—————————————————————————

⭐ DAY 12 — Sunday, June 8

TOKYO: RESTORE + WANDER DAY (LIGHT, BEAUTIFUL, SLOW)

A gentle, restorative day after multiple travel days and art islands.

—————————————————————————

This day is intentionally soft and unstructured — designed for travelers in their late 50s to unwind, restore, and enjoy Tokyo without being overwhelmed.

Think: calm. green. beautiful. easy.

🌅 8:00 – 9:00 AM — Breakfast Near Your Hotel

Depending on where you stay:

If at Hotel Niwa Tokyo:

  • Dining Lieu (excellent breakfast buffet)

If at The Knot Shinjuku:

  • Morethan Bakery (one of Tokyo’s best bakeries)

If at K5 Hotel:

  • Switch Coffee Tokyo + pastries

All choices give you a soft start to your Tokyo time.

🌳 9:30 – 11:00 AM — Hibiya Park or Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Choose your mood:

✔ Koishikawa Korakuen (recommended)

  • One of Tokyo’s oldest gardens

  • Ponds, bridges, plum trees, stone lanterns

  • Very peaceful

  • A good place to reflect on Naoshima/Teshima

✔ Hibiya Park (gentle stroll)

  • Easy central access

  • Great for stretching your legs

  • Tokyo locals walking dogs and reading on benches

This is meant to be grounding and slow.

☕ 11:00 – 12:00 PM — Coffee + Light Snack

Nearby cafés:

  • Streamer Coffee Company (Hibiya)

  • KOFFEE MAMEYA Kakeru (specialty coffee experience)

  • Little Nap Coffee Stand (cozy, artsy)

A relaxing mid-morning break.

🍱 12:15 – 1:30 PM — Lunch in Kagurazaka

Kagurazaka is one of Tokyo’s most atmospheric neighborhoods — cobblestone alleys, traditional restaurants, small shops.

Recommended lunch:

  • Kagurazaka Ishikawa (Michelin, refined — reserve)

  • Kagurazaka Wakana (casual Japanese)

  • Canal Café (waterfront seating, relaxed)

Beautiful lunch with no stress.

🛍️ 1:30 – 3:30 PM — Light Shopping / Walking in Kagurazaka

Explore:

  • Handmade ceramics

  • Small craft shops

  • Little bookstores

  • Local fashion boutiques

  • Quiet back streets with surprising temples/shrines

A very human-scale part of Tokyo.

🧘 3:30 – 5:00 PM — Hotel Rest / Break

Essential pause after Naoshima/Teshima + Tokyo travel.

  • Shower

  • Reorganize luggage

  • Journal

  • Short nap

You're in the middle of the trip — this rest matters.

🍣 6:00 – 7:30 PM — Dinner in Tokyo

Keep it relaxed:

Recommended options:

  • Toufuya Ukai (Shiba Park) → traditional tofu kaiseki

  • Rangetsu (Ginza) → elegant sushi, your pace

  • Tempura Kondo → top tempura (must reserve)

Choose based on energy.

🌙 Optional Evening Walk

  • Tokyo Tower area

  • Hibiya Midtown

  • Small side streets near your hotel

Stay within your comfort zone.

⭐ DAY 12 SUMMARY:

  • Minimal walking

  • Beautiful gardens

  • Wonderful food

  • Time to recharge

  • Gentle re-entry into Tokyo