Friday, February 5, 2016

#Shopping ♪ Let’s Go Shopping Underground!? Yaesu Underground Shopping Mall @ Tokyo Station





#Shopping ♪ Let’s Go Shopping Underground!? Yaesu Underground Shopping Mall

Tokyo Station is said to be the "Gateway" to all parts of Japan. 
Possibly because the majority of trains lines running to other 
cities in Japan originate at Tokyo station. The station is 
vast not only above ground, but the basement of the vast also 
houses a large shopping center nicknamed "Yaechika", short 
for "Yaesu Underground Shopping Mall". How familiar with a 
city can you truly be above ground when a whole world lies just 
beneath your feet?, just to give you a taste of the vast size of this mall, 
there are actually over 180 shops and restaurants on one collective floor.

Opened in 1965, at the Yaesu Exit of the underground of Tokyo Station,
having 15,600㎡ of the floor area, over 150,000 people walking back the forth.
Tokyo Station, has a long history where many people commute to work and school and travel.
Then, Yaesu is a shopping spot that you might enjoy your day from the morning to the night,
shopping at various shopping.
Also, convenient facilities like ATMs, convenience store and drug stores are available here,
So you might say that it is a station connecting everybody's life style!


Venturing Into the Yaesu Underground Shopping Mall

There are two large entrances in Tokyo Station, the 
"Marunouchi" entrance and the "Yaesu" entrance. There are also 
doorways to be found on the street, similar to subway entrances 
that lead to the "underground city".


[Yaesu Shopping mall]
Address: Chuo-ku, Tokyo Yaesu 2-1  (B1 &B2)
Restaurants [11:00 to 22:00] 
Fashion household goods: [10:00 to 20:00] 
Cafes: [8:00 to 21:00]
General Hours: [10: 00-20: 00]
 ※  business hours may change. Please check the site beforehand
Official Site (English)


Yaesu Shopping Mall (aka: Yaechika): There are cafes, restaurants, fashion, miscellaneous goods,  and various kinds of grocery stores.


Okay, So what kind of fun is waiting in the basement of Tokyo Station,
 Yaesu? Time to strut into the establishment and find out!


Here we gooo... wait.. breakfast first!





Enjoy Pt. 1♪ A Pleasant Breakfast @ SANDOGINN KOBEYA

"A delicious way to enjoy bread" is the concept! Tasty bread 
from all over Japan! There's also a "lunch buffet" that can 
make every morning a delicious morning. 

Check it out!

[Sun Dog Inn Kobeya (cafe • snacks)]
Phone: 03-5299-9190
 66 seats (all seats non smoking)
Hours:

【Breakfast】
7: 00~10: 30 (L.O. 10:30)
Morning A set (with a drink) ¥ 540  
Morning S set (with drink) 594 yen, etc.

【lunch】
11: 00~14: 00 (L.O. 13:30)
Lunch buffet ¥ 994 ※ first 150 people

【dinner】
Weekdays: 14: 00~22: 00 (LO 21:00) 
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 14: 00~21: 00 (LO 20:00)

Beef cheek meat stew set 1,058 yen / pasta set 1,028 yen 
 apple pie set 463 yen / hot sandwich set 605 yen





Enjoy Pt. 2♪ Brunch @ Bubby's Yaechika

At the underground station, you can also enjoy a fashionable brunch 
^^ made up of breads, cakes, pies and coffee!

[Bubby's Yaechika (American Cafe restaurant)]
Phone: 03-6225-2016
78 seats (all seats non smoking)
Hours:

【Breakfast】
Only on weekdays: 7: 30~11: 00 (L.O. 11:00)
Eggs Benedict (with 1 drink) ¥ 980 / sour cream pancakes 
(with 1 drink) 980 yen / French toast (with 1 drink) 980 yen

【lunch】
Weekdays: 11: 00~16: 00 (LO 16:00) 
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 9: 00~16: 00 (LO 16:00)
BBQ pulled pork sandwich 1,300 yen / Eggs Benedict 1,400 yen /
 sautéed bananas and walnut pancakes 1,400 yen

【dinner】
16: 00~22: 30 (LO 21:30)
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 16: 00~22: 00 (LO 21:00)
Roasted chicken half 2,400 yen / rib eye steak 2,900 yen /
 Chile cheese french fries 880 yen / garlic shrimp 1,200 yen




Enjoy Pt. 3♪ Dinner @ KOUNOTORI

The inviting fragrant aroma, tavern-like atmosphere and delicious 
taste of grilled chicken with a full high ball drink^^ 
Yaesu Underground Shopping Mall anyone? !

