News & Announcements |
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Tsukiji Market Tuna Auction Observation Area to Be Reopened Mid-January
Tsukiji Market Map |
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The Highest Ranking of Three-Star by Michelin
The 2013 Michelin Guide to Tokyo/Yokohama/Shonan was released in December. Although the number of three-star restaurants in Tokyo decreased by two, the number is still the biggest in the world. In Tokyo, 14 restaurants were awarded three stars and 53 restaurants were awarded two stars, which includes six new restaurants. Regarding one star, 175 restaurants are selected in Tokyo, with 14 new ones. Come and enjoy dining in Tokyo, the world's "gourmet city"! Michelin Press Release |
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Tokyo Fan Week Starts from February 1
More than 60 shops, including Laforet HARAJUKU, KIDDY LAND and OMOTESANDO HILLS, join to offer a discount or a novelty. What you need to do is to pick up an official guidebook at the information desk and show it at the participating shops. For those who want to know the area better, there are several free-guided tours available, including a "fashionista tour" that takes you to some of the famous apparel shops in the area. You can also join the traditional cultural experience program. The event features workshops for making Tokyo ginki silverware, Tokyo shippo cloisonné enamel, and Edo Kiriko cut glass. It also offers Japanese sake tasting and lessons of tenugui cloth wrapping techniques. For further details, pop in to the information desk of Tokyo Fan Week, located at the entrance of OMOTESANDO HILLS. |
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Andaz's First Expansion into Japan
"Andaz Tokyo," a luxury brand of American big hotel chain Hyatt Hotels, will open in Toranomon in 2014. As a part of the redevelopment of the Toranomon district, the hotel will be located on the 47th to 52nd floors of a skyscraper now under construction. The total number of the guest rooms is to be 164. This "Andaz Tokyo" will be the first branch of Hyatt Hotels in Japan. Hyatt Press Release |
Versatile Nightlife in Tokyo |
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Do you think Tokyo has no quality nightlife? If so, you are wrong. Luckily, it's not too late to get exposed to versatile nightlife that features each area in Tokyo! Roppongi, one of the most multinational areas in Tokyo, has bars and clubs as multicultural as those who gather there. Shinjuku, a hive of chaotic energy, is filled with all kinds of places of entertainment. Shibuya and Ebisu attract younger generations with popular clubs and live houses, while Ginza is filled with high-class nightclubs, promising you a luxurious nightlife experience.
According to "Cities Survey" by TripAdvisor® in 2012, Tokyo is ranked No.1 city where you feel safe. And, actually, it is safe. Let's enjoy unique and diverse nightlife in Tokyo. Experience Traditional Geisha Entertainment at Ryotei
In Japan, we enjoy dinner at ryotei, Japanese-style restaurants on special occasions, like an important business dinner or a celebration, and arrange for geisha so as to liven it up, but you, who are non-Japanese traveler, can enjoy geisha entertainment just as an experience. Tokyo has some ryotei in hanamachi entertainment districts offering such geisha experience. Have fun with geisha in Tokyo! What's geisha entertainment about? Some typical ozashiki asobi games: Most games with geisha are played to the accompaniment of music; games are controlled by tempo, rhythm, and other elements of the music. How to arrange geisha asobi: Geisha asobi may be one of the things you want to try at least once in your life, but it is said that the geisha industry turns down any first-time guests without an introduction. So, here are some things you have to do for your geisha asobi. Tokyo has six hanamachi districts, including Shimbashi (Ginza), Akasaka, Yoshicho (Nihombashi Ningyocho), Kagurazaka, Asakusa, and Mukojima. Here is a list of ryotei that will accept first-time customers. As the ryotei gives you a bill for everything including geisha charges, usually there is no need to pay directly to geisha, except for the tip. Ryotei that you can make a reservation without an introduction (No English reservation accepted, so book through a Japanese travel company.) Kiyoshi (Japanese only) Map (Mukojima) Sakurajaya (Japanese only) Map (Mukojima) Besides food, drink and geisha charge, you need to pay a table charge, service fee and tax. For example, if you are in a group of four, arranging to have fun with three geisha for two hours, an average charge is from 45,000 yen. (100 yen = 1.1 USD) Give your geisha the tip enclosed in a little envelope or kaishi (fancy Japanese paper) in a subtle way, not in the Western way of tipping. Of course, different ryotei charge differently and your charges change depending on what you order for food, drink, the number of geisha, and type of geisha asobi. Recently, some ryotei have more affordable set charges, making it easier for a wider range of people to experience geisha asobi. Azuma Odori and Akasaka Odori Geisha in Shimbashi, whom those in Kyoto admired and modeled themselves on, perform elegant song and dance routines. Enjoy tea served by geisha and a bento boxed lunch prepared by ryotei in Shimbashi! (extra cost charged) In addition to the dance, you can appreciate calligraphy, handicrafts, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, and other Japanese culture. An interpreter is available for a group tour. *If you are interested in a group tour with an interpreter, please tell them the number of your group in advance. Interpreters may not be able to get accompanied with your group depending on the number. Date: May 17 (Fri)-20 (Mon), 2013 Tickets: S seat: 7,500 yen, A seat: 6,500 yen, B seat: 5,500 yen, C seat: 2,500 yen Reservations: Please contact inq@wajuku.jp by email to reserve tickets. (Japanese and English available) Venue: Shimbashi Enbujo Theater (6-18-2 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo) Boxed Lunch: 2,000 yen- Azuma Odori (Japanese only) Date: March 2 (Sat)-3 (Sun), 2013 If You Prefer a Casual Atmosphere to Enjoy Sake and Food...
