5 Days in Tokyo with My Girlfriend

A Cozy Tokyo Escape with My Girlfriend

A romantic reset, great food, and a reminder of what good travel should feel like.

Tokyo is the kind of place that can offer just about anything—whether you’re after neon chaos, quiet corners, or, in our case, a little romance. There’s something about the city’s culture, pace, and design that naturally feels intimate. Maybe it’s the softly lit alleyways, maybe it’s the cozy cafes tucked between high-rises. Either way, this trip was all about slowing down, reconnecting, and just enjoying each other’s company.

It was our first real trip as a couple. We took some time to align on what we both wanted out of it—my girlfriend ended up handling most of the planning, especially when it came to food (which turned out to be a blessing), while I handled maps and navigation like I always do. I was still a little salty from my last chaotic group trip, to be honest. Memories like that stick. But deep down, I knew this one would be different. A total reset. The difference between heaven and hell, really.

We didn’t overpack our schedule. We wandered, we ate, we laughed. And in between all the street food and late-night walks, I realized that maybe this is what travel should feel like—effortless and just a little magical.

The Taste of Tokyo: A Culinary Dream Come True

If our last Tokyo trip was a disaster when it came to food, this one felt like an apology letter written by the universe itself—sealed with wagyu and dipped in egg yolk.

Let’s start with the star of the show: the Yakiniku at Yoroniku.
Picture this—impeccable service, ultra-marbled wagyu beef brought to your table, grilled to perfection right in front of you, and paired with an insanely smooth sake that cost a fraction of what you’d expect for that level of quality. We didn’t even have to lift a finger—just sat back, sipped, and savored every bite. It might just be the most satisfying meal I’ve ever had, period.

Then there was the day we dressed up in kimonos for a photo shoot near Asakusa.
Wandering through the streets in full traditional wear, surrounded by temples, food stands, and that unmistakable Tokyo atmosphere… it was like walking through a postcard. I still remember biting into a rich matcha ice cream and the crispy, cheesy minced cutlet from Asakusa Kaminarimon Kuroge. It was simple, but in that moment, it was everything.

What made the food on this trip so different wasn’t just the taste—it was the entire experience.
Every meal was intentional. We had different styles of Japanese food every night, each place well-researched by my girlfriend (shoutout to her, she crushed it). Whether it was a cozy izakaya or a slightly fancier pick, the quality-to-price ratio blew us away. There were no “let’s just eat whatever” moments. We looked forward to every stop, every dish, and honestly had a hard time ranking our favorites.

The only meal that came close to rivaling the Yakiniku was a traditional Kanto-style Sukiyaki at Moritaya.
It was the full experience—white gloves, attentive service, and melt-in-your-mouth beef gently cooked at the table. Just as the aroma reached its peak, the attendant would serve each portion to our plates, ready to be dipped in egg yolk. We sat there, overlooking the city from a high-rise restaurant near Tokyo Station, silently blown away. For a second, I genuinely felt like I belonged to Tokyo’s upper class, having an “average” weekday dinner, haha.

Most of the trip leaned casual, with a few elevated experiences scattered in.
We did have an affordable omakase dinner too—it didn’t knock our socks off, but it was solid. But really, every night felt like a date night. That’s how good the food (and the vibe) was throughout.

Small Fights, Big Laughs: Couple Travel Moments

Let’s be real for a second — every couple fights. It’s part of the deal. But I genuinely believe that those small arguments, if handled the right way, can actually make a relationship stronger. It all comes down to what you do after the spark flies — do you use it as a chance to understand each other better, or do you dig your heels in, waiting for one person to “win”?

During this trip, we had our share of little flare-ups. Nothing dramatic — just those moments where you accidentally press each other’s buttons without even realizing it. But once the emotions settled, we made a conscious effort to talk it out. That’s something I stand by: no going to bed angry.

Sure, in the heat of the moment, no one wants to listen. So we take a breather. And once we’ve both cooled down, we sit down, lay it all out, and figure out what went wrong. Not to prove who's right — but to tackle the issue together. Because that’s what relationships are about. A fight doesn’t happen in a vacuum. If there’s tension, chances are, both people played a part.

And once we’ve talked through it? We hug it out. Throw in a kiss for good measure. Then we move on.

Looking back, traveling together has definitely strengthened our relationship. If you think traveling with friends can go south real fast, just imagine what happens when you travel with your partner and things go wrong. But the difference is — when it’s just the two of you, you can choose how to handle the mess. And when you get it right, those stressful moments just become part of your story.

For us, the trip was really about those two extremes — laughing like crazy one minute, and maybe bickering the next. But it all balanced out. That’s what made it real.

Wrapping It Up

Looking back, this trip was everything I needed — especially after the chaos of the last one. It wasn’t just about escaping to Tokyo again; it was about enjoying the kind of trip that feels easy, fulfilling, and just plain fun. We laughed, we ate (a lot), and we had our fair share of “couples moments.” But more than anything, we shared memories that still make us smile every time we bring them up.

Even as I write this, I mentioned the blog to my girlfriend and saw her light up — immediately diving into food memories we both still drool over. Of course, the end of a trip always means returning to work and routine, but part of us wished it could’ve gone on just a little longer.

This is one of those perfect examples of how a well-researched plan and a good travel companion can make all the difference. Traveling as a couple isn’t always easy, but when it clicks, it really clicks.

Shoutout to my girlfriend, who, being the foodie she is, seriously crushed the restaurant research game. And if anyone wants details or recommendations from the trip — hit me up. Happy to share.

P.S. A Little Funny Story...

At the time of this trip, we hadn’t gone public with our relationship yet. Her mom didn’t know about me — she thought my girlfriend was on a girls’ trip with one of her lady friends. All good… until one small item gave it all away. Somehow, one of my underwear must’ve fallen into her luggage, and she unknowingly brought it back home.

Guess who found it? Yep, her mom.

Quick on her feet, my girlfriend told her that housekeeping accidentally dropped it into her luggage while cleaning the room. Legendary save, if you ask me.