Create meetup in Tokyochevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
want to meet at fmd_good Hole in One
wants to eat breakfast at fmd_goodHole in One
wants to eat breakfast at fmd_goodHole in One
wants to eat breakfast at fmd_goodHole in One
wants to eat breakfast at fmd_goodHole in One
want to meet at fmd_good Camellia House
wants to drink coffee at fmd_goodCamellia House
wants to drink coffee at fmd_goodCamellia House
wants to drink coffee at fmd_goodCamellia House
want to meet at fmd_good The Anchor
wants to drink something at fmd_goodThe Anchor
wants to drink something at fmd_goodThe Anchor
wants to drink something at fmd_goodThe Anchor
explore Tokyo Guides
bar_chart Trends in Tokyo
Does anyone remember the name of the yokai-themed proto-AR game based in a Tokyo shopping center?
Unfortunately, since I was pretty young when I played it, I don't remember the name of the game or the mall it was played in, but I do remember the basics of how it worked:
You'd start out by getting a little device with a screen, camera, and hand crank. Then, you'd walk around the themed shopping center and scan certain hidden symbols with the camera. This would cause yokai based on an object the symbol was near to pop-up on the device's screen (I vividly remember ones themed on a smoke detector and a loaf of bread). Once they appear, you'd have to quickly spin the hand crank to "capture" them. Once you were done collecting yokai (I forget if there was a time limit or not), you'd go back to where you got your device from and plug your device into a larger arcade machine where you could fight a big boss yokai and try to capture it as well. Once you were done, you'd get a receipt listing all of the different yokai you caught.
I tried searching for this on Google, but I just keep getting results for a Yokai Watch AR app lol.
Does anyone else remember playing this? If so, do you remember what it was called? Did it also leave a strong impression on you? Does it still exist all these years later? Thanks!
i remember this! pretty sure it was called "Yokai AR" or something close, ran at the Odaiba VenusFort mall back in like 2010-2011. the setup was in that weird western-themed section on the second floor, near the fake cobblestone path. the bread yokai you mentioned was a legit one, I think it was called "Shokupan" or something silly like that.
the hand crank thing was def a Bandai Namco prototype, they tested a few of those in their arcade labs before scrapping the whole concept. I actually found a old blog post from a guy who worked on it, said the reason it died was the hardware costs were too high for what was basically a rental system. the receipt printouts had a stamp on the back that said "Odaiba VenusFort 2010" if you look close enough, might help you track down old photos.
honestly this triggered a memory for me, I think it was called "Youkai Hunters" or something close to that. I remember playing it at the Sunshine City shopping complex in Ikebukuro, they had a whole corner set up for it near the Namco Namja Town entrance. the hand crank was such a weird gimmick, my wrist actually got sore from spinning it so fast to catch that bread yokai.
it definitely left an impression on me too, especially since they combined the physical walking with the digital capture. way ahead of its time for 2009 or whenever that was. I doubt it still exists anywhere, those setups were temporary promotions that rotated out every few months. the company that made it was probably some small studio that got absorbed into a bigger one later on.
That sounds like "Youkai Capture" or something similar from the "Mysterious Youkai" series that ran in places like the Shinjuku Alta and Shibuya 109 buildings. I remember it being in the basement level of one of those malls, near the arcade section. The hand crank was a unique touch, you don't see that in many games. The game itself is long gone, but I've heard the company behind it, Bandai Namco, still has some of the old hardware in storage at their Akihabara showroom. The receipt printout was a nice souvenir, I still have a few I kept from playing it back in 2010.
Where to Stay in Tokyo (2026)
Shinjuku is perfect for first-timers who want nonstop energy, neon lights, and endless dining options. Budget travelers can stay near Shinjuku Station for easy acce… 🏙️ Shinjuku: The Heart of Tokyo
Shinjuku is perfect for first-timers who want nonstop energy, neon lights, and endless dining options. Budget travelers can stay near Shinjuku Station for easy access to the Yamanote Line, with hostels like Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki starting around $30 per night. For a splurge, the Park Hyatt Tokyo offers skyline views from $500 per night.
🌸 Shibuya: Trendy and Youthful
Shibuya is ideal for nightlife lovers and fashion-forward visitors, with the iconic Scramble Crossing right outside your door. Mid-range hotels like the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu run $150-250 per night, while capsule hotels like Nine Hours Shibuya offer a budget option at $40. Families might prefer quieter streets just a 10-minute walk from the station.
🏯 Asakusa: Traditional and Budget-Friendly
Asakusa offers a glimpse of old Tokyo with Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street, perfect for culture seekers and families. Budget ryokans like Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu start at $80 per night, including a traditional breakfast. The area is quieter at night, so night owls may want to stay closer to Ueno or Akihabara.
🌳 Ueno: Family-Friendly and Cultural
Ueno is excellent for families thanks to Ueno Park, the zoo, and several museums all within walking distance. Hotels like the Ueno Station Hostel Oriental I offer dorm beds from $25, while the Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno costs around $120 per night. The area is well-connected by JR and metro lines, making day trips easy.
💻 Shibuya and Shinjuku for Digital Nomads
Digital nomads should look at Shibuya or Shinjuku for coworking spaces and reliable Wi-Fi. The Shibuya Stream building has a free coworking lounge, and nearby cafes like Fuglen Tokyo offer strong coffee and outlets. Monthly apartment rentals via services like Sakura House start around $1,000 in these areas.
🌆 Roppongi: Nightlife and Luxury
Roppongi is the go-to for upscale nightlife, with clubs like V2 Tokyo and high-end bars. Luxury hotels such as the Grand Hyatt Tokyo start at $400 per night, while business hotels like the Roppongi Plaza Hotel offer rooms from $100. The area is also close to art museums like Mori Art Museum.
🚃 Getting Around: Station Proximity Matters
Staying near a Yamanote Line station (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Ueno) saves time and money on transit. A 24-hour metro pass costs 800 yen and covers Tokyo Metro and Toei lines. Avoid staying too far from a station, as taxis are expensive (starting at 420 yen for the first kilometer).
💰 Price Tiers and Budget Tips
Budget travelers can find capsule hotels or hostels for $20-40 per night in areas like Asakusa or Ueno. Mid-range business hotels (Toyoko Inn, APA Hotels) average $80-120 per night. For luxury, expect $300-600 per night in central districts. Book early for cherry blossom season (late March to early April).
honestly the guide nailed it but i'd throw in nakameguro for anyone visiting in spring. the canal walk during cherry blossom season is insane, way less crowded than ueno or shinjuku gyoen. plus there's a killer onigiri spot called Onigiri Bongo that sells out by noon, and the area has a ton of tiny wine bars and vintage shops. rooms at the Claska hotel start around $120 and it's a quick hop to shibuya on the tokyu line
solid write-up, covers the big ones well. for my money, if you're a food nerd, staying near a good tsukemen or ramen spot is a legit strategy. i booked a hotel in takadanobaba once just cause i wanted to be walking distance from Taishoken, the tsukemen birthplace. that area is also full of student bars and cheap eats since Waseda Uni is there, rooms at the b:CONTE hotel run like $90 a night and it's two stops from Shinjuku on the Yamanote. way less tourist crush than Shibuya for late-night bowls
This is a solid breakdown, really covers the main bases well. One thing I'd add for anyone staying in Shinjuku is that the station itself can be overwhelming even for locals, so picking a hotel on the west side near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a good hack. The views from the free observation deck there are just as good as the paid ones, and you avoid the chaos of the east exit. For cheap eats in that area, the basement floor of Takashimaya department store has incredible takeout bento boxes under 1,000 yen that beat most convenience store meals.