Visit Japan: Mimaru Tokyo Ikebukuro

When planning our visit to Tokyo last year, I discovered our go-to hotel underwent renovations, and they no longer had a triple / double connecting room that was suitable for our family of 5.  After searching online, I discovered the Mimaru brand of aparthotels, which turned out to be ideal.

They have various room configurations as well as themed rooms in each hotel throughout Japan.  We got a 2-bedroom family suite at the Mimaru Tokyo Ikebukuro. 

Our room had a mini kitchen, living and dining area, a room with 4 beds (2 floor, 2 bunk), another room with 2 beds, and 2 full baths (water closets separate from the shower).  It was still small compared to 2 bedroom suites in the US, but I loved that we were in a single suite and there were separate bathrooms.  

They provide hand soap in the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as detergent.  The AC cooled us off nicely during the summer heat! 

There was also a combo washer and dryer in the room, which is ideal for very small loads.  We ended up trying to use it, but it would take hours to dry, and ultimately we went to the laundry room, which also had a lounge area and manga library, to do laundry.

The hotel was ideally located - just a 9-minute walk from the train station, and Family Mart was literally just steps away (numerous other konbini were also nearby, as well as great shopping and eateries).

Check-in hours are only available until a certain time, after which a security guard will conduct the check-in process.

We stayed at Mimaru Tokyo Ikebukuro twice last year, and would definitely stay there again.

The employees were super friendly and we had no problems communicating (they did use a translating machine when necessary). 

Highly recommend Mimaru for families!

Mimaru Tokyo Ikebukuro
2 Chome-61-1 Ikebukuro

Toshima City, Tokyo 171-0014, Japan

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Visit Tokyo: Gusto

We went to Gusto, a chain restaurant, for breakfast one morning. Options are somewhat limited for breakfast, but you do get access to the soup and drink station!

 

Nothing was appealing to me for breakfast, so I just got Fried Chicken and French Fries.  Japan really makes some of the best fried chicken!

French Fries and Fried Chicken

Hamburger Breakfast

Pancake and Boiled Egg

Morning Curry

Boiled Whitebait and Mushroom Rice Porridge

There is not much human interaction at Gusto.  You order on a tablet.  Sometimes a server will bring food, other times it's brought on a robot.  And you go up to a pay station to pay.  

There are numerous locations throughout Japan, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even late night or early morning eats.  
 

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Visit Japan: Komeda Coffee

Komeda Coffee is a chain of coffee shops throughout Tokyo.  We went to the one in Ikebukuro for breakfast.

No English menus available so Google translate helped us order.

Pork Cutlet Bread

Shiro Noir

Shiro means white in Japanese, and Noir means black in French.  The Shiro Noir is basically a dessert that represents these two colors - the white soft serve sits atop a dark Danish pastry.  This was actually a dessert, but two of my kids ordered it for breakfast.

Pizza Toast with Egg

The Pizza Toast with Egg was an egg sandwich with pizza toppings on the top.  It was actually pretty good!  It was also quite filling - I could only eat half, and same with my son who ordered the same dish.

There was only one employee working both floors of the cafe, but service was efficient.

Komeda Coffee was a great spot for breakfast!

Komeda Coffee
1-24-1 Nishiikebukuro 2f, 3F

Toshima 171-0021 Tokyo Prefecture

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Visit Tokyo: Ikebukuro Pastakan

While looking at the food directory for Sunshine City, I saw a photo of okonomiyaki, so I made a point to seek out the restaurant, Ikebukuro Pastakan, for lunch.

We found the restaurant, were immediately seated, but we unfortunately discovered that it was cook-your-own, as each table was outfitted with a teppan grill. 

I contemplated leaving, as it was hot, and I didn't want to be sitting in front of a hot grill, much less cooking, but ultimately, I thought it would be a good and interesting experience for the family.

We were up for the challenge!  

We ordered a couple of okonomyakis to cook, along with items that would come already prepared.

