Tokyo, Where My Best Friend’s New Chapter Begins

Tokyo has always been one of those cities that feels alive in every possible way, but this trip carried a deeper meaning. My best friend Reiny and her husband Dan had just relocated there for work, and I couldn’t be more excited for this new chapter in their lives. Of course, I had to be there to help her settle in. They found a beautiful apartment in Tsukishima, surrounded by charming bridges and quiet streets perfect for long walks. It felt peaceful, yet still connected to the pulse of the city.

I arrived in the morning, and our first order of business was breakfast at Pain Maison. The smell alone was intoxicating, warm, buttery, and comforting. We paired it with Bongen Matcha lattes, which required nearly an hour of queuing, but the rich, earthy matcha with its creamy finish was worth every minute. I loved it so much I queued again later in the trip.

On my first day, despite the jetlag, we set out to explore Tokyo on foot, holding onto a joke that we would only eat at well-reviewed restaurants, no matter how far the walk. It meant crossing neighbourhoods and losing track of distance, but Tokyo reveals itself best this way, through quiet streets, hidden corners, and unexpected discoveries. One of those walks led us to Tonkatsu Tsukiuma Shibuya. Their tonkatsu was exceptional. The pork was thick yet unbelievably tender, encased in a delicate golden crust that shattered perfectly with each bite. It was juicy, deeply flavorful, and quietly comforting, especially alongside crisp cabbage and warm rice. After hours of walking, it felt less like a meal and more like a small reward, one that made the distance entirely worthwhile.

The rest of the day was spent touring around Tokyo in search of home décor for their new space, which led us to design heaven at GARAGE in Shibuya Scramble Square. The store was filled with beautiful vases, flowers, and thoughtfully curated home pieces, the kind of place where every object feels intentional and quietly inspiring.

Come dinner, we treated ourselves to Gyukatsu Motomura, where perfectly breaded beef is served alongside a small stone grill, allowing you to finish cooking each piece to your liking. Every bite was warm, tender, and deeply satisfying, making it a memorable close to my first day in Tokyo.

The next morning, I spent time alone at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, completely in awe of the scale and presence of the works, including pieces by Filipino artists that felt especially close to home.

Later, I hailed a cab to Blue Bottle Coffee, only to realise I had entered the wrong address and ended up at their warehouse instead of the café. Laughing at my mistake, I hailed another cab and finally arrived at their Koto Hirano location, a calm, spacious sanctuary of thoughtful design, where I could slow down and take in the quiet rhythm of the day.

Our nights were just as memorable.

We watched handmade pizzas come to life at Savoy, simple yet incredibly delicious, each one crafted with quiet precision.

From certain streets, Tokyo Tower glowed softly in the distance, like a steady presence watching over the city.

We also found ourselves on Monja Street in Tsukishima, where dinner became an experience rather than just a meal. Food was grilled right in front of us, shared between hands, and enjoyed slowly. There was something intimate about it, sitting close to the heat, surrounded by conversation, and letting the evening unfold without hurry.

On my third day, we returned to Bongen for another matcha, once again patiently queueing for what had easily become a daily ritual. We paired it with Ginza Rindo’s famous fluffy hotcakes, impossibly soft and light, almost cloud like in texture. Later, we headed to Roppongi to visit the Mori Art Museum, where contemporary works and large scale installations unfolded against the backdrop of Tokyo’s skyline. From above, the city stretched endlessly, offering both quiet reflection and a renewed sense of awe.

One unexpected highlight was golfing at Asaka Public Golf Ground. Despite the long two hour train ride and walking nearly 20,000 steps without a buggy, the vibrant blue sky and open greens made it unforgettable. It felt like a pause within the movement of relocation and transition.

The rest of the trip was spent exploring shops, discovering new places to eat, finding pieces for their home, buying skincare, and even picking up Pokémon cards for my husband. It was a short visit, but deeply meaningful. Tokyo now holds something more personal for me. It is no longer just a city I visit, but a place where my best friend lives, where new memories quietly begin, and where I know I will return to, again and again.