Tokyo

Tokyo Travel Guide

• About Tokyo

The archetypal Asian metropolis, Tokyo is a heady blend of the futuristic and traditional. From neon signs to Shinto shrines, this is a city of true sensory overload. The sheer size of Tokyo means you’ll never run out of things to see and do. Start by scaling the 634m-high (2,080 ft) SkyTree, an observation tower which is also the world’s second-tallest structure after Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. On a clear day, you can see the whole Tokyo metropolitan area and as far as Mount Fuji. Anime lovers should take the train to the suburb of Mitaka to visit the stunning Studio Ghibli museum. Replete with classic characters from the films of Hayao Miyazaki, it offers an amazing insight into modern Japanese culture. Afterwards, head back to Shinjuku Station and lose yourself in the maze of shops and restaurants underneath this vast, ultra-modern terminal. Set your alarm to see Toyosu Fish Market (previously known as Tsukiji Market) come to life in the pre-dawn hours. The world’s largest fish market is the place to eat the best sushi of your life at knockdown prices, but if the queues for the poky restaurants get too much, check out the ace tempura stands instead. Go shopping in high-end Ginza or try and fit in with the cool kids in ultra-hip Harajuku. The latter is the best place to see Tokyo’s most out-there cosplay fashions. Grab a beer with the city’s salarymen in any of the small Izakayas around Shibuya Station, or sink shochu or sake in the tiny bars which hide behind curtains down every alleyway in the centre of the city. Then hit a karaoke bar or practice your gaming skills in the countless, skull-thumping arcades of Akihabara. Be sure to kick back in a public bath where locals love to go for a gossip after a long day in the office. And take time to visit incense-shrouded shrines and get a minute’s peace away from the throb of the city. After the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo’s popularity is certain to boom further. Get there now to see why it remains one of the world’s most captivating cities.

• Tokyo History

Compared to the likes of Rome, Paris or London, Japan’s capital is a relative newcomer to the global city scene. Still, in less than 500 short years, Tokyo has become one of the most culturally and economically illustrious cities in the World, despite suffering major environmental disasters and devastating conflicts. Tokyo’s story begins in 1590, when the shoguns (Japan’s hereditary military dictators) moved their base from Kyoto to where Tokyo stands today. They named the city Edo, and although the Emperor remained in Kyoto, power and profit moved east with them. Sealed off from the rest of the world for another two centuries, the Edo period was a time of samurai, tea ceremonies and calligraphy. When the shogunate fell in 1867, Emperor Meiji seized the real reins of power and moved to Edo. He renamed it Tokyo and established it as Japan’s capital, throwing open the country’s borders and actively welcoming outside influences, particularly western ones. He made Shinto the state religion, thus establishing himself as a divine being with total power over the nation. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this whirlwind of change became known as the Meiji Revolution and it thrust Tokyo headlong intothe 20th century. People flocked to the city from the countryside, educational standards rapidly improved and the arts and the theatre both bloomed. Then in 1923, Tokyo was devastated by the Great Kantō Earthquake. With over 100,000 dead and nearly 2 million left homeless, the city was still trying to recover when war swept across the world. Although Tokyo escaped the atomic bomb, WWII rained down over 100 other missiles onto the city, decimating buildings and halving the capital’s population in only five years. Yet, somehow, Tokyo really did rise from the ashes, entering the 21st century as one of the greatest cities in the world.

• Did you know?

The engineering company behind Tokyo Tower believe it could withstand an earthquake that is twice as intense as the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, which reached a magnitude of nine. Each train station in Tokyo has its unique theme song.

• Weather in Tokyo

Tokyo, the largest city in the world, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with fairly mild winters and humid summers. Spring (March to May) is the best time to visit Tokyo as the weather is mild with plenty of sunny days. From late March to mid-April, parks across Tokyo are ablaze with cherry blossom and the city gets busy with many Sakura (cherry blossom) festivals. In April, the average temperate is 14°C (57°F). Summer (June to August) is hot, humid and rainy. June is often the wettest month while August is the warmest month. Built-up areas in central Tokyo can feel warmer than usual due to the heat being stored in buildings and pavement. In August, the average high is 29°C (79°F) while the average low is 23°C (73°F). Autumn (September to November) is also a popular time to visit Tokyo, but bring an umbrella if you are visiting in September and October as the average precipitation is still over 200mm (8 inches) a month. By November though, rain frequency has decreased and you get cool, crispy autumn days. Temperatures wise, the average high is 15°C (59°F) and the average low is 9°C (48°F) in November. Winter (December to February) is mild with little chance of snow. January is often the coldest month with an average high of 8°C (46°F).

