Christmas Spectacular at Radio City

Today was my final day in New York.

I headed to Radio City Music Hall(see on map) in the morning.

A friend who lives in New York told me it was a must-see, so yesterday I bought a ticket for the Christmas Spectacular at the tkts Lincoln Center booth.

The hall was stunning and full of sparkle.

Once the show began, I was completely taken in.

It was incredible and genuinely moving.

Even though I didn’t grow up in the United States, I felt a sudden wave of nostalgia wash over me. The “happy Christmas” I had always imagined seemed to be right there in Radio City.

The show used projection mapping in clever and impressive ways, and fairy-like drones flew across the stage. The use of new technology made the entire performance truly spectacular.

MLB Flagship Store

After the show, I stopped by the MLB Flagship Store(see on map) nearby.

I wanted to pick up a souvenir for someone who likes Shohei Ohtani, but I only found two types of items: a keychain and a pennant.

I wondered whether the pennant would actually make them happy, but I bought it anyway.

Lunch at P.J. Clarke’s

I had lunch with my friend and her family at P.J. Clarke’s(see on map).

The restaurant was decorated for Christmas.

I ordered the New England clam chowder (17 USD). It was delicious, though a little heavy on the pepper.

The Manhattan red clam chowder (17 USD) was also good, more like a spicy tomato stew.

Since it was my last day and I no longer cared if I upset my stomach, I also tried the raw oysters.

I think the white fish tartare was made with sea bass.

We also had the Trio of Mini Burgers (25 USD).

Everything tasted solid and satisfying. It was a very good restaurant.

Magnolia Bakery

After lunch, we walked to Magnolia Bakery(see on map).

I bought banana pudding and a slice of red velvet cheesecake (13.90 USD total).

The banana pudding tasted like a room-temperature ice cream dessert, and it was really good.

The cheesecake reminded me a bit of an Oreo.

Harlem Gospel Concert

For the final attraction of my trip, I used my Go City New York Pass to reserve a Harlem gospel concert.

The concert had a warm, friendly, and uplifting atmosphere. The singers were talented.

Still, after days of Broadway shows and the Christmas Spectacular earlier that same morning, I couldn’t help thinking:

“If only the sound system were better, I could have been even more moved.”

<p>The post New York Travel Diary 2024-11:Christmas Spectacular at Radio City, MLB Souvenirs, Lunch at P.J. Clarke’s, Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding, and a Harlem Gospel Concert first appeared on ふたり暮らし。.</p>

Shopping at Trader Joe’s

My friend and I went to Trader Joe’s(see on map) to look for souvenirs.

Trader Joe’s focuses heavily on private-label items, and the prices were clearly more reasonable than in many other stores. It instantly put me in a good mood.

Waffle Chicken for Lunch

My friend had a personal mission to “let me experience a memorable New York food,” so she treated me to waffle chicken.

The Uber delivery brought a box with exactly that: waffles and fried chicken eaten together. It also came with a habanero honey sauce that I poured over the top. It was surprisingly tasty.

The waffle was buttery and sweet, the fried chicken was crispy and salty, and the spicy-sweet honey sauce brought everything together. Delicious, but definitely a high-calorie bomb.

Visiting SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

In the afternoon, I headed to the observation deck SUMMIT One Vanderbilt(see on map).

I had bought a ticket on the official website the day before. The sunset time slot was more expensive, but I convinced myself with the classic phrase “Since I came all the way here” and booked the 2:30 p.m. entry ticket.

Online reviews said sunglasses were essential, so I borrowed a pair from my friend. That turned out to be absolutely right. The observation deck was extremely bright, and without sunglasses I probably would have left early.

I arrived at the entrance around 2:15 p.m., but after a security check, putting on shoe covers, and scanning my face at a kiosk, I didn’t reach the actual viewing area until after 3 p.m.

The mirrored spaces were beautiful.

The Empire State Building and the New York skyline spread out in front of me.

The Chrysler Building looked stunning in its Art Deco style.

There were Yayoi Kusama artworks on display and a room filled with floating silver balloons, which was a lot of fun.

The sun slowly set over New York.

The Empire State Building at dusk was beautiful.

The sky after sunset was beautiful too.

At night, the skyline had even more presence.

Grand Central Terminal

I left SUMMIT One Vanderbilt after 5 p.m. and walked to nearby Grand Central Terminal(see on map).