[Kounotori (yakitori)]
Phone: 03-5255-3113
30 seats (smoking) ※ 
weekdays from 11:00 to 13:00 all seats non-smoking

Hours:

【lunch】
Weekdays: 11:00 to 16:00 
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 11: 00~22: 30 (LO 22:00)
Fried chicken set meal 830 yen /
 child bowl set meal ¥ 780 / Teriyaki set meal ¥ 880 /
 spicy miso chicken grilled set meal 880 yen
chicken cutlet and eggs set meal 880 yen

【dinner】
Weekdays: 16: 00~22: 30 (LO 22:00) 
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 11: 00~22: 30 (LO 22:00)
Tris 390 yen / fried chicken 490 yen / skewers (six) 1,080 yen / 
freshly picked vegetable platter 690 yen /
 chicken and eggs over rice bowl 590 yen





Enjoy Pt. 4♪ Drugstore @ Kokokara Fine

A Tokyo travel shopping must go-to spot. 
More than your typical drugstore. Pick up all the necessities 
for your trip as well as souvenirs along the 
way ...Let the shop-a-thon begin ^^

[Kokokara Fine  North Exit Shop (Drug Store)]
Phone: 03-3281-4306
Hours:
Weekdays 9:00 to 20:30
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10:00 to 20:00






Enjoy Pt. 5♪  @ LIQUOR HASAGAWA (Main Shop)

In Yaesu's distinguished liquor shop, our advice is 
to taste (and enjoy) the wine before buying! ♡

[Liquor Hasegawa; Main Shop]
Phone: 03-3271-8747
Hours:  10:00 to 20:00





Enjoy Pt. 6♪ Innerwear @ Tutu Anna

A nice socks and underwear shop where all the things 
you hope are there, well... are. ♡

[Tutu Anna (innerwear)]
Phone: 03-3277-0220
Hours: 10:00 to 20:00




Enjoy Pt. 7♪Groceries @ MONO

A fun general store ^^ full of "interesting" 
Japanese merchandise geared towards a unique lifestyle!

[MONO (household goods)]
Phone: 03-3548-1778
Hours: 10:00 to 20:00


Little by little, taking your leisurely time, you could walk 
around to the shops one by one and experience the 
charm of Yaechika first-hand just as we did.




A number of different access points

Leading to Yaesu underground shopping mall, there's an 
astonishing total of 25 entrances/exits.
Most of the entrances/ exits just lead underground, 
but of course it helps that the shopping center is connected 
to the station. The fact that there are so many access points,
 makes it easier to access it ^^ and create a seamless 
shopping and dining experience.





Starting point of the Tokyo trip

Similar to the great doorways found at Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo SKYTREE
Narita Airport, or Haneda Airport, these gates become the starting
point from which you move on foot to Tokyo's main attractions.
 This very underground route will connect you to the Tokyo 
suburbs, Nihonbashi and Ginza. WOW! So convenient!





Feeling like it's too big? No worries (there's maps, lol)

Yaechika is about the size of Tokyo station, but underground. 
However this is no cause for concern because you won't get lost. 
Signs in multiple languages decorate the halls clearly showing the 
direction you're traveling. Not to mention the helpful staff 
at the information booth!




 Convenient, convenience stores

Japan's 3 largest convenience stores "Seven-Eleven", "Lawson," 
"Family Mart" have all converged in this underground 
shopping space! Moreover, they've been strategically placed 
near each major doorway. It's good to know that in such
 a large underground space, there's still modern conveniences 
available just a stones throw away.

※ Seven-Eleven: Exit No. 6 near the doorway
Lawson: Exit No. 25 near the doorway
FamilyMart: Exit No. 34 near the doorway

Let's have a look at the representative shops and restaurants in Yaechika!


Pick-up some delicious bread! Sandog Inn Kobeya

Its headquarter is in Osaka.
Well-known for it's bread, this popular Kobe bakery is 
also located in Yaechika. A rich kind of bread made with fresh
 ingredients and exceptional technology, ^^ The alluring aroma 
is so strong, it'll involuntarily lure you in. Be careful!




Deciding is the hard part

Not only varying in shape, but also in smell.
One by one, you'll want to devour them all.




Is that authentic bread from Paris!? No way....!

