Day 110: Tokyo Nights

Oooh wee, what a ridiculous day/evening. I should have learnt this lesson by now: Never assume you're going to have an early night in Tokyo.

The day started somewhat in reverse with a cheeky solo bowl of Ippudo ramen for lunch. It's so close to home and wayyyyy cheaper than the Sydney version of the stuff.

I then wandered into Omotesando and met up with Vivian for Sarutahiko Coffee. Sure, it's winter but I do love an iced latter. The cafe itself sat within a travel agent, which was kind of interesting because you could pick up travel brochures and dream of a holiday while you drink your coffee.

This photo may not look like much but it's got a pretty good story behind it.

After coffee I headed to the business end of town to meet with Lani and Adam. Lani saw this salaryman bar featured on Japanese TV and wanted to check it out. This bar is typically a mens only place which serves cheap sake and highballs out of vintage vending machines and self-cooked yakitori on open grills. It's hidden behind a garage (seen above) and you literally have to walk through cars to get to it.

After a little bit of searching we found the bar and walked in. We were in there for all of 10 seconds before the owner of the bar came marching up to us and told us we had to leave because women weren't allowed. 

Whaaaat?! Okay, I kind of expected it but when it happened it was a bit of a shock. What is this secret world that I wasn't allowed to see because I am a woman? Damn you hidden bar. Lani and I will return dressed as men and see what's up.

From the low of the salaryman bar we went to a riverside bar down the road. While riverside sounds lovely, the river isn't exactly beautiful and we were sitting beneath an underpass but anything by the water is nice and happy hour prices are even nicer.

Q: How would you describe the Illumination in Omotesando?
A: It's lit.

We headed to a party at Opening Ceremony in Meiji-Jingumae. A bunch of Lani's friends were there and there was free beer so helloooo fashion party.

After some drinks inside and outside Opening Ceremony we went to a local izakaya for some much needed food.

A surprisingly large crew of us ended up at this packed izakaya in Harajuku. 

Someone ordered everyone wasabi sushi which was painful and hilarious and dear-god-make-it-stop all at the same time as demonstrated in the faces of everyone in this photo.

Say cheeeeese.

Japanese Aussies in Tokyo. <3 you, Lani and Tsubasa!

This is where it ends and begins.

Forever documenting.

Order everything.

As I mentioned before, you should never expect to be going home early. I thought we would be done after the izakaya buuuuuut no. On to Shibuya we go...

Who wore it better?

This is at yet another bar we visited that night. I don't remember exactly where this is or what it was called or any details so that's useful.

We walked past a queue of very cold looking people waiting patiently. Apparently there was a Supreme drop or something. Now that's commitment. 

Stocking up.

Oh god and now for the Harlem part of the evening. Harlem is a hip hop/RnB club in Shibuya and I've only ever been there once in my life. Josh knew someone there so we got in for ¥1000 which included two drinks, so it was super cheap. It was a mix of Japanese people who didn't really dance and a few aggressive foreigners cornering girls. Those guys aside, it was a tonne of fun but Adam and I had to send ourselves home at about 3am.