Tokyo

Tokyo (東京) is the Center of the Universe (of Japan), it draws us all. It is not only the biggest, but also the most densely populated metropolitan area in the entire world.

It is the supreme of example of the "Japanese urban phenomenon". The longer you've been in Mie without seeing a big city, the more it will wow you.

Food and Drink

In general, if you want amazing Japanese food and you can't find it in Mie then your best bet is to head for Osaka or Kyoto. If you're headed to Tokyo on the other hand, you're best bet is to fill up on amazing (and authentic) non-Japanese food which you can't find back home in Mie:

• The Oven

  This is an all-you-can-eat restaurant that serves real rotisserie chicken, American-south style boneless fried chicken, hash browns, waffles, pasta, pizza, tacos, salad bar, dessert (the brownies come highly recommended), and more...all these tasty foods that are hard to come by in Mie can be yours on a buffet. Lunch costs about ¥1500 and dinner ¥2000, though it is about ¥500 more on weekends. Located on Odaiba in the 6F of Aqua City. To get to Aqua City, take the Yurikamome train from Shinbashi (Yamanote Line station) and get off the train at Daiba (台場) Station. Aqua City is about a minute walk from the station.

• Eggs & Things

  100% authentic breakfast-style food, served all day. Pancakes, waffles, french toast, breakfast meats, and more. Located in Harajuku near the major Jingūmae (神宮前) intersection, easily accessed via the Yamanote Line, the Chiyoda Line (subway), and the Fukutoshin Line (subway). See the website for exact directions.

  Be warned: this shop is extremely popular and it is best to show up very near opening time or after 4:00pm. At those times of the day, you may only have to wait 15~30 minutes to get in. However, if you go in the late morning or around lunch, you will be waiting over 2 hours to get seated! Even on weekdays!

• Frijoles

  This restaurant is essentially a Chipotle clone, if you miss Chipotle you will definitely appreciate this place. Located near Azabu-Juban Station (subway). Directions and map on the website.

• Cantina la Fiesta

  A great Mexican restaurant in Roppongi, about 5 minutes from Roppongi station. See their website for menu and directions.

• Junkadelic

  Yet another Mexican restaurant, about 5 mins from Nakameguro station. The food is fantastic and reasonably priced. If you're bored, the website is pretty entertaining too.

• TGI Friday's

  Chicken fingers, anyone? This American chain restaurant isn't much to write home about when you live in the US, but can be a welcome taste for those of us living in Mie as the food tastes basically identical to what you find in the US. The main locations are in Shibuya, Ueno, Roppongi, Shinagawa, Harajuku, and Ikebukuro, with a few outside of downtown as well (including one outside Sakuragicho Station near Yokohama's Minato Mirai. See the website for exact locations.

• Brown Rice Cafe & Deli

  A bit of a posh little vegan restaurant in Omotesando. It's a pretty stylish place, but the atmosphere is really chilled. There is a deli and a cafe on the premises. The deli is pretty small and has a small shop that sells organic foodstuffs as well as bentos, small lunch sets and sweets. The cafe is always really busy and you'll likely have to wait for a table. It has great veggie burgers.

Accommodations

• Ando Ryokan

  Several of us highly recommend this, very very affordable and funky.