ARTICLES
THINGS TO DO
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STEPPING INTO THE INTIMATE WORLD OF THE LOCALS
Explore the rich history of Japan's national drink at Toshimaya Shuzo. This brewery is attached to Tokyo's oldest sake shop, established in 1596. Feel the living sake tradition with a personal introduction from the head brewer and a sake tasting paired with locally-grown vegetables you pick yourself.
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MEET THE WORLD'S ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES
Overlooking the Imperial Palace Gardens, Peninsula Spa, located within The Peninsula Tokyo, offers tranquility and respite from the Tokyo rush. Indulge in luxurious spa treatments that combine the latest methods from around the globe with time-honored Japanese beauty regimens, including its signature Chi-Healing treatment, a Peninsula Spa exclusive.
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FOR ALL TEMPURA AFICIONADOS
Tempura has been a popular source of nourishment in Tokyo since the 17th century. At Tempura Tenko, international visitors can take a genuine masterclass with head chef and owner Hitoshi Arai, covering everything from browsing a wholesale market to frying the tempura with his proprietary blend of oils.
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IN TUNE WITH NATURE AND UNIVERSE
There are two main types of Shojin-ryori, Japan's time-honored take on Buddhist vegetarian cuisine: simple, practical dishes served to monks, and those served to guests as a mark of hospitality. The Tokyo version of this cuisine focuses on delighting guests with premium ingredients and aesthetics. Experience this traditional style with a modern twist at Daigo, a reservation-only restaurant near Tokyo Tower that's one of only two Michelin-starred Shojin-ryori restaurants in Japan.
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"BEAUTY" IS POWER
At Ippodo, beauty is power. The owner and curator of this gallery in Tokyo's luxurious Ginza district is Keiko Aono, a knowledgeable art connoisseur who is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art by Japan's top artists and rising stars alike. Savor Japanese art and culture in the intimacy of Ippodo's private tearoom - a tranquil, exclusive space for experiencing the Japanese tea ceremony while admiring exquisite works of art.
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SIMPLE, YET A NOVEL IDEA
Experience a uniquely modern take on cha-kaiseki tea ceremony dining at Sokkon in upscale Aoyama. Owner Soko Udagawa, the 18th-generation master of the Sowa-ryu school of tea ceremony, turns convention on its head with a refreshingly accessible approach that he calls “a return to the essence of tea tradition.”
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YOUR OWN PRIVATE TEA CEREMONY
Find out what the Way of Tea is all about in a ceremony created just for you.
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APPRECIATING NATURE, THE JAPANESE WAY
In the art of bonsai, little pots hold fascinating miniature worlds encapsulating many of Japan’s ancient aesthetic ideals and philosophies. Meet an acclaimed bonsai master in Tokyo, and discover a new way to appreciate nature and Japanese culture through his timeless works of living art.
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A HIDDEN VILLAGE RICH IN NATURE AND TRADITION
See the other side of Tokyo on Mount Mitake. Just two hours from the bustle of the city center, this richly forested holy mountain has welcomed pilgrims and visitors for centuries, in lodgings run by Shinto priest families. Discover a world of ancient worship, traditional cuisine, and stunning natural beauty.
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JAPANESE HOME COOKING MADE EASY
It's perhaps the ultimate souvenir from a trip to Tokyo: the ability to cook Japanese food. TOKYO COOK excels at teaching the art of Japanese home cooking, from gyoza dumplings to dashi broth, with experiences that are fun, tasty - and surprisingly easy.
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VIEW OF LIFE TO REALIZE THE MOMENTS
A fresh breeze, the gentle rustle of trees, relaxing scenes of green – outdoor beauty can be found even in the center of Tokyo. At TRUNK HOTEL in Shibuya, enjoy an oasis of natural freedom to create your own story.
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A JOURNEY OF THE FIVE SENSES IN THE SKY
Suspended in heaven, at the start and end of all roads in Japan, experience the ultimate in Japanese hospitality and aesthetic treatment at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. Calming aromas and Buddhist sounds guide you on a journey of inner peace, health and beauty.
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BORDERLESS CUISINE
Producers, chefs and diners − Florilège breaks down barriers to offer you a front-row view of the ingredients, passion and techniques that produce impeccable, modern French cuisine. Surprising drink-pairings dazzle the senses. Enjoy a borderless adventure of culinary communication in Tokyo.
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COLLABORATION OF BLOWING AND CARVING
Edo Kiriko glass – a handmade artistic tradition crystallizing the spirt of Tokyo. Glass hand-blown by Tajima Glass and carved and polished by artisan workshops such as Hanashyo offer you a perfect, breathtaking memento of Tokyo that will endure for generations.
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DRAW THE CHARM OF THE CITY ON THE NIGHT VIEW
The night sky explodes in the intricate, thrilling beauty of Japanese fireworks. Electrifying dancers perform to a symphony of music and light. Culinary delights and beach-side relaxation abound. STAR ISLAND offers true resort-style entertainment in the very heart of Tokyo.
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JAPAN BLUE MEETS THE FUTURE
Indigo – the color of victory, the color of tradition, and the color of the future. Using all-natural ingredients and techniques passed down from the 8th century, Tateisucanna offers fashion imbued with the wisdom and beauty of Japan’s aizome indigo dyeing tradition.
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STORY FROM A SINGLE THREAD
Traditions handed down for over a thousand years and stories beginning with a single thread − kimonos embody Japan’s timeless devotion to craftsmanship, beauty and style. At Ginza Motoji, select your own hand-crafted fabrics to create your own personally fitted masterpiece.
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NEW WAVE MEETS TRADITION
Ukiyo-e – the striking woodblock prints that inspired Monet and Van Gogh and set the course of fashion in Edo-era Japan. Uncover your own authentic masterpiece at Hara Shobo in Kanda, and bring home a one-of-a-kind masterpiece of Japanese art.