Tokyo is a city that continues to change! Even after few months, maybe some restaurants or shops that we used to know can be replaced by something else … But not only, there are also spaces created entirely new! It can seems strange because moving around the city does not seem that there are many free spaces to build but … The Japanese take opportunities where you least expect it! A good example is the Shinjuku station! Built over the train tracks as a great bridge that contains shops and restaurants.

A novelty of the last months of 2011 is precisely this type. In the south of Shinjuku, Yoyogi more precisely, was created a village of food and life-style in a space disposed between office buildings, creating a point of interest where before was nothing.

The complex is called Yoyogi Village and is a collection of high quality services such as restaurants, cafes, soups and bakery shops and also a massage center and a travel agency. Everything was built inside of containers, like those that are on cargo ships. To enclose this space is a set of trees and plants selected and cataloged, it was almost like a botanical garden. The tranquility and the colors inspired by nature are the fundamental elements of the complex. Honestly I knew this place thanks to my Japanese friend who occasionally works in the restaurant. The restaurant is called Code Kurkku and looks like an Italian restaurant. I‘m Italian I did not think to get hit by this type of cuisine but I was wrong! The food is very interesting because the flavors mix is Italian and traditional Japanese and the result is excellent!

Prices unfortunately are not as excellent for a tourist visiting Tokyo that, like me, can not afford to spend too much! But a break for soup or coffee is absolutely affordable for everyone and very nice!

To reach the complex from Shinjuku you can also go on foot. From Lumine1 just take the road towards the Sunroute Plaza Hotel and once in front of the Yoyogi Station ( Yamanote Line ) take the second street on your right and you’re soon arrived.

Official website:

www.yoyogi-village.jp

tel. 03 6300 5231

In tokyo, opportunities to eat in a good restaurant, are really a lot! I really liked a restaurant in Shibuya, where the Japanese culinary tradition is merged with the more westerly one of Spanish tapas. 

The place is called 209, a name that recalls the most famous shopping center Shibuya 109, and in fact is very close. To reach the restaurant from the famous Shibuya crossing takes very few minutes! 

Looking at the building with the biggest screen where they are located StarbucksCoffee and TSUTAYA shop you must take the main road on the left that goes to the Dogenzaka districtt. At the corner  intersection where the Shibuya 109 is, go straight until the first road on the right. Just before Mos Burger. Turn right into the street and immediately you’ll see the orange sign of the restaurant 209.

Inside the design is very nice, you get a feeling of warmth as you enter. The scents are is not the classic of Japanese food, but it will be easy to feel the aroma of Gorgonzola cheese with red wine.

In this restaurant, the candles are everywhere and lights and very low but it’s not the classic romantic restaurant, but a place to relax and chat with friends eating delicious Japanese/Spanish tapas drinking some good wine or a fresh beer. The prices are really cheap and central location makes this a landmark in Shibuya.

A strange kind of soup Gazpacho-style

Marinated Salmon, rally tasty!!

Cheese Gunkan

The restaurant ( sorry for bad quality )

Omotesando is one of  the most elegant streets of Tokyo. Along this road there are the Japanese offices and shops of the most important international brands like Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Tod’s, Benetton, Max Mara etc..
It’s very pleasant drive along the road to watch the new designers collections, but most of all to see how people dress in this particular neighborhood. Students of fashion school lurk along the way doing Street-snaps right in this neighborhood because the focus on fashion is really important. It’s right in Omotesando Street that begins the story of Paradise Kiss !!!

Just along Omotesando, however there is also a really nice cafe called Tokyo Apartment Café.

 The peculiarity of this place is that every room where you can drink a coffee or eat a japanese burger is decorated as a private apartment. You can eat in the bedroom, have a drink in the kitchen, relax and read a book in the bathroom.

I was also very impressed with the menu printed as a newspaper, and ashtrays filled with ground coffee powder scented to absorb odors. I recommend this place for a pleasant break from shopping. The prices are really low despite the environment is really nice and pleasant.

Tokyo Apartment Cafè @ Harajuku

Green Fantasia 1F, 1-11-11, Jingumae,

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 Japan

Open. 11:00am_1:00am(Fri,Sat _2:00am)

tel. 03-3410-4101

www.harajuku-ac.com

Whenever I’m in Tokyo, I like to eat well, and a lot! After all I’m on vacation and I deserve it, like everyone else! In addition to delight me with Tsukune’s restaurant in LUMINE, when I’m in Shinjuku I always go in a fine restaurant which I think is called Tsukino Shizuku.

SHINJUKU

RESTAURANT IS ON WEST SIDE

The restaurant is located on the west side of Shinjuku station, in the direction of the Cocoon Tower and Yodobashi Camera. It is not hard to find, located above the Starbucks Coffee in front of The Suit Company shop. The restaurant is not at street level but is located at 2/3 floors of the corner building. However, there are several signs to find it.

THE ENTRANCE OF THE RESTAURANT ( 2/3F )

I stumbled into this restaurant the first time accompanied by a Japanese friend. The thing that immediately struck me was how to order food. In fact you do not have to ask for food to the waiter, but you must submit orders through a tablet like the iPad! The tablet is very convenient because there is also the English language with a description of the dishes. Unfortunately dishes pictures are associated only to the Japanese menu, but after a little practice you can identify them, if the English description is not entirely convincing, from the Japanese menu as the structure of the menu pages is the same for both languages.

A LOT OF SAKE

In this restaurant you can eat just about anything … Meat, fish, vegetables, fried foods, but most of all you can drink by choosing from a list of Sake, Shochu and Umeshu really wide! And all is really cheap , but the quality is good!!!!

Here some pictures of the dishes I tried :

FRIED MOCCI

ASPARAGUS WITH HAM

FRIED OYSTER

STUFFED SHRIMP

MARINATED SALMON

EGGS, BEANS AND MISO SALAD, EDAMAME

I really enjoyed!!!!!!!!