Thankfully, there was a family next to us who was cooking and I watched the process. We did pretty well, in my opinion, despite getting a few steps wrong. 

I wish there were instructions or photos to let us know the basic steps, but I think the okonomiyakis turned out great, considering we never made them before!  

Beef Tendon and Green Onion

I still needed help from an employee, however, because one of the okonomiyakis came with noodles and another egg, and I had no idea what to do with those ingredients.

They both ended up tasting really good!

Modanyaki Pork

A few of the ready-to-eat items included:

Potato Butter & Corn

The Potato Butter & Corn was simple, but good.  It came in a cast-iron dish that was left on the grill so everything could be warmed up.

Yakisoba with Pork

The Yakisoba was really tasty, and I enjoyed the Crispy Fried Pasta!  

Crispy Fried Pasta

Although I would have preferred the okonomiyakis be served to us cooked, it was such a fun experience, and the end result was delicious!

Ikebukuro Pastakan

3 Chome-1-1 Higashiikebukuro

Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0013, Japan
 

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Visit Tokyo: Kori Cafe Anne

After a rest break in our room, we decided to have shaved ice at nearby Kori Cafe Anne. The cute cafe offers several varieties of shave ice.

I had the Parsley, which was mixed with banana and offered with a mixed berry sauce on the side.

It was yummy and refreshing, and it reminded me of a green smoothie.

Everyone else loved their shave ice, which had a little vanilla ice cream added as well. 

Mixed Berry with Cream Cheese Condensed Milk

Mixed Berry

Ujikintoki

Although the shave ice was huge, it was easy to eat it all up, since the shave ice was super fine.

The service was warm and welcoming, and the cafe was a nice find for a cool treat.

Kori Cafe Anne
Japan, 〒171-0014 Tokyo, Toshima City

Ikebukuro, 2 Chome−46−2 第二カドビル 2F

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Visit Tokyo: NamjaTown

In Sunshine City in Ikebukuro you'll find NamjaTown, an indoor theme park that offers all sorts of games, attractions, and food.

There is an entrance fee (500 yen / adult; 300 yen /child), and if you show your international passport, you get a 50 yen per person discount.

NamjaTown is divided into three towns - Dokkingham Plaza, which offers a variety of games, Showa, which offers food and shopping, and Mononoke, which offers even more games and attractions.

Donbura Q Bath House Quiz Challenge

I, however, was only interested in visiting NamjaTown for one reason, and one reason only - Fukubukoro Dessert Yokocho!

It was a sweets-lovers dream, as the cutest desserts were offered at a variety of venues.

da Luciano - Raspberry Gelato

da Luciano - Chocolate Gelato

da Luciano - Cookies & Cream

Patisserie Cute - Cake

Ice Shop - Tamago (Egg) Ice Cream, Dekopon (Orange) Sherbet, Kokutou (Brown Sugar) Ice Cream, Banana Milk Ice Cream, Blue Salt Ice Cream, Amaou (Strawberries) Ice Cream

Crepe Shop - Panda Crepe

In NamjaTown you'll also find Gyoza Stadium, from where we picked up a variety of gyoza and other savory eats, including the best fried chicken I've eaten on the trip (and perhaps almost anywhere!).

Hokkai Tokachi - Gyoza

Hokkai Tokachi - Fried Chicken

Hokkai  Tokachi - Fried Chicken Bowl

Hokkai Tokachi - Potatoes

Paou - Gyo-Tonpou

Paou - Sausage

Maruman - Round Gyoza 

Despite the numerous eateries, there is a very limited number of places to sit. There is one general seating area, but you really have to hunt down places to sit in all the different little "alleys" and rooms throughout NamjaTown.

We didn't participate in any of the games or activities, but we were satisfied with all of the yummy eats!

NamjaTown
Sunshine City
Japan, 〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima, Higashiikebukuro

3 Chome−1−3, サンシャインシティ・ワールドインポートマートビル
+81 3-5950-0765

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