Tokyo
Photography courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
We asked Akhil Tiwari, Chef Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo, to gather the savviest suggestions he could find—not just his own, but also those of other local connoisseurs, including some he works with every day at the Hotel. At once a bustling metropolis and a cultural destination, Tokyo offers world-class entertainment steeped in tradition and history.
Tokyo Eats
It’s hard to go wrong dining in gourmet-inclined Tokyo, but Ginza offers the broadest range of fine restaurants. Ukai-tei has remained a top choice for a teppanyaki meal since 1868. Here, the finest cuts of beef—including Kobe—are cooking in front of your eyes on a searing hot iron plate called a teppan. For modern Italian fare like sautéed sea bream over a squid ink and barley risotto, try Argento Aso. The restaurant’s décor is especially chic, thanks to the Venetian chandeliers hanging from ceilings and the uniquely shaped crystal decanters and containers inset into the dining room’s walls. The extensive wine list is heavy on Italian and French varietals, and there is also an impressive selection of Armagnac on offer.
Cultural Excursions
A day trip to the historic town of Kamakura, located one hour by train from Tokyo Station, allows history and culture lovers to experience Japan’s fascinating past. Nicknamed the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, the charming city in the Kanagawa prefecture offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments that are ripe for exploration. In addition, the area’s lovely sandy beaches attract large crowds during the summer months.
Full Body
After a day spent exploring hectic Tokyo, the Tree of Life Revitalizing Body Treatment at the Spa at Four Seasons is the perfect way to de-stress your mind and body. During the 60- or 90-minute treatment, therapists massage clients with a hydrating oil, extracted from baobab tree seeds, that is rich in vitamins A, D, E and F. Their firm strokes both relax stressed muscles and help drain toxins from the body by stimulating the lymph system. You’ll leave feeling rejuvenated and ready to experience the wonders of Tokyo again.
Top Sushi
Travellers in the mood for authentic sushi shouldn’t miss the three-Michelin-starred Sushi Mizutani, where chef and owner Hachiro Mizutani presents an exquisite array of exceptionally well-crafted sushi. Locals love the tempura at Fukamachi; it’s thinly battered and lightly fried so as not to spoil the original taste of the ingredients.
Souvenir Shopping
Pick up perfectly packable souvenirs like beautiful chopsticks from Ginza Natsuno, a tiny shop which offers traditional chopsticks in an astonishing array of colours. Ginza Kunoya specializes in kimono accessories, and there you’ll find furoshiki (traditional Japanese wrapping cloths), hand-painted fans and kinchaku bags (drawstring purses) that look just as chic accessorizing a little black dress as with the traditional garment.
The highlight of my trip to Tokyo last winter was the visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market. The hotel’s GM gave me a personal tour of the market – at 4:30am – and I remain grateful for his efforts. For the more ambitious, I took the hotel’s bicycle for a spin on a couple of occasions and enjoyed watching the faces of locals as I peddled through Ginza and the adjoining districts. I also enjoyed attending a Kabuki performance near the hotel, though a simultaneous English translation was not available but was provided with a written English synopsis. Cautionary note from my experience: if you take the train into the city from Narita Airport, use an express train and arrange for the hotel to pick you up from the platform at Tokyo Station; while the FS is within walking distance of the station, the underground maze makes it very confusing leaving the station for the first time.