My last day of 2022 in Tokyo

Starbucks white mocca and wrap sandwich
Breakfast at Starbucks.

My last day of 2022 in Tokyo was a walk. It’s something I do on December 31 every year. I can’t think of anything better. If you didn’t know, I’ve been doing it since 1997! Over the last twenty-five years, I’ve only missed doing it twice. Once was due to sickness and the other time to weather. Do you want to know more?

Well, in 1997, my girlfriend and I went to see the movie Titanic in Shinjuku on New Year’s Eve. After that, we had a few hours to kill before a party, so we kicked a few ideas around. We ended up walking to Tokyo Tower. It was such fun we decided to make it an annual event. I’ve been doing it ever since.

Tokyo building site
Tokyo was building at Takanawa Gateway.

Since then, we’ve made two changes to our routine. The first was changing our starting point. Instead of Shinjuku, the following year, we made it Shibuya. Then we came up with the idea of doing every station on the Yamanote Line.

Ōishi Kuranosuke Yoshio statue
Ōishi Kuranosuke Yoshio statue at Sengakuji.

We have done twenty-five of the thirty stations. But Takanawa Gateway opened a few years ago, and we realized we needed to go back and do it. And that is where we started our last day of 2022.

The other change was our destination. We got tired of Tokyo Tower after a couple of years! Ginza became our target. After all, it has shops and my favorite restaurant, Cafe Ginza Miyuki-Kan.

Tennen Taiyaki shop
Do you like taiyaki? Tennen Taiyaki is for you!

My last day of 2022 begins

Usually, we have breakfast at Cafe Renoir, which can be found near most stations. They are very nice. Their shops are very spacious and have comfortable chairs. The bonus is their breakfast menu is pretty cheap. If we couldn’t find one, we’d go to Mcdonald’s.

Well, Takanawa Gateway station didn’t have either. Starbucks was there, though.  And that is where we ate. I don’t go to cafes much, so I was surprised at how expensive it was. Or maybe I’m feeling a generation gap? More likely, it is because I’m an English teacher and haven’t received a pay raise in a very long time!

How was the walk?

It was good. The first thing we did was drop by Sengakuji. After a quick visit, we proceeded to Ginza. We walked Daiichi-Keihin Street most of the way and even saw Tokyo Tower. The sky was overcast, but there was no threat of rain.

It was a typical last day of the year walk. The streets were devoid of people. Little traffic was on the roads. It’s a different Tokyo. I enjoy being in the city with no one around. The feeling is so different.

Hibiya Shrine
Hibiya Shrine.

Our time in Ginza

I enjoy Ginza, to be honest. But first things first, I wanted lunch after the long walk. We made our way to Cafe Ginza Miyuki-Kan. It’s on the expensive side, but its lunches are good. And their cakes are superb.

Miyuki-Kan is famous for its Mont Blanc. We chose differently, baked cheesecake and Mille-feuille. Every time we go, we order those. They were delicious.

After that, we went to the 4-Chome intersection. It might be Ginza’s heart. The famous Wako and Mitsukoshi Ginza department stores are on two corners. Nissan’s showroom is on another. Cafe Doutor Ginza has the last one.

It was here the city changed. For our walk, we didn’t see many people. But Ginza, especially 4-Chome, made up for it. Everyone was doing their last shopping of the year.

Ginza 4-chome traffic
In the heart of Ginza, 4 chome.

And that was how I spent my last day of 2022. I didn’t have a great year, to be honest, but that walk was nice. 2023 should be a better one. Like most people, I’m making plans for the future.

Hopefully, these photographs will give you some idea of what Tokyo is like on New Year’s Eve. It’s mostly quiet.  People will spend time at home with their families for the most part. On January 1st, many will head to temples and shrines for the first prayers of the new year. If you have questions or comments, please leave them below.

Mille-feuille cake
Mille-feuille cake at Miyuki-Kan.

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