3.27.2023. Day 4. Ueno Park + Kanda Myojin Shrine + Kigawa + Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden + Omoide Yokochō. Taito City + Chiyoda City + Shinjuku. Tokyo. Japan.

On day 4 of Tokyo we were to meet up with my book editor friend Osaki-san for lunch. So we headed to Ueno Park first as it's en route to meeting him and it was finally not raining. We started the day at my favorite Doutor for matcha lattes and breakfast nearby before walking around Ueno Park.

Ueno Park
Uenokoen, Taito City
Tokyo 110-0007
Japan









Then we met up with Ozaki-san and headed to Kanda Myojin Shrine to pray before lunch down the steps at Kigawa (unagi restaurant). Then you are to pray again after lunch then finish it off with a amazake (non-alcoholic sweet fermented rice drink) at Amanoya around the corner and relax.

Kanda Myojin Shrine
2 Chome-16-2 Sotokanda
Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021
Japan
+81 3-3254-0753





Kigawa


Amanoya


Then Ozaki went home to continue editing his 4-5 photography books while we made our way to hanami (cherry blossom viewing) and serious people watching at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. The line to get inside the garden was longer than usual due to hanami. Which made for even better people watching for us! So many incredible outfits. We were in bliss. Everywhere we looked was pure visual delight.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
11 Naitomachi
Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014
Japan













Her Gucci. Her boots. HELLS YES.





Guys looking dope on any regular day. Pay attention Northern Californians. It's not hard.



Couples matching. Looking dope doing it. Yes please.

Then we headed over to Omoide Yokochō. Omoide Yokochō was established as a black market during World War II, and it's been preserved since the Showa Period. It's filled to the brim with tiny izakayas and bars.

Omoide Yokochō
1 Chome-2 Nishishinjuku
Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023
Japan



Randomly ran into Jeremy Strong here on the left.

My friend wanted a drink and I wanted to rest my feet, so we ended up getting a drink (oolong tea for me) at the tiniest Bar Albatross. It is the smallest bar either of us have ever been to. Most bars in Omoide Yokochō have a cover charge in addition to having minimums.