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Safe Places to Get Fugu in Tokyo

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Safe Places to Get Fugu in Tokyo

In this article, we want to recommend a few safe places to get fugu in Tokyo. You must have heard about fugu and know why the restaurant should be safe. But just in case you haven’t, fugu (河豚; 鰒; フグ, blowfish) is a fish which has tetrodotoxin in it and therefore can be extremely poisonous if not prepared properly. A chef who is allowed to prepare this fish has to be trained for at least three years and must hold a proper certificate. This issue is controlled by law. 

Despite the danger, fugu has become one of the most celebrated dishes in Japan. That is because besides tasting good, fugu is also rich in collagen, protein, and other vitamins. 

Although the liver is considered to be the tastiest part, it is also the most poisonous, therefore serving fugu liver was banned. And chefs who served it anyway due to the customer’s requested were suspended from their jobs. 

Because of its danger, the emperor of Japan is forbidden from eating fugu. However, we are not the royal family. So if you are willing to take the risk and try fugu, you can do it., especially when in Japan. Firstly, outside Japan, there are not many places serving this delicatessen. Secondly, rules regarding preparing it and selling it are more regulated here, in Japan. 

And these are the places that safe and good and most of them are very much affordable.

Tiger Puffer Fish Restaurant “Guenpin”

Guenpin is a restaurant specializing in fugu cuisine. On their menu, you will find the fish prepared in different ways, as sashimi, deep-fried,  hot-pot, BBQ, and more… 

The restaurant has many branches all over the country. We can recommend you the one in Kabukicho. 

Shop details:

1-2-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Sankei 55 Building B1F

12: 00-21: 00 (Lunch LO15: 00, Dinner LO20: 00, Drink LO20: 00).

Shinjuku Konaya

Konaya in Shinjuku is another restaurant that specializes in fugu cuisine. You can choose from several menus. The interior is very nice and very Japanese. It is highly recommended to make a reservation in advance.

Shop details:

7-13-5 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 12th Sankyo Building 1F.

11:30-14:00; 17:30-23:00 (LO food 22:00, LO drinks 22:30).

Ueno Fugu Kikuchi

Tasty, safe, yey very affordable fugu restaurant you will find in Ueno. This small shop became local’s favorite. You can find fugu dishes as cheap as ¥600-¥1,000 per dish. Of course, several course menus are also available. Be noted that the reservations should be made by phone only. 

Shop details:

1-12-2 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Kameda Building 1F.

16:00-21:00. Can be open for lunch if you make a reservation in advance. 

Tora Fugu Tei Shibuya

Tora fugu Tei is a fugu specialty shop with many locations across the city. One of them is in Shibuya, which makes it very easily accessible. A la carte menu and lunch and dinner courses available. Everything is reasonably priced and the variety is pretty good.  What is so special about this restaurant is that they offer take-away. Now you can enjoy well and safely prepared fugu dishes at home. 

Shop details:

5-6 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo King Building 1F.

Lunch: 11:30-14:00（L.I.13:30、course LO13:00), Dinner:
Mon-Fri. 17:00〜20:00 (L.I. 19:00)
Sat, Sun, Holiday 16:00-20:00 (L.I. 19:00).

Usuki Fugu Yamadaya Nishi-Azabu

If you are feeling fancy and want to take the most from the tasting fugu fish experince, we recommend, that you go to “Usuki Fugu Yamadaya Nishi-Azabu”, which is a branch of an established fugu ryotei in Usuki, Oita Prefecture. It is a 2-Michelin star restaurant and one of the leading high-class fugu restaurants in Tokyo. On their menu among others, you will find thick-cut tsukuri, seasoned with ponzu of kabosu, and karaage seasoned with spices. 

Shop details:

4-11-14 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo FLEG Nishiazabu Vierge Basement A.

18: 00-24: 00 (LO22: 30).

If you decide to try the fugu fish, we hope you use one of our recommendations and of course that you like the taste!

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Books in foreign languages in Tokyo

Books in foreign languages in Tokyo

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Books in foreign languages in Tokyo

We live in a digital world, when it doesn’t matter where you are, you can find a book you need and get it on your device anytime. However, there are still these weird 🙂 people, who like the smell of paper and like to hold a real book in their hands. If you are one of them, this is a post for you. After reading it, you will know exactly where to find books in foreign languages in Tokyo.

