THE SAKURA SEASON IN TOKYO
Like a lot of people, I have a bucket list of the places I want to travel to. At the top of it, there was going to Japan during the sakura season. When I moved to Hong Kong, I saw the opportunity to book my dream trip in a much more convenient way than when I lived in Paris. I had a look to the weather forecast in January and then book my flights.
It was that simple. I booked my trip to Tokyo in a minute. I don't think I realized that I was actually going until I landed. After a four hours flight, I arrived in the center of Tokyo and I was blown away. Extremely happy. Eager to discover as much as I could of city even though I only had slept two hours.
I was there for only four little days so I wanted to do the most of them. The first day I hanged in Ginza, ate delicious sushis in the purest Japanese tradition and had a drink at the New York bar, the very one where was shot Lost in Translation. The second one I went to the Harajuku, Aoyama and Shibuya areas. Simply magic. They were exactly how I imagined them. Cosmopolitan, stylish and always moving. On the third day, I visited about ten temples, few parks and the Imperial Palace. Finally, the fourth and last day, I went to Shinjuku, Ebisu and again to Shibuya to see one more temple.
Obviously, during the four days I spent in Tokyo I saw the precious cherry blossoms I dreamt so much about. Breathtaking. It may seem weird but I believe the sakuras have some kind of relaxing power over people. I mean: who wouldn't be feeling in a good mood when your surrounded by cherry trees blossoming?
After walking more than 100 kilometers in four days, let me make you discover my favorite spots of Tokyo during the sakura season.
HOT SPOTS
Areas to visit:
Tokyo is an extremely large city with a tons of stuffs to visit and see. Therefore, I compiled my favorite area to make it easier for you to plan your trip. If you go to Tokyo, you should definitely go to:
1. Shibuya: For shopping and see the Shibuya crossing and Hatchi statue.
2. Harajuku: The iconic area where you can see people wearing the craziest outfit. It is also a nice place to shop and eat.
3. Ginza: More classy than Harajuku, Ginza gathers an impressive number of luxury brand stores, mall and restaurants. On Sunday, the main street is closed allowing you to walk in its middle and see a nice perspective.
4. Ebisu: The hipster and edgy area of Tokyo. A nice place to hang out with friends for brunch and coffee.
5. Kabukicho: The game and theatres area. Incredible to see at night with all the signs lighten up.
6. Shinjuku: Not only the train station area, but also a really nice place to have drinks and dine at night and to admire some breathtaking contemporary architecture masterpieces and public artworks.
7. Akasaka & Roppongi Hills: Looking for a place to hang out with friends or just stay, here you go. This area is packed with restaurants and hotels at really affordable prices. And also a good place to see public art, once again.
Drink:
The New York Bar: The iconic bar where was shot Lost in Translation. A stunning view and great cocktails. What could you ask more?
52nd floor, Park Hyatt, 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku
Peter: The Bar: This is the famous bar of the Peninsula hotel. It's particularity? A breathtaking view over the Imperial Palace gardens. Oh and if you manage to get there during happy hours you'll get to enjoy the signature cocktail, the Tokyo Joe, for a great price.
24th floor, Peninsula Tokyo, 1-8-1 Yurakucho
Eat:
Two Rooms: Located in the trendy area of Aoyama, this bar and restaurant offers a view over the entire neighborhood. A great place to hang with friends, enjoy a drink and eat. This is a great spot for all the cocktail lovers. The list and diversity of drinks is impressive, making it impossible for you not to find your cocktail match.
5th floor, AO building, 3-11-7 Kita-Aoyama
Harajuku Gyoza-ro: Probably one of the best spot to eat traditional gyozas. If you go there, be prepared to wait a bit. But it's totally worth it. It's no mystery why Japanese and foreigners go there. The food is simply delicious and it is extremely affordable. Simply a dream.
6-4-2 Jingumae
Kyubey: Sushi lovers this one is for you! Probably the most exquisite sushis I had in a long time. If you go in this traditional sushi restaurant, which is established since 1935, you will experience the true Japanese art de vivre. The sushis, makis and other rolls are served alongside some sake. You will have an exquisite and unique meal. The English-speaking chefs enjoy having foreigners come in the restaurant. They are quite curious about knowing where you come from and if you enjoy your time in Tokyo. Simply a nice moment to spend - a bit out of time.
8-7-6 Ginza
See:
Shinto Shrines: One of the main attractions in Tokyo are the shinto shrines. Spread all over the city, the shrines are powerful places, which are able to move you. Personally, I went to the shrines to think and take a step back from my daily issue. I also brought this notebook that was offered to me about a year ago. Its purpose is to gather the prayers from the different shrines you go to. Therefore, when I came to Tokyo, I planned to visit as many shrines as I could. I went to the following ones: Nogi-jinja, Hie-jinja, Yakusuni-jinja, Tokyo Dai-jingu, Kanda Myojin, Yushima Tenjin, Namiyoke-jinja, Nezu-jinja, Hanazono-jinja, Togo-jinja and Meiji-jingu. Visiting shinto shrines is also a good way to see sakuras.
Buddhist temple: In addition to the shinto shrines, Tokyo has a lot of Buddhist temples. During my four-days stay, I visited some like Zojo-ji and Tsukiji Hongwan-ji, which are absolutely magnificent. It is an interesting way to understand how Tokyo is influenced by the diverse religions that nowadays cohabit together.