In 1996 to everyone in Europe's surprise, a Japanese team
lead by Kobeya won the grand prize at the Bakery World Cup
 in Parish, France. Since then, Kobe has solidified it's reputation
for creating delicious bread. In a culture dominated by the
use of rice, how exactly it rose to fame and took the championship
 is a topic of interest. ...Anyways the ability to create something
beautiful and delicious is probably obvious to anyone who works
hard enough!  ^^




And the most popular bread is...

A jam & cream danish called "Tochiotome"  from Japan's
 famous Strawberry prefecture "Tochigi". As odd as jam and
cream may sound it's much more delicious than it sounds! ^^









Be the first 150!

If you're in the mood for some high-quality bread, come and enjoy
 a "buffet" style lunch! Every day from 11am to 2pm
can enjoy a only 994 yen buffet. It's extremely
popular so please try to get there early!

Phone: 03-5299-9190
66 seats (all seats non smoking)

Hours:

【Breakfast】
7: 00~10: 30 (L.O. 10:30)
Morning A set (with a drink) ¥ 540 /
Morning S set (with drink) 594 yen, etc.

【lunch】
11: 00~14: 00 (L.O. 13:30)
Lunch buffet ¥ 994
【dinner】
Weekdays 14: 00~22: 00 (LO 21:00)
 Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 14: 00~21: 00 (LO 20:00)

Beef cheek meat stew set 1,058 yen / pasta set 1,028 yen /
 apple pie set 463 yen / hot sand set 605 yen




An American branch of fashionable faction ^^ Bubby's Yaechika

Need a place to enjoy the fashionable American home
cooking such as pancakes, burgers, home-made pies, that's
loved by celebrities and New Yorkers all around the world?
Themed like many of NY cafe's and restaurants, feel free to sip
morning coffee in the New Yorker mood, and enjoy an
American-style meal. There is also a takeout menu!





GET IN, GET OUT

A Stylish counter and vintage interior really setting you up to
believe you're in a New York street corner shop.
You'll definitely want to relax and spend some time here♡





American Taste # 1

A good test of how long you've been in a foreign country is,
 how badly you miss the food from your home country. 
Sometimes where you go, doesn't taste quite like home. With 
the exception of Bubby's Yaechika!  An appetizing showcase
 simply teases the tastebuds by concealing authentic "American Pies" 
behind glass at the front counter. It looks so tasty, I must buy
1 or 2, possibly 4 or 5, oh heck.. I'll take them all!!!





Mother's Recipe

Enjoying a sweet apple pie just like grandma used to make!
Crispy crust with a rich fruity, apples inside, this pie was
literally gone in 2 minutes !!
Why leave something so scrumptious waiting? ^^

Mile High Apple Pie  1 pc 550 yen (including tax)(takeout)
in-store price +100 yen (tax included)






That American Taste # 2

We highly recommend trying the pancakes!
Simple strawberry and banana toppings, precisely prepared
 with maple syrup on the side, ah〜 this is how heaven
should taste! Such flavor, the extraordinary American
taste is so oddly reminiscent.

A Stack of Bubby's Fluffy Sour Cream Pancakes (topped
with sour cream pancakes strawberry and banana)
(Single) 1400 yen · (drink set) 1600 yen (tax included)

Drink set ※ coffee, tea, pink lemonade, coke (zero)
ginger ale, organic ice flavored tea.

※ you can add toppings
Whipped cream whipped cream +100 yen including tax
Vanilla ice cream +200 yen including tax




On weekdays, it's not a bad idea to take your time
and enjoya late breakfast at Bubby's with the
people of Tokyo But a fashionable breakfast in this
restaurant wouldn't be so bad either.  ^^

[Bubby's Yaechika (American Cafe restaurant)]
Phone: 03-6225-2016
78 seats (all seats non smoking)
Hours:

【Breakfast】
Only on weekdays: 7: 30~11: 00 (L.O. 11:00)
Eggs Benedict (with 1 drink) ¥ 980 / sour cream pancakes 
(with 1 drink) 980 yen / French toast (with 1 drink) 980 yen

【lunch】
Weekdays: 11: 00~16: 00 (LO 16:00) 
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 9: 00~16: 00 (LO 16:00)
BBQ pulled pork sandwich 1,300 yen / Eggs Benedict 1,400 yen /
 sautéed bananas and walnut pancakes 1,400 yen

【dinner】
16: 00~22: 30 (LO 21:30)
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 16: 00~22: 00 (LO 21:00)
Roasted chicken half 2,400 yen / rib eye steak 2,900 yen /


 Chile cheese french fries 880 yen / garlic shrimp 1,200 yen






Enjoy a full dinner at the underground Tavern!

Have you ever felt the urge to check out a Japanese style pub
 since entering Japan?