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Things to see in Tokyo

Attractions

• Tokyo SkyTree

Tokyo’s SkyTree is the second tallest building after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It stands at 634m (2,080ft) and opened its doors in 2012. The two observation decks (Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria) are the main draws. Reach the top and be blown away by the sheer scale of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, the largest city in the world. Address: Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 570 550 634 Opening times: Daily 08:00-22:00. Website: www.tokyo-skytree.jp Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

For an impressive blend of Japanese, English, and French gardens, head to Shinjuku Gyoen. Once part of a feudal lord’s home during the Edo period (1603-1867) and then owned by the royal family, it opened to the public in 1949. Today, it is a popular place for families to have a picnic on a sunny day. It is one of the best places in Tokyo to catch a glimpse of cherry blossom in the spring. There is a small admission fee. Address: Shinjuku-ku, 11 Naito-cho, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 3350 0151 Opening times: Wed-Mon 09:00-16:00. Website: www.env.go.jp Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Ueno Koen

Ueno Koen, Japan’s first public park, is a hotbed for nature and culture. There are six museums located within the park, namely the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, National Museum of Western Art, Ueno Royal Museum and the Shitamachi Museum. There is also a boating lake and a zoo. Address: Taito-ku, 5-20 Ueno-koen, Tokyo. Opening times: Various, depending on the seasons. Website: www.tokyo-park.or.jp Admission Fees: No (yes for the museums). Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Sensō-ji Temple

This is Tokyo’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temple. A giant lantern watches over large crowds and swirling smoke from a massive incense cauldron – the smoke is said to have healing powers. Originally founded in AD628 to enshrine a statuette of the Kannon Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy), damage from bombing raids means that today you’ll find a magnificent, five-storey reconstruction. Address: Taito, 2-3-1 Asakusa, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 3842 0181 Opening times: Daily 24 hours (grounds), 06:00-17:00 (hall). Website: www.senso-ji.jp Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Shibuya Crossing

Over 1,000 pedestrians cross the multi-cornered intersection at a time when the crosswalk lights turn green, with huge screens and neon signs on the buildings along the roads flashing advertisements at all hours. Most visitors like to cross it a few times, though it is equally satisfying to observe the mayhem from a distance. Address: Shibuya, Dogenzaka, Tokyo. Opening times: Daily. Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• Meiji Jingu

The atmospheric Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine) is tucked away in a dense forest between Shinjuku and Shibuya, two of Tokyo’s busiest districts. To pay respect at Meiji Jingu, you bow before entering the wooden torii gate, then proceed to the washbasin (temizuya) to rinse your hands and mouth (but do not touch the dipper with your lips). At the shrine, you bow twice, clap your hands twice, make a wish if you would like to, then bow again. Address: Kamizono-cho, 1-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku. Telephone: +81 3 3379 5511 Opening times: Various. See Website for detail. Website: www.meijijingu.or.jp Admission Fees: No (but charge for the Gyoen Inner Garden). Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Edo-Tokyo Hakubutsukan

Housed in what looks like a colossal white spaceship, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a wonderful place for visitors to get a feel for Tokyo’s history and culture before the city became Tokyo in 1869. Highlights include a replica of Nihombashi ‘Bridge of Japan’ and models of homes and businesses, including a bookstore and how publications in woodblocks were made. Address: Sumida-ku, 1-4-1 Yokoami, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 3626 9974 Opening times: Tue-Fri, Sun 09:30-17:30, Sat 09:30-19:30. Website: www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disney Resort is a faithful replica of the Californian original, complete with Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, as well as shows, parades and firework displays. The unique DisneySea Park, set against the backdrop of Tokyo Bay, offers several themed areas and is proving popular with children and adults. Address: Urayasu-shi, 1-1 Maihama, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 4 5330 5211 Opening times: Daily 09:00-22:00. Website: www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Yasukuni-jinja