I looked at the famous clock. Its face is said to be made of opal, making it extremely valuable.

<p>The post New York Travel Diary 2024-10:Shopping at Trader Joe’s, Eating Waffle Chicken, and Visiting SUMMIT One Vanderbilt first appeared on ふたり暮らし。.</p>

American Museum of Natural History

I headed to the American Museum of Natural History(see on map) before noon.

It was incredibly crowded.

For me, the highlight was definitely the dinosaur fossils.

The Guggenheim Museum

In the afternoon, I went to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum(see on map) with a friend.

I entered using the Go City New York Pass.

There were so many abstract paintings that I started to feel a bit overwhelmed, but a separate small room had works by Renoir, Picasso, and others, which I really enjoyed.

The crowd level was manageable, and overall it was a good museum. The building itself looked stylish and impressive.

Neue Galerie and Café Sabarsky

After leaving the Guggenheim, we walked to Neue Galerie New York(see on map).

The museum features works by German and Austrian artists.

Inside, there is Café Sabarsky(see on map), a beautiful Viennese-style tearoom.

I ordered a berry tart and a Viennese coffee, which came to about 25 USD. They were excellent.

My friend ordered a slice of Sachertorte and Harney & Sons tea.

We visited the galleries afterward. The tearoom had a full line of people waiting, but the exhibition rooms were quiet.

I was able to see Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I up close, which was a great experience.

Photography was prohibited for all artworks in this museum.

Dinner at Emilio’s Ballato

Later, my friend said he wanted to go to Emilio’s Ballato(see on map) in Little Italy, so we headed there for dinner.

We arrived around 6 p.m., and there was already a long line.

While waiting, I watched several groups arrive after us, warmly hug the staff, and be taken inside immediately.

I found myself wondering, “Are they relatives? How do they know the staff? Must be nice to skip the line,” and I couldn’t help feeling a bit jealous.

We were finally seated after 8 p.m., and I was exhausted from standing in the cold.

I think the total was just under 300 USD for penne, Bolognese, a bottle of red wine, tiramisu, and coffee.

The waiter was friendly, and the food was pretty good overall. Not bad at all.

Still, considering the price, I can’t confidently say it was “an amazing restaurant!!”

Though honestly, my impression might have been heavily influenced by the long wait.

<p>The post New York Travel Diary 2024-09:Dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History, The Guggenheim, Tea at Neue Galerie, and Dinner at Emilio’s Ballato first appeared on ふたり暮らし。.</p>

Morning at the tkts Booth

I arrived at the Broadway tkts（see on map） booth around 11 a.m.

I waited for about an hour and bought a ticket for the musical Hell’s Kitchen, which I planned to see tonight. The ticket was 100 USD.

Visiting the Flatiron Building

After buying the ticket, I took the subway to the Flatiron Building(see on map).

The building appears in the show The Boys on Amazon Prime, so I really wanted to see the real thing.

Unfortunately, the exterior was under construction, and I could not see the façade. It was disappointing.

Stopping by Nordstrom Rack

I took a bus to Nordstrom Rack(see on map).

The store had an impressive variety of shoes.

Joining “The Ride”

In the afternoon, I used my Go City New York Pass to join an attraction called “The Ride.”

It is a little over an hour long, featuring two guides exchanging witty banter and performers around the city showcasing singing, rap, and dance through the bus windows.

The attraction requires advance reservations, so I booked through the Go City app.

Originally, I planned to go with a friend who lives in New York, but her schedule did not work out. I ended up riding alone, which honestly made me nervous.

The notice said “English only,” and I was worried I would not understand the guides and fail to enjoy it. I was also tense thinking, “What if the guide picks on me in English?”

As expected, I could not follow the native-speed English, and whenever it felt like audience participation might start, I tried not to make eye contact with the guide. It was tiring.

Passengers reacted in different ways. Some looked like they were having fun, while others seemed mentally elsewhere. Maybe English listening skills do not matter as much as I imagined when it comes to enjoying this attraction.

Dinner Before the Show

Before the show, I ate at Handcraft Burgers and Brew(see on map).

I forgot to take a photo, but the burger and Sprite were 16.34 USD.

After eating, I walked past the New York Public Library(see on map).

I found myself thinking about SATC and imagining Carrie on those steps.

Behind the library, Bryant Park(see on map) had a Christmas market, and the Christmas tree was beautiful.

Watching Hell’s Kitchen at the Shubert Theatre

I headed to the Shubert Theatre.