Kinokuniya Shinjuku South:

There are two branches of Kinokuniya in Shinjuku. One close to Isetan, and another to Takashimaya. You are looking for the latter one. It has an impressive collection of books in English. All the bestsellers, fiction, non-fiction, and Japanese authors translated into English. Literally, anything you might want. They also have sales, so it is worth checking their Facebook page for more details. Besides the books in  English, they also carry books in German, French, and Spanish. 

Yaesu Book center:

Another shop offering a big variety of books in English is Yeasu Book Center which is located close to Tokyo Station. You can easily get here from any part of Tokyo and almost certainly you will find what you are looking for. The non-fiction section is especially large here. 

Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store:

Another store nearby the Tokyo Station is Maruzen Marunouchi. Also here you will find the latest publications from the English-speaking world, as well as some more rare ones. Plus, here you can find many books for kids and many magazines. 

Jimbocho:

Jimbocho is not a bookstore, it is a whole district in Tokyo known as “Book Town”. There are literally hundreds of bookshops in this area. Selling anything from the newest publications to the books from the Edo period. New books and second-hand shops, Japanese books and books in many many foreign languages. The shops you should check, are Ogawa Shoten, Nauka Japan (Russian), Tamura Bookstore (French, German).

Craigslist:

Aside from the physical shops, you can find books on Craigslist, too. The website is a huge advertising platform, where you can buy and sell anything, starting from small home appliances to houses and cars. Obviously, books are one of these categories, too. As most of the books are second-hand, the prices are cheaper than at the shop, and this is a huge bonus. 

Public Libraries:

Lastly, please do not neglect the city and the ward libraries. Even the smallest ones tend to have books in foreign languages. If you do not see it, just ask, and you will be surprised what gems you can find there. And the cherry on the top is that the public and municipal libraries are absolutely free. 

We hope this article will make your expat life a little bit easier.  If you have any other recommendations, please leave them in the comment section.

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Best spots to buy bread in Tokyo

Best spots to buy bread in Tokyo

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Best spots to buy bread in Tokyo

Many expats in Tokyo constantly complain that there is no decent bread in Tokyo. They claim that the only bread you can find here is a cheap fluffy sweet white bread from a convenience store. And this is the biggest lie! First of all, even this so-called 食パン (shokupan) is not bad at all, it is just different from the western types of bread. But besides that, there is plenty of bread options in Tokyo, from all over the world. In this article, you will find recommendations for the best spots to buy bread in Tokyo, where you can get French, Italian, Finnish, and other types of bread.

Viron

Viron is not the first but definitely one of the most famous and popular french boulangeries in Tokyo. This shop has two branches, one in Shibuya and one in Marunouchi. Freshly baked bread, sandwiches, and pastries make it place so popular, that to get there for the breakfast is almost “mission impossible” but totally worth it. Highly recommend trying this place.

Levain Bakery

Levain Bakery was one the first bakeries to use wild-yeast to make their bread. It is owned by a lovely couple who make their bread with healthy and organic ingredients on a site. Their bread is worth every yen you pay for it.

Vaner

Vaner is a craft bakery located in Yanaka. The owner learned the art of baking in Oslo, and now the shop focuses on Norwegian-style sourdough bread. Along with the bread, you can find here traditional sourdough cinnamon rolls, cardamon rolls, and croissants.

Linde Kichijōji

If you are looking for German-style bread, you have a few options. One of them is Linde. Here you can get multi-grain bread, pumpkin seed rustic loaf, pretzel, and more. The main branch is in Kichijoji, but you can find their bread also in the supermarkets such as Peacock and Precce across the city or just buy it online. 

Princi

Princi is an Italian bakery named after its founder Rocco Princi. The bakery has locations in several countries and Rocco controls the quality of his products himself by traveling between these countries. In Tokyo his bakeries located in Daikanyama, Nakameguro, and Ginza. The bread is super high quality and very tasty. While seasonal baked goods might be a bit pricey, the bread itself is more than affordable!

