Travel Tips for Visiting Tokyo Dome City and Nearby Attractions

Discovering Tokyo Off the Beaten Path: From Local Sukiyaki to Book Street and a Riverside Cafe

A Different Kind of Tokyo Food & Culture Journey

When most travellers think of shabu-shabu or sukiyaki in Tokyo, big chains like Momo Paradise or Imahan usually come to mind. But on this trip, we wanted something more authentic—a day filled with local dining, hidden bookstores, and riverside relaxation.

Our route wasn’t the most efficient—starting in Nishi-Sugamo, passing through Jinbocho, and ending at Iidabashi—but it turned into one of our most memorable experiences in Tokyo.

Part 1: Local Shabu-Shabu and sukiyaki in Nishi-Sugamo - Shabutatsu

Why Lunch is the Smart Choice

Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki dinners can be pricey in Tokyo, but many restaurants offer affordable lunch sets with the same high-quality meat. We chose the Domestic Black Wagyu Sirloin Sukiyaki Set (2,980 yen)—excellent value for melt-in-your-mouth beef. This place was once used as a drama filming location for gourmet dining. Reviews are solid, too: Google – 4.3 (553 reviews) and Tabelog – 3.47 (244 reviews). Considering that a Tabelog score above 3.5 is already quite good, and very few places reach 4.0 or higher, this is impressive.

The lunch menu is simple—just sukiyaki and shabu-shabu, each with five set options:

• Domestic Black Wagyu Sirloin Set - 2,980 yen

• Domestic Beef Sirloin Set - 1,280 yen

• Domestic Chicken Thigh Set - 1,180 yenSangen 

• Pork Loin Set - 1,180 yen

• Sangen Pork Belly Set - 1,180 yen

The menu includes miso soup, rice, and udon, all of which can be refilled unlimited times for free.

 

Old-School Atmosphere

The restaurant featured a U-shaped counter where we sat facing the kitchen, watching the chefs at work. It created an intimate, authentic local vibe. The walls were decorated with celebrity autographs after being featured in the hit drama The Solitary Gourmet. Tourists were rare—most customers were locals enjoying their lunch break. Many people dined solo, taking their time with the meal at their own pace.

What’s Included in the Sukiyaki Set

• ~10 slices of domestic black wagyu

• A little bit of Enoki mushrooms, wombok, 3 pieces of tofu, a handful of chives, and konjac noodles

• Udon, miso soup, and rice (with free refills)

• A raw egg for dipping

Honest Review

The broth was on the salty side, but it was frequently topped up by the friendly staff. Dipping the salty-flavoured ingredients into raw egg gave them a nice balance and flavour. The meat was very thin, soft, and tender. Other ingredients came in small portions, but the free refills of rice and udon made the meal quite filling. 

We had a wonderful memory of stumbling upon a local shabu-shabu restaurant somewhere in Shinjuku on our last trip, so we wanted to try another local spot this time. Unfortunately, we don’t remember any details of the old place, and I think I expected too much. It was a nice experience and a decent value for that price, but honestly, it’s not worth going out of your way for. It’s fine to try once if you’re nearby or have a Tokyo Metro Pass—since Nishi-Sugamo Station on the Mita Line is included—but I wouldn’t recommend making a special trip just for this restaurant.

💡 Travel Tip: Take the Tokyo Metro Mita Line to Nishi-Sugamo Station, Exit A2. We arrived a little early and waited outside, but noticed that some customers were already inside before the official opening hours. Afterwards, customers continued to arrive steadily, although there was never a line outside.

Part 2: A Stroll Through Jinbocho Book Street

Tokyo’s “Book Town”

From Nishi-Sugamo, we took the Mita Line to Jinbocho, known as Tokyo’s secondhand book district. Streets are lined with hundreds of bookstores—selling everything from Edo-period woodblock prints to vintage foreign novels. Even if you’re not a bookworm, it’s worth visiting for the retro charm, old cafes, and famous curry houses.

