Act III: Banzai Nights

The best of Tokyo is seen after sunset.  The anticipation of this final weekend had been building for a good 18 months or so, so the pressure we put on ourselves to deliver was intense.  We made diamonds with this pressure.  Rarely have such lofty expectations been exceeded by such perfect execution.  

The girls decided to lay low the first evening back in the city, opting to save their batteries for Saturday night.  Thus, Friday night was boys night.  What to do on a guys night in Tokyo, Nate asked?  One word: Shibuya.  Big smile from Nate.

Exploration is the theme and the reason to go to Tokyo.  On this night, we took a subway into Shibuya, with no set agenda.  Our plan was to walk up or down every stairwell that appealed, and some that didn't.  We were not disappointed!  

Neon lit "Center Gai", the main artery to Shibuya

Enjoying a whiskey sour at a cool bar we found at the top of a hidden staircase, complete with our own personal Taiwanese bartender

Martini man

Long day at the office???

During the days, the girls liked to shop at department stores (the bane of my existence), and Nate played pachinko all day, leaving me free to do whatever I pleased.  More Shibuya!!

Walking thru Shinjuki to get to the subway to Shibuya.  One of Nate's top 5 pachinko parlors can be seen on the right.

Their cops are cooler than our movie stars

My next haircut...

Bought a sweet shirt from this guy.  I very much respect the decor of his store.

Saturday night was marked by the arrival of our friend Alex, who happened to be in town with his new employer, Coach.  What fortune!  It should be noted that Alex arrived in the afternoon after traveling 20 hours from New York, and basically brushed his teeth, changed his shirt, and said "let's do it!"
The man is a living legend.

So with the girls' batteries recharged, and Alex providing a spark off the bench, we were ready for a night for the ages.  The girls listened to the scouting report from our previous evening, and agreed we should repeat pretty much everything and add a whole bunch of new.

Drinks at Alex's hotel.  

Entering the martini den

The art of the martini.  I hope this video works... if not, :(

Sushi master!  Best sushi ever.

Our happy tribe!

Shelly makes a friend..

When you get lost in the confusing back alleys of Shibuya, it's best to stop for sangria and vegetable bisque.

We knew we were close to the club when we started finding love hotels at every turn...

Steph/Colonel Sanders/Shelly

Drinks at Alcatraz,  a horror movie hospital/prison themed restaurant.  Umm, thanks I'll have a syringe of truth syrum please!

In my happy place:)

We finally found it, Club Atom!

Helpful 7/11 clerk, directing us to the Karaoke bar

 Shelly earns MVP honors for this night, for discovering and then hijacking Dr Shu and Marina, two friendly Tokyo hipsters that she roped into our fun at the karaoke bar. 

"Don't stop... believing!!!"

Doctor Shu and Marina belt out The Backstreet Boys

Neil Diamond or Snoop Dogg?

YES!!!! Snoop Dogg!!!! 

We made it home safely at 5:30AM, happy and content.  Sunday evening we downshifted, putting on our Sunday finest and headed out to the Park Hyatt hotel, enjoying $25 drinks and $30 cheese cake at the famed Lost in Translation bar.  A perfect cap to own Tokyo Drift!

Alex sums the trip up best