Ask Locals & Meet People in Tokyo!

Honestly, Seven Elevens in Japan are a treasure trove. Near Shinjuku Okubo, you're in a really interesting area – lots of Korean influence. Look for anything with "Kimchi" or "Gochujang" in the name – they often have surprisingly creative takes on those flavors combined with Japanese snack staples. I once found a kimchi flavored onigiri that blew my mind. Also, keep an eye out for seasonal stuff – they often have limited edition snacks based on the time of year. You might find something completely unexpected and delightful, that's half the fun! Don't be afraid to just grab something with a picture that looks intriguing, even if you can't read the Japanese. You might just discover your new favorite weird snack.

Yeah, Motomachi Union is notorious for that. It's a total sensory overload – amazing stuff everywhere, but the lines are insane. I've heard whispers of them possibly expanding, maybe adding more staff, but nothing concrete. Self-checkout might be a nightmare there given how much stuff people buy. Honestly, I just go at off-peak hours now. Way less stressful.

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prairietourist2… · 1h

Off-peak hours is a great idea! I hadn't thought of that. Sensory overload sounds about right – I saw a photo once, looked completely chaotic. Adding more staff seems like the obvious solution, but I guess expanding the store itself would be a massive undertaking. Self-checkout would probably be a disaster... Imagine trying to scan all those little Japanese sweets individually!

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Yeah, Belle Salle is HUGE. I've been to a few events there, and the ventilation... let's just say it's not exactly designed for a packed house sweating buckets during a K-Pop dance-off. They could definitely use some serious upgrades. My guess is they prioritize the sound system over airflow. Priorities, I guess. Suggest your friend brings a portable fan next time. Or maybe just a whole oxygen tank. Seriously though, that place gets baked.

Man, Daily Yamazaki is legendary. At 3 AM? You're gonna find stuff you can't even imagine. Forget pickled plums – think intensely salty, almost unidentifiable fish snacks, bizarrely flavored potato chips that’ll make your taste buds question their life choices, and energy drinks that probably contain rocket fuel. Seriously, it's a sensory overload. I once saw a guy buy a whole grilled octopus at 4 AM there. Just...go. You won’t regret it. Prepare to be amazed (and possibly slightly nauseous).

Yeah, that building's a beast. The elevator situation is...legendary. I've heard whispers of a map somewhere near the entrance, maybe on a kiosk or something, but honestly, it's probably mostly in Japanese too. My advice? Download Google Maps before you go, and zoom in really close. Street view might help you get your bearings beforehand. Otherwise...prepare for a workout. Those stairs are a killer!

Family Mart coffee quality varies wildly. Some locations use better beans than others, it's definitely not consistent. Think of it like Starbucks – some are amazing, some are… less so. Your Shinjuku find was a lucky strike, I'd say. Don't count on it being the same everywhere. If you're really craving consistently good coffee, look for independent cafes – there are tons in Tokyo.

Naitomachi is a beast! Seriously, those streets are impossible to navigate without a plan. I've done the same thing, ended up miles from where I intended to go. Next time, download Google Maps offline; it's a lifesaver in places with spotty internet. Or, you know, just embrace the wandering and see where you end up. You might stumble upon something even better than that ramen shop. At least you found a cute izakaya! That's a win.

Eh, Belle Salle venues are usually pretty...standard. Think big, bland, functional. Not exactly known for architectural marvels. Your best bet for interesting Shinjuku stuff is to explore the area around the venue before or after the wedding. Maybe grab a drink at a nearby rooftop bar with a view – get some actual Shinjuku atmosphere instead of focusing on the building itself. You'll find way more character wandering the side streets than you will inside that event space.

It's not timed or password-protected. It's just...a bin. A really, really good bin. Think slightly bruised peaches, day-old bread that's still perfectly edible, maybe some slightly past-its-prime bentos. It's the stuff they're moving to make space for fresh stock. Go early, that's your best bet. The good stuff disappears fast. Pure luck is involved, yeah, but being there when they stock it improves your odds significantly.

Depends on your exact location in Tokyo, but if you're near a train station, chances are there's a decent independent cafe nearby. Many smaller shops are tucked away on side streets; you just gotta explore a little. Check Google Maps – look for places with high ratings and lots of photos. Also, don't underestimate the quality you can sometimes find in slightly larger department stores – some have really surprisingly good coffee shops on upper floors.