Tokyo by F. Jobard.
Discover tomorrow. In 2020 Tokyo will deliver dynamic celebration and global inspiration. The idea is to unite the fun of the Olympic Games with the unique values of a city that sets global trends and their inhabitants.
The d
estination Tokyo is always great and I am already looking forward to the upcoming city party in 2020.
Back to today, starting at Akihabara district (northeast of the city). The area is no place for those who do not like neon and special things.
Nearly impossible to find the way.
It makes the Japanese capital to the place to the home of sensory overload. Book and comic stores are packed with bespectacled teens browsing new and vintage manga and anime. Loudes of all are the area’s string of parlours specialising in pachinko, Japans vertical version of pinball. Konnichi wa! I love it to be in Tokyo, it seems that Tokyo have a fresh verve.
We checked in at the Station Hotel. It is a hotel housed inside a train station. Yep that doesn’t sound like a gateway to luxury, but that’s just part of the Tokyo Station Hotel’s appeal.
Originally dating to 1915, the historic 150-room stay. The great place was reopened after five-years of standstill, $625 million renovation of the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building, a Gothic red-brick structure designed by architect Kingo Tatsuno.
The hotel is a dream admidst the vibrant world metropolis, 150 guestrooms and suites are located in the iconic Tokyo Station Building and are designed with classic European decor, high-vaulted ceilings and expansive windows.
Each guestroom blends sophisticated elements of European classic and contemporary design, while conveying the property’s rich heritage and historical significance.
The rooms and suites range from spacious double guestrooms, to the Dome Side and Maisonette accommodations – which offer a unique two-storey layout.
Palace Side Rooms overlook the dynamic cityscape of the surrounding Marunouchi area they feature a view of the Imperial Palace Gardens, and range from 26 square meters to 58 square meters in size.
The spectacular Maisonette rooms are the highlight of The Tokyo Station Hotel, they consists of two stories, divided into a living room and bedroom and living and dining area overlooking Marunouchi. Each room is 65 square meters in size. Just fantastic.
Tokyo Station Hotel is surrounded by numerous attractions including the Imperial Palace, Marunouchi business area and Ginza luxury shopping district. The hotel’s rich history, convenient location and luxurious accommodations and amenities make it the premier destination for both business and leisure travelers.
You will find it here:
1-9-1 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
The project which took six years and over 730,000 people to complete was designed by famed Meiji architect, Kingo Tatsuno.
Its worth it and the perfect place to enjoy a memorable stay in Tokyo City.
Later on you should go to the “SHRINE”. Dedicated to the late 19th-century emperor who opened Japan to the West, Tokyo’s most famous Shinto shrine is wonderfully serene and austere, not colorful or flashy like other Asian places of worship, and is less of a tourist trap than Senso-ji, the big Buddhist temple across town in Asakusa. The 12-meter torii gate at the entrance to the 200-acre park is made of 1,500-year-old cypress, and there’s a second one like it closer to the shrine itself. Stop at the cleansing station where you can dip into a communal water tank and purify your hands and mouth before offering up a prayer. You can write wishes on little pieces of paper and tie them onto the prayer wall, bow your head twice, clap twice, and bow once more.
On Sunday mornings you are likely to see a traditional wedding procession through the courtyard — the bride in a white kimono and hood and the groom in his formal black robe, walking together under a big red parasol, with Shinto priests leading the way and the rest of the wedding party trailing behind. Shrines, big or small, can get interesting on festival days.
Besides fashion, hipster culture and the efficient public transport system you get the inspiring retail and all-around courtesy which makes the pleasure to be there.
Fantastic views, I enjoyed a clear Winter’s day in Tokyo with a view of Mt. Fuji!
The city’s enclaves are as compelling as they are divers, sure Tokyo is booming, the city has hopes for the 2020 Olympics, the new national stadium designed by Zaha Hadid will be built regardless.
Tokyo at it’s best, we love it.
Top eating experiences:
#1 Sushi Dai
A early bird trip at 6am to Tsukiji – the giant fish market- is an essential stop not only for foodies.
The sushi breakfast and the seafood is unbelieveable good, famous for its freshness and astounding value.
House & Hotel Magazine’s resto tip: Araki
Mitsuhiro Araki is a famous sushi master. He specialises in the simplest form of Edomae-sushi, served in a traditional way. You will find the resto in Ginza. Background story. He opened Araki in the residential area of Setagayaku, an area in the outskirts of Tokyo, but moved to the Ginza after receiving three Michelin stars in 2011. Mr Araki started his career at a hotel in Kanagawa after he graduated from high school, then went to Australia and worked as a chef there. When he was 25, he returned to Japan to be a sushi chef and started training. After eight years, he met his mentor, Takeaki Niizu, who was the head chef of a well-known restaurant Kiyoda in Ginza. Araki has now relocated to a smart ground floor location in the Ginza. The chef prepars the food in front of you at a wooden counter, the entire restaurant had just nine seats. Try sashimi of red snapper from Akashi. Go ahead with seared bonito, served with a little soy sauce. Both maguro and otoro are superb, a silky delight. So give a perfect 10 as sushi.
Try to avoid the airport taxi, too expensive, invest in Tuna & Drinks, enjoy Tokyo.
Its great to explore Japan by train.
