Top 10 Shopping center in Tokyo
November 22, 2007
1. Daiso -100 Yen Shop
Location : (Found across Japan)
100 Yen shops have been around since the dawn of time in Japan and are commonly found in some shopping areas. The shop provides a huge range of products from gardening, stationery, kitchen, clothing, electronics, tools, all for 105 Yen a piece (100 Yen plus 5 percent consumption tax). Despite the cheap prices, the quality of the products is acceptable. Cheap one-price stores are popular in Japan and now spreading to Thailand and other Asian countries.
2. Shibuya 109 Building
Location : 2-29-1 Dogenzaka Shibuya-ku
Telephone : 03-3477-5111
Shibuya is the coolest area in a maze of small alley for shopping in Tokyo. Hundreds of trendy stores, variety hip clothing boutiques and accessories are widely found. The place is always packed with crazy shoppers, most of them are teens dressing in platform boots, a miniskirt, copious amounts of makeup and hair coloring in different styles. Also they wear cosplay (costume play) resembling cartoon anime characters and punk musicians. Shibuya 109 building is very popular and is the center point for young people, catering Japanese teenagers’ unique taste.
3. Takeshita-dori
Location : Jingu-mae 1-chome, Shibuya-ku Tokyo
Located conveniently opposite Harajuku Station, Takeshita-dori allures a crowd of young fashionable people especially young Tokyoite. A number of cutting-edge boutiques are lavishly lined along Takeshita-dori, which gets the place cluttered with local and tourists particularly those who visit Tokyo on a school trip. This is the place for small idol goods and trendy clothes and designer accessories.
4. Omotesando
Omotesando is considered one of the top three most popular areas of town in Tokyo and known as the upscale shopping area providing big-name brand outlets. Not only international brand clothing boutiques range from Louis Vuitton, Chanel to Gucci that featured in Omotesando, but also excellent café, restaurants and toy store Kiddyland are presented. Omotesando is tree-lined avenue and the place of world fashion consumption.
5. Ginza
Ginza is the most exclusive and expensive shopping area in Japan. The famous downtown of Japan, which is located in Chou-Ku, appears neon signs that color the dull atmosphere at night. There are numerous spacious department stores, Wako and Miatsukoshi are two of the most famous along with Superb restaurants and gorgeous photo galleries. Ginza is Japanese’s symbol of elegance.
6. Oriental Bazaar
Location : 5-9-13 Jingumae Tokyo, 13 150-0001
Telephone : +81 (0)3 3400 3933
Oriental Bazaar is one of the most famous Japanese souvenir shops which is really famous among tourists in search of typical Japanese souvenirs. The four-storey place, which appears to be a traditional Japanese temple building, is notably one of the best places to buy affordable and beautiful, second-hand original kimonos. The bazaar satisfies your needs on buying gifts and souvenirs back home.
7. LaForet Harajuku
Location : 1-11-6 JingumaeShibuya-kuTokyo
Telephone : 03-3475-0411
LaForet Harajuku is a cutting-edge shopping complex with the LaForet Museum located on the top floor. The seven-floor shopping complex features a number of fashion boutiques which is a local landmark and shops, while the museum has hosted a wide range of events offering visitors opportunities to enjoy art and entertainment. The teen fashion mega store is known for its big summer bargain sales in July.
8. Kinokuniya
Location : 3-17-7 shinjuku - shinjuku-ku - tokyo 160-0022
Telephone : +81 3 33540131
Kinokuniya is one Tokyo’s largest bookshops near the Time Square Shopping center south exit of Shinjuku Station. The immense bookstore devotes its majority area for English books, however, it’s a comprehensive bookshop with magazines, books on Japan, dictionaries and textbooks for students of Japanese, and novels. Come Indulge yourself in the world of edutainment.
9. Isetan
Location : 3-14-1 Shinjuku Tokyo, 13 160-0022
Telephone : +81 (0)3 3352 1111
Considered the oldest and largest department store in Tokyo, Isetan features many stores of contemporary and fashionable clothing boutique while a great kimono section along with all the traditional accessories are also provided. Isetan also stocks a special range of women’s clothing (Clover Shop) and men’s wear (Supermale) in slightly larger sizes for those not quite petite enough for the standard Japanese range. Many branches were launched in many Asian countries.