Perhaps the most controversial of all Tokyo’s sites, this shrine houses the souls of those killed in various Japanese wars. The controversy arises because of more than two million souls honoured here, over a thousand of them were convicted war criminals. There is an on-site museum displaying historical materials. Address: Chiyoda-ku, 3-1-1 Kudankita, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 3261 8326 Opening times: Daily 06:00-18:00. Website: www.yasukuni.or.jp Admission Fees: No (charge for the museum). Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

• Tokyo Tourist Information Center (TIC)

Address: Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 1 Chome, Tokyo, Telephone: +81 3 5220 7055 Opening times: Daily 10:00-19:00. Website:www.tictokyo.jp The Japanese National Tourist Organisation (JNTO) runs Tourist Information Centres (TIC) in Shinjuku (Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal), Keisei Ueno Station, Tachikawa, and at Haneda Airport. English-speaking staff are a fantastic source of local knowledge.

Tourist passes

There are no sightseeing passes as such in Tokyo.

Things to do in Tokyo

• Attend a Sumo competition at Kokugikan Sumo Hall

With a capacity of 11,000, this huge stadium accommodates the frenetic demand for Japan’s national sport. The venue hosts regular sumo tournaments, sending the venue’s sumo-obsessed neighbourhood Ryogoku into an excited flurry. Tickets often go fast, so keep an eye on The official ( Website: www.sumo.or.jp ) if you’re planning to go.

• Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony

The Japanese tea ceremony is a tradition which has been around for more than a millennium. An extension of Zen Buddhism, this elegant, spiritual ceremony is something you have to experience it personally to understand and appreciate Japan’s culture and history. Many kimono rental shops offer this experience alongside a traditional Japanese meal, or alternatively, look for tea rooms dotted across Tokyo.

• Pound the paths around the Imperial Palace

Pounding the pavements is surprisingly popular in Tokyo, with the paths around the Imperial Palace offering a suitably traffic-free place to start. For longer routes, try running along the Tama River or around Koganei Park, and for those who can handle the pace, the Tokyo Marathon ( Website: www.marathon.tokyo ) takes place every February or early March.

• Relax with strangers at a public bath house

Public bathing is an essential part of Japanese life, though the ‘au natural’ dress code may initially come as a surprise to foreigners. There are two types of bathhouses: onsen (filled with geothermal spring water) and sento (heated tap water). Be warned that some establishments may not allow individuals with tattoos as they are often associated with Yakuza (Japanese mafia), although they may make an exception for foreigners.

• Sing your lungs out with a spot of karaoke

A trip to Tokyo wouldn’t be complete without a night spent clutching a microphone in one hand and belting out as many hits as your wallet can afford. You can find many karaoke haunts in little cubic offices above the streets – keep an ear out and you’ll track them down.

Tokyo tours and excursions

Tokyo tours

• Walking tours

The Tokyo Tourist Information Centres in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building and Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal have a selection of guided walking tours conducted by volunteers. Check out the website for more information: Website: www.gotokyo.org

• Bus tours

To check off all the sites without having to think too hard, consider a bus tour of Tokyo. There’s plenty to choose from: half-day, full-day and evening tours, with many even offering free hotel pick-up. Good companies include Hato Bus Website: www.hatobus.com Japan Gray Line Website: www.jgl.co.jp    Sightseeing, shopping, snapping – done.

Tokyo excursions

• Kamakura

A small coastal town surrounded by wooded hills, Kamakura was the seat of Japan’s first military government, the Kamakura Shogunate of 1192-1333. Most famous for the imposing 12m-high (39ft) Great Buddha, you’ll also find Zen temples, the impressive Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine and the nearby National Treasure Hall. Visitors can hike through the hills or sunbathe and windsurf by the beach in summer. Trains run every 10-15 minutes to Kamakura from Tokyo Station, Shinbashi Station and Shinagawa Station, on the Yokosuka line (1 hour). Website: www.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp

• Nikko

The wow factor at Nikko is the dazzlingly ornate mausoleum of the first shōgun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the model for the fictional warlord of James Clavell’s novel Shōgun. This UNESCO site sits in an ancient cedar forest, along with the Rinnoji Temple, Futarasan Shrine and the smaller mausoleum of the third shōgun, Tokugawa Iemitsu. Nearby lie Lake Chuzenji and the spectacular Kegon Waterfall, a great place for boating, swimming and fishing. If you’re feeling more energetic, climb the 2,486m-high (8,156ft) Mt Nantai. It takes two hours to reach Nikko from Tokyo’s Asakusa and Shinjuku stations. Website: www.city.nikko.lg.jp

Shopping in Tokyo

With impeccable service, overwhelming choice, fantasy-land buildings, tradition, technology and lashings of kitsch, it’s easy to be bitten by the shopping bug in Tokyo.

