My First Day in Tokyo: Harajuku, a K-pop Sighting, and the Best Roast Beef Bowl at Ohno

There’s something special about a first day in a new country — that mix of jet lag and adrenaline that makes everything feel a little more vivid. My first day in Japan started at Haneda Airport at 7 am, and by the time I sat down to dinner in Harajuku, I’d already ticked off an airport shower, a K-pop idol sighting, and one of the best roast beef bowls I’ve ever had. Here’s how it went.

Landing at Haneda and Freshening Up

Arriving at Haneda early — from 7 am — meant I had a full day ahead before my hotel check-in window even opened. Rather than wasting hours, I used the airport showers to freshen up after the flight, dropped off my luggage at my hotel, and headed straight out to explore. If you’re flying into Haneda on an early arrival, this is honestly one of the best ways to make the most of your first day rather than losing it to jet lag in a hotel bed.

Exploring Harajuku

First stop: Harajuku, Tokyo’s fashion and youth culture hub. Between the boutiques, the street style, and the general buzz of the area, it’s the perfect place to shake off the flight and get a feel for Tokyo.

And then came the moment I did not expect — I spotted Wonyoung from IVE at the Tommy Hilfiger store. A pretty unreal way to kick off a trip, and a good reminder that in Harajuku, you genuinely never know who you might run into.

Dinner at Roast Beef Ohno, Harajuku Branch

I ended the evening at Roast Beef Ohno’s Harajuku branch, a restaurant that specialises in exactly what the name promises: roast beef, done with serious precision.

What Makes Ohno’s Roast Beef Different

The beef is slow-heated for 7 hours, then left to rest in the refrigerator overnight. Only once it’s properly rested is it ready to order — quickly seared and sliced straight into the bowl. Ohno prides itself on ingredient quality, using A4 grade or higher Japanese Black Wagyu beef, which is about as good as roast beef gets.

The Menu

There are two main options:

• Rich — the fuller, more indulgent option
• Healthy — a lighter take

I went with the rich roast beef bowl. Prices range from ¥2,300 for a medium to ¥4,270 for a large, and the set includes options for your sauce and condiments, plus a beef tail soup depending on which sauce you choose.

How It Tasted

The beef itself was everything I wanted — tender, delicately seared, and paired with a horseradish sauce that cut through the richness perfectly. The runny egg on top is almost as much a visual experience as it is a flavour one, watching it slowly drip down through the beef to the base of the bowl.

The “Correct” Way to Eat It

One thing I love about dining in Japan is that there’s often a proper technique to follow, and Ohno is no exception — there’s a how-to guide on how to eat the bowl. Once you’ve worked through the meat with the sauce, you’re advised to sprinkle a little salt over what’s left to bring out the umami flavour of the beef even further. A small step, but it completely shifts the flavour in the final bites.

Roast Beef Ohno Harajuku — The Details

📍 Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 4 Chome−31−10 YMスクウェア原宿 地下1階 🥩 Specialty: Slow-cooked A4+ Wagyu roast beef bowls 💴 Price: ¥2,300 (medium) – ¥4,270 (large)

Final Thoughts

Not a bad way to start a trip — an early Haneda landing, a stroll through Harajuku, an unexpected celebrity sighting, and a genuinely excellent roast beef bowl to close out the night. If you’re building out a Tokyo itinerary and want a Harajuku dinner that’s a bit different from the usual ramen or sushi stops, Roast Beef Ohno is well worth the detour.

Have you tried Roast Beef Ohno, or found your own celebrity sighting in Harajuku? Let me know in the comments!