LITTLE ESCAPE TO TOKYO WITH THE GEN Zs

Last weekend, my kids, Gabbie and Paolo, and I flew to Tokyo, Japan for a quick weekend getaway — and it absolutely did not disappoint.

- razzle-Daza WITH PAT-P

The weather had turned pleasantly cool, a welcome break from Manila’s alternating heat and downpours. Except for Saturday, when it drizzled all day, the weather was ideal for walking, shopping and eating our way through the city.

The last time we were in Tokyo as a family was back in 2014, and though it’s been more than a decade, not much has changed. The city remains vibrant, clean and efficient — still bustling with energy and teeming with tourists from all over the world.

We stayed at Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, a spot highly recommended by a friend. What I didn’t realize until we arrived was that it’s the hotel made famous by the giant, iconic Godzilla head perched on the eighth floor terrace. The Godzilla theme continues throughout the lobby, with displays and merchandise that delighted my son Paolo to no end. It was like watching him transform into a little boy again — completely captivated by the towering monster that had stomped its way through his childhood.

He was equally thrilled with the hotel breakfast, which was served at Sizzler, the American restaurant chain best known for its salad bar and steaks. But in Japan, even Sizzler takes breakfast seriously: there was a taco bar, and roast beef was part of the buffet! It became Paolo’s daily highlight.