This pub is a hotspot for local businessmen (called 'Salaryman' in
Japanese) and a perfect place for you to enjoy great food and drinks
with other businessmen and women.  There's reasonable prices and
 fried chicken! As the name suggests
it's a Yakitori-ya (grilled chicken shop) that promises to
be a fun and happy time.





The recommendations are "classics and creative cuisine"!

Talk about soul food! A taste of Japanese soul food!!
"Fried chicken (490 yen).
And, standard pub cuisine:
Assorted yakitori (six-1,080 yen / ten-1,800 yen)
More creative dishes:
Caesar salad, egg and minced chicken (690 yen)






A staple of taste?

Nothing can beat the deep-fried happiness associated
with a bite into some well-seasoned fried chicken. The melodic
crackles from the crunchiness, the shot of juicy flavor exploding
in your mouth. Very satisfying!




Beer and Japanese Sake; A match made in Heaven!

Your looking at an original stork caesar salad with cheese,
minced and boiled eggs. If you're wondering why this is a
recommendation, it's simply because the flavors gel perfectly
with a nice cold beer after a long day. The dish is so tasty that
we would recommend it to go along with sake or even a highball drink. 





Manly drinks are abound!

From the picture it's a little difficult to tell, but the sheer size of the drinks are astonishing. To receive this man mug (1 liter) it's actually only 460 yen! It's as if they had to take things to the next level to match the chicken dishes. (OMG)

If you were a salaryman living in Japan, it's easy to understand that this would be something to look forward to after a long hard day or week at work.

[Kounotori (yakitori)]
Phone: 03-5255-3113
30 seats (smoking) ※weekdays from 11:00 to 13:00 all seats non-smoking

Hours:

【lunch】
Weekdays: 11:00 to 16:00
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 11: 00~22: 30 (LO 22:00)
Fried chicken set meal 830 yen /
 child bowl set meal ¥ 780 / Teriyaki set meal ¥ 880 /
 spicy miso chicken grilled set meal 880 yen
chicken cutlet and eggs set meal 880 yen

【dinner】
Weekdays: 16: 00~22: 30 (LO 22:00)
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 11: 00~22: 30 (LO 22:00)
Tris 390 yen / fried chicken 490 yen / skewers (six) 1,080 yen /
freshly picked vegetable platter 690 yen /
 chicken and eggs over rice bowl 590 yen

Beer (Middle-sized) 550 yen
Hi-ball (Middle-sized)460yen




Shopping spree @ this hot "drugstore"

That's right we said drugstore! This isn't an exaggeration,
the products are literally jumping off the shelves at this Tokyo
travel must-see destination. With two locations by the Yaesu
underground mall's north and south entrance let the shopping begin!






Health and beauty items galore

Health and beauty's indispensable products are always in stock
at the "Kokokara Fine" drugstore. Whether it's medicine, cosmetics,
 or an array of healthy food or household goods, you'll be covered.
 But how about the price?^^ Prices are reasonable especially for
popular in-demand items.




Soon as you see it, you'll snatch it up!

According to our sources a really hot item can be found at
 Kokokara Fine. The "rururun" face mask, a facial restoration
health care product that guarantees restoring smooth skin.
When you get the chance be sure to snatch this item up!





For travel and even home!

Toothpaste, wet napkins, shampoo, and more...Japanese
household goods are very nice, convenient, and popular.

Instead of the cheap hotel amenities, picking up a travel set
from here would be a better choice. Just don't forget to grab
some for you home as well.
[Kokokara Fine Yaesu north exit shop(Drug Store)

Phone: 03-3281-4306
Hours:
weekdays 9:00 to 20:30
Saturday, Sunday & holidays 10:00 to 20:00





A long running Liquor Oasis: LIQUORS Hasegawa

This well-known and long-established liquor shop has been
 running in the Yaesu Shopping Mall for years. It's the perfect
 place to enjoy wine tasting with very knowledgeable staff that
can lead you to the perfect wine recommendation. Looking
to spend an elegant night in Tokyo with a chilled bottle of
the finest wine? Well your journey begins here!





Impact

Walking up to the Liquor and wine shop you'll have to pause
 for a brief second, as you comprehend the gorgeous display
set before you. Hundreds of meticulously placed bottles of
 whiskey, beer, wine, tequila, sake, etc. Enough to make a
 grown man cry!... Oh and they even have absinthe!! Well loved
 by the famous painter Van Gogh.





