A Relaxed Morning in Shinjuku
After several days of early starts, we decided to take things slower today. Our morning began later than our usual 8:00 AM meet-up, which meant that by the time we stepped out, the streets of Shinjuku were bustling with rush hour activity. The energy of the city was palpable as commuters hurried past us on their way to work.
We made our way to Eggslut Southern Terrace in Shinjuku for breakfast. We are big fans of eggdrop sandwiches, so Eggslut was an obvious choice. The freshly baked breads and pastries elevated our meal, making it both delicious and satisfying. It was the perfect way to start a leisurely day.
After breakfast, we felt that our coffee at Eggslut hadn’t quite hit the mark. To remedy this, we took a short walk to Bluebottle Coffee, one of our favorite spots in the area. There, we enjoyed coffee that lived up to our expectations, rounding out a relaxing and enjoyable breakfast.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
After enjoying a hearty breakfast and a cup of coffee, we turned our attention to the main activity planned for our morning: a visit to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, also known simply as Shinjuku Gyo-en, is a vast public garden spanning the Shinjuku and Shibuya districts of Tokyo, Japan. This beautiful garden has a rich history, having originally served as the residence of the Naitō family during the Edo period. Later on, it came under the management of the Japan Imperial Household Agency, further enhancing its historical significance.
In my opinion, Shinjuku Gyoen is the most stunning garden in Tokyo. The garden is thoughtfully divided into three distinct sections: the Japanese Landscape Garden, the formal French Garden, and the English-style Landscape Garden. Its layout creates a wonderful oasis that offers peace and serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s city life.
We approached our visit with a bit of apprehension, as it was already winter and we were unsure if there would still be colorful foliage left to enjoy in the gardens. As we suspected, many of the trees had already shed their leaves. However, we were relieved to find that there was still enough foliage remaining to lend vibrant color to the landscape.
We spent almost the entire morning relaxing in the garden, soaking up the tranquil atmosphere and taking family photos. The experience was both calming and memorable, making our visit to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden a highlight of our trip.
Tokyo Tower, Azabudai Hills Observation Deck and Azabudai Hills Christmas Market
After our visit to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, our group decided to split up and explore different parts of Tokyo. My wife and youngest son headed to Ikebukuro, while my second daughter and son-in-law journeyed to Ginza and Tokyo Station. Meanwhile, my eldest daughter, eldest son, and I made our way to Minato City to enjoy the renowned view of Tokyo Tower from the Azabudai Hills Observation Deck and Cafe, located on the 33rd floor of the Mori JP Tower.
Azabudai Hills is a prominent complex comprising three skyscrapers situated in the Azabudai business district of Minato Ward. This upscale area is known for its blend of offices, art galleries, green spaces, and a shopping complex. It also features the famous Team Labs Borderless and is home to one of Tokyo’s celebrated Christmas markets.
The observation deck in Azabudai Hills has always been a favorite spot of mine. Entry to the deck requires a fee of ¥500 per person. The space is divided into two main sections: the cafe, which offers tables suitable for meetings and work, and a more relaxed stairs area that doubles as benches. Both areas face massive floor-to-ceiling windows, granting visitors a sweeping view of Tokyo Tower and the sprawling city skyline.
We took the opportunity to capture photos, relax, and enjoy our third coffee and pastries of the day, all while soaking in the remarkable scenery.
After spending time at the observation deck, we descended to the Christmas market located within the Azabudai Hills complex. There, we indulged in more food and drinks, immersing ourselves in the festive atmosphere. Our day concluded with a quick visit to the impressive 12-story Uniqlo flagship store in Ginza.
Evening in Shinjuku
After each group completed their individual afternoon itineraries, we all reconvened in Shinjuku for dinner. Our chosen spot was Yoshinoya, which has become our favorite low-cost but very satisfying dinner place during the trip.
Following dinner, we took some time to stroll and shop around the lively Shinjuku area. The atmosphere was vibrant, and everyone enjoyed browsing through the various shops before wrapping up the evening.
During our exploration, I stopped by Kitamura Cameras, where I spent some time window shopping their impressive selection of film cameras. While there, I noticed that the Sony 40mm f/2.5G lens was priced significantly lower than at Yodobashi and Bic. Taking advantage of the deal, I decided to purchase the lens on the spot.
Thus ended Day 5 of our 7-day Tokyo vacation. ( I skipped Day 3, I will blog about it last). Thank you for visiting.
All photos in the blog were taken with the Sony A7C2 + Sony 24-50mm f/2.8G lens with the last 2 shots taken with the Ricoh GR IV. All the Sony shots were shot in jpg , while the Ricoh GR IV shots were shot RAW. All were edited via LR Classic.
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