Park and gardens: If you are as obsessed as I am by sakuras, you have to go to the various parks and gardens of Tokyo. First of all, they are extremely peaceful and beautiful making disappear the surrounding noises of the city. Literally a breath of fresh air. They are also used as gathering areas for the inhabitants. They hang a lot in parks and gardens. I know what you are wondering: what is the difference between the two? Well. Parks are usually free to access, when gardens tend ask for the payment of small fee - about 300 yens - to enter them. During my stay, I visited the followings: Ueno-koen, Shiba Park, Hotel New Otani Japanese Garden, Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioi-cho, Midtown Garden, Imperial Palace East Gardens, Koishikawa Korakuen, Hama-rikyu Onshi-teien, Shinjuku-gyoen, Hibiya-koen and Mohri garden.
Chidori-ga-fuchi
Other nice places to visit to see sakuras: Meguro, Aoyama Reien, which a cemetery, and Chidori-ga-fuchi, the best viewpoint to see the Imperial Palace cherry trees.
Aoyama Reien
Imperial Palace: Who doesn't know about the Imperial Palace? The globally renown monument is probably one of the best place I visited in Tokyo. Extremely beautiful. Even if it is a bit crowded with tourists, being able to just walk around the palace and its gardens is a one-of-a-kind experience. A must-see in Tokyo.
Tokyo Tower: The iconic Tokyo Tower located between the Akasaka and Roppongi Hills, which are two extremely nice areas to hang out in. Definitely a must-see.
Public Art: In Tokyo, a lot of artworks are spread in the different neighbourhood. At Roppongi Hills, you'll encounter, among others, Louise Bourgeois' Mama Spider. At Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioi-cho, you'll see the giant metallic flowers of Omaki Shinji. At Shinjuku I-Land, you can randomly run into a Robert Indiana's Love sculpture and some Roy Liechtenstein ones.
Shop:
Shopping. Shopping. Shopping. One of my favorite activity of all time. And it's true that I love to spend some time shopping when I am abroad to bring back something unique and special. Not just an average souvenir.
If you want to do some shopping, I recommend you to Shibuya, Aoyama and Omotesando, for luxury and designers brands, Cat street in Harajuku, for edgy and more affordable brands, Ginza, for more mainstream brands, and Ebisu, for more vintage and hipster brands.
Here are my favorite spots:
Mykita: The only Asian store of the super stylish Berlin brand. If you love eyewear as much as I do, you should definitely go.
5-11-6 B1F Jingumae Shibuya-ku
Beautiful People: One of the coolest Japanese designer. Edgy. Sometimes experimental but always extremely interesting and poetic brand. If you've followed 4am Journal, you know that I attended their presentation last September during Paris Fashion Week and that I am a huge fan of the designs.
3-16-6 Minami-Aoyama
Rosebud: Located nearby Cat Street, this store features various super cute and edgy brands at a really affordable price. You may need to dig a bit to find treasures, but it is totally worth the effort.
World East Building, 1-23-18 Shibuya
Ambush: The edgiest brand in town at the moment. Located at the end of Cat Street, you can barely see the minimalistic store. Probably one of the nicest store concept in town.
1-22-8 Shibuya
Gallery Kawano: If you are a kimono lover and you want to buy a genuine one, just go to this tiny Shibuya store. You will be greeted by two adorable ladies, that will dress you in the most Japanese way if you ask to try one of the kimonos. Are available men and women kimonos. All the kimonos in sale are second hands ones, with price ranging from 7000 yens to over 25,000 yens.
4-4-9 Jingumae
Comme des Garçons & Dover Street Market Ginza: Going to Tokyo and not visiting those two institutions is a crime. Even if you are not an absolute fan of Rei Kawakubo's design, just go visit those to stores respectively located in Aoyama and Ginza. You will be mind-blowned.
Comme des Garçons - 5-2-1 Minami-Aoyama
Dover Street Market Ginza - 6-9-5 Ginza
L'Appartement Deuxième Classe: Located on Omatando, this concept store offers an exquisite selection ofextremely desirable premium and luxury brands. Perfect to fulfil you fashion addictions.
5-9-15 Minami-Aoyama
Stay:
Aman Tokyo: An exquisite setting overlooking at the Imperial Palace gardens. Everything at Aman Tokyo is sophisticated but without any tackiness. Purely elegant. The design of the hotel is inspired by the traditional Japanese material and traditions. The service is perfect in the same spirit as the hotel: discrete, elegant and efficient.
1-5-6 Otemachi
#DETAILSMATTER
Get a map: When in Tokyo, you will definitely need a map since most of the streets don't have their name written on a sign. I recommend to find an app that allows you to download an offline map. Why? Simply because wifi access is limited. There is not really free wifi access in Tokyo. Everything is either protected by a password or requires a fee payment. No bueno!
Shopping zone: One of the attractive side of Tokyo is shopping. There are plenty of high-end, edgy stores and a huge diversity of styles. Obviously it is hard to resist - and I clearly didn't! If you want to do some really nice shopping I recommend you go to Aoyama, Cat Street, Shibuya Daikon and Ebisu.
Lost in translation: One of the thing to know when you going to Japan is that most of the signs, menu and directions won't be translated. Also, most of Japanese people don't speak English fluently. However, people are extremely nice and willing to help. Therefore if you have a problem or need an advice, you can definitely ask. Another good option is to download translation apps on your phone.
(Photo credit: 4am Journal)