Tokyo reborn　新生 東京

Markets, temples and the Imperial Palace are images of Tokyo unchanged for centuries. However tourists who flock to this friendly city for a rich cultural experience also discover its ultra-modern edge and unrelenting pace of renewal. New attractions bring Japanese tradition truly alive, while the wining, dining and shopping in this home of high-tech is excellent and ever-expanding. jstyle profiles a Tokyo where ageless appeal is getting a modern makeover...

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Tokyo reborn - latest hot spots

Tokyo mixes the "work hard, play hard" motto with comfort and relaxation. All come together at the Tokyo Midtown mega-complex and the dynamic retail and dining centre of Omotesando Hills, recognised as an architectural marvel. Tokyo's newest sites, including its growing number of luxury hotels, are steeped in culture yet rich in leading-edge design.

Tokyo Midtown

- hub of exciting entertainment
Tokyo Midtown was created to fuse the modernity of the urban city with everyday life by focusing on diversity, hospitality and the incorporation of nature.
Accessible from Roppongi Station, Midtown's main building rises 248m and is the tallest skyscraper in Tokyo. Facilities range from shops and restaurants to museums, hotels, office and conference space, residences and a medical centre. The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, the Suntory Museum of Art and Oakwood Premier Tokyo are some of the prestige Tokyo institutions at Midtown. The Galleria, Plaza and Garden Terrace invite visitors to exciting shopping and dining experiences at their various cafes, restaurants, and bars.
Dominated by urban colour, the Tokyo Midtown space is softened by the lush greenery of Hinokicho Park, Grass Square and Midtown Garden. With nothing of its kind in Australia, it is sure to leave visitors in awe.

Omotesando Hills
- shopping and dining delight
Omotesando has been culturally significant for more than 100 years, created by the people who have lived, worked and visited the area. Today, it is renowned for its lavish shopping and high-end restaurants and cafes. Omotesando Hills is its latest addition.
Created by renowned architect Tadao Ando, Omotesando Hills houses more than 130 high-end shops and 38 apartments over its six levels. The complex is lined with luxury stores including Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Zara and Harry Winston.
Omotesando Hills is the perfect place for the avid (window) shopper.

Tokyo reborn - luxury hotels

As one of the world's great cities, Tokyo is home to a number of world-class luxury hotels. Guests are pampered with excellent services and facilities, but all visitors to Tokyo can marvel at the breathtaking beauty these edifices add to the city skyline.

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is nestled in the new Tokyo Midtown and occupies the first three levels and the top nine floors of the Midtown Tower. The glamorous sky-lobby on the 45th floor has a view as far as Mt Fuji and a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Tokyo. The Ritz-Carlton's 248 rooms and facilities include the $20,000-a-night Presidential Suite, two restaurants, a spa and fitness centre and an authentic Japanese teahouse. The hotel also offers the Diamonds-Are-Forever Martini, priced at A$16,000. The one-carat Bulgari diamond placed at the bottom of the cocktail glass can be fitted to a ring at any Bulgari store in Tokyo without extra charge.

Located in the Marunouchi business district, The Peninsula Tokyo's 314 guestrooms and 47 suites feature both Western and Japanese design. Facilities include The Peninsula Spa, renowned jewellery stores such as Graff and Chantecler Tokyo, five restaurants including rooftop dining, a lounge bar and two impressive ballrooms. The hotel is conveniently located near tourist attractions such as the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station and guests may also enjoy shopping at the Marunouchi Naka-Dori.

The ultimate in luxury can be attained at the six-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel Tokyo. Its Nihonbashi location provides sweeping views of Tokyo Harbour and the city. Opened in 2005, the hotel has 179 rooms, 22 deluxe suites, a sky spa and nine dining venues including French, Italian and Cantonese cuisine. Interior furnishings have been meticulously and exclusively designed for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, ensuring guests a true one-of-a kind experience.

The Park Hyatt, in the heart of Shinjuku Tokyo, would be familiar to those who have seen the film Lost in Translation. Attracting VIP guests from around the world, the interior of Park Hyatt Tokyo is timelessly accommodating. At the New York Bar located on the 52nd floor, guests can enjoy live jazz performances while overlooking the city after sunset.

New Tokyo Tower
- reaching new heights

Construction is to begin next year on Shin Tokyo Tower, in the Sumidaku district. On completion it will tower 610m - becoming the tallest built structure in Japan. The current Tokyo Tower, at 333m, is not high enough for future broadcasting needs. The development is being led by six broadcasting companies. 2011 is the year Japan is expected to have nationwide Digital Terrestrial Television broadcasting. This new technology was created to improve the picture and sound quality of television beyond the capabilities of the conventional analogue system, and will be transmitted through aerial broadcasts using an antenna rather than a satellite dish or cable connection. Project managers hope that the Shin Tokyo Tower will enrich surrounding communities both economically and culturally.

 

Tokyo reborn - latest attractions

In Tokyo, visitors can enjoy a rich variety of sights and attractions from the newest hot spots to historical landmarks and beautiful scenery. These days, growing numbers of foreign tourists are choosing tours that let you not only 'view' but 'experience' Japan's traditional culture.

Roppongi Hills Observation Deck
- getting on top of Tokyo
The foreigner-friendly complex of urban luxury, Roppongi Hills, offers one of the best views of the stunning Tokyo skyline. Opened in 2003, Roppongi Hills is a mega-property development constructed by building tycoon Minoru Mori. Including residential and office space, shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities with the 54-storey Mori Tower as a centrepiece, Roppongi Hills is home to one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.

