Ok, the day is finally here - I'll be in Japan in approximately two days. Approximately because the time change still boggles my mind.
I know I should stop by one of the Hot Potatoes... What else? I'll be in Tokyo for a few days, then off to the Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto area. Has anyone else been there before? Any suggestions? Anything I should look for for bringing back with me?
I used to live there as a kid when my family was stationed there. There are still somethings in the right spot. So, I will give some suggestions as best as I can.
Go to Harajuku. One of the best places ever! Number 1 thing to do... Marion Crepes is amazing! Go there, eat crepes, and then be happy. If you could mail back satisfaction after eating those delicious things, Iwould have you do that. The best I can do in terms of directions is to copy and paste this into google maps. Go to street view. It is a few feet east with a blue roof thing.
Tōkyō-to, Shibuya-ku, Jingūmae, 1丁目20−6 ミスギビル
Just off of Harajuku is the Tamagotchi Donut store. I'm amazed that is still there. From the above address, go west just past the Lotteria. Then North. It is immediately on the right. All of this is easy to find since it is just off of Harajuku station.
There are some sweet SEGA arcades in Shibuya. You won't have trouble finding them. But it can be fun to spend a bit of time in them.
All over Japan are soft serve ice cream machines. They usually have about 30 flavors. Get Green Tea Ice Cream. It is amazing! The good ones sprinkle green tea on top. I have literally spent years trying to track down how to order one of these ice cream machines. They are like the ice cream equivalent of a Keurig coffee machine in how they work.
Go to Book Off.
If you want temples, go to Kyoto.