SHINJUKU

Shinjuku (新宿) is one of Tokyo's busiest areas primarily due to its fame of being considered the large entertainment, business, and shopping areas. Shinjuku Station is the world's busiest railway station, handling more than two million passengers every day which makes sense due to it having over a dozen railway and subway lines. Whether you live in Tokyo or are just here for a visit, Shinjuku is a popular spot to visit offering everything under the sun. 

One of the most popular shopping facilities in Shinjuku is LUMINE, and it is directly connected to the station! There are three LUMINE buildings: Lumine 1, Lumine 2, and LUMINE Est. Inside the largest of the three, LUMINE Est is a leather accessories store NAUGHTIAM. NAUGHTIAM sells an array of leather goods from holders for train passes, keys, and other practical wallets. They also sell a number of original NAUGHTIAM bags along with collaborating with famous brands overseas like Manhattan Portage. Here you get to see Japanese quality wallets, bags, and other accessories at a surprisingly reasonable price. One of our friends got a wallet here and was amazed at how easy it is to use, being very sturdy and plenty of slots for cards. 

★NAUGHTIAM Shinjuku
🏢LUMINE Est 6F
⏰Weekdays: 11am～10pm, Weekends/Holidays: 10:30am～9:30pm
💮tax exemption when purchasing more than 5,000 yen
💻Official website link
 

Misono has an incredible resume of not only being established in 1945, but being the first in the world to do many things with Kobe beef steak. One thing that took us by surprise was Misono is considered the originator of Teppanyaki! Where the styles are different from that in Japan, Teppanyaki restaurants are now popular all over the world. So when hearing there is the originator of Teppanyaki here Tokyo and knowing how many foreign guests that have eating Kobe beef on their list, we just had to add it to this article.

Back in 1868 Kobe beef became a part of international trade, and from there it was viewed as traditional Japanese food despite Japanese people not being accustomed to eating red meat. But what qualifies beef as Kobe beef, and what makes it so special?!? Well the qualifications of being Kobe beef is surprisingly high. It all starts with tajima-gyu, or Japanese black cattle which is one of the four Japanese breeds known as wagyu. From there the raising process requires a lot of attention to create a stress-free, relaxing environment. Then the grading of the cow depends on the yield and meat quality scores, but only cows having a marbling index of No.6 or higher along with a few other criteria are officially certified as Kobe beef. Now the beef Misono serves is A4 and A5 ranked Japanese black cattle, ensuring that juicy and creamy taste this famous marble beef is known for.

All the seats are right in front of the Teppan iron plate table, allowing you to watch the care the chefs put into the grilling process. There are a number of courses to choose from, but we feel it is important to mention that Misono has recently introduced a Halal Kobe Beef Steak Course, being the first ever in the world. Menu info here!

★Misono Shinjuku Restaurant
🏢51F Shinjuku Sumitomo Bldg
Google Maps
⏰Lunch: 11:30am～2:30pm, Dinner: 5pm～10pm
📞03-3344-6351
💻Official website link​ (ENG)
Shinjuku restaurant info (ENG)

HARAJUKU

Between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line lays Harajuku (原宿). It is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for adults and some historic sights. The focal point of Harajuku's teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (竹下通り; Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens.

Being a westerner that lives in Japan, finding what we consider good pizza can be really tough. Not to mention pizza that is not ridiculously expensive. But FINALLY!! JAPANKURU found a pizza place that sells cheap, delicious, and massive pizza right here in Harakuju. 

Originating from Milan, Italy, pizzeria Spontini has opened its first international store in Tokyo, Japan! Most of the pizza in Japan is made having Neapolitan pizza crust which is known for being thin and crisp. But since Spontini originates from Milan, their crust is thicker with a more chewy yet crispy texture. It somewhat reminded us of Chicago's deep dish pizza crust. So if you like big, meaty pizzas, Spontini is the place for you. 

★Spontini Harajuku Restaurant
Google Maps
⏰Lunch: 11am～5pm, Dinner: 5pm～10:30pm
💻Official website link​

The pizzas here are no joke. All of the pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven and you can choose from ordering a slice or the whole pan. Their main pizzas are Margherita (700yen/piece or 3900yen/pan) and Marinara (650/piece or 3500yen/pan). From there you can choose to eat as it is or add some toppings like jalapeno, pancetta, and anchovy, really customizing your pizza. What is great about ordering a pan pizza is the pizza is BIG. Not just the slices but the pan itself. So what you are getting is so much better compared to ordering from Pizza Hut which is about the same price but for half the size. Another thing is if you aren't able to finish a whole thing, you can get the remaining food boxed up to go. Many places in Japan will not let you do that, so this is a big plus for eating your hearts out at Spontini. 30,000円 worth of pizza is not an easy thing to do, but with it you can get all you can drink and great from those big pizza party nights!🍕

While you are in Harajuku you might as well stop by the newly opened cookie store! Growing up we would often eat raw cookie dough regardless of our people telling us it wasn't good for us. We just couldn't help it! But Cookie Time makes it ok to eat raw cookie dough but takes it to a new level offering cookie everything!! Definitely a paradise for cookie lovers, at Cookie Time you can indulge in freshly baked cookies and milk, edible (no egg) cookie dough with ice cream, cookie milkshakes, cookie sandwiches, and more🍪♥

★Cookie Time Cookie Bar
Google Maps
⏰10am～7pm
💻Official website link

Easily one of our favorite accommodation facilities in the main Tokyo region, Grids Tokyo Asakusabashi Hotel + Hostel is an affordable place to stay while still being in some of Tokyo's main access areas. You are only a 3 min train ride away from Asakusa. Besides Asakusabashi, there are other hostels in Akihabara and Nihonbashi East that you can choose from to better accommodate your stay.

★GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI HOTEL+HOSTEL
Google Maps
⏰: Check-in: from 4pm/Check-out: 11am
📞: (+81)03-5687-7131
Free WIFI available
🖳GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI official website (ENG)
🏩Make reservations HERE!
※AKIHABARA : https://grids-hostel.com/hostels/akihabara/jp/
※HIGASHINIHONBASHI : https://grids-hostel.com/hostels/nihonbashi-east/jp/

What you can choose from for 30,000yen:

Ａ．6 Persons Room 2 nights 3 days (only at Asakusabashi)
Ｂ．4 Persons Room 3 nights 4 days
Ｃ．Dormitory Room 10 beds 
 
※Room availability may depend on the day
※Only for one stay stay
※Reservation confirmation by April 30, 2019, stay at the hotel by August 31
※Prices do not change regardless of the season
※Breakfast and amenity rates are not included
 

More information here! (ENG)

These are just a sliver of the things you can do in Tokyo with 30,000 yen. It really depends on what you are looking for. From spending a little something extra to make your trip special to traveling on a budget so that you can see and do as much as possible! The best things about the places above are that they allow you to do both. Whether they are on the cheap or expensive side, they are things particularly special to Tokyo. Hopefully, we were able to give you some information about some places you had not heard of before! 

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