Ozo Bagel

If you like New York-style bagels, you are going to love Ozo Bagel. It is flavorful, and it has a great aroma and a great texture. It is big and very satisfactory. Along with the classics, a few original flavors and sandwiches are also available.

Poko Bagel Cafe

For those who prefer Montreal-style bagels, we have got you covered too. Poko bagel is located in Minato ward, not too far from the Tokyo Tower. It is a small cafe where you can get bagels, bagel sandwiches, cakes, and very tasty cornbread.  You can eat inside or buy and enjoy the treats at home.
 

Besides the specialty shops and bakeries, these days you can find foreigner-style bread even at the supermarkets. At Nissin and National Azabu, you will find Russian Borodinsky bread. At Gyomu super you will find Taiwanese bread, Indian bread, and other Asian dough products. Seijoishii and Kaldi sell European and Scandinavian bread. (More about these supermarkets, see in our other article.)

After reading this article you cannot complain that there is no good bread in Japan. There is actually too much of it. Now you need to find time to try them all.

P.S…

Fun Fact: You would probably expect that young people buy more bread here in Japan. But it is actually the opposite. The biggest consumers are people in their 70’s. That is because right after the war there was a shortage of rice, and Japan got a supply of wheat from the states. The kids were eating sandwiches at school as their lunch and got used to it (and now those kids are in their 70’s).

Fun Fact 2: People buy more bread in Kansai region. Tokyo is not even in the top 10 bread-consuming cities. Why? Firstly, because in the begging many foreigners were settling in Kobe and brought the bread culture there first. Secondly, because in Kanto it was common to cook rice at lunchtime and then to eat the leftovers in the mornings. While in Kansai, they used to cook the rice in the morning. Thus, instead of cooking rice, they adopted the culture of having bread for breakfast. 

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Best International Supermarkets in Tokyo

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International Supermarkets in Tokyo

It is undeniable that Japanese supermarkets look very good. They are very organized, selling many kinds of rice, many tasty-looking bento lunches, the freshest fish and seafood, and so much more. But sometimes you just crave something from your home, from your country. Sometimes you want to have something more familiar, or simply taste something else, rather than the sushi, soba, and katsu-sando. Therefore we prepared a list of the international supermarkets in Tokyo.

Nissin World Delicatessen

Nissin is a supermarket conveniently located in Minato ward, not too far from the Tokyo Tower. There are three floors. On the first one, you will find a flower shop. On the second a wine shop. And on the third floor a big international supermarket with products from all over the world. Many rare kinds of cheese, bread, pasta and cereal, sweets, and snacks. The prices are not always cheap, but they have sales and point cards, which can reduce the costs significantly. 

National Azabu

National Azabu in Hiroo is probably one of the most famous international shops in Tokyo. And for a good reason. On the first floor, they have many imported products, deli, etc. On the second floor, they have a small shop with stuff for party decorations, and also a big shop selling all you need for your kitchen and your home. The prices are on the expensive side, but this can be a nice treat from time to time.

Kaldi

Kaldi is a Japanese supermarket located in many central locations usually close to a station. This shop started as a coffee bean shop, but now you can find here many products imported from all over the world. They also sell many seasonal treats and many health products and superfood. Unlike some other shops, that specials in foreign products, Kaldi is relatively cheap. Even buying cheeses, meat, or healthy cereals will not leave you broken. 

Picard

Picard is a famous French shop selling frozen food. They have several locations in central Tokyo. Here you can find frozen vegetables, fruits; frozen pre-made dishes that you only need to drop into the oven or the microwave; french desserts, and more. Everything tastes pretty good and looks absolutely amazing as if it came from the hands of the best French chefs.

Costco

Costco is an American wholesale corporation, which operates a chain of membership-only warehouse clubs. They have a few locations in Japan as well. It is not always convenient to get there, but it is worth going if you need to buy big amounts of food for a reasonable price. Of course, you will find there many familiar, especially for the Americans, products. Big variety of meats, fruits, canned food, etc.

