Sushi in Yuurakucho

Activity > Tokyo > Eating > Ginza

Yuurakucho is one of my favorite cities in Tokyo. Its only a stop from the main Tokyo station on the Yamanote Line (the main line that circles greater Tokyo) and is right next to Ginza. In the daytime it is a bustling business district but at night is transforms into an "old Tokyo" vibe.

If you get on the JR train at Yuurakucho, just walk down the street that runs parellel with the tracks above. After crossing a few main roads you will start to see all kinds of little eateries and drinking establishments that have an "old Tokyo" vibe to them. Keep exploring and you will little allyways in which once again more... and even more little eating/drinking joints.  The food... well, its good but more than that is the "feeling" you get when eating there.  You can see hard working Japanese businessmen let down their gaurd as the Sake keeps pouring.

If you cross under the tracks and keep walking another 10 min. you will hit "Ginza", the well known and "ritzy" shopping district in Tokyo. At night most the big and famous "fashion" stores are closed but another interesting facet about Ginza is the "Hostess Bars".  The "Western World" cannot fathom exactly... what is the deal with "Hostess Bars" (and honestly after spending almost half my life in Japan... I can't understand it either) but basically you pay money for women to sit down and talk to you.  If you do this in Ginza, expect to pay the price of a small car for a night out drinking.

If you walk around Ginza around... 8 - 10 p.m. you'll catch a glimpse of these Ginza Hostesses on their way to work.  Yes... they are beautiful but... I mean really... come on. 

Since I had already had a dinner before heading out to Yuurakucho I wasn't planning on eating anything. However... unfortunately I passed by "Zanmai Sushi", Yuurakucho Branch, which is under the tracks (Google Map).  Zanmai Sushi is a "Chain" of a sort but the quality is excellent (I hear they even have some branches in the United States). Furthermore I glanced to my right and caught sight of the special "Premium Tuna Platter" for 3,000 yen.  I couln't take it... I had to duck in.

With a Kirin Beer placed down on the counter to my upper right and a plate full of high quality tuna in front of me... I was in heaven.  The sushi was incredible.