Japan 2025#
They say money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a Business Class bid upgrade on a JAL A350-1000, and that is basically the same thing.
In May 2025, I touched down in Tokyo with a suitcase full of tech gear, a prescription-strength Sudafed buzz, and a mission: to eat my weight in A5 Wagyu, survive the shark tank of Evo Japan, and finally settle the debate on whether Gong cha is actually “mid.”
From the neon-soaked chaos of Osaka’s Dotonbori to the high-stakes “pancake purgatory” of Namba, this wasn’t just a vacation—it was a 13-day masterclass in living my best (and most expensive) life. I stared down bowing deer in Nara, shared a rhythm game set with a stranger in Akihabara, and learned the hard way that a Conrad rubber duck is a better travel companion than a passport you accidentally left in your hotel safe.
Grab a Frozen Calpico and settle in. This is the story of how I went 0-2 in the pools but 10-0 in the dining room. Welcome to the “Director’s Cut” of my 2025 Japan adventure.
Day 1: High Skies, High Hopes, and a Very Awake Brain#
The pilgrimage began with a humble Lyft to JFK, which was the last “humble” thing about this day. I spent my time in the Greenwich Lounge aggressively refreshing my email like a person possessed, praying to the airline deities for a bid upgrade. My prayers were answered: I was officially moving from the “at least my knees don’t touch the seat” section to the “I am basically royalty” section. Business Class, baby.
I boarded Japan Airlines Flight JL5 (the A350-1000, for the plane nerds out there) and prepared to live my best life. The seat was a literal cloud, and the food was better than anything I’ve ever eaten on solid ground. There was just one tiny, vibrating problem: Sudafed. Thanks to my choice of sinus medication, I didn’t sleep a wink. I spent 14 hours staring at the ceiling in total comfort, vibrating at a frequency only dogs can hear, while the impeccable cabin crew treated me like a visiting dignitary.
Touching down in Tokyo, I managed to navigate the transit system with the grace of a man who hasn’t slept since the previous fiscal year. I grabbed a Pasmo card and embarked on a multi-train odyssey—Monorail to Rinkai to Yurikamome—finally landing at the La Vista hotel.
To cap off the night, I met up with Abdul for dinner at Tsukishima Monja Jugoya. It was my first encounter with monjayaki. If you’ve never seen it, it’s basically a delicious savory pancake that looks like a construction accident until the staff works their magic with metal spatulas right at your table. It was the perfect, chaotic end to a very long day. Then, I finally—finally—collapsed into bed.
Day 2: Hot Sauce Quests and Shinjuku Cocktails#
I kicked things off with a hotel breakfast buffet, which is the only proper way to fuel up for a battle with the crowds of Shibuya. My primary mission? Retail therapy. But I wasn’t just looking for clothes; I was on a high-stakes hunt for a specific hot sauce for Chives. In true Tokyo fashion, I didn’t find it in a grocery store—I found it in a vending machine. There is truly nothing you can’t buy from a glowing box in this city. Mission accomplished.
As the sun went down, I met up with Abdul for dinner at Fry-ya by Takadanobaba. There’s something deeply spiritual about fried food and catching up with friends while your legs finally stop throbbing from all that Shibuya walking.
To keep the momentum going, we headed over to Shinjuku to meet Eniola at Bar B&F. Shinjuku at night is basically a sensory overload in the best way possible. It had been way too long since I’d seen Eniola, so we spent the evening swapping stories over drinks in a bar that felt like a hidden sanctuary from the chaos outside. A solid 10/10 day with zero Sudafed-related jitters.
Day 3: Crushed Dreams and the Red Bull Hail Mary#
I kicked off the morning on the Yurikamome line, heading to the massive Tokyo Big Sight for Day 1 of Evo Japan. I was hyped for my Street Fighter 6 pools, but the local talent had other plans for me. I went a swift 0-2, getting bodied first by a Jamie player and then by a Guile who clearly didn’t want me to have a nice day. Welcome to Japan, I guess.
