Tokyo West

On Christmas morn, we ended up skipping Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park to sleep in. We met up with the Kohs and attended a Christmas Day worship service at Tokyo Union Church (an easy 3 min walk from Omotesando station)

Today was a day to slow down and wander around Shibuya and Harajuku. We had our very first Japanese sushi train experience for lunch! Whilst the food was decent, there was nothing special about it and it wasn't that cheap. That may have had something to do with the area that we were in. Ometosando appeared to be a place for high end shopping. Post lunch we window shopped at the Ometosando Hills but failed to find a suitable desert option.

Sushi train across Omotesando Hills

Some of our sushi selection

We soldiered on through Harajuku's Takeshita Dori where crepes appear to be the thing to eat but there was no where to sit and legs were tired! A stroll around Harajuku Station did not yield the people in cosplay that we wanted to see. We were here on the wrong day! Sunday afternoon in particular was meant to be the day where they all gather. Sigh.

The closest we got to cosplay!

The busy Takeshita Dori

On towards Shibuya! We checked out the famous Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue next to Shibuya Station and continued our search for dessert. We finally stopped at a crepe and frozen yoghurty store where we could sit down! The great ice cream hunt led us to half the places on the itinerary - Spain Slope, Disney store and eventually Centre Gai. Wohoo! The children led out a hugh "hurray" when we went past a unique without going in. Grr... 

The famous and busy Shibuya crossing

Hachiko

The only Disney Store in Tokyo with a direct street store front

Yes! Dessert place with seats

Christmas dinner was one of the best meals we've ever had. If you ever come to Tokyo, Kaikaya is definitely a place worth visiting. Every dish served packed a punch right down to the simple dishes of rice and miso soup. The ingredients were super fresh. I usually do not like raw prawns but surprisingly enjoyed it. We also ticked off the final way to eat beef that we missed out in Takayama - sushi style. Admittedly this was Kobe beef not Hida beef but who cares - it tasted very good! We chose the 10 dish set menu which was JPY4500 per head.

Kaikaya

Warm, friendly and helpful waiters! Showing us how to best peel the prawns and eat the head

The carpaccio that is just full of flavour

Deep fried fish. One was a rock cod, couldn't remember the name of the other fish but the seasoning was amazing

The most delicious abalone

Super freshh sashimi

Wasabi grated fresh

Tuna jaw

Deboning the tuna

Fish miso like I've ever tasted before and it is full of meat!

Cherry blossom ice-cream to finish. Simple flavour and a nice way to end the meal