ARTICLES
CULTURE
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DELICATE AROMAS OF JAPAN
Scent, emotion, and memory are inextricably intertwined - so what finer way to mark a sojourn in Tokyo than visiting the atelier of a globally-acclaimed perfumer. Aromas that capture the very essence of Japan await.
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PRICELESS CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
Often inaccessible to travelers on a truly meaningful level, every now and then exclusive opportunities arises for well-connected visitors to fully indulge in the most enchanting traditions of Japan. Here we introduce some of the very same.
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CURATED STROLL INTO THE CITY OF DIVERSITY
Delve into diversity in Daikanyama, one of Tokyo's eclectic collections of artistic enclaves. With an expert guide, a walk around Shibuya's "brooklynesque" neighbor unveils the rich history and many charms of this enchanting area.
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BEAUTIFYING THE BROKEN
Kintsugi is the art of "golden repair," and a window to the soul of Japan that values the venerable and the perfectly imperfect. A timeless technique, it can be experienced on a visit to the contemporary artisans of Tokyo finding innovative applications for the art.
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OLD MEETS NEW: MODERN CULTURE AND TRADITIONS MERGE
Tradition need not stand still. Tokyo, the neon metropolis, was once Edo, the cradle of culture. Today, artists and artisans across the city are keeping that culture alive in innovative ways connecting old and new, expressing classical ideas through a different lens for successive generations.
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TOKYO AS A HUB OF CULTURE
The culture of craftsmanship reaches each corner of Tokyo, imbuing every art form and experience with an extra dimension. Experts on crafts from across the country concentrate here at the nation's hub, and Tokyo has an artisan for almost any craft you can imagine, be it elegantly simple or richly refined, waiting to welcome you into their world.
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ETHICAL EXPERIENCES IN TOKYO
If you're seeking a more ethical way to experience Japan, the resurgence of traditional crafts and the uptick in upcycling will catch your eye in Tokyo. Against the backdrop of a bustling metropolis, you can find locals committed to positive change around almost every corner.
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A BOAT JOURNEY TO UNCOVER TOKYO'S ORIGINS
Trace the history of Tokyo - from its roots as a humble fishing village, to its days as the prosperous capital called Edo, to the dynamic metropolis that it is today - on a boat ride through its waterways. A cruise from Nihonbashi will take you on a journey through time and give you a peek into Tokyo's food culture, architecture, and religious traditions.
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RECOMMENDED GIFTS & VALUABLE NEW PRODUCTS
In Japan’s culture of gift-giving, the elegance and quality of souvenirs from Tokyo are matched only by their variety. From the finest kitchenware to exquisite handcrafts, the best of Japan is found here.
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A HIDDEN TASTE OF TOKYO
Step back in time at a legendary traditional restaurant wrapped in gardens in the heart of Tokyo - and savor an atmospheric meal of seasonal, homemade dishes.
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TOKYO'S PLANT-BASED CUISINE
Japan's ancient world of Zen Buddhism-inspired vegetarian cuisine has been given a fresh modern upgrade by top Tokyo chef Daisuke Nomura. Accompany the culinary innovator on a shojin ryori journey - from morning vegetable market shop to an exclusive private tasting in his restaurant.
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A MODERN TASTE OF KINTSUGI
From a rare encounter with a legendary kintsugi artist to an exquisite tea ceremony-inspired cocktail experience - slow down and explore the rich cultural landscape that lies beneath the surface of Tokyo’s fast-paced urbanism.
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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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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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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.