I consoled my wounded pride with a “Five-Star Michelin” lunch from the venue FamilyMart: an Amerikan Doggu and the legendary Famichiki. With my Tekken pool not starting until the evening, I decided to head to Shinjuku to take a break. After some fun, I was back on the train to Tokyo Big Sight.
By the time I got back for Tekken 8, the jet lag hit me like a physical brick. I was vibrating with exhaustion. A Red Bull from one of the roaming promo girls provided a temporary spark, but I was basically playing on 1% battery.
I managed to scrap out a win against a Japanese Asuka player (vengeance!), but then my luck ran out. I lost two straight RPS decisions against a Bryan and a Dragunov, forcing me onto the Player 2 side for both. Between the fatigue and the bad “luck,” I dropped both sets.
Defeated but fed, I grabbed a Nana Chiki from 7/11 on the way home—because you haven’t truly lived until you’ve done the “Conbini Fried Chicken Triple Crown”—and finally crashed into bed.
Day 4: No Baja Blast, No Glory, and the $100 Sushi Miracle#
I woke up with a souvenir I didn’t ask for: a headache that felt like a Guile Flash Kick to the skull. My first mission wasn’t to a shrine or a palace, but to a drugstore for a hit of Bufferin Premium DX.
I had originally planned to head back to the trenches of Evo Japan, but honestly? The vibe check failed. Between the “standing room only” policy, the 100% Japanese commentary I only half-understood, and a general lack of enthusiasm for the current meta, I decided to choose peace. Sometimes the best way to watch a tournament is from a hotel bed with English VODs and working air conditioning. Comfort: 1, Esports: 0.
Hungry and slightly more human, I met up with Abdul in Shibuya for a very traditional Japanese lunch: Taco Bell. Look, sometimes you just need a taste of home, even if that home is a Cheesy Gordita Crunch. Since Japan is a “Baja Blast-free zone,” I subbed in a Frozen Calpico, which is basically the classy, milky cousin of a Slurpee.
We spent the afternoon on a high-stakes quest for Mariuxi, hunting through secondhand luxury shops for a specific purse. We WhatsApp’d her from every corner of Shibuya, but despite scouring the racks like professional looters, we came up empty-handed. Sorry, Mariuxi—Tokyo’s thrift game is strong, but the “perfect purse” is an elusive beast.
The redemption arc for the day happened at dinner. I had a reservation at Shibuya Sushi Labo, and man, it delivered. For about $100 (which is a literal steal for the quality), I sat through an outstanding omakase. Fresh, inventive, and way better than any taco—it was the perfect, high-brow end to a low-key day.
Day 5: Pikachu, Gachapon, and Digital Reality Warps#
I met up with Abdul and we made a pilgrimage to Ikebukuro, the promised land for anyone who prefers 2D characters to real people. We started with the “Old Reliable” of Japanese travel: CoCo Ichibanya in Sunshine City. There is a specific kind of inner peace that only a plate of Level 3 spicy Japanese curry can provide.
With our stomachs lined with curry, we began the Great Sunshine City Trek. We hit the Pikachu Sweets Cafe (where everything is too cute to actually eat), the Crayon Shin-chan store, and the absolute behemoth that is the Pokemon Center. But the real high-stakes drama happened at the Bandai Namco Cross Store.
Siyin had commissioned me for a very specific Gintama gachapon, and the pressure was on. After a few tense turns of the plastic crank, the Gacha Gods smiled upon me. Mission accomplished. I am now officially the best proxy-shopper in the northern hemisphere.
To transition from “cartoon overload” to “sensory overload,” we headed to teamLab Planets. If you’ve never walked through a digital museum calf-deep in water while lights explode around you, you haven’t lived. It’s basically a legal fever dream.
We ended the night back at Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, specifically at Nikuzuki Daikokuten. After a day of chasing digital monsters and plastic capsules, nothing hits quite like a mountain of meat skewers and croquettes. My feet are screaming, my wallet is lighter, but my Gacha luck is legendary.
Day 6: High-Speed Ice Cream and the Neon Welcome Wagon#
Today was the day I officially bid sayonara to Tokyo and leveled up to Osaka. We didn’t just take the train; we took the Shinkansen Green Car, specifically the front row. It’s the kind of legroom that makes you feel like you should be signing international treaties instead of just eating snacks.