Gyomu super

We have mentioned Gyomu supermarket in one of our previous posts. And we will say it again, this supermarket is pretty good. At Gyomu supermarket you will find a big variety of imported products for a very good price. There are products from Europe, Asia, States, NZ, etc. So definitely check-out your closest Gyomu branch.

We hope we got you covered for those moments when you want to get something more western. Let us know what your favorite international supermarkets and places to shop in Tokyo and the surroundings.

 

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car and mt. fuji

Everything you should know about renting a car in Japan

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Everything you should know about renting a car in Japan

As long as you are staying in Tokyo you do not really need a car. That is because owning a car here is more expensive than a train fee. You will need to look for parking. You also might get into traffic jams. But sometimes having a car is convenient, especially when you decide to travel, as the bullet trains (shinkansen) are expensive and getting to and from the airport takes precious time. Moreover, public transportation in rural areas is much less frequent and convenient than in Tokyo. Thus, you might want to rent a car for such occasions. In this article, we bring to you everything you should know about renting a car in Japan.

Driving License:

First of all, in order to be able to drive a car in Japan, you must be at least 18 years old and have a special driving license. You need to get International Driving Permits (IDPs) issued by a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention, the only one which is recognized as valid for driving in Japan. An IDP on the other conventions or treaties, including the 1969 Vienna Convention, is invalid.

It is different for people with a driving license from the following countries: Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, Estonia, and Taiwan. For more details please click here.

Remember that IDP is not a replacement for the driving license and is valid for 1 year only. Hence, if you are a foreigner staying in Japan long-term, you will need to acquire your own Japanese license. Details about the switching process you can find here.

Renting a car:

Renting a car in Japan is not so much different from the same process in other countries. It is highly recommended to book your car in advance. On the web you will be able to choose the days, starting and returning point, and a car type. You can also come directly to the agency on the same day you need a car, but in this case, you risk not getting the car you wanted.

Prices:

On average a price for a day should be around ¥10,000/day, depending on the type of car you choose and the distance. You can compare the prices on this website.

Insurance:

The basic compensation insurance is usually already included in the fee. However, you might want to confirm with the agency about any additional costs in case of an accident or emergency. Many of the agencies have safety plan that can be purchased as well.

Tips:

– There are many paid tolls. You should get yourself an ETC card, so you will be able to pay automatically instead of being constantly worried about the exact change. The card can be rented from the renting agencies for a symbolic payment.

– If you are going to Hokkaido or Kyushu, check their expressway passes (Hokkaido Express Pass and Kyushu Expressway Pass). Depending on your itinerary, trains might be more convenient and cheaper. 

– Make sure your car has a multilingual navigation system.

Please remember that renting a car can be a great option when traveling. But it all depends on where you go, how many people, etc. Some more popular destinations have good public transportation access to them and many discounted passes. If you are interested to save yourself some money, always check all these details before you go on your trip to Japan.

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St. Luke’s International Hospital

Good Foreigner-Friendly Hospitals and Clinics in Tokyo

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Foreigner-Friendly Hospitals and Clinics in Tokyo

Feeling unwell and falling ill is never a pleasant experience. But it becomes even more challenging when the language barrier prevents you from receiving proper treatment. The Japanese language can be complex, making communication difficult, especially in a hospital setting.

While Japan is often associated with limited English proficiency, Tokyo boasts a decent number of clinics equipped to assist English speakers.

Allow us to introduce you to some of the foreigner-friendly hospitals and clinics in Tokyo.

Centre Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine

Address: 162-8655, Tokyo, Shinjuku, Toyama 1-21-1.

Nearest station: Wakamatsu-Kawada Station.

TEL: +81-3-3202-7181

International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital

Address: 1087-8329, Tokyo, Minato, Mita 1-4-3 Mita.

Nearest Station: Akabanebashi Station.

TEL +81-3-3451-8121

St. Luke’s International Hospital 

Address: 104-8560, Tokyo, Chuo, Akashicho 9-1.

Nearest station: Tsukiji Station.

TEL:  +81-3-5550-7166

Keio University Hospital

Address: 160-8582, Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shinanomachi.

Nearest station: Shinanomachi Station, Kokuritsu-Kuogijo Station.