10. Kiddy Land
Location : 6-1-9 Jingumae Tokyo, 13 150-0001
Telephone : +81 (0)3 3409 3431
From Hello Kitty, Barbie, Disney to Spider man are all featured in Kiddy Land, the paradise of all kids, but do not be embarrassed to enter the store if you are no longer a kid, you can’t resist the temptation from Kiddy Land. The six-floor toy store is one of the most famous in Tokyo where a wonderful range of toys can be excessively found, leaving the fantastic shop far from a snorefest.
Tokyo Wallpapers Set
November 21, 2007
These are the finest wallpapers of Tokyo city which you can choose to decorate your desktop.
Top 10 Restaurants in Tokyo
November 20, 2007
Here are a list of the best 10 restaurants in Tokyo… Enjoy!
1. Ninja Akasaka
Location : 2-14-3 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku
Telephone: 03-5157-3936
Ninja Akasaka is adorned in a ninja-themed restaurant and its hidden entrance makes the place more mysterious and extraordinary. Once you enter the door, you are greeted and get served by a ninja. Watch out traps in the restaurants, you will never know when those ninjas will try to trick you. Ninja Akasaka is a real Japan’s so called entertainment restaurant. Edible Bonsai is a highly recommended dessert.
2. Yabu Soba
Location : 2-10 Awajicho Chiyoda-ku
Telephone : 3251-0287
Outside Yabu Soba stands a traditional bamboo courtyard which is the entrance into the excellent antique Japan restaurant. The chilled noodles (soba) are quite common in Japan but Kamo-namban (soba with duck meat) and anago namban (soba with conger eel) are recommended. The restaurant has now been in the same family for six generations and 50 branches were launched. This strongly guarantees its quality and popularity.
3. Torigin Honten
Location : 3-14-22 Nishiki Naka-ku, Sakae
Telephone : (052) 973-3000
Torigin Honten offers real traditional Japanese cuisine with a casual atmosphere. Due to being located conveniently in the heart of the city, the eatery draws a large number of customers for snack and full meals every day. Torigin Honten’s popular dishes are yakitori and kamameshi (a kettle cooked rice with a range of toppings such as chicken, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and prawns).
4. Kurosawa
Location : 2-7-9 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda
Telephone : 03-3580-9638
From a director to a chef, Akira Kurasawa has made his restaurant, Kurosawa, to perfection. The dishes from Kurosawa are high-quality and the most popular dishes are soba noodles and pork sukiyaki. The interior design of the dining rooms were simply presented but decorated with a selection of storyboard frames painted by Kurosawa in preparation for each movie.
5. Aux Bacchanales
Location : Kioicho 4-1, Shin-Kioicho Bldg. 1F.
Telephone : 03-5276-3422.
Adorned in bright tone and French theme, Aux Bacchanales is a stylish eatery with gourmet French menu. Customers opt to enjoy great steak frite and red wines inside the lively dining room or good coffee at an open terrace facing the Shimizudani Park. These outdoor seats are heated in winter.
6. Jangara Ramen
Location : Ginza 7-11-10, New Ginza Bldg
Telephone : 3289-2307
“Get in line please!” Staff of Jangara Ramen might be fed up with saying that sentence everyday but what do they do! Jangara Ramen is a famous Chinese Kyushu ramen shop and people can’t help queuing to get in. Chinese noodles called kyushu style ramen is made in three types of soup: fish, mild & light, greasy garlic and the price is reasonable.
7. Sushiko
Location : 6-3-8 Ginza
Telephone : 03-3571-1968
Never ask a menu when you get in Sushiko as a written menu is not available. All sushi lovers are attracted to this sushi restaurant with their menu in mind. It’s such a tough task getting a seat since the counter supports only 11 customers. Owned by a fourth-generation restaurateur, the restaurant remains its popularity and the quality of sushi until now.
8. Union Square Tokyo
Location : Akasaka 9-7-5, Tokyo Midtown Garden Terrace B1F.
