Doctors. Nachos, and Godzilla. Only in Tokyo.

Yesterday was overcast and cool.  We went for a long walk through the neighborhood getting lost in the winding roads around our apartment. It was cool and the gray skies made the colors of the many flowers in bloom pop. There are a lot of random plants and gardens scattered throughout the neighborhood and it makes for some really pretty floral surprises. Yellows, pinks, fuchsias, purples, oranges, reds, whites and periwinkle await you at every corner.

Not to mention the cool shrines and cemeteries.

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Wednesday it was hot and we had plans.

First at 5pm we had a doctor appt. The Professor had been sick for a week, but of course miraculously healed in the hours right before his appt. And I had been having issues from an old war wound and agreed to go to the doctors so I could see what it was like to go to a doctor in Japan.

It was easy.

We arrived about 10 minutes before our appointment and I answered about five questions, including the one that said I did not have a Japanese insurance card.

We went in and about 20 minutes later we were both back out again. Cost of our two appointments without insurance: about $100. Not too bad.

Then we walked to a bar that we had seen the last time we were in the neighborhood—called Mother’s. It was totally cute and looked like it belonged in Mendocino California. It was very 70s-inspired with burl redwood furniture, and reggae playing in the background. It feels like it was carved out of a tree or built of mosaics. It feels very old school and it felt very Northern Californian hippy--and The Professor and I loved it.

The girl who waited on us was really nice and spoke English. We ordered a beer and an Oolong Hai which was tea and shoshu. Ummm. Then we ordered some nachos ‘cause I’m still needing my Mexican food fix.

They were delish.  After sitting in the bar for an hour or so, we headed off to our next destination: Godzilla!

Above the Toho Cinemas in Shinjuku is Godzilla’s head.

I love Godzilla.

The Professor did some research and found out if we went to the hotel next door, they have a terrace on the 8th floor where we could get photos of the monster up close and personal. So off we went.

Googling the directions for the Toho Cinema, we winded our way through the craziness that is Shinjuku in the evening. It’s like Times Square but without the Mid-western tourists, filth, and corruption. There’re lots of lights and visitors and people vying for attention and money.

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Heading towards the monster head, we made for the Hotel Gracery and  followed the signs to the 8th floor terrace and restaurant.

If you don’t make eye contact you can rush out to the terrace where the monster head is. There is a sign that says only hotel or restaurant guests can go, but this being Japan, I don’t think they’d stop you.

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We decided to order and sit for a spell so we ordered a beer, a glass of wonderful rosé and a plate of sliced duck to share. At only $30 for everything,  it wasn’t so bad and the rosé and duck were excellent, so I think it was worth it.

There is also a gift shop right outside the restaurant where you can purchase Godzilla gifts. I bought a magnet ‘cause I love the big fella. But of course it’s not mandatory.

Where else but Tokyo can you start with a leisurely stroll through flower- and shrine-filled neighborhoods one day, then the next go from your doctor’s appointment, to oolong tea with booze and nachos, to ending your evening with Godzilla doing a photo bomb?