Rounding off my trip to the Japanese central alps, I returned to Tokyo to stay for the night, before taking the evening flight back home the next day. The Shinkansen ride took under 2 hours to bring me back to central Tokyo. By 2pm, I had checked into lyf Ginza Tokyo, and was ready to walk the streets of Tokyo in late fall.
My short stopover saw me pop by Pokémon Center Tokyo Bay, before returning to the city centre to have a tempura dinner at Roppongi. After checking out the following morning, I headed to Tokyo Toyosu Manyo club to kill time, before popping by to Narita Airport T1’s Pokemon Center to pick up Pikachu exclusive to the store.
Pokémon Center Tokyo Bay
Located east of Tokyo central at the Chiba district, Pokémon Center Tokyo Bay is an hour’s ride on the Asakusa Line. Thankfully, there was no need to change lines and the walk from Funabashikeibajō Station to LaLaport Tokyo Bay where the pokemon branch awaited was a leisurely 15 minute walk under the cool autumn weather.
LaLaport Tokyo Bay was a massive complex. It took me another 15 minutes or so to find my way around the shopping mall to the Pokémon Center! There was no queue, but the crowd at the outlet was nothing like the one at Osaka. My goal was simple: Locate the Pikachu unique to the Tokyo Bay branch. I was distracted by another furry Pikachu whose ears could erect when I pressed on its hands. Ah yes… Into the shopping bag it went.
Although I had lunch on the Shinkansen (bought from Meijitei Nagano’s kiosk, a fried prawn and pork fillet bento), I still wanted to take a rest, as I had walked for almost an hour. The only place in the busy mall that was available was the good old McDonald’s. I had a go at the seasonal item of chocolate pie (with a black shibainu packaging), some garlic chicken cutlets, McFlurry and a straight cup of tea (don’t ask me, it was written as such on the receipt). I was rather dehydrated, so the fried items didn’t really wow me. In fact, the chocolate filling of the pie was slightly heaty for the throat.
My journey back to central Tokyo was on the Keiyō Line; it was a JR line which was covered by my JR Pass. The 1 hour journey took me to Roppongi, where I had a dinner reservation at an exclusive tempura restaurant.
Tempura Tensousou 天婦羅 天蒼々 六本木ヒルズ店
Located on the 7th floor of Roppongi Hills together with several upscale restaurants, Tempura Tenso was easily missed due to its low profile facade. In fact, as they only accept customers with prior bookings, one would never have thought to enter the restaurant. For me, I had booked via Amex Global Dining. As a card member, I had SGD200 worth of dining credits to burn before the year’s end. So I thought, why not?
Just how exclusive was Tempura Tensousou? It has only a capacity of 8! Customers would be seated at counter seats surrounding the food preparation area, typical of Japanese restaurants.
I was the first to arrive for dinner. And they sat me right in the middle, with 3 chefs, led by Chef Sato, attending to me. I had never felt so privileged in my life!
18 courses of pampering
Chef Sato showed me the ingredients of the 18 course meal I had ordered during reservation, before setting off to prepare them. One by one. The chef literally eyeballed me (and of course the other customers who came thereafter) to ensure that each item would be prepared just in time as I finished the last.
I also ordered sake called Kokuryu, which was one of Chef Sato’s recommendations. It was sweet (yep, I’m soft) but strong. In hindsight, I made a good choice. As the tempura was heaty, the sweetness of the sake helped soothe the palate, which I would then follow up with plain water for a rinsing.
The food was fresh, indeed. I tasted freshness I had never known existed. For example, I was not a fan of gingko and water chestnuts, but I found the usual tartness that I disliked toned down, and instead was replaced by natural sweetness.
I’m also not particularly fond of sashimi, but the ones served by Tempura Tenso were amazingly light. Even the squid, which was usually characterised by its tough, rubbery texture, was soft and even literally dissolved in my mouth!
The chefs also recommended condiments to pair with the food. I would say those weren’t really needed, given how fresh the food was. But honestly, I’m not a gourmet nor an expert in food preparation, so I followed their recommendations nonetheless. Just not to the T.
The meal was rounded off with a fruit platter of dried persimmon and grape, with hot green tea to wash the palate. By then, I was full, both from the meticulously prepared food and 1.5hrs of attention.
Unique experience
I love tempura (and the likes of fried food). However, I had usually eaten them at cheap establishments. This was the first time I had savoured fried food like kaiseki. And interestingly, the ventilation was very good and I didn’t end up smelling bad even though I sat right beside the deep fryer. That said, haute cuisine isn’t really for me. Note when I’m faced with fried food, which I would prefer to gobble down instead of taking small tasting bites! 😛
天婦羅 天蒼々 六本木ヒルズ店
Japan, 〒106-6105 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 6 Chome−10−1 ヒルズ ウェストウォーク 5F
https://kiwa-group.co.jp/tensoso_roppongihills/
+81334785525
Manyo Club (Toyosu) 東京豊洲 万葉倶楽
On the following day, between hotel check-out and my flight, I popped by Manyo Club in Toyosu to kill time. Well, to enjoy every last bit of Japanese goodness I could get. At just half an hour’s train ride from Ginza, this 9 storey spa centre meant business.
On top of 3 hot pools, there were massage centre, a fully functioning restaurant, as well as resting areas and a panoramic rooftop footbath. Quite an experience! I strongly recommend Manyo Club (Toyosu), whether as a filler or a trip on its own!
Read more on my trip review to Manyo Club (Toyosu):
Manyo Club (Toyosu) 東京豊洲 万葉倶楽部
Ginza-itchome – Toyosu – Shijo-mae Y180 + y190
Pokémon Store Narita Airport Shop
Since I was flying out of Tokyo via Narita Airport, I couldn’t miss out on the Pokemon Store at Terminal 1. In terms of size and lighting, this store was one of the lowest profile Pokemon shop I’d ever visited. That said, it was the only place to find Pikachu pilots and flight attendants labelled with the IATA airport code of NRT for Narita Airport. For an avgeek and Pikachu lover, this is something that cannot be missed!
Pokémon Store Narita Airport Shop
Terminal 1, South Wing 4F, Narita International Airport, 1-1 Goryo-bokujo, Sanrizuka, Narita-shi, Chiba 286-0116
Exiting from the train station, the store would be on the left, one level up from the departure hall.
Parting Words
And with that, my final Tokyo moments were complete. From the exclusive counter seating at Tempura Tensousou to that essential, final soak at Manyo Club Toyosu, it was a proper send-off. The last stop? Snagging that unique pilot Pikachu at Narita. A perfect trifecta of luxury, relaxation, and geek-out collecting. If you have an evening flight, using a spa like Manyo Club is the ultimate travel hack. Till then, stay wanderlust!
If you enjoyed my trip reports, do check out my travelogues getting in touch with the nature of central Japan. Till then, stay wanderlust!
Singapore to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on ANA B787-9 Economy Class (NH842 SIN-HND): Trip review on the early flight out of the lion city to the land of the rising sun.
Hello Nagano: Sights and bites in Nagano in between day trips out of the city
[Review] 1-Day Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle Tour (from Nagano / Matsumoto): Hiking in the land of the gods – in the rain.
Matsumoto in 10 hours: Visiting Japan’s 1 of 3 remaining original castles, and more.
Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen) in Nagano: No snow, no monkey?
Dormy Inn Nagano – The Hotel (That Almost Turned Food) Review: Great place to stay while exploring Nagano.
Manyo Club Toyosu Review: The ultimate onsen spa for early checkouts & Tokyo Bay views
All photos and videos were taken using Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, and edited with Google Photos.
