Shiadome
A new CBD occupied by some of the city's biggest companies, Shiadome revels in open harbor views. A 4.30am wake-up
call hauls you to the already manic Tsukiji Central Fish Market and its frozen tunas, lined up to be inspected and auctioned.
Once the ping pong of negotiation is over, find a little restaurant for a 6am breakfast of tuna and salmon sashimi.
The boutiques and department stores of Ginza are the market's polar opposite, with the usual big brands doing brisk
business, and people watching a must.
CONRAD TOKYO
This area's leading hotel is the epitome of luxury, proudly displaying its designer status through numerous sculptures
and paintings by Japanese artists. The jewel in its crown for westerners has to be the sublime dishes at Gordon Ramsay
at Conrad Tokyo, even if the Japanese have a hard time understanding how a British 'bad' boy can be a master of French
cuisine. The Conrad's Concierge service is the most sophisticated I've experienced. Let them know what, who, where you'd
like to see in the city and they'll make it happen.
The Mizuki Spa has just unveiled their new menu, and top of the list is the Mizuki Spirit which takes you through a
cultural sampler of fragrant hinoki bath, tea ceremony, surprisingly comforting bamboo treatment, massage and
facial. It's such a relaxing treatment you'll need the dark beds of the central relaxation room to bring you gently back
to earth.
Double City Room Y79,000 (US$730); Mizuki Original Body Massage, 80 minutes Y26,000 (US$240)
ROYAL PARK SHIODOME TOWER
Just opposite The Conrad, but closer to Ginza, is the Royal Park Shiodome. The high ceilinged lobby on the 24th floor
is all art and water features, with clean minimalist lines. The high-tech CyberConcierge means you can order food, movies
and other information from your room at the click of a button.