Speaking of snacks: the ekiben game was strong. I opted for the self-heating beef tongue bento because there is nothing more satisfying than pulling a string and watching your lunch steam like a miniature locomotive. To top it off, I used the QR code at my seat to summon a Shine Muscat grape ice cream. Having gourmet fruit-flavored dairy delivered to you at 175 mph is the peak of human civilization. Period.
Once we hit Osaka, Abdul and I performed the “Hotel Check-In Shuffle” and then met up with Chiping for our first meal in the city of food. We hit up a Gyukatsu spot—because if you’re going to eat beef in Japan, it might as well be flash-fried and crispy on the outside while remaining buttery-pink on the inside.
To walk off the fried goodness, we plunged into the madness of Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. If Tokyo is a well-tailored suit, Osaka is a flashy neon tracksuit with a loud personality. We soaked in the glowing lights, dodged the crowds under the Glico Man, and felt the shift in energy. Osaka is louder, hungrier, and ready to party. I’m officially here for it.
Day 7: Punctuality vs. The Pancake Line: A Namba Tragedy#
I started my morning with the precision of a Shinkansen conductor. I arrived at Cafe Annon Namba exactly on time, ready to claim my rightful place in the first seating of Soufflé Pancake Paradise. I was at the summit. I had the high ground.
Then… I waited. And waited. By the time Abdul and Chiping finally rolled up, the “First Seating” ship had sailed, the doors had closed, and we were sentenced to 40+ minutes of staring at the menu on the sidewalk like orphans in a Dickens novel.
Was the Cafe Au Lait float and the strawberry banana pancakes “worth it”? Yes. Were they seasoned with the subtle saltiness of my own silent judgment as I watched the lucky first-seaters leave? Also yes. They were fluffy, they were delicious, and they were a very effective peace offering from the late-comers.
With our blood sugar (and my patience) restored, we pivoted to the Osaka Expo 2025 site. It was like a high-budget school field trip to the future. France brought the fashion, and the USA pavilion felt like the Pacific Science Center on steroids—lots of “touch this” and “learn that” interactive exhibits. I also paid a “diplomatic tax” for a Vietnamese coffee that cost more than my first car, but hey, international relations aren’t cheap.
We capped the night at OIMATSU Tempura Suzuki. This was the “redemption arc” meal. Every piece of tempura was so perfectly crisp and light it practically defied gravity. The service was impeccable, the crunch was legendary, and by the end of the night, I had almost—almost—forgiven the guys for the morning pancake delay.
Day 8: Bowing Deer, Rice Burgers, and Meeting Rhythm Game Royalty#
The day kicked off at Kuromon Market, where Abdul and I navigated the seafood stalls just to find a very non-traditional breakfast: a sausage croissant and coffee. Look, sometimes you’re in one of the world’s best fish markets and you just want a pastry. No regrets.
With our “market breakfast” secured, we made the pilgrimage to Nara. If you’ve never been, it’s a magical place where the deer are polite enough to bow for a cracker and aggressive enough to headbutt you if you’re too slow with the delivery. While Chiping was actually being a productive member of society (working), Abdul and I spent the afternoon dodging antlers and enjoying the peaceful—yet slightly chaotic—park vibes.
For lunch, we hit Mos Burger. I finally tried the Rice Yakiniku Burger, which is basically a burger that gave up on bread and decided to embrace its true Japanese heritage. We chased that with some freshly pounded mochi—nothing beats watching men hit dough with giant hammers to work up an appetite for dessert.
Then, the “Real Work” began. I headed to Gigo Namba Avion for a Pump It Up (PIU) session. I even made a cross-cultural connection, playing a set of singles with a lady from Indonesia. There’s no language barrier when you’re both staring at scrolling arrows.
For dinner, the fellowship reunited at Ushinokura Namba for Yakiniku. There is something primal and satisfying about grilling high-grade beef at your own table after a day of dodging deer.
