Day 66: Touchdown Tokyo!

We've hit the final leg of our trip. Okay sure, this leg is going for about six weeks or so but it's the final leg nonetheless.

We left a humid Naha in the morning, but not before I burnt my tongue on Estinate Hotel's free, extra delicious and extra hot breakfast. This is their "dome pancake" which comes out kind of puffy, with fresh fruit, maple syrup and in a hotter-than-the-earth's-core pan.

Checking directions to get to the monorail. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy that a legitimate form of transport in Naha is the monorail? It just reminds me of The Simpsons...

Adam's getting cash and all I want is said cash to get ice cream.

When we landed in Tokyo is was pouring and my one umbrella was deep in my suitcase. So when we finally got to our Airbnb in Meidaimae we were resembling drowned rats. But no time to dwell on that, my friend Mel and her boyfriend were in town (our Tokyo paths crossed for one night only) so we had to pull ourselves together and head into town.

First stop, Harajuku Gyoza Rou. It's somewhat touristy but it's so, so good. We went there at 4.30pm so we didn't have to wait in line. 

Come to me, friends.

We tried one of each type of gyoza.You know, for the full breadth of the experience.

After we'd sufficiently lined our stomachs with those little parcels of joy, we got a cab over to Park Hyatt's Peak Lounge in Shinjuku. This is something I do every time I am in Tokyo because it ticks a lot of boxes – great views, all you can drink and snacks.

I've said this before but I prefer the Peak Lounge to its more famous brother, the New York Bar because it still has a great view and has the little known all you can drink Peak of Joy menu for just over ¥5,000 per person.

These drinks always start so refined and then usually end up...

... somewhere like here.

We met my friend Tania and her boyfriend Piet for two hours of karaoke and yes, more all you can drink. 

Mel and Rob had an early flight the next morning and stayed out till 2am. I salute them for staying out that late and still somewhat functioning the next morning on the plane to London.

After we murdered a few great songs, we wandered to a bar called Koara in Shibuya and met a bunch of Adam's friends. Honestly, after two solid all you can drink sessions I was done. So done. 

And that was our first night in Tokyo. I don't think I can keep this up.