25.11.28 - Shinjuku

Today is shopping day! And it works out pretty well because Dad has a couple Thanksgiving Day football games to watch. Mom and I head over to Shinjuku to look in Keio Department Store for a brand of Japanese bags that we like and can never seem to find.

Getting to Shinjuku, we apparently are out when it's still commuting time...even though it's about 9:45am by this point. We cram ourselves into the train with all the other business man and after one transfer, arrive at Shinjuku Station. This is a busy station and slightly confusing with the different directions. But we manage to find the exit and pop out almost directly in front of Keio, nice!

This store makes me think "mega Macy's". Maybe because you enter through the perfume and makeup section like you do at Macy's stores, and also because it doesn't feel as high-end as Takashimaya and Mitsukoshi. It's also huge. You think you've seen everything on one floor and turns out you've only seen half of it. Another word for it - overwhelming.

We first come across hats and scarves, and Mom finds a scarf she likes and buys it. Then into our search for bags. As we're meandering the different sections, a cardigan catches Mom's eye. It is pretty cute. She waffles on whether to seriously consider it and it course with the Japanese attention to their customers, the employee comes right over and tells us we can try it on. So she does. And it's pretty cute, nice lightweight fabric which would work at home. And given that a lot of clothing in Japan is "one size fits all" - including this cardigan - it surprisingly fit! I then try it on and agree it's pretty cute. So somehow we both end up getting the same cardigan, Mom with an oatmeal color and me with grey. What we didn't realize is this store has a 5% discount for foreigners. On top of tax-free. Cool! Sweaters in hand, we look on the other floors with handbags but don't see the bags we were searching for. Oh well. By now it's coffee time so exiting the store in search of Starbucks, we happen across a different coffee place called Truffle Bakery that has pretty good looking pastries. So we pop in here instead and get two coffees and a chili shrimp sandwich. Perfect for a shopping snack!

Before we head to the next destination, back down the street to Keio to use the restroom. On the way there Mom spots some boots that might work so we decide to take a look on our way out. It's clearly boot season and a lot of nice leather options. But designed for small Asian get - US 7.5 is their largest size! Thankfully this is Mom's size and the sales lady tells us they're out of stock in that specific shoe and brings another that she thinks would fit. And it does! We end up walking out of there with a pair of boots for Mom. So we originally came in for bags and left with scarves, sweaters and shoes. Isn't that always the way?

Now to the next stop on our shopping list - Oriental Bazaar. This is a place I came with Tutu and Papa on my last visit and got a stuffed animal which I still have! I also think this is a good place to find yukata or jinbei - turns out it is! Mom found a yukata she liked to take back home. Score! I also found mugs...I can never resist pretty mugs.

Then onward to Soniandsmi for a couple omiyage items. Scored there too. Very tiny store in very bright pastel colors. I imagine this store can get pretty busy during peak hours.

And lastly, a stop at I'm Donut Shibuya. This store is a different format from the others we've been and has the donuts laid out like at a typical Japanese bakery where you can pick your own and fill your tray. Good selection of some sweet and slightly interesting flavors, but we get a few for tomorrow's breakfast. Donuts for breakfast? Yes please.

We make our way home and grab a light snack from Family Mart - egg sando and shoyu boiled egg, yum (and I totally didn't realize until we were eating that we picked two egg things...doh).

After a siesta, we scope out a tendon place just up the street called Tempura Miya (it's this one if you search Google => 大衆酒場 天ぷら宮...there's another Tempura Miya which is a different location). It's not very busy so we get a booth, yay! Ordering is done via a tablet at the table which makes it easy and stress free to look through the menu and take your time to figure out what you want to order. I decide on a half order of sudachi soba with vegetable tempura, Mom and Dad order the tendon (tempura bowl). Delicious! And yes, the sudachi soba is as refreshing as it looks.

Cheers to our last night in Ueno!

Sayonara!