Leisurely Breakfast at Sawamura Bakery & Restaurant
Day 6 marked our final full day in Tokyo. With no urgent plans except visiting Harajuku, Yoyogi Park, and sampling various cafes, we decided to take things slow and enjoy a relaxed morning. Without the pressure of a packed agenda, we headed out early to savor the chilly winter walk to Sawamura Bakery & Restaurant, located at NeWoman Food Hall in Shinjuku. It’s also a perfect day for me to test out my newly purchased Sony 40mm f/2.5G lens. So for today, I shot exclusively with this lens on my Sony A7CII.
Sawamura is renowned for its bread and pastries, offering an inviting atmosphere with elegant wood-lined interiors that include tables, booths, and a bar area. We settled in for a proper sit-down breakfast, taking our time to engage in leisurely conversation while enjoying a delicious meal. The experience set a pleasant tone for the rest of our day, allowing us to appreciate both the food and the company before continuing our Tokyo adventure.
Exploring Harajuku: A Hub of Streetwear and Sneaker Culture
After breakfast, we decided to visit Harajuku, a vibrant district situated within Shibuya. Conveniently, Sawamura is located right next to the JR Station, making our commute fast and effortless. Harajuku is renowned for its bustling energy, colorful streets, and is at the heart of Tokyo’s streetwear and kawaii culture. The area is famous for its trendy cafes, lively bars, youth-driven fashion, and a variety of vintage clothing boutiques. All the major sneaker brands have established impressive flagship stores here, and the district also features the iconic glass-enclosed Tokyu Plaza. Our visit was mainly focused on shopping for sneakers for both my wife and me, so I didn’t have the opportunity to take many photos during our time there.
Nadoya no Katte Coffee
After our visit to Harajuku, we headed to Nadoya no Katte Coffee, nestled in a quiet part of Shibuya. This unique coffee shop operates out of a traditional Japanese house, which blends fashionable aesthetics with functional charm despite its somewhat dilapidated appearance. The ambiance offers both indoor and outdoor seating, creating a serene and peaceful retreat amid the energetic atmosphere of Shibuya.
Nadoya no Katte Coffee specializes in single origin coffee sourced from Glitch Coffee Roastery. The selection of coffees available was impressive, catering to those who appreciate quality and variety. The shop is only open from Fridays to Sundays and on holidays, making each visit feel special and exclusive. On this occasion, we chose to sit outdoors, embracing the chilly weather while enjoying our drinks
Among all the coffee shops I visited in Tokyo during this trip, Nadoya no Katte stood out as one of the nicest and most visually appealing. The calm atmosphere and excellent coffee made our time there truly enjoyable. I look forward to returning to Nadoya no Katte Coffee if I have the opportunity to visit Tokyo again.
Exploring Yoyogi Park and the Little Nap Coffee Stand Experience
After a delightful time bonding over coffee at Nadoya no Katte, we decided to take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood to fully appreciate the local atmosphere before heading to our next destination: Yoyogi Park.
Yoyogi Park is one of Tokyo’s most popular public parks, known for its wide, tree-lined paths and welcoming atmosphere. The park, which sits adjacent to the famous Meiji Jingku Shrine, attracts large crowds, especially on Sundays when Japanese rockabilly enthusiasts gather to dance and perform. Visitors can often be seen biking, running, or simply relaxing on the many benches and picnic tables scattered throughout the park.
We were fortunate to visit Yoyogi Park during a quieter time. The chilly weather seemed to keep the crowds away, and there were only a handful of people present. We easily found a picnic table where we could sit, chat, and rest. Some of us even took the opportunity to take a short nap, soaking in the peaceful surroundings.
After about an hour, my kids wanted to pick up some snacks and drinks at a nearby konbinii, while my wife and I were in the mood for coffee. We exited the park and made our way to Little Nap Coffee Stand—a place I had wanted to visit since my previous trip to Tokyo in December 2024. Unfortunately, I missed out on visiting then, choosing instead to have breakfast and coffee at Verve Coffee nearby. This time, however, we were determined to try Little Nap.
Little Nap Coffee Stand is a charmingly small establishment. Inside, there is a bar facing the window, a small bench with seating for three, and a single outdoor table that seats two. Despite its size, the place exudes a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The menu offers more than just coffee; there are also chocolate drinks, cookies, pastries, and sandwiches to choose from. Adding to the ambiance is a DJ mixer nook, where customers can select from a variety of CDs and vinyl records to play relaxing music during their visit.
