Bespoke Tokyo's Day Out:
French Kitchen: Quite simply the best French toast in town. Grand Hyatt 2F, Roppongi Hills, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-4333-8888.
Hamarikyu Onshi Teien: Historic Japanese garden situated against the backdrop of Tokyo Bay. Don't miss the traditional teahouse located in the park's centre offering matcha and sweets. 1-1 Hamarikyu Teien, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-3541-0200.
Itoya Part 3: Skip the main building and head to the extensive Washi (Japanese paper) annex at the back of Japan's largest stationary store. The sheer variety and beauty of the paper on offer is unrivalled. 2-17-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-3561-8311.
Tofuya Ukai: Course after course of seasonally adjusted, market-fresh Japanese cuisine, located in a traditional Japanese garden under the gaze of Tokyo Tower. 4-4-13 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3436-1028.
Mimi Kurin: Professional ear cleaning by trained staff. The session includes a view of the insides of one's ear by a tiny, Q-tip-sized camera, which is safely inserted into the ear passage and relayed to a TV screen in full colour. Yamatoya Bldg 3F. 1-13-7 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Tel: 03-5339-3390.
Ota Memorial Museum of Art: Private collection of woodblock prints and traditional Japanese paintings in a diminutive yet exclusive private house, steps away from Harajuku's madness. 1-10-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3403-0880.
Heaven's Café, Kitchen and Bar: Tokyo's best latte, made from Italy's boutique Alberto Verani coffee brand, served in laidback, polished surroundings. 1-16-15 Ebisu Nishi, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-5428-3399.
Zaboo: Centrally located onsen (hot springs) in rustic setting offering a number of indoor and outdoor pools in addition to beauty salon services. Kick back and have a teppenyaki dinner at the spa's surprisingly good restaurant. 1-2-10 Nishi Azabu. Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5770-8100.
Buri: Backstreet located stand-up bar offering one-cup sake and great service in lively, stylish locale. 1-14-1 Ebisu Nishi. Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3496-7744.
Black Rose: Gentle whipping, S&M tinged floorshow and unforgettable yet bizarre entertainment in an ‘only in Japan', hidden late-night bar. Yamachu Kaumicho Bldg 6F, 3-24-19 Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3405-0991. |
