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Touring Tokyo: FOUR‘s Guide to Exploring Japan’s Capital

City Guides
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05 Apr 2022
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3 min read

Offering the best of both worlds, from expansive natural landscapes to bustling city life, Tokyo is a destination loved by locals and internationals alike. What’s more, this Japanese capital is also a hotspot for culinary gold and the ultimate in luxury hotels. FOUR takes a tour of the high-spirited city and discovers the best places to eat, stay and explore when visiting.

Stay Here

AMAN TOKYO

Soaring high above the city, the Aman Tokyo finds pride of place in the Otemachi Tower. Meshing urban dynamism with profound grace, the hotel’s 82 rooms and suites honour Japanese design tradition in its purest form. Envisioned by late Australian designer Kerry Hill, the property is adorned with the most beautiful ikebana displays, washi paper doors and ceilings, tatami matting and engawa platforms.

The chic, ryokan-style rooms and suites are the epitome of zen. Abundant in space and complete with all the contemporary comforts imaginable, the warm and minimalist spaces are made for moments of calm. Natural textures meet full-length windows where views of the dazzling cityscape roll in unbounded.

The sense of serenity continues at the Aman Spa, where treatments embrace nature’s harmony. Meanwhile, the restaurant channels Italy’s vibrance with a focus on seafood and pasta dishes, some of which incorporate local Japanese ingredients for a fusion flair. A destination in itself, La Pâtisserie by Aman Tokyo – which opened on 1 October 2022 – adds another echelon of gastronomic excellence to the hotel’s already renowned repertoire. Led by Executive Pastry Chef Yohihisa Miyagawa, La Pâtisserie serves a selection of homemade breads, exquisite cakes, traditional French pastries, freshly prepared sandwiches, artisan coffee and exclusive gift items.

HOSHINOYA TOKYO

Aiming to present guests with a quintessentially Japanese experience, Hoshinoya Tokyo offers a soothing ambience paired with seasonal cuisine and healing hot spring baths. Imbued with Hoshino Resorts’ 100-years-plus of hospitality expertise, the brand’s Otemachi outpost was built as an eternal ode to Japan’s ryokan culture.

The hotel’s pared-back design blends traditional elegance with a commitment to continuous comfort. Soft tatami matting gilds the rooms, corridors and common spaces while sophisticated bamboo designs and traditional Japanese aesthetics add the finishing touches.

Wood-clad communal lounges are present on each floor, inviting guests to relax and savour in seasonal tea and snacks throughout the day. When the time for dinner arrives, guests can look forward to a full course of ‘Nippon cuisine’ by award-winning chef Noriyuki Hamada.

Eat Here

NARISAWA

Helmed by chef-owner Yoshihiro Narisawa, Narisawa celebrates both food and sustainability at their pinnacle. A stalwart on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards list and lauded with two Michelin stars, Narisawa is a must-visit in Tokyo for that fine-dining fix.

Dedicated to responsible cooking and traditional Japanese produce, Yoshihiro combines classic French techniques with only the freshest Japanese ingredients to produce otherworldly dishes that express the landscape in all its seasonal glory.

Narisawa also boasts a stellar wine list, with a selection of vintages from the country’s best winemakers. Of course, there’s an array of excellent sake on the menu, too. And for those looking for some mixology magic, head to Narisawa’s Bees Bar. It’s located a few steps away from the main restaurant, and you can try some unique cocktail creations inspired by the Japanese forest.

SÉZANNE

A new kid on the block, Sézanne is the new fine-dining restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, led by acclaimed chef Daniel Calvert (former Head Chef of Michelin-starred Belon in Hong Kong).

Presenting the best of French haute cuisine, Sézanne is poised to become a go-to for epicures in Tokyo. Overlooking the city’s glittering skyline, dynamic and technique-driven dishes are served in a refined yet approachable ambience. The menu focuses on updated interpretations of classic recipes, crafted with a light touch and presented with precision. Diners can also look forward to savouring an eclectic collection of champagnes and artful desserts by pastry chef Elwyn Boyles.

The Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi also offers up a more laid-back restaurant, Maison Marunouchi, which Calvert leads, too. This bistro-bar serves fresh interpretations of bistro fare against spectacular views of Marunouchi and Tokyo Station. Here, guests can enjoy high-concept dining throughout the day, from breakfast meetings and afternoon tea to post-work drinks and nightcaps. 

Do This

SENSŌ-JI

Temples in Tokyo may not be as plentiful as they are in Kyoto, but Sensō-ji still ranks as one of the most magnificent in Japan. At the end of a shopping street sits the striking five-storey, rust-hued pagoda, which is the second-tallest in the country. Forever surrounded by a flurry of delight, the atmosphere itself makes this a sight worth visiting.

TSUKIJI MARKET

Although the original Tsukiji Market – once the world’s largest fish market – closed in 2018, the much-loved destination hasn’t been lost for good. It has since reopened in two distinct parts, with the original location still home to a plethora of food stalls serving up all of Japan’s most famed dishes. Down the road, the Toyosu Market serves seafood of unmatched freshness, also hosting seafood auctions and sales to a spirited audience.

–

This editorial first appeared in FOUR’s 03.21 Edition      

World’s best winner 2014     |     World’s best luxury lifestyle media brand 2022

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