• Key areas

The main shopping areas in Tokyo are: • Stylish Ginza, with its ritzy department stores, designer boutiques and chic galleries. • Young, trendy Shibuya for clothes and accessories. • The ‘youth mecca’ of Harajuku for teenage fashions and kitsch. • Akihabara for a vast selection of cut-price electronic goods and computers.

• Markets

There are several flea markets in Tokyo which you can bag a bargain. Top choices include the Tokyo City Flea Market (1 Chome 6-26 Katsushima, Shinagawa) for an assortment of knick-knacks, Mottainai Flea Market (4 Chrome 14-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda) for vintage goods, and Shinjuku Chuo Park Flea Market (Chome 11, Nishishinjuku) for anything from household items to vintage items.

• Shopping centres

For traditional department store shopping in Tokyo, visit Mitsukoshi on Chuo-dori, or the newer Roppongi Hills complex, Minato-ku, where food and entertainment are also thrown in. If shopping in a reconstructed Italian villa is your idea of heaven, visit Venus Fort (1-3-15 Aomi Koto-ku). For wacky, kitsch shopping 24 hours a day, check out Don Quijote, locally known as Donki, across the city, but particularly the largest ‘Mega’ Don Quijote in Shibuya (28-6, Udagawa-cho). Oriental Bazaar (5-9-13 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku) sells yukatas, kimonos, lacquered boxes, wooden sake cups, tea serving sets and any other Japanese handicraft you can think of to take home.

• Opening hours

Standard shopping hours in Tokyo are 10:00-20:00, although some shops are open 24 hours a day.

• Souvenirs

Delightful snacks, homegrown fashion, traditional handicrafts like kiriko (Japanese cut-glass art), and quirky knick-knacks make good gifts.

• Tax information

Japan’s consumption tax is 10% on all items except food, non-alcoholic drinks and newspaper subscriptions. Many stores offer duty-free shopping, provided you show your passport on purchase.

Restaurants in Tokyo

To the surprise of many visitors, dining out in Tokyo doesn’t cost the earth. With an estimated 60,000 restaurants in Tokyo, there is something for every tastebud and budget, from gastronomic delights (Tokyo has more Michelin stars than anywhere else on the planet) to fresh and delicious sushi, served from a stall at the city’s famous Ameyoko Market. Lunch is the perfect time to try new restaurants, particularly in areas like Ginza, Omotesando and Harajuku, as menu prices are often set cheaper than their night-time equivalent. Don’t miss the ‘bento boxes’: great-value lunch boxes filled with a selection of rice, shellfish, and vegetables. Tokyo is a city which loves food, boasting some of the best restaurants and food markets in the world. However, like its nightlife, Tokyo’s restaurants are often tucked away down alleys, on the top of high rises or down in basements. Don’t let this put you off as the interiors of many of these restaurants are beautiful. Service is impeccable and every diner is made to feel special. The Tokyo restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories: Expensive (over ¥10,000) Moderate (¥5,000 to ¥10,000) Cheap (up to ¥5,000) These prices are for a three-course meal for one, including half a bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service. An 8% consumer tax is added to restaurant bills and luxury restaurants may also add a 10-15% service charge. Tipping is not customary and might offend.

Expensive

• Daigo

Cuisine: Kaiseki The rich and discerning still adore this top-end restaurant, a Tokyo institution since 1950, blessed with two Michelin stars, where the chef follows the strict vegetarian Buddhist rules of shojinryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Diners relax in one of the restaurant’s private tatami rooms, each elegantly designed in traditional Japanese style. Address: Minato-ku, 2-3-1 Atago, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 334 310 811 Website: www.atago-daigo.jp

