Hyperlocal Tokyo

"Visited on June 14, 2024. I was waiting for the department store to open a little after 10 AM, and there were already many Japanese and foreign tourists waiting. If you don't go in right after opening, you'll have to wait in line. The lunch was really delicious, and I really like this kind of pasta. I don't usually like sweets very much, but I enjo"

"Oiwake Dango Honpo Shinjuku Honten is a wagashi (Japanese confectionery) shop located just a 2-minute walk from Shinjuku Sanchome Station. The red noren (traditional Japanese curtain) is eye-catching, and you can enjoy dango (dumplings) on the benches outside the shop. Takeout is self-service, and the shop is so popular that there are often lines. "

"I ordered a decaf coffee and a "Samaran" (a type of coffee drink). Both were very easy to drink and delicious. The Samaran came with the option of adding coffee distillate, which made it even better. I wish I had added it from the start! Since I sat at the counter, I could enjoy watching the coffee being brewed right in front of me. There were man"

"I went to the 3rd Burger Shinjuku Daigard store! The burgers here have a lot of fresh vegetables, and they're delicious 😋 I went there after a long time. The menu has changed. The Singapore Laksa Chicken Burger for ¥740 is a limited-time offer. The signature 3rd Burger for ¥760. The limited-time Mixed Berry Smoothie for ¥590. I ordered t"

"I went to Cafe Haiti with the goal of trying their dry curry. The signature dry curry has a mild spiciness and a good, spicy aroma. The calm atmosphere of the cafe is strangely relaxing and allows for a leisurely experience. Amenities include Wi-Fi, but there are no power outlets. The coffee set includes "Haiti Coffee." The set comes with milk, syr"

"This wagashi shop has been selected as one of the "Hyaku-meiten" (Top 100 Stores) and is located on the first floor of the Shinjuku HULIC. It's a street-level shop, accessible directly from outside, not within the HULIC itself. While it also has a cafe, this time I opted for takeout of their signature dorayaki. They have a sign inviting custom"

"This is a very popular Western-style restaurant. There was a line at lunchtime. I was seated in about 20 minutes, and the service was smooth after ordering. I ordered the most popular doria and Mont Blanc. The taste was authentic. It was worth the wait. They also have good red and white wines. PayPay was not accepted."

"**Cash Only!** This coffee shop, located right in front of Shinjuku East Exit Station, has a surprisingly calm and sophisticated atmosphere. The entrance is on the B1 floor, so be careful as there are fairly steep stairs to descend. This is a highly recommended spot for coffee lovers and those seeking a peaceful escape. The interior decor and amb"

"This is a stylish salon located on the 3rd floor of Shinjuku NEWoMan. As the name suggests, the atmosphere is very chic. I had the mini parfait & sweets set. The iced tea was served in a Southern Ironware teapot, which was a delightful surprise. The fig mini parfait was adorable, with fresh figs on top and a generous layer of chocolate ice cream, "

"I visited [Cha no Ikeda-ya], a gelato shop in the Odakyu Ace South Building, which is right outside Shinjuku Station West Exit and is listed in the Hyakumeiten (100 Best Shops) for ice cream and gelato. It really is right outside the station, but the Odakyu Ace was a bit hard to find if you're not used to Shinjuku Station... I bought: ✔︎ Rich Mat"

"The shop's most popular "balloon bread" was delicious. The dough was chewy and had a great texture, and I could taste the flavor of the flour. It was delicious even without anything on it. The "Chocolat France" was also quite good. It had plenty of chocolate inside, but it wasn't too sweet. Warming it up a bit brought out the delightful popping sen"

"**Highlights:** * Italian gelato located on the B1F of Shinjuku Isetan * Eat-in space available **Premium Mario Gelateria Shinjuku Isetan Store, Isetan's Original Authentic Gelato** This store is located inside Shinjuku Isetan, directly connected to Shinjuku Sanchome Station. You order and pay first, then choose your favorite gelato flavors. Thi"

"I visited "Noix de beurre" in the Shinjuku Isetan department store! There were about five groups ahead of me in line, but I was able to purchase my items in about five minutes. I was planning to buy some financiers, but I discovered some Halloween-themed treats! They had a set of financiers and madeleines. They were so cute, I fell in love with the"

"I've tried many delicious mame daifuku (bean mochi) in Tokyo, but considering the size, saltiness, taste, and ease of purchase, I think this place's is my number one. They also have seasonal treats like Mont Blanc, chestnut daifuku, and strawberry daifuku, and I've tried them all. Each one has Suzu Kake's signature refined sweetness, making every b"

"A select shop featuring popular sweets, including a rare selection of sweets from the "Hyakumeiten" (Top 100) list. I strongly hope the eat-in corner, which was closed a few years ago, will be revived. I stopped by "Shinjuku Takashimaya" while shopping in Shinjuku. This is "Patisserie", a cake shop located in the food section on the basement firs"

"Absolutely fantastic! It's located on the basement floor of Isetan, on the east side of Shinjuku Station. It's a slightly stylish space tucked away in a corner. I went there to find some sweets for gifts. Their macarons are said to be delicious, but unfortunately, I'm leaving tomorrow, so I chose regular baked goods because they have a longer shelf"

"A cafe in Shinjuku Sanchome. It's located a 2-3 minute walk from Shinjuku Sanchome Station, on the B1 floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Store. Today, I did some shopping in the Isetan basement. As I was about to leave, I noticed that Jean-Paul Hévin, which usually has a line, was empty. I was just looking for a place to take a break, so I decided "

"Not only macarons and chocolate, but also their individual cakes are elegant and delicious, highly recommended! ♪ This time, I stopped by Sadaharu Aoki after purchasing "Mitsutoshi Soy Sauce" at "Horikawa-ya Nomura" in the basement of Shinjuku Isetan, which my family has been using for almost 40 years since our marriage. On a day off, it feels a "

"The bakery is located in the basement of the Shinjuku Isetan department store. It's tucked away in the back of the other shops, so I never noticed it even though I've been to Isetan many times. The bread is displayed in a showcase, and you have to ask the staff to get it for you. I tried the "Beignet with Lemon Cream" - it was a fluffy, light don"

"I ordered this baumkuchen online because I have a limited range of activities (laughs, just from Kamakura to Yokohama). When I cut into it, I thought it would be firm, but it melted in my mouth. I was so impressed! The sweetness is mild, simple, and free of any off-flavors. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients. It's also additi"