Telephone : 5413-7780
Union Square features excellent international dishes. The restaurant is well adorned with lightings, making it like heaven on earth. There are various menus but the highlights are the pan-seared foie gras with orange slices and bamboo shoots; Iberico pork; and tuna filet mignon - big tuna chunks marinated in soy and mirin served with tasty wasabi mashed potatoes.
9. Kosaku Kofu
Location : Kofu City, Kitaguchi 1-4-11.
Telephone : 055-252-9818
Kosaku Kofu proudly presents its most popular dish; hoto, it’s flat udon noodles served with pumpkin and other vegetables in a buttery miso-based broth. Hoto cannot be widely found in other restaurants and hoto (which comes in a very hot iron cauldron) of Kosaku Kofu is incomparable. The eatery is decorated with old-fashioned farmhouse decor and a TV set going in the background, making it a perfect place for dining.
10. Sakura Sakura
Location : Kofu City, Marunouchi 2-16-6.
Telephone : 055-223-8110
The restaurant features wide range of dishes; charcoal-grilled chicken which is good with drinks, the tsukune (chicken meatballs), healthy grilled vegetable platter and four variations on hoto. The decorations are a great combination between concrete floors and walls, bamboo and stone elements.
Top 10 Events in Tokyo
November 20, 2007
1. Gishi-sai (Vendetta of the 47 Ronin)
To commemorate a traditional Japanese tale telling about 47 infamous Ronin who committed ritual suicide after revenging the death of their master, people dress in samurai costumes parading along with beating drums at the Sengaku-ji Temple in Tokyo.
2. Shichi-go-san
Shichi-go-san, which means seven-five-three, is the festival concerned with boys aged five and girls aged three and seven. They are dressed in the traditional costumes and taken to Shinto shrines to give thanks for reaching these ages and to be blessed for continued good things.
3. Tako-age Taikai (Kite-Flying Meeting)
Tako-age Taikai is a fortune-seeking event which is annually held in January. Japanese fly kites over Arakawa Todabashi Ryokuchi recreation ground with the belief that their kites will be picked up by the wind and brought to heaven.
4. The January Basho
The greatest International and local big names Sumo wrestlers take on one another for January Basho, one of the year’s six Grand Tournaments, at Tokyo’s Kokugikan Sumo Hall.
5. Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
The Tokyo International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival features around 45 films from 13 different countries. The event is the biggest of its kind in Asia. All the films are displayed in Tokyo among 10,000 people.
6. Asakusa Samba Carnival
The streets in Tokyo’s Asakusa district are painted by the colorful Grand Parade which last several hours in Asakusa Samba Carnival. Local girls and Brazilians dress in prominent costumes dancing along Latin rhythms.
7. Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry blossom or Sakura is Japan’s national flower and a symbol of Japan. When Sakura blossom out, it’s a sign of coming spring. Japanese people have celebrated this festival for decades. All families go out on vacation, picnicking and have fun under Cherry blossom trees.
8. Sanja Matsuri
Sanja Matsui is the festival in honor of the three resident deities of the Asakusa Shrine. A number of strong men, dress in traditional festival costume carrying decorated shrines over their shoulders and parade through the streets. The processions mean to bring good luck to the areas.
9. Setsuban
Setsuban is taken place on February 3rd which marks the end of winter. All temples hold bean-throwing competitions which they believe will scare away the evil spirits and bad luck.
10. Hina Matsuri
Families wish their daughters a happy and successful life in the Hina Matsuri or Doll Festival. Seven-tiered dolls are put on the red platform. They believe that all bad fortunes will be transformed to the dolls and drop them in the river to eliminate those bad lucks.
Top 10 Dance Clubs in Tokyo
November 20, 2007
Hey there, dancing queens, you are required by the top best dance clubs in Tokyo. Check it out and choose!
1. Club Vivian
Location : Azabu Palace Building B1 2-25-18 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku
Telephone : +81 (0) 3 3406 8477
Club Vivian is highly recommended for all hipsters on Saturday nights as the dance floor is completely cluttered with many club goers. Top-quality New York House, the music which is catered only on Saturday, makes all dancing queens forget everything around but dance! Although the club is pretty small, there’s enough space for crazy dancers and those who are in the mood to chill. If you are into techno, you are welcome on other nights of the week.
