Tokyo is unique: a sprawling megalopolis that runs like clockwork. Highlights include the outstanding food, polite service, efficient transport and irresistible shopping. Tokyo makes other cities seem second rate and, with the current exchange rate, it offers seriously good value for money.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
Always arrive on time. Your mobile will be ringing if you're even a minute or two late. For extra brownie points come with a suitable gift from home. |
| 02 |
Leave and enter taxis by the back left-hand door. Don't open or close them - the driver does that from the front seat. |
| 03 |
If you're invited into someone's house (or office) be prepared to remove your shoes. No shoes in changing rooms either. |
| 04 |
If jetlag strikes, go for a vigorous scrub at Adam & Eve, a no-frills Korean spa where you'll emerge revitalised and baby soft. |
| 05 |
Tokyo addresses are notoriously difficult to decipher – make sure you have a map or at least an address written in Japanese for a taxi driver. English is not widely spoken. |
| 06 |
Taxis are plentiful, but don't be afraid of the subway. It's cheap, clean and unfailingly punctual. |
| 07 |
Visitors often struggle to find ATMs that will accept their cards. Most reliable are the old-fashioned machines in Post Offices. |
| 08 |
Make the most of Japanese convenience: vending machines everywhere selling ice cold drinks in summer and hot drinks in winter; walls of lockers in every station and takkyubin; cheap delivery all over the city. |
| 09 |
It's rare to be underdressed in Tokyo. There are no dress codes, even in the smartest restaurants. Be like the locals – neatly (and usually expensively) casual. |
| 10 |
When shopping, simply say that your purchase is a gift and, at no extra charge, it will be wrapped to perfection. |
02
Hotels
Independent and easy
Marunouchi Hotel
1-6-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
+ 81 3 3215 2151
marunouchi-hotel.co.jp/english
Dependable chain
Cerulean Tower Tokyo Hotel
26-1 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku
+ 81 3 3476 3000
ceruleantower-hotel.com/en
Premium
Park Hyatt Tokyo
3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
+ 81 3 5322 1234
tokyo.park.hyatt.com
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
Royal Host
All over Tokyo. Try Harajuku.
royal.co.jp/royalhost
Business breakfast
Girandole
41/F Park Hyatt Tokyo, 3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku
+81 3 5474 3373
Mid-morning coffee
Unmarble (Aoyama)
4-5-12 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
+ 81 3 5474 3373
unmarble.jp
Working lunch with colleagues
Mus Mus
Shin Marunouchi Building 7F, 1-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
+ 81 3 5218 5200
shinmaru.jp
Need-to-impress-clients lunch
Kitcho
8-17-4 Ginza, Chuo-Ku
+ 81-3-3541-8228
kitcho.com
Lunch on your own
Bape Café
3-27-22 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
+ 81 03 5770 6560
Dinner on your own
Tonkatsu Maisen
4-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
+ 81 3 3470 0071
Dinner with colleagues
Ningyocho
2-9-12 Ningyocho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku
+ 81 3 3666 7006
imahan.com
Private dinner
Niwake
Arakicho, Yotsuya San-chome, Shinjuku-ku
+ 81 3 5312 7206
Big dinner with partner clients
Citabria
2-26-4 Nishi-azabu, Minato-ku
+ 81 3 5766 9500
citabria.co.jp
Drink after dinner
Bluestone
6-4-14 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku
+ 81 3 5485 0818
Late drinks
Kita Aoyama Salon
Yamahazi Bldg, B1F, 2-7-18 Kita Aoyama, Minato-ku
+ 81 3 3489 7533
Late bite
Higashiyama
1-21-25 Higashiyama, Meguro-ku
+ 81 3 5720 1350
On the tiles
Le Baron de Paris
B1F Aoyama Center, 3-8-40 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
+ 81 3 3408 3665
lebaron.jp
04
Reading
Books
Hacknet
1-30-10 Ebisu-Nishi 1F, Shibuya-ku
+ 81 3 5728 6611
hacknet.tv
05
Thank yous
Stationery
Winged Wheel Stationery
4-5-4, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
+ 81 3 5785 0719
winged-wheel.co.jp
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Kitchenware at Saya
Tokyo Midtown 3F, Garden Side, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku
+ 81 3 5413 0709
shop-saya.com
Lost luggage - where to buy dress shirts, socks and undies
Shinjuku Isetan
Men's Building, 3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Something for the kids
Clothes from Bape Kids
3-29-11 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
+ 81 3 5770 4455
Something for someone you love
Bag from Kurachika Yoshida
5-6-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
+ 81 3 5464 1766
Something for yourself
Music from Bonjour Records, Daikanyama
24-1, Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku
+ 81 3 5458 6020
bonjour.co.jp
07
Two hour tour
| 01 |
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Shrine to the late Emperor Meiji.
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02 |
Ota Woodblock Museum
Outstanding private collection of woodblock prints.
|
03 |
Kenzo Tange's Olympic Arena
Built for the 1964 Olympics. |
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08
Limousine/car
Nihon Kotsu
+ 81 3 5755 2336
nihon-kotsu.co.jp/en/
09
Transport
Buy a pass Pasmo pass – from ¥1000 (6 euros) - valid on buses, subway and JR Lines. Buy it in the subway. It can also be used to buy goods in some shops.
Rent a bike Rent from the big Muji in Yurakucho. It has simple bikes at just ¥525 (3 euros) per day during the week and ¥1,050 (6 euros) at weekends and on holidays.
10
Fitness
Good Gym
Park Hyatt
3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
+ 81 3 5322 1234
tokyo.park.hyatt.com
Good running route
The 5km circuit of the Imperial Palace.