We are now into the new year. Its open season for fukubukuro!! Also called lucky bags, retailers gather items into a single satchel and price them at value lower than their retail value. This creates the illusion of a bargain. The bargain is the breakfast the hotel offers each morning. Some locations even offer curry rice in the evening. Not many but I have missed out on it before.
This morning, I thought I would literally walk around the station. Adjacent to Studio Alta is an under track passage to the west side
The walkway opens up to Omoide yokocho. Mornings are not the time to come here as most shops will be closed. They come alive in the after the work day when people are looking for alcohol and food. The collection of parallel alleyways provide small izakayas to whet and feed your whistle
On the side that runs along the main street are a number of small shops and a Coco Ichiban
The west side is where the bus terminal resides.
I personally refer to this building as the crystal egg of Shinjuku. In reality, its called Tokyo Mode Gakuen
There these steps lined with additional shops that take you to the upper levels of the station. I vaguely remember going up this way to get some nice views of the area. This time was a bust
After this diner, stairs descend back down to the station at the south entrance. Walkabout was done so Im heading across town to Akihabara
Taking the Sobu rapid line to Ochanomizu and transfer to the the Chuo for the single stop to Akiba
Passing over Chuo dori, the main throughfare for Electrictown.
The red building is the Gigo, once a Sega arcade.
Its fairly early on a Sunday morning so Im not surprised to see the barren roadway
Proceeding east, we are just about to enter the station at the highest floor of Akihabara
If you walk north from here, like I have, you reach Okachimachi then the nearby Ueno station
There's a few places around Yodobashi to get some baked goods/dessert. Because the upcoming lunar new year is represented by the rabbit, some have thaken the theme to heart
Lucky bags. I dont have that kind of luck. Most of the items are probably things that I would have bought in the first place. Plus, at least this time around, I dont have the weight allowance to bring much back. I overpacked for the winter weather.
The space issue can be another factor. Some places have made it easier for shoppers up and tell you what they are packing
Many places that offer food like Mr Donut or Baskin Robbins even fast food joints will offer vouchers and gift certificates. Usually it would be more than what I could spend during the time Im in Japan
The top floor of Yodobashi has a number of restaurants and theres a large choice of places that offer meat. Instead, I had a plate of fried shrimp and scallops with an omurice covered in a tomato sauce enhanced with eggplant and mushrooms. Overall it was ok, nothing special
The drink bar included a small offering of mochi ice cream for dessert. Their main offering looks like omelette rice
Cant help but pass by so many places to get cakes and pastries
Little motivation to venture far from the hotel for dinner. Went to the nearby Matsuya branch next to Monggo Moro. The indonesian restaurant always had a line every night I passed by going to or from Toyoko Inn. Was not adventurous to try indonesian cuisine so I settle for the short rib set at Matsuya
For something a little sweet, I picked up this cream puff with a cookie crust and chocolate covering at a convenience store. It fulfilled its promise to make me happy with the cookie crunch pastry and snap of the chocolate. The filling was not too sweet. It was good