2. Club Complex Code
Location : Shinjuku Toho Kaikan 4F 1-19-2 Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku
Telephone : +81 (0) 3209 0702
Club Complex Code is such a tremendous club in Tokyo comprising of four rooms and three dance floors, many bars and buffets and giant screens where Visual DJs can be seen in the mix. Since the main room is huge and available for over 1000, watch your direction and don’t get lost! The music of house verging on hard house and trance is a hit but disco dance is also provided. The club is unique with a popular men-only gay night on the last Sunday of the month.
3. Afromania
Location : Black Aoyama Bldg , 3-2-7 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku
Telephone : +81 (0) 3 408 1546
Afromania is a small club but well formed. Despite its capacity of only 80, people queue in order to get in. Top hits music is provided especially for the reggae crowd by great DJs spinning top quality beats. With the decoration of rainforest theme and narrow space, the club makes you feel a naturalistic closure. It’s common among the clubs in Tokyo that the entry price is inclusive of a couple of drinks, pay and get drinks to warm up your hot evening!
4. Velfarre
Location : Velfarre Bldg, 7-14-22 Roppongi , Minato-ku
Telephone : +81 (0) 3 3402 8000
Velfarre rules all clubs in Asia! This club is the biggest in Asia and possibly in the world. You can’t predict what the club is like each night as almost every night is different and what makes this club so exciting! Hard house, techno and nights of Eurobeat are provided to club goers’ different taste of music. With the vast space, you can’t see the end of the bars and snack stalls.
5. Yellow
Location : B1 B2F Cesaurus Nishi Azabu 1-10-11, Minatoku 150-0061
Telephone : +81 (0) 3 5458 2826
Club yellow is one of the popular nightspots and Tokyo’s oldest and most reserved club located in the basement of the building. The club is also knows as “Space Lab Yellow” since visitors can try anything they want and be experimental! Lots of fine international DJs gather here spinning great house and techno.
6. Liquid Room
Location : 3-16-6, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku
Telephone : +81(0) 3-5464-0800
Liquid Room is not a spacious club but always cluttered on the dance floor. This venue hosts international and local bands/DJs and the best sound system. You can kick off your evening at Liquid room at 6pm. Unlike other clubs in Tokyo which are open till early in the morning, Liquid Room closes at midnight, thus make sure you come early to spend 6 hours long at this great club.
7. Womb
Location : 2-16 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya-ku
Telephone : +81354590039
With its 3 floor-high dance floor and located in the heart of Sibuya, Womb appeals to many hipsters every night. The fourth floor features a larger bar with glass walls and a lounge to unwind oneself. The club throws house, techno, tribal and drum and bass with a flawless sound system. Womb’s colossal dace floors which have a capacity for more than 1000 people and the most dazzling and the big disco ball are its hallmarks.
8. Lexington Queen
Location : 3 -13-14 Roppongi Minato-ku
Telephone : +81 (0)3 3401 1661
Lexington Queen has been around for 25 years and is best known as a favorite night spot of models and celebrities. The atmosphere is made for Japanese to mingle with foreigners and more than half of the visitors here are foreigners. The club is usually packed on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, however, depending on celebrities as they draw the number of other club goers. Lexington Queen also offers ladies nights on weekdays (usually Monday).
9. Vuenos
Location : 2-21-7 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku
Telephone : +81 3 5459 7988
Vuenos plays great music such as hip-hop, techno, Latin music and sometimes reggae. On weekends, live Latin performances, which appeal such a crowd, are provided. The club has an immense dance floor at the basement of the building, food and drinks are also available. There’s a cozy VIP room for those who want to set their own party. This is a perfect place for a night to remember.
10. Mogambo
Location : 1st Fl. Osawa Bldg. 6-1-7, Roppongi, Minato-ku
Telephone : 81-3-3403 4833
Mogambo has a seating capacity for 25 people and it is an intimidate affair while 50 more people are left to stand and enjoy the great music. With friendly and down-to-earth nature of bartenders, the club’s unique atmosphere, awesome music and creative shots and cocktails, make visitors relaxed after a whole day of work. Although Mogambo lacks some more space to hold more customers, never does it lack the popularity.
