Fabulous' Tokyo travel tips!
Make like Scarlett and visit Japan’s uber cool capital for fab food and extraordinary sights
WHERE TO STAY
Stepping off the uber efficient airport shuttle
bus (they run every 15 minutes) and taking a look at the Park Hyatt Tokyo
(tokyo.park.hyatt.com), you could be forgiven for thinking you've stepped
onto a film set. And in a way you have; the Park Hyatt was the stunning
backdrop for Lost in Translation. Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray starred
in the cult indie flick, but it was the hotel that stole the show, and it's
not hard to see why.
Although
it's a huge skyscraper, the hotel only has 178 rooms as well as a
breath-taking fitness centre. Fans of the film will remember Bill Murray's
character spending a lot of time swimming off his jet lag in the pool and
perhaps most memorably falling off the exercise bikes whilst staring at the
impressive view of Mount Fuji.
GETTING AROUND
The hotel is in the perfect location for
first-time visitors to Tokyo. Located in West Shinjuku it's within walking
distance to Shinjuku tube station. The tube is the easiest way to get around
the city - it's cheap (a single journey costs about 40p) and efficient. Cabs
are quite expensive so unless you're feeling flash, or you're partying until
the early hours (the tube stops at 12:30am) it's best just to hop on the
underground or walk.
WHERE TO EAT
There are five restaurants in the hotel so it's
tempting not to leave! Head to the New York Grill, and order a Cosmopolitan
to have with the spectacular views. Make sure you try the world-famous Wagyu
beef - incredibly expensive meat that comes from cows that have been
massaged and fed on beer and sake!
If you fancy heading out of the
hotel then try the Roppongi district in downtown Tokyo where the streets are
packed with restaurants and bars. There's something to suit every budget and
taste but if you fancy a truly special night out then head to an amazing
hidden gem called Robataya. It's described as a Japanese country pub and
there's no menu - you just point at the array of fresh veg, fish and meat on
display and it's cooked in front of you. Brad Pitt, Daniel Craig and Cameron
Diaz have all chomped here in the past.
WHAT TO DO
Tokyo
has a huge number of beautiful shrines which are worth a visit, but if you
only have time for one, the Meiji shrine is a good one to single out. It's
surrounded by beautiful gardens in traditional Japanese style, which are
super peaceful to stroll around.
After the tranquillity
of the temple, hop back on the tube a few stops to Shibuya for a sensory
overload. As well as being a shopping mecca for fashionistas, check out the
huge crossroads - yes really!
There
are huge TV screens on each side and the Starbucks right on the corner is
the busiest place to watch thousands of people milling across the junction.
It may sound like an odd tourist attraction but it's totally mesmerizing.
Don't
forget to take a trip to the fish market, Tsukiji. Unfortunately you have to
get there early, but this is where the most expensive tuna in the world is
sold. Tokyo's finest chefs wander round inspecting huge frozen tunas on the
floor, before deciding which ones they are going to bid on. Then a bell
rings and the bidding begins - it's a bit like the stock exchange! Once the
market is over you must have sushi for breakfast at one of the many
restaurants surrounding the market - you may not think you'll be able to
stomach it at that time of the morning but you'll be surprised!
WHERE TO SHOP
Tokyo is quite an expensive city so there aren't
many bargains to be found (although you must pay a visit to cult Japanese
high street hero Uniqlo for their colourful cashmere and quirky tees). There
are all the designer stores that you could ever want, and they are
super-sized. And no trip to Tokyo would be complete without getting your own
beautiful Geisha-style fan - essential as Tokyo can be quite humid - and, of
course, at least one item with Hello Kitty on it.
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