to Azabudai Hills on February 9, 2024. It is a new joint project between teamLab and Mori Building.
TeamLab changed my life forever, and it was how I got on “The Reluctant Traveler.” It’s been four years since I’ve been to a TeamLab digital art museum. The first time was when I went to the one in Toyosu (Planets) and Odaiba (Borderless) before it closed.
I can confirm that this digital art museum will not make you take your shoes, pants, stockings off like teamLab Planets. However, there are mirrors on the ground, so be sure to wear dark shorts underneath.
There is also a cafe inside. I highly suggest doing this as soon as you get in since the drinks can get sold out pretty fast.
Is it worth it? Yes!
Thank you for inviting us Autra!
Last Stop: Sayonara in Akihabara
We dropped her off at her next destination, Akihabara. She was on a mission for some anime-otaku stuff. It’s been on her bucket list!
The next day, Autra spent the whole day in Asakusa since she wanted to do a kimono photoshoot. I connected her with my favorite photographer who is also a certified kimono dresser. Can’t wait for the final pics!
FYI: She’s the one who took my photos that’s displayed on my homepage.
