Breakfast by Tokyo Station
Our base for Tokyo was Hotel Sardonyx Tokyo in Hatchobori, a few stops from Tokyo Station. As the trip planner, I kept day one easy on purpose: stroller out, no plan beyond breakfast.
Breakfast was at JR Rail Cafe in Tokyo Station, and BB Bagel ate more than both of us put together. Minmin did the spoon-feeding, I did the photos.
The red-brick plan
My plan after breakfast was to chillax outside the station’s red-brick front, the postcard side of Tokyo Station. The weather had other ideas. It was damn hot, and Bagel was grumpy and overdue for a nap, so he made the call for us. He fell asleep in the stroller, and we spent the nap pushing him up and down the anime shops of Tokyo Character Street under the station, Pikachu and Kirby on every side, while the one person in the family who’d have liked them most snored through all of it.
Lunch was sushi at Tsukiji Sushiko Wa, also by the station, our first sushi of the trip: a nigiri set, a little chirashi bowl and miso for us, and for Bagel, a packet of baby food warming up in a steel bowl on the table. He slept through the first round, which meant we actually got to eat. Then he woke up once his packet was ready and sat there like a regular and got spoon-fed. In a sushi restaurant. Out of a packet.
Kinshicho and Nishimatsuya
Then a train out east to Kinshicho. Bagel took his pole very seriously. Minmin kept him upright, I kept taking photos.
The reason for Kinshicho was Nishimatsuya, the Japanese chain that sells baby and kids’ clothes for almost nothing. We came for a few things for Bagel and left with bags. The trolleys have a baby seat in front, so Bagel rode around like a VIP while we cleared the racks. Then Sugi Pharmacy next door for nappies and baby stuff, because one shop is never enough. Minmin and Bagel pulled faces from the trolley for my camera, so I think they had a good time spending my money.
Back at the Sardonyx
Back in Hatchobori for a rest.
The Nishimatsuya haul went on the bed, and Bagel did quality control.
Dinner was Royal Host, Japan’s grand old family restaurant: hamburg steak on a sizzling plate. Bagel was kept busy with a toy and a box of chocolates he wasn’t allowed to eat. Then back to the hotel, where he got the bed to himself, as usual. Daddy got the edge.
Postcard from Kinshicho, Tokyo
The Japanese chain for baby and kids' clothes at almost nothing. The trolleys have a baby seat in front, so the customer can ride while you clear the racks.