But the night didn’t end there. Chiping and I went back to Gigo to hunt for some “forbidden fruit”—old, removed PIU Prime 2 co-ops. After sweating through some rhythm games, we met back up with Abdul at Maccha House for a green tea cool-down. We capped the night at Round1, where we had a literal “brush with greatness” sighting: the legendary DDR player O4MA was just… right there. It’s like going to a local court and seeing LeBron James putting up shots.
Day 9: Backstage Passes, Broken Dinosaurs, and the Gong cha Grudge#
The day I’d been waiting for finally arrived: Universal Studios Japan (USJ). I rolled up to the gates with Chiping, ready to storm Super Nintendo World and Hogwarts. I had my heart set on the Flying Dinosaur, but the universe had other plans—it was down for repairs. A total buzzkill, but when life gives you closed rollercoasters, you buy a VIP pass and act like you own the place.
Since Chiping had his own Express Pass schedule to maintain, I spent the morning as his sidekick until my 3:00 PM VIP Tour kicked off. This was my first time going “Full VIP,” and let me tell you, it spoils you for life. Our guide, George, was a legend. We weren’t just skipping lines; we were taking literal backstage shortcuts like we were part of the road crew. The only glitch in the Matrix? Yoshi’s Adventure decided to die right as we reached the front of the line. Also, a pro-tip for the “lore” fans: when you go VIP, you skip the beautifully themed queues, so you trade the storytelling for zero wait time. Honestly? Worth it.
With Abdul off doing his own thing for dinner, Chiping and I stayed in the park to refuel. But the real “main event” of the evening wasn’t the food—it was the social experiment. I managed to peer-pressure Chiping into trying Gong cha. He absolutely, passionately hated it. Watching his face go from “I’ll try it” to “Why did you do this to me?” was a bigger win than any high score I could have gotten on Mario Kart.
Day 10: Wagyu Breakfasts and Iron Chef Victories#
I bid farewell to Osaka the only way I know how: with a “decadent” breakfast at the Hyatt’s Talk Shop. Most people have cereal; I had a Wagyu beef breakfast set. If you haven’t started your morning by eating a cow that lived a better life than you, are you even vacationing correctly?
I met up with Abdul and the Boba Snob (Chiping) for the Shinkansen ride back to Tokyo. We secured the front-row Green Car seats again because once you’ve experienced that level of legroom, there’s no going back to the “peasant” section. Chiping tried to make up for his poor taste in bubble tea by sharing some actually delicious cheesecake, and I doubled down with another Ekiben for lunch. Watching the Japanese countryside blur by at 300km/h while eating high-end bento is a peak human experience.
Upon arrival, I leveled up my housing situation and checked into the Conrad Tokyo. If my first few days were “adventure,” this was pure “luxury.” Checking into the Conrad Tokyo was a spiritual experience. After a week of navigating the “cozy” (read: shoebox-sized) dimensions of urban Japan, walking into this room felt like entering a private cathedral of luxury. It was massive—genuinely more spacious than any hotel room I’ve ever seen in Tokyo. The view? A sprawling, cinematic city skyline that makes you feel like the protagonist of a high-budget tech thriller. But the real MVP of the room wasn’t the square footage or the view; it was the bathtub. It was a deep-soak masterpiece, complete with the legendary Conrad rubber duck—the ultimate “I’ve made it” travel trophy.
To cap off the homecoming, Chiping and I had dinner at La Rochelle, the legendary French spot by Iron Chef Sakai. This wasn’t just dinner; it was a high-stakes culinary performance. Every course was superb, the service was flawless, and it was the perfect “fine dining” middle finger to the budget-traveler lifestyle. Tokyo, I missed you—and your incredibly expensive, delicious food.
Day 11: Chocobo Lattes and the Wagyu Meat-Pocalypse#
The Tokyo sky decided to open up and try to drown us, but the fellowship stayed strong. I met up with Chiping and Abdul at the SQUARE ENIX CAFE, because if you’re going to hide from the rain, you might as well do it surrounded by Moogles. I went full fanboy and ordered the Final Fantasy-themed coffee and parfait. Honestly? Usually, “themed” food is a trap, but this was surprisingly legit. 10/10, would eat a Cactuar again.
