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Yesterday, Satoshi wanted to check out Aoyama, Omotesando and other areas for a tour he has coming up.

So we got out early so that we could have breakfast at Crisscross.

I've had this place bookmarked since I saw it back in 2018 when we were walking around after lunch.

Tokyo People: there was a lady with her dog standing in front of the ropes at the entrance, another woman standing in the shade and this guy (photo above)

I asked him if he was standing in line.

He had airpods in his ears, so he answered me super loudly..."huh"

Took one airpod out of his ear and I asked him again.

He answered me in Japanese, "what else would I be standing here for?!"

What a snark!

As we were waiting for them to open, 7 "haoles" came one by one to stand in line with snarky man (at this point there were at least 10 people standing behind me)

Snarky was there to get them a table...

At least there were enough tables for everyone behind us to be seated.

How cute was this bicycle parked in front of the restaurant.

Order by QR code...Satoshi and I both ordered the classic breakfast (toast, salad, bacon and eggs)...1950 yen (tax included)

This also came with soup...with the humidity, luckily it was visshyssoise (cold potato soup)

It was a nice place for breakfast despite the snarky one (we want to check out their lunch menu next)

After breakfast, we went to check out the areas that Satoshi wanted to see.

While he was doing that, I took photos of interesting buildings in the Aoyama Omotesando area.

Le:labo (fragrance)

Prada

Loewe

Near Harajuku, Satoshi went to check out more areas and I went to the United Nations University to check out the Farmers Market

Roadster in front of United Nations University

There weren't too many vendors on this day, and it was so hot that I decided to check out other areas of Shibuya instead.

I walked around Miyashita Park while I was waiting for Satoshi to finish

This tunnel that runs under the Yamanote line is painted with vibrant blues...pretty

And then I stumbled on the free interactive Hello Kitty pop up at Tsutaya

So I checked it out....2 minute video here 

Satoshi met me in front of the Hello Kitty pop up and then we went back to Miyashita Park for lunch.

They have a food court, I chose the crunch wrap supreme from Taco Bell

Satoshi chose a poke bowl from Maguro market

It was just nice to sit in air conditioning...

After lunch, I went to buy groceries and headed home.

Satoshi went back out to check out more areas.

It was blazing, super humid but we got to do a lot.

Crisscross

5-7-28 Minamiaoyama

Minato, Tokyo

Open daily: 8:00-21:00

sunday

Ever since we moved from Osaka to Tokyo, Satoshi has been going to classes and studying for various tests.

The tests eventually would allow him to be an interpreter/tour guide for foreigners, mainly for tourists/people who speak German.

He finally had the last test this past Sunday.

It was an interview.

He said it was pretty intense and the total amount of time to speak was only 5 minutes, but he said it was a good experience.

Send him good mojo, he'll know how he did in February...

So, while he was doing all of this, I went holo-holo (galavanting) on my own on weekends and weekdays to keep myself "busy"...

and went to check out the ginkgo trees near Gaienmae.

I walked from Shibuya...it was a nice 30 minute walk.

Was kind of disappointed because the trees were kind of bald on top...wonder if the typhoon and weird weather had anything to do with this?!

Under the trees the light was a brownish-yellowish glow with not many leaves on the ground.

Afterwards, I walked back to Shibuya bought some dessert for dinner and headed home.

Dinner was kefta, which I've made in the past.

Dessert was from Libertable whose main shop is near Akasaka. Their Enfant is a verrine (glass/cup) dessert...custard topped with caramel gelee and marron (chestnut) puree.

Delicious! the caramel gelee had a little bitterness to it, but balances out the rich custard and sweet marron.

I hope to try other items from this shop again.

We need to start working on holiday cards as well as prepare for the end of the year.

Hope you have a good week!

Libertable (UPDATE2021: this location closed)
ShinQs Hikarie Shibuya B2
Shibuya, Tokyo
Phone: 03.6434.1848
Hours: 10:00-21:00
Open when Hikarie ShinQs is

sunday

Sunday, I went to check out the Aoyama Pan Matsuri (bread festival).

I'm not sure how many vendors they had but the crowd was definitely larger than the chocolate festival I checked out in October.

I purchased a walnut scone and walnut fig bread from Noraya, a bakery from Nagano.

Apparently the walnuts grow in the woods near the bakery!

I also bought a hojicha (roasted green tea) cinnamon roll from Ulucus, a bakery from Kyoto...I didn't realize this until afterwards, but they are located really close to MIL's!

I ate this on Sunday...so delicious and pretty with the dried rose petals.

Some campagne (country bread) and chocolate pan (like anpan but filled with chocolate) from Kibiya Bakery...a bakery from Kamakura, Kanagawa.

The lines were krazy for most of these bakeries and the prices were "nice" too...still I'm glad I got to check out this event and look forward to trying the other items I purchased.

Lunch was at Maya Luz.

My lunch started out with some consomme based bean and veg soup.

And a salad.

Their taco rice was tangy and spicy.

Very filling with all the rice too.

I look forward to trying other items on their menu, I'll be back.

Maya Luz
Shibuya Hikarie 7F
Shibuya, Tokyo
Phone: 03.6803.8977
Hours: 11:30-23:30
Closed when Hikarie is

sunday

Sunday, Satoshi wanted to watch his college team play baseball.

So, while he did that, I went gallavanting around the Omotesando area.

I started off at Dominique Ansel Bakery.

This bakery is known for the cronut (croissant doughnut).

Apparently there are monthly flavors and this month happened to be grape with shiso (perilla).

I wasn't too interested in that, so I ordered the DKA (Dominique's Kouign Amann).

This was served warm...so so good.

Flaky and buttery.

My only peeve with this shop was that they do not ask you to find a seat before ordering, so there were people with their sweets, standing so close to me in essence "pressuring" me to finish my food stat!

I'll be back, hopefully when it isn't too crowded.

After leaving the shop, I took my first walk down Takeshita Street in Harajuku...

Talk about sensory overload!

Everything is about rainbows these days.

Not sure we should be eating all that food coloring though...

Then I went walking around an area called Cat Street and had an iced coffee at The Roastery.

This wasn't a good cup...I think it was because the server brewed the cup of coffee first then tried to get it cold by swirling it in some ice...

Not sure I'll be back here...

After the game, Satoshi and I met up and we had lunch at Tokyo Rice.

This shop specializes in Kids Meals for Adults.

In Japanese, Kids Meals are called O-kosama Lunch.

They have 3 types here...buggy which is a hamburger meal, veggy which is a salad meal, and ebi which is a shrimp meal.

Satoshi went with the buggy while I went with the veggy (photo above this one).

I enjoyed my meal while Satoshi felt his was too small...cash only during lunch time so be prepared.

After lunch we went to the Nezu Museum.

I must say, that the garden area is a little more impressive than the exhibits itself.

We'll be back when the leaves change color.

The warm weather is back, still there was lots of walking and eating.

Dominique Ansel Bakery (UPDATE: 2/2019 no longer in business)
5-7-14 Jingumae
Shibuya, Tokyo
Phone: 03.3486.1329
Hours: 10:00-19:00

The Roastery
5-17-13 Jingumae
Shibuya, Tokyo
Phone: 03.6450.5755
Hours: 10:00-22:00

Tokyo Rice (UPDATE: no longer in business)
5-9-8 Minami Aoyama, 2F
Minato, Tokyo
Phone: 03.6427.4548
Hours: 11:30-21:00

Nezu Museum
6-5-1 Minami Aoyama
Minato, Tokyo
Phone: 03.3400.2536
Hours: 10:00-17:00
Closed Mondays