Teppen Shibuya - Grilled Meats and Vegetables

A new year and a new post! Let’s talk about food. One of the foods we wanted to try in Japan was Yakitori. Yakitori is typically different types of grilled chicken on a stick with some sort of sauce on it. We went to a restaurant that served yakitori and other types of meat and vegetable skewers, called Teppen Shibuya Onnadojo. This place was delicious and the staff was very welcoming and friendly to tourists. The reason we went inside was because one of the workers flagged us down and asked if we were hungry as we walked by. The answer is always, “Yes!”

This place had a very wide variety of dishes. We were interested in their grilled meat and vegetable skewers, as well as their yakitori. First, they brought us a small plate as a type of appetizer. This was really similar to a chawanmushi, a savory egg custard dish, with some green onion, fish roe, and little fish called Shirasu on top. There was dashi poured over the top that brought the whole dish together. Delicious!

Next, we started with a few kinds of yakitori. This one was my favorite. It was a chicken meatloaf. The restaurant has a house recipe for their chicken meatloaf that is then marinated and grilled.

Then, we moved on to some other grilled skewers. I was interested in their grilled mushrooms. These were incredible. They were marinated and grilled with a nice smoky flavor from the grill. Then, they finished these off with some extra sauce in the mushroom cap folds. YUM!

They also have some interesting pork dishes. First, we tried these pork wrapped peppers stuffed with cheese. The cheese was hot and bubbly inside of the pepper, and the pork was crispy and delicious.

Next, we tried the pork stuffed with green onions. This was another really flavorful one. The onion pork combination was perfect!

At the end, the shop even gave us a really cute thank you message plate with two brownies for dessert. That really showed their hospitality! What a nice gesture!

We loved this place so much that we went back again on our second trip to Japan. Teppen Shibuya Onnadojo is on a little side street just a few minutes from the main shopping area. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy good conversation after a long day of site seeing. I definitely recommend you check them out on your next trip!

Driving Go Karts in Shibuya and Harajuku - Street Kart

Last spring, we got to experience Shibuya and Harajuku in a rather unusual way… by go kart. Thanks to Street Kart Shibuya, you can dress up in character onesies and drive a go kart all around town. There are several locations and different routes you can take, but we picked the night time Shibuya and Harajuku route.

We knew right away that this was going to be amazing. At night, with all of the lights, driving down the busy streets seemed so surreal. It feels like you’re in a movie. The neon signs surround you and you feel like you’re becoming part of the night’s cityscape.

We drove through Shibuya crossing, with the huge TV screens, video advertisements, and bright lights. We drove up to Harajuku and through the Omotesando area. We even got a special view during cherry blossom season. We went down one side street that was lined with cherry blossom trees. The trees were lit by the streetlights, making a bright glow throughout the branches. The trees made a tunnel overhead as we raced down the road and around the corner, back into the busier traffic again. The air was cool and strong, and felt like roller coaster winds on your face. It really was a rush to experience!

If you’re ever in Tokyo, definitely check it out. I definitely recommend the night session. Bring a GoPro to capture video or photos, as driving while using your phone is not allowed. I’m sure the day session would be fun, as well, but at night, you get to see all of the lights! It really made it special.

Cat Cafe Mocha - Shibuya - Tokyo Japan

On the 8th and 9th floors of a skyscraper in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, you’ll find Cat Cafe Mocha. This place is a cat connoisseur’s paradise. If you love cats, this place will definitely be somewhere you’ll need to check out. It is two levels of super chic, stylish cat cafe filled with a modern vibe, free drinks, and of course… cats… and sometimes in costumes.

On this occasion, we visited during October when the cats were dressed up in cute little costumes. This one was a police officer cat and was super well behaved. He looked as though he actually may have enjoyed the costume. We assume this was a seasonal event for Halloween, as when we went during the spring the following year, the cats were not in costume anymore (but they were still just as cute).

The atmosphere is high class and soothing. They play calming music. The lighting is soft and spot lit. The furniture is all cat friendly but very modern. And the views are incredible! Since you’re looking out the 8th or 9th floor, you can see the beautiful lights of Shibuya, sparkling below you. As the cats leap around from hanging baskets or climb a wooden tree sculpture, you just feel happy. You can pay a little extra to feed the cats treats, or you can just enjoy the cats’ company. They even have toys so that you can play with the cats. No matter what you’re doing there, it’s relaxing and enjoyable.

We originally planned to only be here for maybe 20 minutes, but we really got drawn in and stayed for over an hour. They give you sanitized slippers when you walk in the door and a locker in which to place your personal items. You pay per 15 minutes, so definitely watch that clock if you’re on a budget. You can even buy little souvenirs to take home and show your friends.

Overall, this was one of my favorite places to relax in Japan. They have several locations around Tokyo and other parts of Japan, so make sure to check them out on your next visit!