• L’Effervescence

Cuisine: French, Japanese A key part in Japan’s Michelin star boom, L’Effervescence represents Tokyo fine dining at its best. Chef Shinobu Namae made his name at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant in the UK, but is influenced by French and Japanese dishes. Chawanmushi (Japanese egg custard) with abalone or wild boar with yuzu are the style of food to expect. Address: Minato-ku, 2-26-4 Nishiazabu, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 5766 9500 Website: www.leffervescence.jp

• Mark’s Tokyo

Cuisine: Japanese Mark’s Tokyo is a Japanese-inspired chef’s table restaurant hidden in the backstreets of Meguro in central Tokyo. Chef Mark Sekita creates a seasonal menu from locally sourced ingredients inspired by his Japanese and Italian roots, his travels around the world, and the food he grew up with. The restaurant, designed by Kenta Nagai, has been curated to make all guests feel like they are eating in Mark’s kitchen, providing a unique and intimate dining experience. We invite you to come and have a seat at Mark’s. Address: 1 Chome-23-14 Meguro, Meguro City, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 6417 0664 Website: www.markstokyo.com

Moderate

• Bamboo Grassy

Cuisine: Japanese Teppanyaki means stir-fried meat and vegetables cooked on a large grill, and this is one of the best restaurants in Tokyo to give it a try. Grab a front-row seat to watch the chefs at work – their dexterity never fails to amaze. Okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) and yakisoba (stir-fried noodles with meat and vegetables) are also available. Address: 3-9-29 Biahausu Ebisu, Shibuya-ku. Telephone: +81 3 5739 0527 Website: www.roundtable-tky.com

• Den

Cuisine: Japanese Seasonal menus of strikingly presented contemporary dishes, with wine pairings, in a stylish space.For a great variety of traditional Japanese food, a splash of chic with a down-to-earth vibe and a great plate of ramen, head to Den. Squeeze along the benches and watch the flames of the kitchen from afar while tasting a range of shochu (a clear spirit) and yakibuta (barbecued pork). Let the lantern hanging outside the door guide you in. Address: Shibuya City, Jingumae, 2 Chome, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 36 4555 433 Website: www.jimbochoden.com

• Sushiyori Inose

Cuisine: Japanese Tokyo has thousands of excellent sushi restaurants to choose from, but this spot has gained an impressive reputation thanks to its winning hospitality. It’s refreshingly unpretentious, utterly unique and won’t leave you penniless either. There is no menu though; the chef makes what he pleases and you eat as many plates as you like. Address: Shinagawa, 2-20-2 Higashigotanda, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 3443 1719

Cheap

• Afuri

Cuisine: Japanese Set alongside the Shibuya River, Afuri is famous for its signature yuzu-infused ramen (which adds a lightness to the broth). Queues often form outside, but service is fast. Select your order from the vending machine at the entrance (there’s English labelling too) and then collect your dish. Address: Shibuya-ku, 1-1-7 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 5795 0750 Website: www.afuri.com

• Chinya

Cuisine: Japanese This popular Tokyo restaurant has been running since 1880, and there is a touch of old Japan from the moment you relinquish your shoes at the door. After being led to your table by the kimono-clad waitress, choose from shabu-shabu (thin slices of beef and pork served raw for you to cook in a boiling broth) and sukiyaki (thin slices of beef, vegetables, tofu and noodles cooked in warishita, a special stock of soy sauce, sweet sake and sugar). Address: Taito-ku, 1-3-4 Asakusa, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 3841 0010 Website: www.chinya.co.jp

• plate tokyo

Cuisine: French The environment is local and social, as if you’re eating at the kitchen of a friend, but the food and service are top notch and elegant. One of the most rewarding culinary experiences you can have in Tokyo due to the way you can interact with the people who are there in addition to the excellent food being served. Address: Minato City, Nishiazabu, Nishi-Azabu Asia Building, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 80 4689 9059 Website: www.tablecheck.com

Tokyo Nightlife

Tokyo’s mixture of neon and lamp-lit streets illuminate the city’s vibrant nightlife. With plenty of bars and club nestled in Tokyo’s back alleys, some stacked upwards a few stories high, even seasoned visitors can’t run out of new watering holes. Nightlife distinctly varies by district; in Roppongi, you can dance the night away with locals in a mega club or sing your heart out in a karaoke booth. In Shinjuku, you can hop from one izakaya to another or explore the city’s vibrant gay district. Alternatively, splash the cash at some of Japan’s most illustrious and exclusive bars and lounges in Ginza. Tokyo is a playground, fit to accommodate any night that takes you.