Loads of RARE whiskey

This classy shop also keeps stock of rare, valuable drinks as
 well, only lending to it's credibility as a great place to search
for your desired drink of choice.






An interesting point: Wine tasting

Try it before you buy it is our motto, and something we
share in common with Rickards Hasegawa. There is a fee,
but very reasonable at only 100〜200 yen/ 10ml. Without
tasting first, how can you really know the flavor or aroma?
 This is certainly a service everyone will agree with and love.^^





Just right..

For about 200 yen, this is the amount you'll receive for a
taste test (10ml). It may look small, but it's more than enough!
Both the wines and the beers are good, but for a change the
recommendation from our hotel was to try the deep taste of
a single malt! So Good!





Alas, beer can't be defeated.

From classic beers around the world, home grown beers
produced in each region of Japan to rare craft beers, they
can all be found here. The store manager is always on
hand to answer any and all questions regarding the endless
types of beers. Quite the knowledgeable fellow.^^




Found a favorite, now off to the hotel?

Tonight we will enjoy a wonderful drink back at the hotel as
we relax in our comfy beds. It'd be such a waste to rely on a
 hotel's supply of assorted wines when you can travel to
Rickards Hasegawa and have such a wide selection. Also
don't forget to check the duty-free section as well!

[Rickards Hasegawa main store / north exit store]
Phone: 03-3271-8747
Hours: 10:00 to 20:00






The Underwear jewelry box ^^ tutu Anna

Even though you can plan a trip extremely far in advance, you
 can't never predict when you'll have an underwear emergency!
If you do happen to have such a situation,
why not make your replacement a little more stylish!
Equipped with all things underwear, tutu Anna is a great
place to improve your underwear game.
I wonder if these will also work as a souvenir?^^







Neatly organzed cute socks ♡

The days of the very long socks are long gone, instead we
recommend trying out these reasonably priced selections
Take care not to fall in love soon as you see them! ^^





Universal Fit

A size to fit all countries, a sign is provided outlining the sizes
 in various countries so you end up with the perfect fit.
(If it weren't for this sign, we would have bought them all!)






Made in Japan!

These functional underwear are also quite stylish at a bargain.
 With top and bottom sets for sale for only 2,000〜3,000 yen.






Winter Staples

With these goods you can enjoy the fluffy warmth on your stomach and lower body during the cold winter months.







A cute "trap" underwear shop ♡

Tickle your interests while shopping with these cute items.
Shopping in Japan is definitely a lot of fun ^^

[Tutu Anna (innerwear)]
Phone: 03-3277-0220
Hours: 10:00 to 20:00






FUN LIFESTYLE! MONO

Creating heart-throbing excitement by just looking, this
 "entertainment lifestyle goods shop" is full of little bits
of "small happiness".







Sumiko

One of the main reasons to visit "MONO" is to take a glance
at the "Kawaii" (cute) culture that has made it's name in Japan.
Just take a look! How can you not love a character this cute?






Rapidly gaining popularity!

Recently, these cute pups have become a hit worldwide,
 "Shiba Inu"This iteration is also product of Sumiko ^^
What a cute idea lol







The most popular are Sumiko goods!

An unexpected surprise! One of the most popular products
based on responses from visitors to Japan seem to be...
"nail clippers"!?  (1,350 yen) Makes you wonder why
someone would fly around the world to buy nail clippers..^^






The good life

Fancy bags and umbrellas, surrounded by funny
characters and household practical goods. No doubt this
store is interesting....^^






The underground "HUB" of Tokyo travel

Tokyo station itself may seem like a good enough tourist
destination for most, but the real fun lies just below. Walking
above ground, you would never realize there's such a massive
city lying just below your feet. ^^ This underground town can
provide you with it all including meals (especially breakfast)
shopping, and a space to relax and enjoy. Just above ground
is a major access point to many other destinations via taxi or
 a  1,000 yen "Tokyo Shuttle bus "(they also have luggage
storage). The 'convenience' icing on the cake is you don't have
 to look very far to find signposts saying Ginza and
Nihonbashi within walking distance.

Truth is, there were a lot more shops we wanted to introduce,
 but we'll just have to save it till next time! ^^

[Yaesu Shopping Mall]
Address:
 Chuo-ku, Tokyo Yaesu 2-1 underground first floor and
2nd floor basement
Hours:
 Restaurant: [11:00 to 22:00]
Fashion household goods [10:00 to 20:00]
cafe-snack [8:00 to 21:00]
Service [10: 00-20: 00]
※ business hours may vary, please check the website beforehand
Website:
https://www.yaechika.com/english/index.php

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