TEL: +81-3-3353-1211

Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital

Address: 150-0013, Tokyo, Shibuya, Ebisu 2-34-10.

Nearest station: Hiroo Station.

TEL: +81-3-3444-1181

We hope you won’t find yourself needing the information above too frequently, but your health should never be overlooked.

For emergencies and routine check-ups alike, rest assured that there are options available even if you’re not fluent in Japanese.

Here’s an important tip: When seeking medical care, be mindful of how you communicate your needs. If you simply state that you want a periodic check-up because you’re feeling fine, your insurance might not cover the visit, leaving you to foot the entire bill. Instead, it’s advisable to mention specific health concerns or follow-ups on previous appointments to ensure insurance coverage. And always verify that the services you’re seeking are covered by your health insurance to avoid unexpected costs.

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Hotel Gajoen

Cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea sets

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Cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea sets

If you live in Japan long enough you know that it is all about seasonal products and food. In spring before and during the cherry blossom season, many cafes and restaurants offer Sakura-themed menus. In this article, we want to introduce you to some of the cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea sets.

The Strings Omotesando

Regular price: ¥6,152

Ozmall discounted price: ¥3,980

Zelkova A at the Strings Omotesando is a chic café where from your seat on their terrace you can enjoy the fashionable and vibrant Omotesando street.  Every season they change their afternoon tea menu. This spring they offer Sakura and strawberry flavored desserts. You can enjoy those along with a free flow of the TWG tea and coffee, as well as one complimentary glass of sparkling wine.

The deal is available for groups of 2-6 persons until April 25.

Rhythmos Cafe and Bar

Regular price: ¥8,602

Ozmall discounted price: ¥5,000

Rhythmos is located on the 26th floor of Intercontinental Strings hotel in Shinagawa. It is a beautiful stylish bar that is now offering Sakura, cherry, and strawberry desserts afternoon tea. Here you can also enjoy the free refills of tea, coffee, juices, and even one non-alcoholic seasonal cocktail. In many places, the afternoon tea sets are available for 2 people or more, but here you can enjoy a relaxed afternoon even alone. Unbeatable offer indeed!

The deal is available for groups of 1-8 persons until April 30.

Crystal Movement Lobby Lounge

Regular price: ¥3,960

Crystal Movements is a European-style lounge at the Tobu Hotel nearby Kinshicho station. For slightly less than ¥4,00o you can get a beautiful set of sweets and sandwiches, free refills on the drinks, a cocktail (mocktails are available too) for as long as 3 hours!! Great opportunity to catch up with the dearest friends.

The deal is available for groups of 2-4 persons until April 30.

St. Raphael Chapel Ginza

 Regular price: ¥4,500

A wedding venue that was open in June 2020 is now offering a pink-themed afternoon tea set. The sweets include all the flavors from sakura, to raspberry, to ruby chocolate. The savory food is very unique too. Additionally to the standard set, you will get Chef’s LIVE dessert plate. One welcoming drink and free flow of more than 10 kinds of teas will be available for you for 2 hours. And they are offering this deal to those who want to come alone or as many as 15 other people. Definitely check this one out!

The deal is available for groups of 1-16 persons until March 31 on the weekends and national holidays.

Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

Regular price: ¥4,400 (service fee is not included).

Hotel Gajoen is offering a special spring afternoon tea set. The flavors include Sakura, matcha, chocolate, strawberry, cherry, and even sweet bean paste. The savory part includes salmon and a cold matcha soup. All the desserts are accompanied by seasonal tea and coffee refills.

Hotel Gajoen located in Meguro, which puts it within a short walking distance to probably one of the most famous cherry blossoms viewing spots – Meguro river. However, it must be said, this place itself is absolutely amazing. Definitely see it all.

The deal is available from March 20 until April 11.

Le Jardin Lobby Lounge

Regular price: ¥4,950 (consumption tax included, the service fee is not included).

Le Jardin is located in Chinzanso Hotel, which is one of the oldest hotels in Tokyo. It has an absolutely stunning park next to it and it is an absolute must-visit. Make this visit even more memorable with an amazing afternoon tea set which will be offered there during March and April.

High-end western and Japanese desserts, a light meal, and a free flow of tea on coffee will be served from 12 PM until 6 PM.