The Roppongi Hills Observation Deck, on the 52nd floor of the Tower, is called "Tokyo City View" for obvious reasons. At 250m above sea level and in the heart of Tokyo, visitors enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the city. The famous Tokyo Tower landmark is right before your eyes and the stunning Mt Fuji can also be seen on a clear day. Roppongi Hills Observation Deck offers the best seat in the house to see the vibrant and always spectacular landscape of one of the world's great metropolises. Visitors may also like to visit the Mori Art Museum or relax in a cafe while watching the sun go down.

Admission: adult 1500 yen; student 1000 yen; child 500 yen.
http://www.tokyocityview.com/en/

Oedo Onsen Monogatari
- urban hot springs
Japan's first onsen theme park, the concept of Oedo Onsen Monogatari is to make visitors feel they have time-warped back into 17th-century Japan.
Hot springs, or onsen, are symbolic of healing, relaxation and beauty. They are a part of traditional Japanese culture and in olden times, provided a setting for social gatherings and community interaction.
Oedo Onsen Monogatari houses a collection of natural hot springs that pump fresh water from 1400m underground. The water is rich in sodium, chlorine, calcium and magnesium that are known to have health and beauty benefits. The baths closest to the hot spring source have amber-coloured water because of the higher mineral content.
An interesting attraction is the footbath that contains "doctor fish", or Garra rufa. These tiny fish consume the dead skin cells from the feet of bathers, leaving room for healthy skin to grow.
The theme park resembles a typical Edo period street scene and visitors spend their visit dressed in a Japanese bathrobe, or yukata. Restaurants and lolly shops add to the atmosphere while visitors can also enjoy massages, fortune-telling and souvenir shopping.

http://www.ooedo-global.jp/english/index.html

Tokyo reborn - latest attractions

Kabuki-za
- traditional Japanese theatre
Although kabuki in its original form had a strong dance element performed by women, by the end of the 17th century it had developed into a theatrical art performed only by men. Theatrical masterpieces developed over the centuries are still performed today, many of which realistically depict the life of common people.

Aside from the storyline, kabuki has four basic elements - the stage, music, kumadori (make-up) and costumes. Each story is performed on a particular stage that has a different layout and setting where musicians play live along with the performance. Kumadori - a unique make-up technique - employs certain colours to represent the nature of the actors' roles. Costumes are another way to enjoy kabuki as actors appear in intricate and flamboyant clothes.
In Tokyo, kabuki performances can be watched at the famous Kabuki-za theatre- a traditional Japanese theatre initially built in 1889 and rebuilt in the post-World War II years.
Performances are usually held daily and foreigners can take advantage of an earphone guide that provides commentary explaining the plot, music, actors and other features of kabuki. The Kabuki-za is ideal for tourists wanting to experience a Japanese tradition popular to this day.

For more information on Kabuki theatre in general, visit
http://www.kabuki.gr.jp/pavilion/english/index2.html

Zen
- experience it first-hand
The recent "Zen" craze has influenced art, design, architecture, health and living, leaving the Western world fascinated. Zen does not solely focus on the study of ancient texts and teachings, but more on the journey to realising one's true nature. It is a "way of life" that teaches peace and meditation.
Visitors to Zen temples are welcomed and many cater for English-speaking tourists. A significant component of Zen practice is zazen, or sitting meditation, which tourists can take part in at some temples.
Zen temples in Tokyo include Kirigaya-ji, Rinsen-ji, Seicho-ji and Taisho-ji to name a few. A visit, complete with zazen, is sure to give the adventurous something to talk about back home!

Further Information
Web: http://www.sotozen-net.or.jp/

Tokyo reborn - latest attractions

Akihabara
- Jap-animation and gaming culture
Akihabara, also known as Electric Town due to its many electrical retailers, is considered by many to be the birthplace of Japanese animation and gaming culture.
Mixing the television and gaming world with reality, Akihabara-goers sometimes dress in anime costumes and make-up. Their passion can be said to border on obsession and they are referred to as otaku.
However, they have become iconic and are what makes Akihabara so unique.
If you want to experience Japanese sub-culture, Akihabara is definitely worth a visit.

 

Tsukiji Ichiba
- world's largest fish market
The Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the largest of its kind in the world, with recent figures showing an average of 3350 tonnes of seafood and other produce traded daily. Many restaurants surrounding the fish markets have been around for decades and serve mouth-watering dishes using the freshest produce from the markets. A must-go destination for seafood lovers!

Tokyo to Kamakura & Hakone
- enjoy the scenary from the Romancecar
If you've come as far as Tokyo, its surrounding countryside is definitely worth a visit. You can do this aboard the new model of Odakyu limited express train, Romancecar, that was launched in 2005. The trip boasts some of Japan's most exquisite scenery while the new Romancecar models are custom-designed for viewing pleasure with vast glass windows and comfortable seating. Just 90 minutes from metropolitan Shinjuku, these panoramic pleasures offer the perfect getaway from the city. The observation deck seat is recommended!

Kamakura
- trip back to the ancient times
Kamakura is renowned as a major tourist attraction filled with famous historical landmarks. These include the enormous Kamakura Buddha statue in the grounds of Koutokuin Temple, claimed as one of Japan's national treasures. Venturing inside this 12 metre-high statue is also an attraction for visitors. Tourists can also view the beautiful surrounding Tsuruoka-hachimangu area on a traditional rickshaw.

Hakone
- Japan's hot spring paradise
Deemed as one of Japan's most popular tourist villages, Hakone flourishes with the country's stunning nature. Historically Japan's most prominent hot spring area, dating back to the 1300s, Hakone is literally overflowing with more than 20 onsen locations. Also in Hakone is the Choukoku Art Gallery, which features a unique outdoor exhibition area in the heart of the museum where guests can enjoy open-air concerts and lunch picnics. The "champagne lunch set" is particularly popular among overseas visitors.