Bars in Tokyo

• Geronimo Shot Bar

Home to some truly legendary partying and a staff team renowned for occasionally outperforming the customers. Conveniently located right on Roppongi crossing on the 2nd floor next door to Wendy’s. Great times and great drinks await all. Geronimo’s is decorated with an intriguing collection of Native American artifacts which adorn the walls and ceiling and provide a true taste of the American West. Among the artifacts is a special drum which hangs above the bar for the brave and generous souls to beat should they wish to buy the bar a round of shots. Geronimo also features a large and varied music selection that is sure to keep everyone’s boots tapping. Wash away that Tokyo traildust with your favorite libation from the main bar located in the back or enjoy a few while looking out over the crossing from our front bar. Address: Minato City, Roppongi, 7 Chome, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 3478 7449 Website: www.geronimoshotbar.com

• Brooklyn Parlor

A bar, cafe and late-night spot rolled into one, this cozy haunt has adopted a New York hipster aesthetic, with wooden floors, leather armchairs, shelves filled with books and dim lighting. It’s a popular hangout day and night – be prepared to queue at busy times. Drinks include imported microbrews and sophisticated cocktails, and food offerings are American-style – burgers, pasta, steaks, sandwiches. Address: 3-1-26 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 6457 7763 Website: www.brooklynparlor.co.jp

• Buri

This standing bar has more sake than you could drink in a lifetime. Let the bartender be your guide, although we suggest you give the frozen version a go. This place starts early and finishes late, so be sure to pace yourself if you want to go toe to toe with the locals. The grilled snacks should at least help soak up some of the booze. Address: Shibuya-ku, 1-14-1 Ebisu-nishi, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 3496 7744

Clubs in Tokyo

• TK

Spring 2021 boasts one of the largest 1-floor areas in Shibuya, Tokyo ‘TK NIGHTCLUB’ has grand reopening. The innovative and luxurious interior is based on black and gold, creating a high-end adult atmosphere. Create a playground. One of the world’s best sound systems Performances by popular DJ’S will entertain customers every day. We invite you to an extraordinary space. Furthermore, the main floor, which boasts one of the largest capacities in Tokyo, has been completely renovated. Introducing cutting-edge music and high-spec performance equipment. In the newly installed lounge floor and glow area, Enjoy unprecedented comfort and quality service. Address: Shibuya City, Udagawacho, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 5456 2400 Website: www.tk-nightclub.com

• Womb

Since 2000, Womb has been bringing dance music to the streets of Tokyo. Long lauded by dance music aficionados as one of the best nightclubs on the planet, its three levels, lofty space and massive mirrored disco ball make Womb the only place to party the night away. Address: Shibuya, 2-16 Maruyama-cho, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 5459 0039 Website: www.womb.co.jp

• V2 TOKYO

Pub grub, beer & cocktails in a glitzy nightspot with VIP rooms, dance floors & DJ sets. V2 TOKYO club has dance floors, There are regular shuttle buses from Shibuya to its out-of-centre location, but don’t let that put you off. Once you pass through the distinctive entrance, you will find yourself in an extraordinary world where the excitement is at its peak every night. V2 TOKYO, which opened its grand opening on the top floor of the Lore Building in 2013 and has always been the leading brand in Tokyo, has moved to a conveniently located 1-minute walk from Roppongi Station. Address: 7 Chome-13-7 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 5474 0091 Website: www.v2tokyo.com

Live music in Tokyo

• Blue Note Tokyo

The Blue Note has become something of a jazz classic in Tokyo, with the likes of Tony Bennet, Chick Corea and Sarah Vaughan having graced its stage. Each candle-lit table offers an intimate setting to dine on French cuisine and see the world’s best jazz artists perform. While tickets aren’t cheap, few jazz clubs rival the experience had at this New York-style venue. Address: Minato-ku, Raika Bldg Minami Aoyama, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 5485 0088 Website: www.bluenote.co.jp

• Liquidroom

A 900-capacity venue complete with a coffee lounge and a gallery, Liquidroom has a busy calendar featuring local and international bands, from up-and-coming artists to mainstream performers. It is definitely one of the best places for live music in Tokyo. Address: Shibuya, 3-16-6 Higashi, Tokyo. Telephone: +81 3 5464 0800 Website: www.liquidroom.net

Tokyo Food And Drink

Food In Tokyo

• Nigiri-zushi

The most popular type of sushi today, nigiri-zushi originated as a fast-food dish in Tokyo.Nigiri-zushi is a typical Japanese dish consisting of vinegared rice topped with ingredients. In the Heian period, salted fish was dipped in cooked rice as a preserved food, and the rice was fermented and pickled with a sour taste, which was called nare-zushi.

