Shopping Day 1

We started the morning with buffet breakfast downstairs at Marble Lounge before making our way to the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum.
The weather was nice and pretty warm for Winter. It was nice to see the tail end of autumn leaves as we walk towards the museum.
The exhibition featured the largest showcase of HK merchandise, collaborative works with creative artists and other various sections to explore the uniqueness of HK since its debut 50 years ago. The visit brought back lots of childhood memories browsing through Sanrio stationery and stickers in Chinatown (Sydney). We finished our visit here with some shopping at the museum before lining up at the Sanrio bus outside for some morning tea. I got a kerokero kerropi crepe (matcha and red bean), while Ange got a matcha donut.
Next stop was Kappabashi Street; a shopping street between Ueno and Asakusa lined up with over 150 kitchenware shops. We only managed to visit a handful of stores, but invested in some special items made in Japan.
We randomly found a nice place for lunch; Asaksa Misojyu Soup and Rice. They do a simple Japanese meal that is healthy, tasty and reasonably priced.
We shopped at a Sanrio store before taking the train to Hiroo for our Japanese headspa. This was a first experience for both of us, and the 2 hour treatment did not disappoint (I dozed off). We received a scalp consultation, a 90min clean and massage, neck and shoulder massage and arm massage (this was an added extra). The salon is only small with two treatment rooms, so we had the whole place to ourselves.
We made our way back to Ginza afterwards and had time to browse Onitsuka Tiger before our 7.30pm dinner reservation. I had enough time to try on (and purchase) my first pair of shoes with this brand. Even better- they’re Nippon made, in my favourite colour and I received a good tourist discount 😍

We had a 15 omasake course dinner at Yakitori Hirano. The restaurant is quite small and intimate where we can all openly watch our meals being prepared and grilled. The dishes may appear small but we were so full by the 12th dish and could barely finish the rest. We did manage to find space for dessert though (egg pudding) 😋

We took the train back to Nishi Shinjuku and arrived back at the hotel around 10.30pm. It’s been a long but fun day with lots packed into 13 hours! I am so thankful Ange is great (& willing) to be the one looking at Google maps for directions and guiding me. I’m so used to Joel doing that, and am pretty hopeless with directions. I’m too busy taking photos and updating Find Penguins 😆Read more