Top 10 Movie about Tokyo
November 20, 2007
Here are 10 great movies that are based in Tokyo, Japan.
1. The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift
Directed by Justin Lin and Starred by Lucas Black and Damien Marzette. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift is the the 3rd installment of The Fast and The Furious series. Unlike the previous two films, this part features a new cast of explosive action in a different setting that is Tokyo, Japan. The movie tells the story of Sean who had been sent to live with his father in Tokyo. There, he meets new friends and learn a new way to race and is also confronts with a few new enemies in racing.
2. Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Based on a true story, this 1944 film tells the story about four months after Pearl Harbor had been bombed. Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle devised a daring plan to raid on the heart of Japan itself. To do this, he had to train army bomber pilots to do something no one ever thought was possible, launch 16 fully loaded bombers from an aircraft carrier. It was a great success and this film was created to honor those daring men.
3. Destination Tokyo
Destination Tokyo was was directed by Delmer Daves and starred by Cary Grant and John Garfield. This war film was produced and distributed by Warner Bros in 1943. The film tells the story about a U.S.S. submarine which must complete its secret mission in dangerous Japanese waters. Film is as much about the relationship between the naval men as it is about their heroic mission.
4. Tokyo Olympiad - Criterion Collection
Directed by Kon Ichikawa, Tokyo Olympiad is a 1965 documentary film which documented in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He filmed the 1964 Summer Olympics from opening to closing ceremonies. Tokyo Olympiad was considered a milestone in documentary filmmaking. However, the film keeps its focus more on the atmosphere of the games and the human side of the athletes instead of concentrating only on the winners and the results.
5. Tokyo Underground
A manga series, Tokyo Underground was created by Akinobu Uraka and published by Enix. This TV series was released as a movie on DVD by Geneon Entertainment in the US and Canada. The story is about Japanese street racing and drifting culture which full of excitement and entertainment. Tokyo Underground was filmed entirely at real street gatherings and canyon roads all over Japan. This movie will give you unlimited access to this secret society in Tokyo.
6. Babel
The film features 4 interlocking tragic stories which are all linked by a gun, showing every single human in the world has their own pains. Babel was shot in three continents and Tokyo, Japan was one of them. A deaf-mute Japanese girl deals with rejection from her busy father and her death mother. She spoils her life in enormous metropolis of Tokyo with a hope for a better and modern life but everything gets worse. The same as another 3 parts of the film, they encounter hard times and shows this is how people all over the world are alike.
7. Lost in Translation
When destiny kids around two Americans in Tokyo, they end it up with happiness. A married movie star Bob comes to Tokyo to shoot a whisky commercial. He never feels happy with his wife. Charlotte, a young woman traveling in Tokyo with her workaholic husband, comes across Bob in the hotel bar. Generation gap is not a barrier, they click well together and venture through Tokyo; parties, karaoke bars, and odd nightlife. See how love is grown in a Tokyo city!
8. Tokyo Godfathers
While three homeless friends; a young girl, a transvestite, and a middle-aged man are rummaging through trash on Christmas Eve in Tokyo, they find an abandoned baby. They decided to keep the infant and make the journey along with loads of adventures in Tokyo tracking the parents.
9. Appointment Tokyo
Appointment Tokyo is the documentary was film of the American war against Japan. The film contains many exciting and unforgettable scenes some of which are the footage taken from captured Japanese newsreels.
10. Tokyo Story
An elderly couple takes a trip from a seaside town, the rural area of Japan, to visit their married and surviving children in Tokyo. The children never realize how long of the journey their parents have come, they are too busy to treat them well. Once the parents return home because of an illness, the children rush to be with them. The movie is about the generation conflict. Not with any word that express the feelings of the movie, but scenes and sounds that tell everything.
Top 10 websites in Tokyo
November 20, 2007
1. http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/PROFILE/overview01.htm
Learn what Tokyo was like in the past before it climbed up to be one of the top major cities in the world.
