Higashiueno

Tokyo—a city of over 37 million people—where the lights never dim, and something exciting is always happening. Yes, squeeze Canada into a city! But in Kanda, just one stop from Tokyo Station, you’ll find calm. Amidst the izakayas, karaoke joints, cozy cafes, and all the salarymen and women commuting, there’s this magical hush that greets you. A quiet so profound, it feels like the city is exhaling.

We rolled up to our Hotel SUI, and instantly, we knew we were home. Not because of the front desk greeting—oh no. It was because the Wi-Fi connected automatically the moment we walked in. No password needed. No awkward “Is it guest or guest_5G?” moment. Just instant connection—the hotel knew we were back.

But it’s not just the Wi-Fi that makes this place a gem. Every night, they host a happy hour with unlimited sake, soju, and some delightfully sweet plum wine. Two hours of liquid joy. Then comes the real fun—a takoyaki-making hour, where you get to flip those little octopus-filled balls yourself and enjoy free homemade snacks. Last time we stayed here, it was free ramen and udon provided, so clearly, this hotel’s love language is carbs—and we are here for it.

Our 12-square-meter room is what I call Japanese Tetris Mastery. The futon-style bed is raised off the floor, hiding a fridge, tea set, pajama drawer, and even a foldable chair underneath. Need a desk? Pull it from the wall. Need a shoehorn? It’s mounted there, too. This room isn’t small—it’s efficient. Marie Kondo would cry tears of joy.

Oh, and the bathroom tub? It’s so deep you can sit upright and still be submerged to your shoulders. Forget lying down—this bath holds you. I almost fell asleep mid-soak, which would’ve been the most peaceful drowning in history.

No first night in Japan is complete without a konbini run, so we hit up 7-Eleven for the essentials:
🥖Chocolate bun – My first of the trip, but certainly not my last. もちもち
🍵 Hot bottled green tea – Basically a hug in a bottle. おいお茶
🥪 Egg salad sandwich – Iconic. Cloud-soft. Perfection between two slices.たまご
🍓 Strawberry creamwich – My sister demanded a taste review, so I had to deliver (and yes, Tori—it’s amazing). いちご

Justin, fully in travel-zombie mode, waved the white flag and headed back to the hotel. But me? I wandered. That’s the thing about Japan—it’s so safe that even a female solo night stroll feels peaceful, not risky. Soft vending machine glows, quiet alleys, a few jingle songs, and that crisp night air—it’s everything I missed about being here.

Back at the room, I enjoyed my tea and sandwiches and hit the futon by 9:00 PM, ready to dive foodfirst into our first full day back in Tokyo 東京🗼。Read more