If as a result of jet lag you get up very early in the morning, go to the Tsukiji Fish Market. Almost all the up-scale and Michelin-starred Sushi restaurants in Tokyo buy their fish here, and around the market there are several shops selling high-quality fish and sea foods for tourists at all hours of the morning.
Located near there, Ebisu is one of the coolest places for Tokyoites. Tokyo’s 30 something hipsters often come to this place to chill or have dinner. While you’re here, make sure to check out NADiff APART if you are interested in Japanese contemporary art.
◆Having a Sushi Breakfast at Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukuji is the biggest fish market in the world. Around the market there are lots of Sushi restaurants offering high-quality fish. My recommendation is Daiwa Sushi (大和寿司). If you get here really early I would recommend you check out the Tuna auctions. Not recommended for the squeamish.
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=4hlR38ycs68
Daiwa Sushi
Closest station: Tsukiji Shijyo (E18, Oedo Line) or Tsukiji (H8, Hibiya Line)
Address: 5-2-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
◆Going to Kabuki (Japanese Traditional Theater)
From Tsukiji Market, take a walk to the Kabuki Theater. Kabuki is a form of traditional Japanese theater and it is said to have been established in the 17th century. A simultaneous English interpretation service is available for JPY650. The story is sometimes complicated, but you can see it as a rock and roll show from the Old Tokyo era!
Kabukiza holds matinee and evening performances and while both shows last around 6 hours, there is an intermission. Normally you can see at least three plays in each slot. However, if you prefer to see just one play of either the matinee or evening performance, you can buy a ticket just for one play on the day, however advance tickets for just one play are not available. Since the restaurants and lunch (or dinner) set boxes, called Obento, in the theater are expensive, please do not forget to buy and bring lunch (or dinner) to the theater.
From the market, walk straight down the road towards Higashi Ginza Station. After approx. 15 minutes walk, you can see the Kabuki Theater on your right. If you prefer to take the subway from Tsukiji, take the Hibiya Line from Tsukiji station and get off at Higashi Ginza (H09). The closest exit to the theater is A2.
Kabukiza
Address: 4-12-15, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3541-3131
◆Ebisu
From Tsukiji station, take the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line for about 20 minutes and get off at Ebisu station (H2, Hibiya Line). Ebisu is one of the coolest towns in Tokyo. Rather than business men in dark navy suits, you can see more freelance photographers, graphic designers and art business-related people in this area. A lot of them have offices around Ebisu and there are so many nice cafes where they can meet their clients or hang out with their friends. Except for Ebisu Garden Place, which holds a shopping mall and theaters, there are only a few high rise buildings, which makes this area very relaxing and you can always find a variety of hidden gems on the streets. Here is must-go list in Ebisu!
◆Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography
They always hold interesting photography exhibitions. Besides these exhibitions, they also show films related to photography. Go out of the east exit of JR Ebisu station and walk in the direction of Ebisu Garden Place. The museum is located close to the entrance of Ebisu Garden Place.
http://www.syabi.com/index_eng.shtml
Address: Ebisu Garden Place, 1-13-3, Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3280-0099 (Closed on Mondays)
◆Ebisu Beer Memorial Museum
Sapporo Beer used to have a factory here and produced a Japanese well-known brand of beer called Ebisu since 1887. When they closed this factory in 1985, they established a museum in its place to commemorate the birth of Ebisu beer. Inside the museum, you can taste fresh Ebisu beer at JPY200 per glass directly delivered from their Chiba factory. The museum is located in Ebisu Garden Place.
Address: Ebisu Garden Place, 4-20-1, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5423-7255 (Closed on Mondays)
◆Depa-Chika Shops (Basement Floor Shops in a Department Store)
“Depa-Chika” means the basement floor of a department store, which are often food halls where you can find varieties of foods, sweets and liquors and sometimes taste them for free! In the basement of the Ebisu Mitsukoshi department store, you can find various local and imported foods as well as a fine collection of wines. Again, this department store is located in Ebisu Garden Place.
Open: 11:00am-20:00pm (Open Everyday)
◆NADiff APART
This uniquely designed building can be described as a small art department in Tokyo.
They have a great bookstore, galleries (three floors!) and a restaurant bar. Lots of budding artists flock together here and exhibit their latest works.
