Tokyo Days 3–5: Neon, Pandas, and the "Pikachu" Reality Check
Dates: July 3 – July 5, 2024 Locations: Shibuya, Minato City, & Ueno
After kicking off our trip in Asakusa, we spent the next three days diving deep into Tokyo’s modern energy. From the world's busiest intersection to the quiet pagodas of Ueno Zoo, here is the breakdown of our mid-trip adventures.
Day 3: The Shibuya Scramble & "Face" Art
We started Day 3 leaning into the "Central Tokyo" vibe. Shibuya is a masterclass in urban energy, and we were right in the thick of it.
James’s Perspective: The Quiet Before the Storm
There’s a striking contrast in Tokyo that I never get tired of. We started at a local shrine—just a small, neighborhood spot where the air felt five degrees cooler. I caught a great selfie with Candace there; she’s becoming quite the little traveler. By afternoon, we hit Shibuya. Watching the girls navigate the Scramble was a trip in itself. We capped the night with a massive sushi dinner in Minato City—Sara and Cameron are basically pros with chopsticks now.
Middle of Shibuya Crossing!!!!
Selfie with Candace-cooling towels were super helpful in the July humid heat!
Cameron’s Perspective: My Face on a Coffee!
Today I ate the best onigiri ever for a snack from 7-11. But the coolest part was a cafe in Shibuya that printed my face right onto the foam of my latte! I don’t even drink coffee, but I didn't want to drink it and ruin the art. Everything in Shibuya felt like being inside a video game.
Unknown Cafe Gallery in Harajuku: 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 6 Chome−6−2 原宿べルピア １F
Day 4: Hachiko & The Pokémon Truth
Day four was all about the "icons"—the famous loyal dog and the even more famous Pikachu.
James’s Perspective: Is the Hype Real?
We did the mandatory stop at the Hachiko Statue. Standing there with Cameron, it’s a nice moment to reflect on the loyalty that story represents. Then came the Pokémon Cafe. I’ll be honest: getting the reservation feels like winning the lottery, but the food was honestly meh. It was lukewarm pasta and shaped rice that looks better than it tastes. It’s 100% about the atmosphere and the Chef Pikachu dance. If you aren't a die-hard fan, it might not be worth the stress of booking. It’s a "one and done" experience for me.
No crowds at 7 am! 2 Chome-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
Pokemon Cafe…very difficult to reserve, not sure it was worth refreshing my phone to secure a 2 pm resy the midnight before: Japan, 〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 2 Chome−11−2 髙島屋S.C.東館 ５階
Cameron’s Perspective: I Don't Care, It’s Pikachu!
Dad says the food was just "okay," but I didn't care because my hashbrown was shaped like Pikachu’s head! Everything was so cute, and we got to keep some of the plastic coasters as souvenirs. Even if the pasta wasn't the best I've ever had, I'd still go back just to see Chef Pikachu dance again.
Day 5: Panda-monium & Katsu Comfort
We dedicated our fifth day to the "green lung" of Tokyo: Ueno Park.
James’s Perspective: The Green Escape
Ueno Zoo is Japan’s oldest, and the pagodas in the background of the exhibits are stunning. It was hot, so we spent a lot of time in the shade watching the red pandas and the tapir. By the time we got back to Shinjuku, we were "tapped out." We found a small, local Curry Katsu shop. The smell of spiced roux and frying cutlets was exactly what we needed. Watching Sara and the girls light up when those crispy plates arrived was the perfect end to our day.
Terrific curry pork Katsu at Takahashi-super local restaurant: 2 Chome-6-3 Kamiochiai, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 161-0034, Japan
At our train stop by our Airbnb near Shinjuku
Cameron’s Perspective: Pandas and Penguins
Ueno Zoo was so much fun! I got to pose with the giant panda statues at the entrance. The real pandas were sleepy because of the heat, but the penguins were super active. My favorite was the red panda. For dinner back in Shinjuku, we had the best curry ever. The pork was so crunchy and the sauce was a little sweet. It was the best way to refuel!
Ignore Cameron’s face -Cameron: 9-83 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8711, Japan
Traveler’s Note: If you're visiting Ueno Zoo in the summer, hit the reptile house or the indoor bird sanctuaries mid-afternoon. They are usually well-air-conditioned and provide a much-needed break from the July humidity!
Tokyo Day 2: Ancient Temples, Futuristic Smoothies, and the Pancake Quest
If there is one "hack" for traveling to Tokyo with a 6-month-old and an 8-year-old, it’s leaning into the jet lag. We used our early wake-up call to beat the heat and the crowds, starting our morning with a mix of high-tech convenience and cozy Brooklyn-style slow living.
The 7-Eleven "Future" Breakfast CONBINI WIN
Our first mission was the 7-Eleven near Nakai Station. In Japan, the "conbini" experience is next-level. We tried the self-serve smoothie machine—an incredibly cool, futuristic process where you pick a frozen cup and watch the machine blend it to perfection right in front of you.
We stocked up on a variety of Onigiri (rice balls) and headed back to our cozy Airbnb. There’s something special about a quiet family breakfast in a local neighborhood before the rest of the city wakes up.
Asakusa: A Breathtaking Morning
By the time we reached Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, the sun was already out in full force. Even in the heat, the temple was breathtaking—the massive vermillion lanterns and the scent of incense in the air are truly beautiful. It’s a sensory experience that stays with you.
We’d heard so much about the "fluffy pancakes" in Asakusa, so we headed to Benizuru and put our names down. We waited about an hour, which is standard for such a popular spot!
- The Experience: The pancakes were beautiful, but for our palates, they were a bit more subtle and mild than expected.
- The Comparison: We realized we actually much prefer the soufflé pancakes from Flipper’s (the spot we love back home in NYC). Flipper's has that specific airy sweetness we were craving.
- The Local Win: Surprisingly, the simple bakery right near our Airbnb stole our hearts. Their bread had a perfect, golden-shattered crust and just the right amount of sweetness.
Beating the Heat: Marine Life & Black Sesame
As the midday heat began to settle in, we made a tactical retreat to the Sumida Aquarium to cool off. It was the perfect sanctuary for "little hands."
- Interactive Fun: The aquarium was packed with interactive exhibits that kept Candace and Cameron engaged.
- The Stars: We spent a long time feasting our eyes on the massive stingrays and watching the playful otters.
- The Treat: While watching the biggest stingray glide past, we snacked on some salty black sesame treats—the perfect savory-sweet balance.
The Lawson Comfort Dinner
As the sun began to set and the air finally cooled down, we headed back toward our neighborhood. For dinner, we decided on a Lawson run, and it was the ultimate comforting end to a long day.
There is a specific kind of magic in a Lawson meal: the creamy egg salad sandwiches, the crispy Karaage-kun chicken, and the warm, comforting bowls of instant ramen. It was the perfect, low-stress meal for a tired family to enjoy together back at the Airbnb.
Stay Tuned: Tomorrow, we’re heading to the Ghibli Museum—if we can navigate the bus system with the stroller!
