A quick 12 hour layover in Japan to visit two districts. Shibuya and Ikebukuro. 12 hours seem like a lot, but it isn't. You need to go through customs, purchase a SIM card (if necessary), and catch Narita Express train to Tokyo. If you're going through customs and have no internet, link up your phone with Narita's wifi and check train times via Google Maps and where to get a SIM card or portable wifi in the airport. Be sure to find out which station offers Narita Express back to the airport.
It will take about a good 45 minutes to an hour to get to Tokyo. During this short layover, I only planned to visit Shibuya Crossing and Ikebukuro to check out the Pokemon Mega Center which I missed during my last visit in 2015. However, I did have brunch at the recently open Gudetama cafe in the Seibu department store.
It was breezy out there and it was good to walk into familiar and unexplored places. It was a sunny day where sunshine rays kept me warm while the winter breeze pass through my body. Shadows formed by the rays that hit the concrete structures and buildings that surround you from all sides. My eyes gazed every direction by observing the crowd, the fashion of well-dressed men and women, and the morning life where businesses open up shop. Everything happened so fast and it only left me wishing that I could stay there for a day or two. This layover was a huge tease and I know I'll be back to see my favorite country.
Locations visited:
- Shibuya Crossing
- Sunshine City
- Pokemon Mega Center
Sunshine City alpa 2F
3-1-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-6002
- Pokemon Mega Center
- Ikebukoro
- Gudetama Cafe (Ikebukuro branch)
Address: Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Minami Ikebukuro 1-28-1, Seibu department store (Ikebukuro main branch) 8th floor
NOW CLOSED - Only Temporarily opened from Nov 4, 2016 - Jan 15, 2017
- Gudetama Cafe (Ikebukuro branch)
