How Jesse, co-owner of Sen restaurant in Sag Harbor, does Tokyo:

Shinjuku Nights

Tokyo is a city of contrasts, but Shinjuku? That’s the full spectrum. It’s party town, food town, entertainment town – both the kind you bring your family to and the kind you don’t mention in polite company. Whatever you’re looking for, it’s there.

The Godzilla Hotel

I brought my son to Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, aka the Godzilla Hotel—because if you’re going to Tokyo with a three-year-old, why not go big? The Godzilla head juts out of the building, roaring every hour on the hour, smoke and all.

In my mind, this was going to be a core memory. Kenzo, look! It’s Godzilla! I said, excited.

And he? Instant terror.

The smoke, the roar – it was too much. 

He had the most scared little face. And he wanted to get out of there.

I'm like, Oh man, I really messed this up.

Parenting lesson learned: Maybe ease a toddler into life-sized kaiju encounters.

Inside Tip 📌

That said, if you’re in Tokyo, the Godzilla Hotel is still a fun place to stay – just maybe skip the monster reveal if your travel companion is under five.

Contact

🌐 Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

About Jesse

This card is by Jesse Matsuoka, a Hamptons resident of over 25 years. Jesse is a sake sommelier, Tip Top Hospitality partner, and co-owner of Sen, a legendary Japanese restaurant in Sag Harbor. Jesse was born in Manhattan, grew up in Tokyo, Hawaii, and Sag Harbor, and is now married to a third-generation Montauker.

Lead-in Image

@rjessematsuoka / Instagram