The musical Hell’s Kitchen was wonderful. The entire show features Alicia Keys’ music, and the story is based on her own experiences growing up in New York.

In conclusion, it was excellent. Still, it did not surpass the emotional impact of MJ, which I saw the night before, so maybe I could not fully immerse myself this time.

Even so, the father-daughter duet of “If I Ain’t Got You” was absolutely incredible, and their voices pulled me in. The mother-daughter duet of “No One” was also moving, and it brought tears to my eyes. “Empire State of Mind” was powerful and thrilling too.

Like I felt yesterday during MJ, hearing top-level live music and vocals up close is the best. I might be enjoying these shows more like live concerts than musicals.

The tickets are expensive, but I was completely satisfied.

<p>The post New York Travel Diary 2024-08:Buying Discount Tickets at tkts, Visiting the Flatiron Building, Riding “The Ride,” and Being Moved by the Musical Hell’s Kitchen first appeared on ふたり暮らし。.</p>

A Sunny Day in New York

It was another beautiful, sunny day in New York.

In the early afternoon, I headed to the TKTS booth near Lincoln Center (see on map) to buy a Broadway ticket.

TKTS sells discounted tickets for Broadway musicals and other shows.

The Lincoln Center location is said to have shorter lines than the main Times Square branch (see on map), but even here I had to wait about an hour.

Still, it was worth it—I managed to get a same-day ticket for MJ the Musical at roughly half price (149 USD).

Strolling Through Central Park

After that, I walked over to Central Park (see on map).

There were horses trotting along, couples taking wedding photos, and even a pond partly frozen over.

It was such a beautiful and peaceful place to wander.

A Missed Stop and a Christmas Market

I wanted to see the Flatiron Building (see on map), which appears in The Boys on Amazon Prime, so I took the subway.

But I missed my stop and got off one station later, at Union Square (see on map).

To my surprise, a Christmas market was in full swing there, along with a small farmers’ market.

It was so crowded that it was almost impossible to look at each stall carefully.

Macy’s, Santas, and Caroloke

I took the subway again and stopped by Macy’s Herald Square (see on map), where the Christmas decorations were lively and beautiful.

All around the city and in the subway, I kept seeing people dressed as Santa Claus.

Not all of them were well-behaved—some were drunk, singing loudly, shouting “Ho Ho!!” to each other, or jaywalking through red lights.

At one point, when a car honked, a Santa yelled “F**k you!!!!!” at the top of his lungs and laughed with his friends. It was a little scary.

Then I came across a bus labeled “McRib Caroloke Tour”, where people were singing Christmas songs in a polite, cheerful way.

The silly wordplay—combining “carol” and “karaoke”—made me smile.

Before the Show

Before the performance, I grabbed a quick bite at A Slice of New York! (see on map).

One slice of pizza and a 500 ml bottle of Coke cost 13.04 USD.

The cashier smiled and said, “Japanese?? Itadakimasu!!” as she handed me the pizza.

She meant “please enjoy,” but I appreciated the effort—it made me happy.

Then I arrived at the Neil Simon Theatre (see on map).

At the entrance, I was asked to throw away my half-finished Coke.

It was a bit heartbreaking—I’d only taken two sips.

MJ the Musical — Pure Brilliance

MJ the Musical was absolutely stunning.

To witness such a powerful live performance up close gave me chills.

The singing and dancing were so, so, so, so, so unbelievably good—I was completely blown away.

It was beyond words.

After the show, I turned to the elderly woman sitting next to me, and we both burst out with:

“Amazing!!! Fantastic!!!”

We shared the same pure joy of having seen something truly special.

<p>The post New York Travel Diary 2024-07:Half-Price Broadway Ticket, A Walk in Central Park, and the Union Square Christmas Market first appeared on ふたり暮らし。.</p>

Climbing the Vessel at Hudson Yards

I went out for a walk to Hudson Yards.

My first stop was the Vessel (see on map). I bought a same-day ticket at the small office nearby for $10.89. The building had once been closed for a sad reason, but it recently reopened.

I decided to climb it on foot—it was quite a workout, and I got a bit out of breath. There’s also an elevator available.

The structure glittered beautifully in the sunlight. From the upper levels, I looked down into the core of the building and could also see the Hudson River beyond.

Walking Along the High Line

After leaving the Vessel, I entered the High Line (see on map).

