We started the day with a return to Meiji Shrine, walking through the peaceful forest of Meiji Jingu like we hadn’t just spent the last few days being battered around by Tokyo’s chaos. It’s one of those places that immediately allows you to slow down, right in the heart of the city, its a calm natural space. It was busier than last we came, but we are now into golden week so this is expected but we found some quiet parts off the main path.
We made our way back to the husband and wife trees to reaffirm the blessing on our marriage. We did this on our honeymoon and things have been going well so far-figured it couldn’t hurt to top it up while we were in the area. A quick rinse of hands and mouth at the purification fountain on the way in, a respectful bow on the way in and out… unlike most Westerners who seem to treat it like a photo op at a theme park with better trees.
From calm and spiritual to absolute sensory overload in about 10 minutes flat, we walked over to Takeshita Street. This place is just chaos. Loud, colourful, packed, and full of things you didn’t know existed and still aren’t entirely sure you needed to see… Like a micro pig cafe. Yep, pigs.
We escaped upwards into a little café overlooking the street—prime people-watching territory. I ordered a chocolate latte, expecting a mocha. It was not a mocha. But it was still good, so I’ll let them off. Then, for leaving a Google review, we got free match gelato. It felt suspiciously like bribery, but honestly, it was such a nice little oasis above the madness that they probably would’ve got five stars anyway.
Refuelled and slightly more tolerant of humanity, we dove back into the madness and stumbled across an absolute gem—an anime and manga art studio selling everything from reproductions to original sketches and animation cels. Not prints. Not copies. Actual pieces of animation history.
They had works from Pokémon, Sword Art Online, One Piece, Akira, and loads from Studio Ghibli. Sketches, scene breakdowns, handwritten animation notes—it was incredible. This is one of those places you don’t tell too many people about… but also absolutely have to bring the right people back to.
And then we found it. A Haku piece for Aimi.
It’s the scene from Spirited Away where Sen presses her forehead against Haku’s nose. And that hit me harder than expected. That’s exactly what we used to do with our Akita, Haku. One of the last moments we had with him.
Yeah… bit weepy in a tiny anime shop in Tokyo. Didn’t see that coming.
But it’s perfect. That’s going on the wall. That’s not just a souvenir—that’s a memory anchor.
From there, we went in search of sushi. Naturally. But Kura Sushi had a two-hour wait, which was a firm “absolutely not,” so we kept walking.
That led us into the very posh part of Shibuya, where every restaurant looked like it would politely—but firmly—reject two sweaty, slightly dishevelled tourists in walking boots. So we did what any self-respecting baka gaijin would do and got lost instead.
Wandering through quieter side streets, we somehow found that miniature cathedral again just as someone was coming out from being married. Bit surreal. Bit lovely.
Eventually, hunger escalated into a situation. The meal monster Aimi arrived.
Sushi dreams were abandoned, and we ended up at a Hawaiian burger place. A far cry from our original plan, but honestly… it was excellent. The burger was spot on, the fries were amazing, and the lemonade triggered a very specific childhood memory of Spanish markets and something I remember as “grannythado.” No idea how that’s spelled or pronounced—but it’s lodged firmly in my brain.
Crisis averted. Aimi fed. Peace restored. But I am missing out on prime Sushi ops… this better not continue.
We then wandered through Shibuya Centre and finally found the “art” I’d been looking for—a completely random architectural feature I found on some instagram page or something… A staircase that winds up through a giant 3D sculptural “S” (for Shibuya, we assume). The outside is cold, grey metal, and the inside is all shiny purply-pink. It serves absolutely no purpose other than to look cool… which, to be fair, it does. Feels like an architect got a bit carried away and no one stopped them.
After a bit more wandering, we jumped on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and rode the entire length back to the hotel, just in time for our dinner reservation.
On the 26th floor.
With a view over Senso-ji, its five-storey pagoda, the looming Tokyo Skytree, and the Asahi building with its… giant golden sperm. I’m sure it has a proper name we will never use.
It was a bit drizzly, which actually made the view better. The Skytree faded in and out of the clouds like something out of a sci-fi film—very moody, very dramatic.
We arrived early—completely by accident, because I got the time wrong—but I’m claiming it as a tactical move to secure a window seat. Worked perfectly.
The food was excellent. Nearly the best steak I’ve ever had coupled with pretty much whatever else tickled your fancy. I had salad next to snails, next to curry, pizza and steak. It was definitely the most expensive meal we’ve had in Japan, but absolutely worth it for the quality, the range and the view.
Honestly, I wouldn’t bother going up the Skytree again. It’s better to look at it… with a very strong cocktail in hand.