2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/tokyo/
Review a million photos of Tokyo in the perspectives that you have never seen nor even noticed before.
3. https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Programs/Japan/Tokyo/tokyo.html
Information of the study in Tokyo including accommodations and courses offered for international students who fancy venturing and experiencing new cultures.
4. http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/e/dome/
The official website of Tokyo Dome, the remarkable landmark of Tokyo. Every in-depth detail that tourists want to know is available here.
5. http://www.tokyoarchitecture.info/
Information of architectures and developments in Tokyo. See their luxurious, unique and modern designs with great photos provided.
6. http://www.weekender.co.jp/
An online English-language newspaper for updated news, events in and around Tokyo.
7. http://www.jref.com/practical/tokyo.shtml
A complete travel guide to Tokyo for tourists. Learn how to prepare for Tokyo culture differences. Â
8. http://wwweprc.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/EPRC_E.html
The website of the Earthquake Prediction Research Center features their research and their mission on the phenomena forecast.
9. http://www.vegietokyo.com/
Online Tokyo vegetarian restaurants guide! The places to eat vegetarian food and interesting articles about Vegetarianism in Tokyo.
10. http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/1b/index.html
The website of Tokyo Metropolitan Library where you can search online books which are available in three libraries; the Central Library, the Hibiya Library and the Tama Library.
Top 10 Hotels in Tokyo
November 20, 2007
Here we present you the top 10 most luxurious and elegant hotels in Tokyo!
1. Park Hyatt Tokyo
Location: 3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan 163-1055
Telephone: 03-5322-1234
Located in the heart of Shinjuku, Park Hyatt Tokyo is considered one of the most elegant and convenient hotels located Japan. This hotel contains 154 rooms including 23 suites and has been awarded Conde Nast Award Winner and also rated Classic Luxury hotel. Park Hyatt Tokyo offers spectacular views of Tokyo and Mount Fuji from the top 14 floors of the 52-storey Shinjuku Park Tower and also offers a wide range of fine dinning options.
2. InterContinental Tokyo Bay
Location: 1-16-2, Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Telephone: 03-5404-2222
Combines urban convenience with expansive panoramas of one of the great city, InterContinental Tokyo Bay stands in the heart of the city near the famed Ginza shopping district. This Luxury hotel has 336 rooms including 8 suites. Here, you will be welcomed with the distinctive hospitality made famous at InterContinental Hotels and Resorts worldwide and also astonished with a spectacular view of the river or the bay. The hotel has elegant and luxurious for both business and personal visitors.
3. Ritz Carlton Tokyo
Location: Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-1, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3423-8000
Ritz Carlton Tokyo opened its’ doors to guests for the first time on March 30th, 2007, and is considered one of the best hotel in Tokyo. This elegant hotel contains luxurious 248 rooms and also rated as a Classic Luxury hotel. The hotel has been designed with the combination of the modern architecture and ancient art and culture of the Japanese. Ritz Carlton Tokyo is one of the tallest buildings in Tokyo, where you can see the most amazing view from its magnificent sky lobby on 45th floor.
4. Hotel Seiyo Ginza
Location: 1-11-2 Ginza, Tokyo.
Telephone: 03-3535-1111
A Rosewood Hotel, Hotel Seiyo Ginza is located in the heart of Tokyo’s vibrant Ginza District. This hotel was built in 1987 and remodeled in 2001 and also rated as a Classic Luxury hotel. Hotel Seiyo Ginza contains many elegant and luxurious rooms and also offers the most spacious baths in Japan, featuring separate showers, vanity areas and walk-in closets. Therefore, this elegant 77 - stories accommodations is an ideal destination for both business and pleasure.
5. InterContinental Ana Tokyo
Location: 1-12-33 AKASAKA 107 0052 Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3505-1113
Located right in the heart of Tokyo in Ark Hills with Akasaka, Roppongi and Kasumigaseki close by, ANA InterContinental Tokyo is one of the most elegant hotels in Tokyo. This Hotel contains 867 rooms including 28 luxurious suites. With easy way to the airport, this hotel provides visitors convenient and luxury.
6. Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Location: 1-1, Uchisaiwai-cho 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3504-1111
Recognized as a Leading Luxury Hotel in Japan, Imperial Hotel Tokyo a member of “The Leading Hotels of the World”. Imperial Hotel Tokyo is believed to be the most elegant and luxurious hotel in Tokyo and has served Japan’s Unofficial Host to the visiting dignitaries, the traveling executives and first-time visitors. This hotel is also within walking distance of virtually all Tokyo’s landmarks such as the elegant Ginza, the central business district of marunouchi, the Government offices In Kasumigaseki, And of course, the Imperial Palace.
7. Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
Location: 4/F, Mitsui Main Building, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3270-8800
Remodeled in 2006, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo contains 157 rooms and 22 suites. Guests who are arriving at the Hotel will be ushered from a private entrance, whisked directly to the 38th floor Sky Lobby where a breathtaking view of the dramatic cityscape is presented. Although the hotel has been built in a modern style building, the Japanese style and decoration is still firmly present.
8. The Peninsula Tokyo
Location: 1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo
Telephone: 03-6270-2888
The newly opened hotel, The Peninsula Tokyo officially opened on September 1, 2007. The Peninsula Tokyo is situated in the business district of Marunouchi on Harumi-dori Avenue and Naka-dori Avenue. The Peninsula Tokyo has 315 guestrooms including 46 luxurious suites. On 24 floors, the hotel offers views of some of the city’s most notable landmark and in the Peninsula Lobby, finest breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are served. Additionally, the three further restaurants are also offer Japanese and Chinese cuisine.
9. Hotel Okura Tokyo
Location: 2-10-4 Toranomon Minato-ku Tokyo
Telephone: 3-3582-0111
As one of the best business hotels in Tokyo, Hotel Okura Tokyo has become one of the most visited hotels in the capital city. This hotel was built in 1962 and Remodeled in 1988, and contains 857 rooms including 62 suites. Hotel Okura Tokyo offers a wide variety of exquisite restaurants and bars which are just steps away from the hotel. The outdoor swimming pool is open to guests for both fitness and recreational purposes in the summer. Additionally, views of the traditional Japanese garden from the Seventh and ninth floors are strongly recommended.
10. Four Seasons Marunouchi Tokyo
Location: 1-11-1 Marunouchi Chiyoda-Ku Tokyo
Telephone: 3-5222-7222
Located in the Marunouchi Central Business District, Four Seasons Marunouchi Tokyo offers excellent rooms for every guest who are seeking for a luxurious hold. This hotel is rated Classic Luxury hotel and contains 57 rooms including 9 elegant suites. Four Seasons Marunouchi Tokyo was voted one of The Most Romantic Hotels in Tokyo and The Best Friendly hotels for children in Tokyo by The Five Star Alliance group. Therefore this is the perfect place for both couples and parents with kids.
Top 10 Tokyo Blogs
November 20, 2007
http://blogsonjapan.com/category/japan-blog-reviews/
This is the best blog of Japan which is able to provide everything that you will need to know about this country.
http://www.japantravelinfo.com/blog/?p=653
Discover the interesting places in Tokyo and other provinces of Japan from this blog. Here, you can search for your favorite destination which is suited for your holiday.
http://www.hotelsbycity.net/blog/int_japan_tokyo/
You can learn more about the hundred of hotels in Tokyo with this blog. The blog also provides information about bars & clubs, restaurants, shopping and much more.
http://tokyo-music.blogspot.com/
This blog is great for anyone who loves Japanese music. In this blog, you will find many updated news and musical activities in Tokyo.
http://tokyorestaurantguide.blogspot.com/
Reviews, comments and images on a wide range of restaurants in Tokyo are presented here. You can get the latest information about Tokyo’s restaurants in this blog.
http://www.planettokyo.com/news/
Let’s check the local news of Tokyo city from this useful blog. In this blog, you also find other necessary information about Tokyo such as weather forecast, traffic and local activities.
http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/blog/e/
This blog provides you news and information about the Japanese car industry. Here, you can check the latest news from many car manufacturers both inside Japan and overseas.