I came across a huge pigeon sculpture (see on map)—though oddly enough, it’s titled Dinosaur. Its realistic colors made it stand out.

The High Line was bright and sunny, a perfect day for a walk.

I also passed by an apartment building designed by Zaha Hadid.

At the end of the High Line, I stopped by Chelsea Market (see on map) and ate tacos at Los Tacos (see on map). Two tacos cost $13.45. They were small, so not very filling, but spicy and delicious!

Exploring Little Island

After lunch, I walked to Little Island (see on map).

The lawn area was closed off—maybe under maintenance—so it felt more like a park for strolling than for picnics.

I noticed there were pampas grasses swaying in the breeze, glowing in the sunlight. I hadn’t realized New York had them too. The scene looked beautiful with the golden light passing through the leaves and grass.

Visiting the Whitney Museum

Next, I went to the Whitney Museum of American Art (see on map).

I entered using the Go City New York Pass (official site). The coat check was located in the basement.

Many of the works had erotic themes, insects, or chaotic imagery—pieces that made me think things like, “Has spring rotted and exploded as a curse?” I actually liked how bold and provocative the collection felt.

Unlike the Museum of Modern Art I visited two days ago, the Whitney wasn’t crowded, so I could take my time enjoying the exhibits. But when I returned to the lobby, it was suddenly packed.

Later, I saw a sign outside and realized that Friday nights are free admission. I kind of wished I hadn’t found that out.

Watching Annie at Madison Square Garden Theater

In the evening, I met my friends at Madison Square Garden Theater (see on map) to see the musical Annie. A ticket for one adult cost $39.

I had been looking forward to seeing Whoopi Goldberg perform, but although she played an important role, she didn’t sing very much. So overall, my impression of the show was just “okay.”

The girl playing Annie had a good voice, but her singing didn’t move me deeply.

Honestly, yesterday’s Back to the Future musical was far more entertaining.

<p>The post New York Travel Diary 2024-06 — A Day at Hudson Yards, the High Line, and the Musical Annie first appeared on ふたり暮らし。.</p>

Boarding the Ferry to Liberty Island

It was a perfectly clear day. I headed to the Battery Park ferry terminal (see on map).

Before my trip, I had purchased the Go City New York Pass for five attractions for $169. I used it to join the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry. Since advance reservations were required, I booked my spot through the app early that morning.

At the ferry terminal, there were two lines—one for purchasing tickets and another for ticket holders. Since I already had my New York Pass, I joined the latter and showed the QR code on the app.

After passing the security check, I boarded the ferry.

The weather was clear, the wind was strong, and the cold stung my ears.

Walking Around the Statue of Liberty

Once I arrived on Liberty Island (see on map), I walked all the way around the statue. I finished the visit at the small museum, where the video exhibits were actually produced by Disney.

Then I boarded the ferry again to Ellis Island (see on map). There, I was able to borrow an audio guide device for free. It even had a Japanese option, which helped me understand the history in more detail.

A Seagull Attack

While waiting for the return ferry, I peeled a banana I had brought along to eat. Suddenly, I felt a sharp thud to the back of my head—before I knew it, a seagull had swooped down and bitten off a chunk of my banana right out of my hand.

The bird landed right in front of me, clearly eyeing the rest. I quickly stuffed the banana into my tote bag.

Seagulls are terrifying.

When I looked around, a little girl who had probably seen the whole thing caught my eye and gave me a small shrug, as if to say, “Rough luck.”

Discount Shopping at Marshalls and Century 21

After returning to Manhattan, I took the subway to Marshalls (see on map). Like T.J. Maxx, it was full of discounted items. Still, I couldn’t help noticing that clothes—even brand-name ones—can look a bit cheap when they’re hanging on plastic hangers like in a supermarket.

Next, I went to Century 21 (see on map). Compared to Marshalls, its displays felt more curated and made me more inclined to shop.

I found a Bacon down jacket that looked really cool, but unfortunately, they didn’t have my size—so I left empty-handed.

<p>The post New York Travel Diary 2024-05:Using the Go City New York Pass to Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Plus Some Discount Shopping at Marshalls and Century 21 first appeared on ふたり暮らし。.</p>

A Rainy Morning and Bargain Shopping at T.J. Maxx

It was pouring rain from the morning. My friend and I went to T.J. Maxx (see on map), a discount store. I found a New Balance down jacket for just $34.99 and bought it immediately—it was such a great deal.