Personally, I enjoy medium to dark roast coffee, preferring it thick and strong. After several days of drinking pour-over, drip coffee, and lattes, I was thrilled to find that Little Nap serves a unique combination of espresso and drip coffee called the “Joint.” This black, thick, and robust beverage was exactly to my taste. We ordered a Joint for me and a hot chocolate for my wife. For snacks, we chose a hotdog sandwich, a chocolate chip cookie, and a brownie. The combination of a Brownie and a Joint in a coffee shop amused me and added to the enjoyment of the experience.
Our visit to Little Nap Coffee Stand was memorable, and I am certain I will return in the future. Before heading back to Yoyogi Park to meet up with our kids, I took some time to capture photos of the quiet neighborhood, preserving the memories of this special outing.
Final Evening in Tokyo
After meeting up with the kids, we decided to take a bus back to Shinjuku. Once we arrived, we took some time to rest and recharge before heading out again later in the evening. For our last dinner in Tokyo, we chose Coco Ichibanya because my wife and kids are very fond of Japanese curry. While everyone else enjoyed their curry dishes, I ordered something different, as curry has never been one of my favorites.
After dinner, we walked back toward our hotel. Along the way, we passed by a Starbucks—not to stop for drinks, but so I could take a few photos to remember our final night in the city.
Reflections on Our Tokyo Trip
Japan has always been our favorite destination for international travel, and this particular journey to Tokyo stands out as one of the most unforgettable experiences we’ve had as a family. It had been quite some time since we all traveled abroad together, making this trip especially meaningful. Additionally, it marked our first overseas adventure with my son-in-law, which added a new dimension to our family dynamic.
This visit was filled with several firsts for the kids: they saw Mt. Fuji for the very first time, and it was also their initial visit to Tokyo. Experiencing the cold winter climate was a new and exciting challenge for my sons, as they had never traveled to such a chilly environment before.
Throughout our time in Tokyo, we spent many hours engaged in conversation and bonding. We enjoyed the city’s sights and sounds, indulged in coffee and local cuisine, and appreciated the unique winter weather that Tokyo offered. These shared moments strengthened our connections and created lasting memories.
We are thankful for these experiences and recognize the blessings we received during this trip. With gratitude, we look forward to the possibility of returning to Japan in the future, should it be God’s will.
Overview of Camera Gear
I would like to share a bit about the camera gear I brought with me for this trip. My primary setup included the Sony A7C2 paired with the Sony 24-50mm f/2.8G lens. In addition, I carried the Ricoh GR IV as a backup camera. Towards the end of the trip, I also purchased a Sony 40mm f/2.5G lens. All of this gear was new to me, and I was eager to see how it would perform as a travel kit.
Sony A7C2 + Sony 24-50mm f/2.8G
The combination of the Sony A7C2 with the Sony 24-50mm f/2.8G lens proved to be an excellent travel camera setup. It is relatively lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry throughout the trip. The camera delivered really good image quality, and the lens itself is both compact and versatile—ideal for travel photography.
The 24-50mm range was suitable for most situations I encountered. While there were a few occasions when I wished for more reach than 50mm, I considered that carrying the larger Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II would have been much heavier and less comfortable for my back and shoulders. Ultimately, the 24-50mm lens covered 99% of the focal range I needed, so I am satisfied with my choice.
The 40mm f/2.5G is the latest addition to my setup. It’s an in-between focal length that sits as the compromise between 35mm and 50mm. It’s a tiny lens ( not quite pancake size) that produces images with great micro contrast. It is sharp without being clinical and digital in its rendering. A perfect EDC lens for days that i want to carry just a prime lens. It is really quite versatile once you get the hang of shooting in 40mm.
Ricoh GR IV as Backup
The Ricoh GR IV served as my backup camera. It was a real revelation, and I found myself really enjoying its performance. If it comes out with a 40mm variant (GR IV x) then I can see myself using both as a perfect 1-2 ultra compact travel camera combination. 2 things that I wish it has – 1) a viewfinder and 2) weather sealing. I will share my experiences with this camera in another post, but for now, I can say that I love it.
All photos in this blog were taken with the Sony A7C2 + Sony 40mm f/2.5G lens and 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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