We did a “Shinkansen-speed” dash to Ikebukuro for some last-minute retail therapy—navigating the puddles like we were in a platforming level—before retreating back to the neon glow of Shinjuku for the main event.
Dinner was at the legendary Rokkasen. If there is a heaven for carnivores, this is the lobby. It’s an All-You-Can-Eat Wagyu BBQ and Sukiyaki joint where the meat is so premium it practically melts if you look at it too hard. We spent the evening in a beautiful, marbled-fat-induced trance, grilling absolute piles of top-tier beef.
It was a bittersweet feast, though, as this was our official “Last Supper” with Abdul. He was heading out the next day, so we made sure his final memory of Japan was being physically unable to eat another bite of Sukiyaki. A legendary send-off for a legendary travel companion.
Day 12: The Great Akihabara Identity Crisis#
I started the day with a very “Conrad” breakfast: avocado toast. It was the perfect, healthy fuel for a day that was supposed to be a legendary loot haul in Akihabara. Abdul was supposed to join us for one last hurrah, but the Tokyo nightlife finally claimed him—he slept through the morning and headed straight for his flight to Vancouver. Safe travels, Abdul! May your dreams be full of Sukiyaki.
Chiping and I hit the ground running in Electric Town. We grabbed lunch at Sushiro, which was doing a collaboration with Honkai: Star Rail. Eating conveyor belt sushi while surrounded by anime space-train marketing is peak 2025.
Then, something strange happened. We spent six hours wandering through the neon towers of Akihabara. We browsed the figures, we looked at the tech, we scaled the multi-story hobby shops… and we bought nothing. Zero. Zilch. As I walked out empty-handed, I had a mid-trip existential crisis: Am I… not a weeb anymore? Have I evolved? Or is my suitcase just already full of Conrad rubber ducks?
To keep the “Chiping Hates My Drink Choices” streak alive, we stopped at Cocos for bubble tea. To absolutely nobody’s surprise, he despised it just as much as the Gong cha. At this point, I think he just enjoys the suffering.
The day ended on a high note back at the Conrad. I put my FHR credit to work at Kazahana for my first legit high-end Teppanyaki experience. Watching a master chef sear A5 Wagyu right in front of you is basically theater where the ending is always “I am extremely full and happy.” It was the ultimate way to recover from the trauma of not buying a single anime keychain.
Day 13: The Final Breakfast and the Great Passport Facepalm#
woke up at the Conrad for my final morning in Tokyo, feeling that classic “end of vacation” melancholy. I dealt with it the only way I know how: by heading downstairs for one last elite-tier hotel breakfast. There is a specific kind of peace that comes from a perfectly poached egg and a view of the Tokyo skyline before you have to rejoin the real world.
With my bags packed and my spirits high, I made a tactical strike on the Uniqlo in Ginza. If you haven’t been, it’s basically a 12-story skyscraper of affordable fashion and high-tech basics. I spent the morning curated a “last-minute” haul of things I definitely needed (and a few I didn’t).
I marched to the register, ready to claim my rightful Tax-Free discount—the ultimate victory for any international traveler. I reached for my pocket, then my bag, then my other pocket… Passport: Left at the hotel. I stood there in the heart of Ginza, defeated by my own forgetfulness. I had to pay full price like a common tourist, a minor sting to the wallet but a major blow to my ego. Lesson learned for 2026: Always check the “Phone, Keys, Wallet, Passport” checklist before leaving the room.
Eventually, it was time to face the music. I made the trek to the airport and retreated to the sanctuary of the Sakura Lounge. Sitting there with a final Japanese snack and a quiet drink, I looked back on the madness of the last two weeks:
* The Business Class bid success.
* The 0-2 Evo heartbreak (we don't talk about the Guile player).
* The Nara deer standoff and the O4MA sighting.
* The Iron Chef dinners and the Conrad rubber duck currently guarding my luggage.
From the neon-soaked chaos of Osaka to the quiet, spacious luxury of the Conrad, this adventure was nothing short of legendary. Japan, you’ve been incredible, weird, and delicious. I’m already checking flight prices for the next one.
