CURIOCITY | Tokyo with Sequoia Armstrong
Tokyo, Japan
Curiocity Guides celebrates cities, travel, friendships and the joy of the journey. We’ve been around the globe, so you can travel like a local.
“The best part of any journey are the friends you make along the way”
Meet Sequoia
Sequoia is the founder of Puebla York - Providing curated culinary travel experiences to Japan and Mexico
Hi Sequoia, Tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi Susan! I’m the founder of Puebla York, an online brand that curates culinary travel to Japan and Mexico and sells ethically-sourced clothing. I was born and raised on Maui, HI and grew up visiting my mother’s family in Japan. I’ve lived in four countries- including Japan- and numerous cities.
Curiocity Guides likes to celebrate friendships made while out in the real world.
In honour of the 2020(1) Olympics and since only athletes can travel to the games this year, we would love for you to take us on a virtual tour to inspire our next trip to Tokyo!
Are you Ready?
Shopping street (shotengai) in Nakameguro
Tokyo is one city still on my bucket list! Can you break it down for us. Are there districts or neighborhoods? Tell us your favorites.
Tokyo is made up of 23 wards known as “ku” in Japanese. Here are some notable and famous neighborhoods/wards:
Shibuya -home of the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing with entertaining, dining and shopping
Ginza- a large luxury shopping district
Shinjuku- a neighborhood with a bit of a mix of business during the day and entertainment at night. The famous narrow alley of bars and clubs in Golden Gai is here
Akihabara- Anime and gadget neighborhood, a favorite of tech enthusiasts
My favorite neighborhoods are Daikanyama and Nakameguro.
Daikanyama isn’t far off the bright lights and hustle of Shibuya train station, however, it has the opposite vibe. The quiet streets, cute cafes and boutiques make for a relaxing feel. The bookstore Tsutaya- which is nation wide- has a large location here and is a great spot to check out.
Nakameguro defines the area to each side of the Meguro river in the Meguro ward. Laid back and full of places to eat, I keep discovering something new each time I visit. It’s the perfect neighborhood to wander around and discover something in the side streets. It’s also walking distance from Daikanyama
Since we are talking to a true foodie we would especially love your thoughts here! What are your top must taste spots?
Kanda Matsuya
1. Kanda Matsuya- Soba, buckwheat noodles, is a must in Tokyo. This restaurant with its hand-cut noodles has been on operation for over 130 years! Recommended for lunch
2. Nata de Cristiano- I’ve visited Portugal and eaten almost a dozen of these. This place knows what it’s doing!
3. En boca- Japan does pizza extremely well. This is one of few great pizza spots. Ideal for dinner. Closed Monday and Tuesday
4. Yamaken- Omakase sushi in a beautiful ambience in Ginza. Open for dinner only
Yamaken Sushi
Tokyo Whisky Library
5. Kaffir Lime- Casual spot in a new location for inexpensive and delicious Thai food. Open for lunch and dinner
6. Ginza Fugetsudo- sophisticated salon for seasonal Japanese desserts, known as wagashi, and tea
7. Food at almost any Japanese department store. Even if you don’t want to grab something to go, it is worthwhile taking a look. Some of the best and most delicious domestic and foreign food brands are here.
8.Tokyo Whisky Library- whisk(e)y, this library style bar houses over 1000 bottle and also serves cocktails and food.
Those all sound so amazing and delicious! One of my favorite things to do when I arrive in a new city is take a long walk and just absorb all the new sounds, sights, and smells. Do you have any favorite strolls to people watch and take it all in?
I do. I recommend walking along Omotesando, an area with posh shops and restaurants that is between the neighborhoods of Harajuku and Aoyama. Harajuku is famous for street fashion and fun for people watching.
Let’s talk culture, where do you like to go to get Inspired?
The architecture in Tokyo is incredible. The mix of old and new is so fun. I also like to visit the neighborhood of Asakusa for a feel of old Tokyo with its traditional craft shops and street food. The most visited temple in Tokyo, Sensoji, a Buddhist temple dedicated to Kannon is here.
Sensoji Temple with Cherry Blossoms in bloom.
I love checking out local art and galleries, do you have some you can suggest?
I haven’t been too many, but one I loved was the Mori Art Museum on the top the Roppongi Hills Tower and I’m eager to visit the Yayoi Kusama Museum.
Sake bottles by Boutique Japan
I can’t think of Japan and not dream of sipping sake while enjoying cherry blossoms in bloom. When I get to make this a reality - Where do I go – for both sake and blossoms?
Sake is a wonderful option when dining in restaurants. It complements food so exquisitely. Tokyo enjoys some of the best sake in the country.
Outside of going to a tasting at a sake brewery outside of Tokyo, a sake spot like Sake Bar Shushu in Kanda is best. Also, izakaya or Japanese-style pubs, will have great choices. That soba place I recommended earlier also has sake.
We found a Sake 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Sake to help!
Sakura - Cherry Blossoms in Bloom
For cherry blossoms, it’s best to plan for late March and into early April. However, each year, depending on the weather, this can fluctuate slightly so I recommend checking those websites that times for this. The famous place to view cherry blossoms in Tokyo is along the Meguro river. Another reason why Nakameguro is popular, especially in the spring. I’d also suggest Ueno Park, but really if you’re in Tokyo in late March, cherry blossoms will be all around the city.
Tell us a hidden gem that only a real Tokyoite knows?
It isn’t very hidden, but I think Tokyoites spend a lot of time here: Yoyogi Park. It’s in Shibuya Ward and the famous Meiji Shrine is here. However, locals tend to spend longer periods of time hanging out, exercising, or just strolling through the park. The park hosts festivals and events and is a fun detour when you walk from Shibuya station area to Harajuku for example. Anytime I’m in Tokyo, I try to spend some time here for a quiet break.
We are a big fan of your work. Can you tell us a little bit about how you got into food and travel and what inspires you most?
I’ve been traveling since I was 8 months old. I worked in restaurants for almost a decade in both New York and in Miami.
The love of food and travel have been passionate constants in my life. Food is what I look forward to most when I travel.
I find the people and culture, as well as landscapes and nature to be most inspiring.
Connecting with someone new in an unknown place or taking a chance to get outside of your comfort zone and experience something you couldn’t have planned for. These are the moments I think you remember for your life and keep you humble and creative.
Well said, Sequoia. Domo arigato gozaimasu!
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