It’s Time for Tokyo
The magical metropolis is welcoming luxury travellers once again for a city break like no other
The Jade Room + Garden Terrace at Tokyo EDITION
Words by Rose Dykins
Only in Tokyo
The urban jungle that is Tokyo’s central Shibuya district is home to the iconic Shibuya Crossing and SHIBUYA SKY, a 360-degree open-air observation deck providing an unmissable photo opportunity. Close by is the Shinjuku district, a neon-lit cacophony of clubs, karaoke bars and quirky themed cafés, together with the staggering Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, a 48-storey hotel and entertainment complex.
Landmarks with wow-factor views from the top include the Eiffel Tower-inspired Tokyo Tower in the city’s Minato district, which sparkles each night with light displays (the perfect end to a day of exploring). Tokyo Skytree protrudes 634 metres into the sky above the Sumida district and hosts regular events and bespoke experiences at the top, such as yoga classes. Close by is Tokyo’s Asakusa district, where you’ll find the city's oldest temple - the colourful, seventh-century Senso-ji Buddhist temple - and the historic Nakamise shopping street for souvenirs and snacks.
Ginza is the district for high-end shopping in Tokyo’s designer stores, punctuated by swanky cocktail stops. Meanwhile, Akihabara, affectionately known as the “geek district” is the place to shop for video games, anime, manga and all manner of gadgets.
Shibuya Crossing
Toranomon
Mind-blowing culinary and cultural experiences
Japan’s pioneering art scene combines futuristic tech, tradition and expansive concepts that will resonate with inquisitive minds.
Tokyo’s teamLab Planets art collective creates 360-degree visual masterpieces, comprising interactive screens with a changing kaleidoscope of imagery that burst to life as someone walks through the space. While this exhibit, currently based on the manmade island of Toyosu in Tokyo Bay, will close in December 2023, its sister project, the popular teamLab Borderless exhibit, will relocate to Azabudai Hills, a new urban village coming to central Tokyo.
The Sumida Hokusai Museum celebrates the legacy of the eponymous Ukiyo-e artist, (a Japanese art form using woodblock prints, which emerged during Japan’s Edo period). Ukiyo-e translates as “paintings of the floating world”, named after their subject matter - such as sumo wrestlers and geishas - associated with impermanence and detachment from ordinary life.
Toyosu Market gives visitors a glimpse of daily life at a wholesale food market, complete with an observation deck for watching tuna auctions take place, several sea-to-table restaurants and a rooftop garden with a lawn.
Meanwhile, the narrow streets of Tsukiji Outer Market are lined with tiny eateries and tea rooms where travellers can stop as they please to try sushi, seafood and ramen, and browse for next-level kitchenware.
Hama-rikyu Gardens is a beautiful park with seawater ponds, a teahouse on an island and signature Japanese foliage including maple and ginkgo trees. It’s the place to be during cherry-blossom season from late March to early April, and for admiring the beautiful autumn colours during November and December.
Luxury boltholes in the heart of the city
Tokyo’s five-star hotel offering embodies imaginative concepts and calming, contemporary design that maximises captivating views of the city’s skyline.
Overlooking Tokyo Bay, the stylish Conrad Tokyo has exquisite fine-dining restaurants and bars with floor-to-ceiling windows, plus a full-service spa with a 25-metre pool. Opened in 2020, the 206-room Tokyo Edition, Toranomon interweaves “jungles, Buddhist temples and rainbow gems”, with more than 500 plants blooming in its lobby, and 15 of its serene guest rooms come complete with plant-filled terraces. Grand Hyatt Tokyo in the upscale Roppongi Hills area has an excellent selection of restaurants and an urban oasis feel.
Meanwhile, The Capitol Hotel Tokyu has modern Japanese architectural features in its rooms and public spaces - such as shoji paper screens and natural materials - and a garden with a water feature. Luxury boutique brand Trunk is set to open its third Tokyo property in September 2023, with 25 rooms and a heated rooftop infinity pool overlooking the peaceful Yoyogi Park.