Tokyo, Japan (Spring 2024) - Day 5

Ramen Nagi Golden Gai (Shinjuku)

Since I really couldn’t get enough niboshi ramen in Tokyo, we decided to check out what the hubbub was about at the Ramen Nagi located in Golden Gai. I don’t think I have ever been here when there hasn’t been a long line that snakes up the back alley at this location. I found out that apparently this place is open 24 hours so I figured that some good morning ramen would be a good opportunity to try it without the line.

The ramen is essentially the same as the other location I went to that didn’t require a long wait. The reason for the wait here is that it is tiny. Like very tiny. After navigating the tight stairway, you can barely move around to get to your counter seat of which I think there are only about eight I think. I guess people must like the more chaotic feel of this older location. The other location in Shinjuku felt very shiny and new.

Starbucks Reserve (Meguro)

It may seem a bit corny to make a long walk to go to a Starbucks in Tokyo but the Japanese always do things over the top so we were curious to see how they do up one of the reserve locations. This place was huge with a modern opulent style with windows everywhere.

We took a long stroll from Shibuya to get here but the weather was great and it was also interesting to walk through some different residential neighborhoods.

Apparently a lot of people had the same idea. The place was busy enough that they had a crossing guard in the front by the street.

This multi-floor roastery had seating inside and outside. You could order drinks and food on the different floors. The outside terrace seating was very popular on a nice day like we had.

OL by Oslo Beer (Shibuya)

Back in Shibuya, we found a day drinking option at this Norwegian style beer bar. This place is a few blocks to the Northwest of the main craziness of the Shibuya Crossing area. They had a Mexican food truck outside which I think was the only time I saw Mexican food in my time in Tokyo.

We went back to Tasuichi in Shibuya for a beer since it was convenient

I thought I ordered regular fried chicken but these had a bit of a crunch that made it seem more like cartilage - still tasty

Bar Irie (Shibuya)

They had their own branded cigar which I tried

Went to try another cigar bar in Shibuya. This one was very classy. The underground bar was so dark it was hard to take a non-blurry photo. The other patrons seemed like upscale locals coming in after the work day.

The Mash Tun (Shinagawa)

We next went in search of this whiskey bar which was recommended to me by a cigar bar owner in Taipei before we came here. This is one of those times in Japan where even though you have the address on the map on your phone, it is still hard to find once you get to the location on the street.

I finally spied what looked like stacks of whiskey boxes in a second floor window and realized that must be the place.

This is another one of those quaint one owner establishments. He was actually going to close for over a month soon because the building needs major renovations. The owner was a very friendly guy with tributes to his pet cat in a painting, on the glassware, and also his bespoke distillery bottling labels. Again, a place where you can tell him the flavor profile you are looking for and he pours you interesting stuff.

Tori No Kakehashi 鳥のかけ橋 (Kanda)

At the end of the evening, we thought we were popping into a casual place to get some yakitoris. This place across from the hotel was recommended to us during check in as a place to get some skewers. I didn’t realize that it wasn’t a casual izakaya but an omokase chicken skewer restaurant.

It turned out excellent. We ordered the set menu but I also in addition got some chicken skin as well. Tiny place. Seems like all the good places are tiny.