• Tempura

Tempura also underwent major development in the capital city. Tempura is a dish made by lightly dipping ingredients like seafood such as shrimp, vegetables such as eggplant and pumpkin, or meat into a batter of flour mixed with water, and then deep-frying them in hot cooking oil.

• Soba

Soba-A soul food of Tokyo. Made from buckwheat flour, soba is a traditional noodle dish in Japan and is considered to represent Japanese cuisine along with sushi and tempura. Soba is served in a hot soup, or is cooled and served on a strainer along with dipping sauce.

• Chankonabe

Chanko nabe is a Japanese hot pot dish with a stock base, and seasoned with salt, soy sauce, miso and other condiments. Each sumo stable has its own recipe, but the ingredients are usually meat, fish, and seasonal vegetables.

• Monjayaki

The base of monjayaki consists of a batter made from a mixture of flour, sauce, and dashi (broth). This is topped with cabbage, seafood, or meat, and cooked on a teppan (iron griddle). Most of the appeal of monjayaki lies in the fact that you can use anything as a topping, including cheese, mochi, or even snacks.

• Tsukudani

Tsukudani (佃煮) is seafood/fish, shellfish, meat, seaweed, or vegetable that has been simmered in sweet and savory sauce (typically with soy sauce, sugar, mirin) for a long time. It usually has an intensely sweet and savory flavor, which helps preserve the ingredients.

• Tokyo Sweets – Black sesame

Black sesame seeds are small, flat, oily seeds that grow in the fruit pods of the Sesamum indicum plant, which has been cultivated for thousands of years.

• Matcha Roll Cream

Delicious Matcha Whipped Cream Filling. Some matcha roll cakes include anko, sweet red bean paste, inside the whipped cream filling. The red bean gives some texture to the soft sponge and creamy whipped cream.

Drink In Tokyo

• Sake

Sake, pronounced sakay, but normally called nihonshu in Japanese, is Japan’s number-one alcoholic beverage. There are more than 2,000 different brands of sake produced throughout Japan.

• Japanese Tea

Japanese afternoon tea has its own distinct elements including the use of fragrant teas like sencha and toasted rice tea, as well as unique desserts like matcha crepe cake and miso-chocolate brownies.

• Shochu

Shōchū (Japanese: 焼酎) is a Japanese distilled beverage. It is typically distilled from rice, barley, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, or brown sugar, though it is sometimes produced from other ingredients such as chestnut, sesame seeds, potatoes, or even carrots.

• KURO Hoppy

KURO HOPPY Made by blending four types of malt for a perfect balance between aroma and bitterness, the dark beer taste favored by the Japanese audience is known for the smooth sweetness. Malt, glucose, hops, acidulant, flavoring (amino acid, etc.) About 0.8%*Distribution limited to Kanto region.

• Amazake

If amazake means ‘sweet sake’, how can it be non-alcoholic? It’s made by fermenting a mixture of steamed rice, rice koji (the Aspergillus oryzae fungus that’s also used in the making of miso and soy sauce) and water – just like sake. This process turns the starch into glucose and it stops there.

• Tapioca

Tapioca is starch obtained from the root of cassava, a plant that mostly grows underground (like a potato). In many parts of the world, it’s a food staple. Cassava is a native vegetable of South America and grows in tropical and subtropical regions.

Tokyo Hotels

Tokyo’s highlights, too, are seemingly endless. The Imperial Palace, with its manicured gardens, is a real gem, as are the Edo-Tokyo Museum, The Sensō-ji Temple and the Tokyo Skytree. Don’t miss admiring the cherry blossoms at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens (the season usually runs from late March to early April), participating in a traditional tea ceremony, or tasting mouth-watering cuisine at street stalls and Michelin-starred eateries alike. The best places to stay in Tokyo await!