day 8 in tokyo: akihabara ("electric town"), donki, beef bowl, ebisu beer hall and kobe beef

(Tokyo, Japan).
 

Good morning Tokyo!

On our 8th day in Japan, we were startled from our bed by a small earthquake.  Fortunately, it ended rather quickly and there was no damage.  After calming our nerves and feasting on more snacks from Family Mart or 7-eleven (I can't remember which since we stop by one and/or the other every day), we took the subway to Akihabara (otherwise known as "Electric Town").  We had decided to take it easy today - after almost a week of non-stop activity and eating.

These were pretty good, but the best ones are the pancakes from 7-eleven. 

There are maids on the street promoting the Maid Cafes (see on the left corner with the pink backpack)?

Akihabara is famous for its manga/anime shops and maid cafes.  It was crowded and fun to see all the cool figurines, souvenirs, dvds, etc.  While I'm glad we experienced it, I would recommend Nakano Broadway for more serious collectors or hardcore fans of manga/anime.   It's less overwhelming than the crowded streets of Akihabara and has more true collectibles.  

I have no idea what this grumpy cat is advertising, but I want it!

 

Yes... more gonchapon machines - they are addictive!

We walked around Akihabara for a few hours, shopped at Don Quijote (again; see here for a more detailed blog about "Donki"), decided not to go to a maid cafe and grabbed lunch at Niku Meshi Akihabara Okamuraya - basically a fast-food beef bowl place.  It was pretty tasty and cheap.

Fatigue set in as we headed back to our hotel for an afternoon nap.  Before we made it though we stopped at the Ebisu Beer Hall where my husband tried the Ebisu beer and I had a refreshing grape sour.  I think these "sour" drinks are really for lightweights who want to partake in the drinking scene - barely any alcohol but easy to drink. 

While my husband was finishing up his beer, I popped into the Mitsukoshi Department Store to look for Hakhuhodo makeup brushes.  I didn't realize they would be so elusive.  I had looked in Takayashima and Isetan already and neither carried this brand of brushes.  And at Mistukoshi, I struck out again.  But I did run into an amazing little art show in middle of the store with Murakami originals.  One of the pieces was $125,000!  Right in a department store!

The rest of the day was spent napping, and then having an amazing Kobe Beef dinner at 511 Kobe Beef Kaiseiki.  (see review here)  

Then we returned to our comfy room and had a nightcap as we watched the gorgeous Tokyo lights from our window.  Sometimes it's nice to have an easy day during a vacation - just so you can step back and really enjoy it instead of feeling tired and rushed all the time.