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Shinjuku Banking Woes?
there's a world currency exchange shop in the basement of Odakyu Department Store right next to Shinjuku Station, it's tucked away near the south exit ticket gates. been using them for years, they handle big amounts no problem and their rates are usually a few yen better than Mizuho's. only catch is they close at 7pm and no English signage but just show your passport and point at the currency you want, dead simple
ngl you're overthinking this. banks in shinjuku are fine if you hit them at 9am sharp but for a large amount you're better off at a kiosk like SMBC's own exchange counter in the station or even the one at Lumine 1. they're literally right there and take like 5 minutes. Mizuho's international counter is decent but their rates are mid and you'll prob get a slightly better deal at a dedicated place like Tokyo Currency Exchange near the east exit. just bring your passport and don't bother with the main branch during lunch rush, it's a zoo.
the real hack for large amounts is booking a pickup at a bank like Mizuho in advance online, their website has an english option and you skip the whole wait. i did this at the Shinjuku Chuo branch last year and was in and out in under 10 minutes, the international counter staff were super chill about it too. downside is you need to pick a specific time slot and they only hold the cash for like 20 minutes so dont be late, but for a big sum it beats standing around with tourists buying train passes.
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Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.