Go out from the east exit of JR Ebisu station and go downstairs. Cross the street and walk straight down the road between Café Renoir and the real estate agency. When you get to the park, turn right and walk straight. You can find NADiff APART just beside an old Japanese apartment building.
http://www.nadiffapart.com/
Address: 1-18-4, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3446-4980
11/23/2008
The Recommneded Dinner Spots @Ebisu
◆Ebisu Yokocho (Area of Japanese Stall Shops) 恵比寿横丁
This area can be described as an introductory class for understanding “Izakaya” (a type of Japanese drinking establishment). 13 small stores occupy the area and service is always friendly and the prices are very reasonable. Go out from the west exit of JR Ebisu station and turn right. Cross the street and turn left, and walk along the street called Komazawa dori. Then, turn right again at the first corner. You can see the signs for Ebisu Yokocho (恵比寿横丁).
Address: 1-7-4, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Open Everyday)
◆Yakiniku Champion (Japanese style Korean barbecue) 焼肉チャンピオン
If you are a meat lover, don’t forget to drop by this popular restaurant. In this smokeless cozy barbecue restaurant, you can have cut-above quality beef and lots of rare innards. Besides beers and Japanese distilled spirits (called Shochu), they have Chilean and American wines that go well with meat dishes. To get to Yakiniku Champion, go out from the west exit of JR Ebisu station and turn left, and cross the street and turn left again at the corner of Mitsui Sumitomo Bank. Then, turn right at the first corner. After a few minutes walk, you can find Yakiniku Champion （焼肉チャンピオン）on your right.
Address: Amemiya Bldg.1F, 1-2-8, Ebisu-Minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5768-6922 (Open Everyday)
◆Uncle Tom アンクルトム
They serve spaghetti with minced cod roe, urchin topped with squid and dried Nori with soy sauce and butter. They also serve excellent sautéed vegetables and spaghetti with a soy and ginger sauce. Would these sound weird or gross to you? However, many foreigners have fallen in love with these Japanese-style spaghetti dishes. You can find lots of Spaghetti Restaurants like this in almost every area of Tokyo, however this is one of the best among the bunch. Go out from the east exit of JR Ebisu station and go down the stairs. Cross the street and walk straight down the street between Café Renoir and the real estate agency. You can see Uncle Tom （アンクルトム）on your right.
Address: Yamamoto Bldg. 1F, 1-14-7, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3442-1934
Closed on Sundays
This area can be described as an introductory class for understanding “Izakaya” (a type of Japanese drinking establishment). 13 small stores occupy the area and service is always friendly and the prices are very reasonable. Go out from the west exit of JR Ebisu station and turn right. Cross the street and turn left, and walk along the street called Komazawa dori. Then, turn right again at the first corner. You can see the signs for Ebisu Yokocho (恵比寿横丁).
Address: 1-7-4, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Open Everyday)
◆Yakiniku Champion (Japanese style Korean barbecue) 焼肉チャンピオン
If you are a meat lover, don’t forget to drop by this popular restaurant. In this smokeless cozy barbecue restaurant, you can have cut-above quality beef and lots of rare innards. Besides beers and Japanese distilled spirits (called Shochu), they have Chilean and American wines that go well with meat dishes. To get to Yakiniku Champion, go out from the west exit of JR Ebisu station and turn left, and cross the street and turn left again at the corner of Mitsui Sumitomo Bank. Then, turn right at the first corner. After a few minutes walk, you can find Yakiniku Champion （焼肉チャンピオン）on your right.
Address: Amemiya Bldg.1F, 1-2-8, Ebisu-Minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5768-6922 (Open Everyday)
◆Uncle Tom アンクルトム
They serve spaghetti with minced cod roe, urchin topped with squid and dried Nori with soy sauce and butter. They also serve excellent sautéed vegetables and spaghetti with a soy and ginger sauce. Would these sound weird or gross to you? However, many foreigners have fallen in love with these Japanese-style spaghetti dishes. You can find lots of Spaghetti Restaurants like this in almost every area of Tokyo, however this is one of the best among the bunch. Go out from the east exit of JR Ebisu station and go down the stairs. Cross the street and walk straight down the street between Café Renoir and the real estate agency. You can see Uncle Tom （アンクルトム）on your right.
Address: Yamamoto Bldg. 1F, 1-14-7, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3442-1934
Closed on Sundays