The deal is available from March 18 until April 11. A reservation only, at least one day before.

 

Make this year’s cherry season memorable for your eyes and for your stomach. Definitely use the available discounts to enjoy some more unique spaces and food.

St. Raphael Chapel GinzaLe Jardin Zelkova A

              

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Point Cards You Should Have

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Point Cards You Should Have

Every time you buy something in Tokyo, you are asked if you have a point card from that shop. Many people say that they don’t have any. Even though they buy stuff from this shop at least a few times a week. It happens because these people believe it is tricky or complicated to register and use the cards. However, it is actually very easy and you can use your earned points for future purchases.

T-Point Card

One of the major point cards in Japan that you can use at Family Mart, Softbank, Tsutaya, etc. is the T-point card. With this card, you are going to get 1 point for every ¥100 you spend. Softbank users can get even more points from this card when they use Yahoo Shopping.

Sign up  (Japanese)

Rakuten Point Card

Another common point card that can be used at Rakuten Group shops, Lawson, Mc’donalds, and ANA. Also, with this card, you earn 1 point for every ¥100 you spend. If you like online shopping and have a Rakuten account, you can earn these points pretty quickly and then use them for Rakuten in campaigns or just pay with these points.

Sign up (Japanese)

Credit cards from major department stores

If you come to Japan and you need a Japanese credit card, consider getting it from one of the major department stores, such as Isetan, Takashimaya, or Lumine, for instance. They are easier to get than those you can get from a bank. They also usually have a loyalty system, by giving you points for the purchases you make with the card. Just like with other cards, these points can be later used for additional purchases.

Be noted, that unlike with point cards, in order to get a credit card, you will need to present more than just basic info. You will even need to show your early income and your workplace.

Even though it might seem at first that what you earn with the point cards is not that much, it accumulates. Every time you postpone your registration, you are losing money. So next time, when you are asked about one of these cards, say “no”, but also say that you would like to make one now.

Happy shopping!

 

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Halal Food Recommendations in Tokyo

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Halal food recommendations in Tokyo

Just like many other food options, a few years ago it was almost impossible to find any halal food in Tokyo. But with the increasing number of tourists and immigrants from Muslim countries, halal food is becoming more and more available. There are halal restaurants, halal shops, and even some Japanese supermarkets have a selection of halal items. In this article, we are bringing our halal food recommendations in Tokyo.

Restaurants and stands:

Saray Kebab Okubo Station

This kebab stand is located just across the street from Okubo station on the Chuo line. They serve absolutely mind-blowing chicken and beef kebabs. You can get those with rice or as a wrap. There also some vegetarian options with rare for Japan cheese options, such as feta cheese and halloumi cheese. The prices are more than reasonable, portions are generous, and the service is warm and friendly as appropriate to Middle Eastern people. No wonder that almost any time of the day there is a bit of a line, but it is totally worth waiting.

Abu Esaam Kagurazaka

Amazing café/restaurant that servers traditional Egyptian and middle eastern food. Located in posh Kagurazaka, packed with French and Japanese joints, this small shop provides a great alternative for those who cannot have pork or alcohol or simply love a good kebab. At Abu Esaam they serve anything from traditional kebabs, to big hearty turkey dishes, Egyptian soul food koshary, and even sweets, such as an amazing kanafeh. The owner and the party chef, both are super kind and welcoming. 

Sushi Ken in Asakusa

Even though it is great to have familiar food choices, if you want to try probably the most popular Japanese dish, which is, of course, sushi, we can recommend Sushi Ken in Asakusa. For sushi restaurants, it is especially difficult to get halal certification, because alcohol is used for making sushi rice. Yet, Sushi Ken made an effort and now they also serve a Halal sushi plate. The prices are affordable, only about ¥1,300 for lunch. And they even have a prayer room in the restaurant. We think, all the above makes this place a must-visit.

Tokyo Chinese Muslim Restaurant 

This place has been operating since 2014. The chef is Muslim and there is absolutely no use of pork in their dishes. They serve some of the most popular Chinese dishes, such as mapo dofu, but instead of pork, they use beef or lamb. The reviews say that the food is so good, that some prefer this restaurant over the more traditional Chinese places.