We picked up a cat-themed book that became our perfect cafe companion later in the day.

As a book-lover’s district, Jinbocho Station itself is decorated with walls styled like bookshelves

English-Friendly Bookstores

Most shops cater to Japanese readers, but a few specialise in English or foreign-language books:

• Kitazawa Bookstore – rare and foreign books

• Books Sanseido (Jinbocho Main Store) – large, general bookstore with English sections

• Oshima Shoten – vintage Western books and academic works

A Must for Cat Lovers: Nyankodo

If you adore cats, don’t miss Nyankodo (official site). This small bookstore is packed with cat-themed books, gifts, and quirky items. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a joy to browse.

• Location: 101-0051 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Kanda Jinbocho, 2 Chome−２ 姉川書店

• Hours: 10:00–18:00 (Closed Sundays)

Part 3: Riverside Relaxation at Canal Cafe, Iidabashi

Coffee with a View

Our final stop was Canal Cafe in Iidabashi, just a short walk from Exit B2a of Iidabashi Station. We ordered two iced Americanos and desserts (around 2,000 yen). The iced long black was quite strong, so we added some water to adjust the taste. The desserts, however, were not particularly memorable.
But the scenic view of the Kanda River, passing trains, nice breeze and swimming fish was unforgettable.

Two iced long-black (Americano) and two desserts 

A Calm, Healing Moment

The outdoor deck area is quite spacious, and we sat under a shaded deck in early May, enjoying the river breeze and reading our newly purchased book from Nyankodo in Jimbocho. It was a peaceful 40-minute escape from Tokyo’s fast pace. 

Coffee with a view and a book from Nyankodo in Jinbocho made a perfect match.

💬 Canal Cafe Location: 1 Chome-9 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0825, Japan

Optional Boat Ride

For a unique experience, Canal Cafe also offers rowboat rentals:

1–2 people: 1,000 yen / 30 minutes

3 people: 1,200 yen / 30 minutes

Operating hours: 11:30–16:00 (weather dependent)

The entrance for the boat rides is on the left, and there are more seats behind this area.

From the deck, you can watch boats on the river and trains passing in the background.

💬 Bonus: Things to Do Near Iidabashi

Tokyo Dome City & LaQua

From Iidabashi, it’s just a 10-minute walk to Tokyo Dome City. Here you’ll find:

• LaQua shopping mall with restaurants and a spa

• Tokyo Dome Attractions amusement park - There are also attractions available for kids, not just for adults.

If you’re travelling with kids, consider the Five-Attraction Pass (fixed price) or the One-Day Pass (price varies by date and time). Tickets are available on the official website or platforms like Klook and Rakuten.

👍Don’t miss Thunder Dolphin, a roller coaster that dives through a building—It’s short but intense—I even rode it with my eyes closed! When we visited in 2023, the wait time was about 1 hour. Check real-time wait times here.

Laqua is a large shopping mall offering a wide variety of activities and attractions.

This is Thunder Dolphin, captured in a timelapse video

Kagurazaka – “Little Paris of Tokyo”

Next to Iidabashi is Kagurazaka, a neighbourhood once known for geisha houses. Today it’s famous for:

• French-Japanese cultural mix (the Institute Francais was established here in 1952)

• Traditional alleys like Kakurenbo Yokocho (Hide-and-Seek Alley) with Edo-era vibes

• Small boutiques, quiet cafes, and hidden restaurants

If you’re a cat lover, stop by A shop called Cat Post Office (open Fri–Sun), a vintage store filled with old cat-themed curiosities.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for hidden gems in Tokyo, this route combines:

• A local shabu-shabu experience away from tourist chains

• A cultural stop at Jinbocho Book Town (plus a cat-lover’s paradise at Nyankodo)

• A relaxing riverside break at Canal Cafe in Iidabashi

• Optional add-ons like Tokyo Dome City or Kagurazaka

It proves that Tokyo isn’t only about efficiency—it’s about curiosity, slow travel, and discovering local gems that stay with you long after the trip.

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.