December 11, 2024
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.