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2007/09/18/playstationblog-team-the-tokyo-game-show/
This blog is very suited for gamers who need to find some news and information about Sony’s famous game console “Playstation”.
http://www.blogtoplist.com/rss/tokyo.html
Find information about many interesting events in Tokyo from this blog.
http://hogacentral.blogs.com/japan_tech_blog/
Learn about the technological advancements of the Japanese through this blog.
Top 10 Books about Tokyo
November 20, 2007
Here are 10 great books about Tokyo well worth reading. Each link takes you direct to Amazon where you can either buy new or used copies of each book.
1. Lonely Planet Tokyo Encounter (Paperback)
If you are planning to visit Tokyo, this book is ideal for you. Lonely Planet Tokyo Encounter, which was written by Wendy Yanagihara, contains almost every practical information that you should know before you go to Tokyo. This book provides maps, changing money, the best way to get from A to B, accommodations, art and culture and many more. If you need to get around Tokyo in the smartest way, this book is strongly recommended.
2. Little Adventures in Tokyo: 39 Thrills for the Urban Explorer
This book was written by Rick Kennedy who has lived in Tokyo for 20 years. In this book, Kennedy tells the story about Tokyo through many adventures of some Urban Explorers. In order to write this book, He wanted to create a slim and lightweight guide with fun rather than a thick book which contains too much unnecessary information. This book will help you understand the urban life of Tokyo.
3. I Live in Tokyo
Written by Mari Takabayashi, I Live in Tokyo is the book which tells the Japanese life and customs through the eyes of a Tokyo schoolgirl named Mimiko. Mimiko will take readers on a journey of the Japanese culture through the calendar year which highlighting each month’s important traditions. This book will help you understand Tokyo’s life, people and culture..
4. Tokyo Friends
Tokyo Friends tells the story about a young American girl named Katie who is living in present-day Tokyo. One day, she meets Keiko, a young Japanese girl and her brother Kenji. They agree to explore the city and its surrounding area together and teach each other the customs of their respective countries. This is a great book for everyone who interest in learning the Japanese customs and cultures.
5. Tokyo Fragments
Tokyo Fragments was written by Five of Japan’s most popular contemporary fiction writers Ryuji Morita, Tomomi Muramatsu, Mariko Hayashi, Makoto Shiina, and Chiya Fujino. In this book, they are jointly present the vision of life in different quarters of Japan’s capital. This is a good chance to read these five stories from the leading Japanese authors whose work has never appeared in English before.
6. Neighborhood Tokyo (A Study of the East Asian Institute Columbia University)
The book is based on the dissertation research of Theodore Bestor, Professor of Anthropology at Harvard University, who spent more than two years in Japan writing this book. Neighborhood Tokyo is one of only a handful of books in English that offers a realistic and insightful portrait of the lives of ordinary people in Tokyo city. After reading this book, you will understand the urban life in Tokyo better than ever.
7. Seeing Tokyo
Seeing Tokyo is one of many best books of the author Kaori Shoji. This book will take the reader on a visual journey to understand the urban life of Tokyo. The reader will know Tokyo district by district and area by area through six essays which was carefully written for transmitting the image of Tokyo city.
8. Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide (3rd Ed.)
This book is the updated third edition of an atlas book which first published in 1998. The transportation network of the metropolitan area of Tokyo has changed a good deal during the past six years, and then a new book which contains more update information is strongly needed, especially for tourists who are planning to visit Tokyo.
9. Time Out Guide to Tokyo, 5th Edition
Written by Time Out, Time Out Guide to Tokyo leads readers through the marvels and mysteries of this capital — from futuristic skyscrapers to ancient temples and from sex clubs to sushi bars. Additionally, travelers can also explore the sights beyond Tokyo including Yokohama, the hot springs of Hakone, and the slopes of Mount Fuji.
10. Tokyo: A Certain Style
Tokyo: A Certain Style, which was written by Kyoichi Tsuzuki, is a wonderful 400 pages book which is able to portray the life style of Tokyo’s resident. The book provides endless photographs of Japanese apartments and accommodations and also explains how the people in Tokyo city precede their life.