Supermarkets:

Gyomu super

Gyumu is a Japanese supermarket, famous for selling local and imported products for unbeatable prices, the cheapest you can find in Japan. Also, they have a great selection of halal-certified products from abroad. For more details, you can check the “halal food” page on their website.

Shinokubo station

Shinokubo used to be called a Korean town, but nowadays along with Korean residents and their food culture, there are many residents from other countries, mainly from Islamic countries. This led to an explosion of halal-friendly restaurants and shops. You can dine-in or buy it home. They sell everything from fruits, to meat, to grains, species, and sweets. Everything looks and tasted super authentic.

Halal shop inside “Tokyo Camii”, Japan’s largest mosque.

This shop was opened less than two years ago nearby Yoyogi-Uehara station, inside the mosque itself. This shop is different from others because here you can also find halal products that were produced in Japan. For example, a normal soy sauce has a bit of alcohol in it, but here they have a Japanese soy sauce that was produced without any forbidden ingredients. Besides the food, here you can find some other stuff, such as halal toothpaste, worship goods, and more.

As you can see, now it is no longer a big problem to get halal food, if you need it due to your religious beliefs or just because you want to taste something new, something different. We hope this article was useful to you.

 

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verve

Recommended Coffee Stands in Minato

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Recommended Coffee Stands in Minato

Not so long, just about 5 years ago, if you wanted to get coffee, Starbucks and its Japanese siblings were your only option. But now the coffee scene in Tokyo is blooming. There are so many options, really good options, that to include all of them in one article wouldn’t be possible. Therefore this time we are focusing only on a few recommended coffee stands in the Minato ward.

Blue Bottle Coffee Roppongi

Blue Bottle Coffee is famous for starting the third coffee wave in Japan. They have several branches in Tokyo, but in our opinion, the one in Roppongi is one of the nicest.  It is spacious and bright, which makes it an extremely lovely place to spend a few hours while tasting their coffee selection and sweet treats.

Verve Roppongi

Another American brand coming to us from California. They opened their first branch outside the states in Shinjuku, but their new shop in Roppongi is the one that caught our eye. Located in a separate, almost all-glass building, this coffee store is quite amazing. And of course, they serve great coffee. The baristas are very knowledgeable, they will gladly help to choose the type of beans that you will like. The prices are not cheap, but it is worth the money. And if you are hungry, they also have sandwiches and desserts.

Lit Coffee & Tea Stand

This place opened just a year ago, but already became locals’ favorite. The shop itself is cozy and stylish. The barista is a real professional, who will make you anything from delicious coffee to seasonal drinks and teas. Hence, this place will be a great match not only for coffee lovers but also for tea enthusiasts. Another pleasant thing about this place is that they have decent, very reasonably priced food, both sweet and savory. 

Byron Bay Coffee Company

This one originated in Australia, and now we have a few shops in Tokyo. The place focuses on the wholesales, but that also serve coffee inside the shop and sell bags of beans, so you can enjoy it at home whenever you crave some good, roasted coffee. 

Cafe Kitsune 

Cafe Kitsune belongs to a famous fashion brand Maison Kitsune and just like in fashion, it tries to combine simplicity and modernity. They use their own blend of freshly and locally roasted beans. You can have in the cafe, buy for a takeaway or buy the beans and make your own cup of coffee at home. Conveniently located in the posh Aoyama district, this cafe can come in handy when you need a break from shopping and want to relax. 

Little Darling Coffee Roasters

It is a coffee roasted cafe in the heart of the city. They have coffee options, including trendy coffee and soda drinks. They also have a vegan option, serving soy, almond, and oat milk lattes. The space is very modern, even industrial. From time to time, they have collaborations with other fashion, music, food brands. Therefore any time you go there, you will have a new experience. 

All the places are loved by us and worth visiting. If you have any other recommendations, leave a comment or send us an email.

Also, do not forget to see the beautiful apartments we are offering in this area. For example this beautiful Soho Apartment. 

Lit Coffee & Tea       Blue Bottle Coffee       Little Darling Coffee

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