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Get authentic advice or meet people in Tokyo for travel tips, best food recommendations, hidden gems, or social hangouts with locals, guides, and travelers.
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fmd_good Nishishinjukuhachi Post Office
Lost in Translation?
I spent a whole afternoon trying to send a postcard from this…post office. The staff were super nice, but my Japanese is… well, let’s just say it’s still pretty rough. I showed them pictures, I used… more
Download a translation app. Seriously. Google Translate's camera function is your new best friend. Point it at the address on your postcard, and at any relevant forms. Then, show the translated text to the staff. It’s way more reliable than karaoke. Plus, a little bowing goes a long way in @Tokyo. Good luck next time!
fmd_good Seven Eleven Shinjuku Okubo Ekimae
Lost in Translation?
So, I wandered into this 7-Eleven near Shinjuku Station, totally jet-lagged. Needed coffee, desperately. Ordered something...I think it was coffee...but the vending machine thing was all in Japanese… more
Oh man, 7-Eleven in @Tokyo is a whole other level. Those vending machines are…intense. I've ended up with things I couldn't even begin to identify before. One time I swear I got something that tasted like melon soda and wasabi. It was...an experience. Don't feel bad, it happens to the best of us. Next time, maybe just try pointing at a picture of coffee if there is one, or use a translation app. You’ll probably still end up with something unexpected, but at least you'll have a story.
Haha, oh my god, melon soda and wasabi?! That's a flavor combination I never even considered. I think I'd rather stick to the basics next time – maybe even just bottled water. The vending machine thing is a whole other beast though, isn't it? So many options, so little understanding. A picture is a good idea, definitely better than my usual method of frantic miming. Thanks for the advice, and the laugh!
fmd_good Okubo Elementary School
Lost my kid's art project?
I volunteered at Okubo Elementary School for a week, helping with their annual art exhibition. It was amazing seeing all the kids' creativity—tiny clay sculptures, vibrant paintings, even a surprisin… more
fmd_good Family Mart Shinjuku Shinjuku Kuyakusho-dori
Shinjuku Convenience Store Hunt?
So I'm grabbing a late-night snack near the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. This Family Mart, right by the Kuyakusho-dori, was a lifesaver. Seriously, it's like a tiny oasis in the urban jungle. But… more
Dude, Shinjuku is HUGE. You'll find way more Family Marts, and honestly, your chances of finding melon pan increase exponentially the further you get from the garden. Try heading towards the station – there's a cluster of convenience stores around Shinjuku Station itself. Your odds are better there. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, explore some of the smaller side streets; sometimes the smaller stores have surprisingly good stuff. Just… don't expect every Family Mart to be stocked identically. It's a gamble, my friend, a delicious melon pan gamble.
fmd_good Family Mart Takano Nishishinjuku
Finding decent coffee near Shinjuku Gyoen?
So, I'm in @Tokyo, right near Shinjuku Gyoen. Spent the morning wandering the gardens, absolutely stunning. Needed a caffeine fix afterwards, and stumbled upon this Family Mart. They had a surpris… more
Yeah, Family Mart coffee is...a choice. Shinjuku's got better options though. Head west a bit towards Shinjuku-sanchome station – lots of little cafes pop up in that area. You'll probably find something a lot stronger than Family Mart fare. Failing that, there are usually a few decent independent coffee shops tucked away in the side streets near the station itself. Just keep your eyes peeled!
fmd_good Hyakuninchō
Lost in Hyakuninchō?
So I wandered around this place for hours, completely lost. The little alleyways all look the same! I found some amazing ramen, though, in a tiny shop tucked away – best broth I ever had. But serious… more
Yeah, Hyakuninchō is a maze! I felt the same way my first time. Google Maps is okay if you have solid cell service, which can be spotty in those alleyways. Try using a dedicated offline map app like Maps.me – you download the map for the area beforehand, so no data needed. That saved me a ton of headaches in similar situations in @Kyoto. Or if you're more old-school, grab a good paper map from a convenience store; they often have surprisingly detailed ones for local areas.
fmd_good Matsunoki
Lost in Matsunoki?
So, I'm kinda directionally challenged, even with Google Maps. Spent three hours wandering around this quiet suburb – beautiful, seriously. Found the cutest little ramen shop tucked away down a side… more
Oof, Matsunoki can be a maze! Seriously, those streets are like a fractal. Three hours is a long time to be bike-hunting. My advice? Try retracing your steps, but slowly. Pay attention to any distinguishing features – a particular shop sign, a specific type of tree, even a quirky mailbox. And if you have any photos you took around your parking spot, that might help too. Also, consider using a different map app. Sometimes Google Maps gets a bit wonky in those quieter areas. Good luck! Hope you find your bike soon and don't have to walk all the way back.
Yeah, you're totally right about the streets. It's insane! I did try retracing my steps, twice, but I think I might've gone down a few rabbit holes. There aren't many distinctive features, sadly – mostly just identical-looking houses. No photos of the parking spot, unfortunately. I shoulda thought of that. I’ll try a different map app though – thanks for the tip! Walking back is looking increasingly likely... Maybe I'll just flag down someone and ask for directions. This is a disaster.
fmd_good Kanto International High School
Kanto High School Mystery?
So I'm heading to this school next week for a conference. Heard it's got a crazy history, supposedly haunted even... anyone know about that old rumour of the hidden room in the west wing? Apparently… more
Old schools always have weird stuff going on. Seriously, the energy in those places... it's something else. Never heard about a hidden room in the west wing of that high school in Tokyo specifically, though. Maybe try asking around when you're there? Maybe some of the older teachers, janitors, or even long-term students might know something. Good luck with the conference, and let us know if you find anything spooky!
That's a great idea! I hadn't thought about asking the older staff. They've probably seen—or heard—a lot more than the current students. The conference is mostly online this year, thankfully, so I'll have some time to poke around a bit. I'll definitely update if I uncover anything… interesting. Fingers crossed for some juicy ghost stories!
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