Izakaya and Yokocho Want to enjoy drinking more casually? Then, try izakaya, Japanese-style pubs, and yokocho, narrow alleys lined with small pubs and food stalls, to enjoy Japanese dishes with the common touch for reasonable prices. TOKYO YOKOCHO Week is being held until March 15. Mingling with salaried employees after work and local people, you can enjoy food and sake in an "ordinary" atmosphere. Yokocho is congested mostly with cheap izakaya, offering you a place to enjoy local food without worrying about your budget. Never tried izakaya before? Then, visit Shin Hinomoto, owned by a British guy to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with many foreign workers and customers. Shin Hinomoto Map Theme izakaya Sengokubuyuuden Busyoukoshitsu Shinjuku Map Alcatraz (Japanese only) Map Zauo (Japanese only) Map (Shinjuku) Map (Kameido) Map (Meguro) Nightlife Is Not Only About Drinking...
How about entertainment... Blue Note Tokyo (Japanese only) Map Cotton Club Tokyo Map Billboard Live TOKYO Map How about hot springs and relaxation... Spa Laqua, where you can enjoy baths fed with natural hot spring water from 1,700 meters below Tokyo Dome City as well as saunas, is open until 9 a.m. Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba, an onsen theme park recreating the town of Edo, is also open until 9 a.m., offering a variety of baths and amusement facilities. LaQua Map Oedo Onsen Monogatari Map *Please be careful not to take a bath right after drinking, which can be very bad and sometimes dangerous for you. Make sure to be sober when you take a bath. Missed the Last Train?
Then, take a taxi. The minimum taxi fare in Tokyo is generally 710 yen during daytime, which goes up 90 yen for every additional 288 meters. The midnight taxi fare (10 p.m. - 5 a.m.) is an additional 20% to the daytime fare. Hesitating to take a taxi? |
Event Information |
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Sumidagawa Hanabi (Sumida River Fireworks Festival)
The elegant, about 20,000 fireworks adorn the night sky over the water at the center of the metropolis against the backdrop of TOKYO SKYTREE®. It is one of the biggest and most famous fireworks festivals in Tokyo. The first venue: From Sakurabashi to Kototoibashi (7:05 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) Komagatabashi to Umayabashi (7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.), Sumida-ku, Tokyo (tbd) July 27 (Sat), 2013 *Every year the festival is held on the last Saturday in July, but details are decided in mid April. Sumida River Fireworks Festival |
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Tokyo Koenji Awaodori (Tokyo Koenji Awa Dance Festival)
Many teams come from all over Japan, joining local teams' dancing and generate more excitement. Visit and feel the energetic power of the big carnival of Tokyo in summertime. Shopping streets around JR Koenji Station and Tokyo Metro Shin-koenji Station, and 8 theaters along Konan-dori street August 24 (Sat)-25 (Sun), 2013 Tokyo Koenji Awa Dance Festival Map |
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Setomono Ichi (Pottery Fair)
Nowadays, a ritual ceremony is held under the clock tower in Ningyocho to give thanks to pottery and pray for future prosperity on the first day's afternoon. The main street from Suitengu to Ningyocho junction is lined with tents of ceramic wholesalers of Nihombashi. Ceramics and kitchen utensils are sold at special prices for items which include cups, plates, glasses, and lacquer ware. Some are cheaper than usual prices by 30 or 40 percent, and some are surprisingly sold at 50 percent off. So, even though it takes place in the heat of mid-summer, a lot of people look forward to visiting there to find a bargain every year. Hands-on experience in making pottery is also available. Ningyocho Shopping Street (Suitengu - Ningyocho Junction) Three days in early August, 2013 *Usually it takes place on the first Monday to Wednesday, but details will be decided in June. Tokyo Nihonbashi Ningyocho Map |
No Negative Impact on Our Health: Updated Radiation-related Information in Tokyo
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Radiation dose after touring Tokyo for one day (July 9, 2012) Report on field measurements (Japan Tourism Agency)
According to the survey on radioactivity in Tokyo conducted by the Japanese Tourism Agency, the measured air dose was below the global average. Radiation dose after touring Tokyo for one day (July 9, 2012) Report on field measurements Radiation Level in the Air (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health) Environmental radiation levels in Tokyo Radiation Level in Tap Water (Bureau of Waterworks Tokyo Metropolitan Government) No radioactive substances have been detected either from raw water or at the water purification plants of Tokyo since April 2011. Latest information related to the effect on purified water by radioactivity List of banned foods and shipping restrictions Food products are monitored every day for radioactive materials. The Japanese government restricts distribution and consumption of food products containing any level of radiation that exceeds the regulatory standards. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Information on the Great East Japan Earthquake Q&A on Foods and Fishery products Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Questoins and answers on rice, meat and eggs, milk, dairy products, mushrooms, and edible wild plants (as of December 19, 2012) Fisheries Agency: Questions and answers on fishery products |