Designers' Tokyo

Spiral

Spiral Building is a multi-use cultural facility designed by Fumihiko Maki, an architect known for his innovative fusion of life and art. It is a stylish spot, where one can enjoy art over light drinks or alcohols.

SunnyHills at Minami-Aoyama

Architect Kengo Kuma is known for his jigoku-gumi -- literally, "interlocking hell" -- entwined wooden structures, assembled plank by plank by skilled craftsmen. There is a cafe space where you can reflect on this work over a slice of pineapple cake.

Dandelion Chocolate, Factory & Cafe Kuramae

Bean to Bar Chocolate Shop. Part of the Dandelion Chocolate Factory & Cafe Kuramae. Watch chocolate being made. And taste it on the spot, too. The menu offers more than chocolate bars, of course. Chocolate drinks are available too, as are sweets and a good number of other treats.

NAKAMURA TEA LIFE STORE

Nakamura Tea Life Store is the first Tokyo outlet of a Shizuoka-based, family-run tea company that has been in business for almost 100 years. You can taste-test teas inside -- they're very good.

inkstand by kakimori

How about some ink, custom made to your favorite color? That's an experience -- and after all, everyone should have their own color.

St. Mary's Cathedral,Tokyo

St. Mary's Cathedral, a Catholic church known for its distinctive roofline, was designed Kenzo Tange. It was completed in 1964.

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo combines a western-style building with a traditional Japanese garden. The grounds are notable not only for their seasonal beauty, but also for a traditional teahouse that has been designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

Soba Mucha-an

Also within hotel grounds is Mucha-an, a soba restaurant. Freshly made soba goes well with beautiful scenery.

Higo Hosokawa Garden

Higo-Hosokawa Garden is located right next to the hotel. Admission is free. Take a pleasant stroll around a central pond. Also worth seeing is Shouseikaku, formerly the Tokyo residence of the Hosokawa family. It is known for its Taisho Romantic motif and a cafe lounge, Tsubaki, that serves tea and candy sets (not free).

Daikanyama HILLSIDE TERRACE

Daikanyama Hillside Terrace is a representative work of architect Fumihiko Maki. This facility, which now serves as a cultural landmark for the Daikanyama area, took 30 years to build, from 1969 to 1998.