Next, we decided to stop by The Plaza Hotel (see on map), which appeared in Home Alone 2. However, the staff told us, “Guests only beyond this point,” and we were turned away at the entrance.

We passed by the Louis Vuitton store (see on map), which was under renovation. The temporary wall was decorated like a giant travel trunk—very LVMH, very stylish. Across the street stood the flagship Tiffany & Co. store (see on map).

A Hidden Burger Spot: Burger Joint

My friend took me to Burger Joint (see on map), a hidden hamburger place inside the Parker New York Hotel. There were no signs at all—you either had to know about it or ask the hotel staff.

Behind a curtain was a cozy, dimly lit room full of energy. Maybe because it was the holiday season, even Santa was having a burger.

We ordered two cheeseburgers and one sweet potato fries to share. Since both of us carried water bottles, we skipped drinks. The total came to $45.49. That’s… expensive. New York prices really are high—or maybe the yen is just too weak. Still, the sweet potato fries were excellent.

Exploring MoMA Alone

After lunch, I said goodbye to my friend and went to the Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA (see on map). When I checked my coat, they used the last four digits of my phone number as the pickup code—very clever.

The museum was packed, but seeing these masterpieces in person was still an amazing experience.

I was particularly struck by Gustav Klimt’s Vision. The pearl-like orb near the pregnant woman’s belly looked beautiful to me—almost like a symbol of blessing. But when I read the description, it turned out to be “a dead man’s head.” A dead man’s head!

I also saw Henri Rousseau’s The Dream, which I’d always wanted to see after reading The Canvas of Paradise by Maha Harada.

Another favorite was Blue Composition by Alexander Bogosian—it really moved me.

When I left MoMA, the rain had finally stopped.

Dinner and Cheesecake at Junior’s

I met up with my friend and others at Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery (see on map). I ordered a chicken salad for $24.95 (tip not included). The portion was enormous—enough for three adults to share.

We also tried the restaurant’s famous New York cheesecake, which was easily the best thing we ate. I couldn’t finish the salad, so I asked for a box to take it home.

An Unforgettable Broadway Night

After dinner, my friends went home, but I went alone to see Back to the Future: The Musical on Broadway. I had bought the ticket in advance through the tix app for ¥21,744.

The show was absolutely fantastic. The singing was incredible—especially the actor who played the young mayor. Every time he sang, the crowd went wild. I got goosebumps.

The stage effects were also amazing, particularly the DeLorean scene. The blend of live performance and orchestra gave me chills. Everything was so good that I actually teared up.

After the show, still overwhelmed, I walked a bit through rainy Times Square.

Part of me thought, “Wow, this is the Times Square!” and part of me thought, “Well… that’s it, I guess.”

Then I took the subway home to my friend’s place.

<p>The post New York Travel Diary 2024-04:Shopping at T.J. Maxx, Visiting MoMA, Eating Cheesecake at Junior’s, and Watching Back to the Future: The Musical on Broadway first appeared on ふたり暮らし。.</p>

December 10, 2024

Early Morning and the Santa Land Battle

Jet lag hit me hard. I woke up at 3:30 a.m. and couldn’t fall back asleep. Around 6:00, I heard my friend wake up, so I got out of bed and went to the living room.

She told me that online reservations for Santa Land at Macy’s would open at 6:30 a.m.

Santa Land is a popular event organized by Macy’s (see on map) where families can meet Santa, chat with him, and take photos. Because it’s so popular, reservations fill up quickly.

We prepared three devices—her PC, her phone, and my phone—and pre-filled all the required fields, waiting to hit the “Confirm” button exactly at 6:30.

But when we did, the page still said “coming soon” and wouldn’t move forward. Strange.

We kept refreshing the browser for about 20 minutes, but nothing changed. Just as we were about to give up, we went back to the start page and tried again—and suddenly, the reservation went through smoothly.

So that’s all it took.

A Morning at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

After that, we took a bus to The Metropolitan Museum of Art (see on map), also known as The Met.

We joined the Japanese guided tour that starts at 11:15 a.m. The tour lasts about an hour, requires no prior reservation, and best of all—it’s free.

The tour meets inside the museum on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11:15 a.m.

On Mondays, a different tour starts at 1:15 p.m., focusing on Impressionist paintings.

