Restaurants, Bars and Cafés Beauty & Health Points of Interest

From world-class exhibitions to the latest blockbuster movie stars, Tokyo is on everybody's agenda. Why? Because this is the most exciting city in the world! The following are a few of our favorite spots in town; the places that make Tokyo our own.

Sakaeya (さかえ屋) kimono shop A traditional kimono shop located in Omiya (about 20 minutes from Akabane), Sakaeya has recently expanded their services in English, thanks to the young second-generation owner who, during her summer schooling the University of Oslo, learned to make new friends by actually wearing a kimono to class! From tailor-made kimonos to recycled ones, from cultural excavations dressed in your favorite patterns to kimono photo shoot packages, Sakaeya will satisfy all your kimono curiosities and as well as give you fond memories to take home. Visit their shop in Omiya or check the owner's English blog for the next kimono get-together in your area. 3-15 Miyacho, Omiya-ku, Saitama 048-641-8137 Station: Omiya (JR east exit north, one hour free parking for purchases over ￥3,000 more information...

Ameya Yokocho (アメヤ横町) outdoor shopping area Find great deals on seafood, meats, vegetables, pickled and packaged foods, clothes, accessories and pretty much anything else that can be merchandised at this large outdoor market, known as “Ame-yoko”. Lively bargaining takes place on all street corners; go for the energy if not for a good deal. Recommended: for a great selection of Korean and Chinese ingredients, go to the basement of the Ameyoko Center Building. Directly opposite of JR Ueno station, Hirokoji exit 03-3832-5053 Station: Ueno (JR Hirokoji exit) more information...

Mefle (メイドリフレクソロジー　ミフレ) maid café and reflexology Akihabara is famous for its otaku (comic and anime geeks) culture, so it may not come as a surprise that there are cafes where the servers are all young women dressed in maid costumes who call you goshujinsama (master). Both men and women are welcome to stop by most of these cafes. Mefle (pronounced 'mi-fu-re') is unique in that it offers reflexology treatments as well. All areas are non-smoking. You can get Polaroid pictures taken with the maids; two photos for ￥1,000. Watanabe Bldg. 2F, 3-8-17 Soto-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku 03-5294-8855 Station: Akihabara (JR Denkimachi exit) more information...

Ueno Zoo (上野動物園) ueno_zoo A large zoo with several unique and endangered animals like pandas, lowland gorillas, polar bears and Bengal tigers. A petting zoo for children is located on the south side. ￥600 for adults. 9-83 Ueno Koen, Taito-ku 03-3828-5171 Station: Ueno (JR Park exit; Keisei line main gate exit), Nezu (metro south exit) more information...