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is an essential part of any visit to this Asian style capital, with its
dizzying array of unique original fashions and trends. The fashionable
Omotesando district is a great place to start if you don't have much time.
As well as finding all the major luxury brands, you will also find the
Prada flagship store, which has become
bit of a tourist attraction itself. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron,
the building is something of an architectural marvel. There are also the
Tod's and Christian
Dior buildings nearby, which are also amazing constructional feats.
In terms of serious retail therapy, Omotesando Hills is where you will
find all the top designer labels.
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Roppongi
Hills is a massive, multi-purpose complex, which houses many international
business giants, top-tier fashion labels and many wealthy residents. Much
mention has been made about Louis Vuitton's
standalone boutique there. Another place to visit if you have the time
is the magnificent Wako department store,
owned by the Hattai family who founded the Seiko watch company, in the
Ginza district. It features luxury fashion and accessories for both men
and women.
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Tokyo has long been known as a have for food lovers, with
an estimated 300,000 restaurants to choice from. It has become such a
destination for gourmands that Michelin will be launching its prestigious
restaurant guide in November. It will be the second guide launched outside
Europe (the New York issue launched in 2005).
You cannot visit Tokyo without tasting the local cuisine,
and a real adventure is finding that secret, exorbitant sushi bar serving
the very best fugu puffer fish. The best place to start is Taiga in Ginza,
which is renowned for its fugu dishes. For sushi, try the original Kyubei
in Ginza. For the full, authentic Japanese haute cuisine experience, there's
Takamura in Roppongi, located in a character-filled,
old domicile set within a tranquil oasis just away from the bustle of
the city.
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more cosmopolitan fare there's Aragawa, Japan's first steakhouse, serving
some of the best hand-fed Wagyu beef sourced from a single farm nearby.
The formal, fine dining atmosphere is certainly apt, as Aragawa
is home to one of the world's most expensive prix-fixe menus, although the
succulence of the food is reputed to be worth the asking price and more.
Another great dining experience is the New York
Grill at the Park Hyatt hotel, where you can enjoy incredible views
from the 52nd floor of the hotel. Other top chefs to have a presence in
Tokyo include Thierry Voisin with his newly renovated Les
Saisons and Alain Ducasse, who recently opened his Japanese-influenced
Beige on top of the Chanel building in the
Ginza shopping district.
In a country as steeped in history and culture as Japan, it is essential
you experience at least some part of the Japanese traditions. At the Okura
Hotel, experience the quiet splendor of an authentic tea ceremony.
In a soothing display of a simple but beautiful ritual, tea is served
gracefully in the hotel's Tea Room, which is surrounded by the peaceful
trickling of a nearby fountain and an adjacent rooftop garden.
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 Any
sojourn starts with finding a luxurious place to stay. For a truly panoramic
view from your 5-star hotel room, don't look any further than the fabulous
Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku (where the Oscar-winning
movie Lost in Translation was filmed); high-floor ultra-luxury from US$450
a night. There's also the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
in Chuo-ku, with its luxurious spa rooms on the 36th floor that have spectacular
views over the city. The Conrad Hotel Tokyo
in Minato-ku, is also worth a visit as it is where renowned chef Gordon
Ramsey has opened his first restaurant in Asia.
With so much to see and do, from the hustle and bustle of city-center
shopping centers to the natural, quiet beauty of the Sakura parks, Tokyo
has all sorts of activities for the business traveler. However hectic
or luxurious you want it to be all depends on you.
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If you really want to join the Tokyo
elite, then try to wrangle a membership to Celux. Louis
Vuitton's private club, in the penthouse of the LV Omotesando Building,
offers an exciting shopping experience with an array of rare and unique
fashion pieces and homewares to choose from. Labels include Vuitton, Dior,
Loewe, Kenzo, Givenchy and Pucci. It's only for the well connected, as
membership requires a member's referral.(www.celux.com)
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| Aragawa:2-15-18
Nakayamate-dori, Tokyo. Tel: +81 (3) 3591-8765 |
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| Beige:
Chanel Ginza Building, 3-5-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: +81
(3) 5159-5501 |
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| Café
Madu: 5-8-1 Minami Aoyama. Tel: +81 (3) 3498-2891 |
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| Kyubei
Ginza: 8-7-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: +81 (3) 3571-6523 |
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| Les
Saisons: The Imperial Hotel Tokyo, 1-1-1 Uchisaiwaicho
1-chome, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: +81 (3) 3539-8087. http://www.imperialhotel.co.jp |
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| Takamura:
3-4-27 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: +81 (3) 3585-6600 |
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| Celux
Louis Vuitton Shibuya, 5-7-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel:
+81 (3) 3478-2100. www.celux.com |
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| Christian
Dior 5-9-11 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: +81 (3)
5464-6263 |
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| Louis
Vuitton Roppongi 6-12-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel:
+81 (3) 3478-2100 |
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| Prada
5-2-6 Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: +81 (1) 2055-9914 |
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Tod's
5-1-15 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: +81 (3) 6419-2055 |
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Wako
Department Store 4-5-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: +81 (3)
3562-2111. www.wako.co.jp |
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Ueno Park Ueno
Koen 3-chome, Daito-ku. Tel: +81 (3) 3828-5644. |
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Text AMIR
ALI
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