During the tour, we saw:

• A temple donated by the Egyptian government
• Stained glass by Tiffany Studios
• A beautifully decorated Christmas tree
• Sculptures by Rodin
• Van Gogh’s self-portrait

The final stop was a sculpture gallery. Afterward, the guide kindly offered to show anyone interested the location of Vermeer’s paintings, so we followed along to see “Woman with a Water Pitcher.”

Hot Cocoa at Ralph’s Coffee

After leaving The Met, we stopped by Ralph’s Coffee (see on map).

Across the street was the Ralph Lauren Men’s Store, and nearby were Ralph Lauren Kids and other Ralph Lauren shops—this whole area seemed filled with Ralph Lauren stores.

We had a cup of hot cocoa at Ralph’s Coffee. The taste was… honestly, pretty normal.

My friend went to pick up her kids after that, so I spent the afternoon wandering around on my own.

Wandering Alone in Wintertime New York

In winter, steam rises from vents all over New York. It looked so cool—like something out of Jerusalem’s Lot.

I dropped by a discount shop called Saks Off 5th (see on map), which was packed with discounted jackets and clothes, but I didn’t buy anything.

Since Rockefeller Center (see on map) was within walking distance, I decided to go see the Christmas tree.

It was the same tree I remembered from Home Alone 2, which I had watched as a kid—and still watch as an adult.

It was beautiful, though smaller than I’d imagined.

I also stopped by FAO Schwarz (see on map), the toy store featured in that movie, but the line was so long that I gave up entering.

Nearby was the Nintendo Store (see on map), which was surprisingly quiet.

Ending the Day with Pizza and a Movie

In the evening, I met up with my friend and her kids at a supermarket near their home. We bought some pizza for dinner and headed back.

That night, we ate pizza while watching Home Alone 2.

It felt like the perfect way to end a winter day in New York.

<p>The post New York Travel Diary 2024-03:Booking Santa Land at Macy’s, Joining a Japanese Tour at The Met, and Seeing the Rockefeller Christmas Tree first appeared on ふたり暮らし。.</p>

December 9, 2024

Morning Visit to Zabar’s

After my friend dropped her kids off at school, she took me to Zabar’s (see on map), a long-established supermarket. I love visiting supermarkets in foreign countries.

They sold original tote bags, had a deli section, a seafood section (mostly pre-processed items), a bakery, and a wide variety of dairy products. It was fun just to walk around and look.

My friend bought French butter—Échiré—for USD 12.49.

The same product costs around 3,500 yen in Japan, so it’s actually cheaper in New York.

Since it was Christmas season, fir trees were being sold on the streets.

Heading to the World Trade Center Area

We took the subway to the World Trade Center Station (see on map).

Something about the massive scale of the station reminded me of Attack on Titan.

Our destination was Century 21 (see on map), a well-known discount store—not related to the real estate company with mustard-colored jackets. It’s an off-price outlet.

I had told my friend that I wanted to buy a down jacket, and through her “mom network,” she found out that Century 21 had just received a big stock of them. So she brought me there.

The information turned out to be spot-on—there were tons of down jackets at all price ranges, from about USD 70 to over USD 1,000.

Everything seemed heavily discounted compared to the original prices, but I didn’t buy anything in the end.

Lunch and Sticker Shock at Shake Shack

When lunchtime came, we checked out the food court connected to the station, but it was packed.

So instead, We bought burgers and drinks from Shake Shack and took them home to eat.

Two burgers and two drinks came to USD 30.13.

That’s… expensive. And that’s without tipping since it was takeout. Way too expensive.

It made me wonder if I could actually enjoy my stay in New York—on the very first day of sightseeing, worry was already outweighing excitement.

Out of curiosity, I checked Shake Shack’s Japan website.

A Double ShackBurger costs 1,404 yen, and a lemonade costs 572 yen.

Buying two of each totals 3,952 yen—which is already expensive. So maybe Shake Shack has always been pricey, even in Japan.

In short, it wasn’t that America was too expensive; Shake Shack itself is expensive.

The restaurant simply falls outside what I personally consider “affordable fast food,” and I’m definitely not their target customer.

Still, as my friend said, “New York is more expensive than other U.S. cities,” and with the yen’s decline since 2022, it’s clear that New York is no longer an easy destination for Japanese travelers.

<p>The post New York Travel Diary 2024-02:Exploring Zabar’s, Visiting Century 21, and Shocked by the Price of a Shake Shack Burger first appeared on ふたり暮らし。.</p>