It’s Happening in Tokyo! - Modern Tokyo

By Sandy Zimmerman

“Tokyo ni yokoso” Welcome to Tokyo! Tokyo beams with skyscrapers and the latest innovations known to man, yet the city has the flavor of an ancient society. Do you want to see Tokyo’s ancient side or their ultra-modern city?

Roppongi Hills is today’s answer to crowded urban living and a model for the world to see! Builder Minoru Mori created a city-within-a-city, a 54 story cultural, entertainment, residential, and business center. This vertically designed 27-acre complex utilizes space wisely with over 115 stores, 70 one-of-a-kind restaurants, 9 cinemas, 880 apartments, 390 room Grand Hyatt Tokyo Hotel, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo City View observation decks, television station, outdoor performance area, and their own self-sufficient energy plant.

Even though Roppongi Hills brings a dynamic mega high-rise look, the developers considered improving the quality of urban life by providing an oasis of greenery, roof gardens, and parks. With beautiful 17th century Mori Gardens at the entrance to the complex, sit by waterfalls in a traditional Japanese garden of the Edo period. There are roof gardens around the world, but Roppongi Hills has defined the roof gardens of the future. Imagine seeing a rice paddy on the top of the seven-floor cinema complex! It has actually produced 132 pounds of organically grown rice. Each of the 13 rooftops is different with a fusion of oriental with occidental gardens. Garden designer Dan Pearson explains, “I position many plants so the wind can play with them, just as in the wilderness. Foliage rustling in the wind can sound truly mesmerizing.” Only one year old, the majestic Roppongi Hills dwarfs all of the other buildings in Tokyo.

Attractions

• Hama Rikyu Garden: The garden originally contained a villa belonging to the imperial family; Hama Rikyu is known for its tidal pond crossed by wisteria-covered trellised bridges. Visit the teahouse perched on a small island named Nakajima-no-Ochaya. The teahouse serves powdered green tea with Japanese style sweets.
• National Diet Building House of Parliment).
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens: Once the estate of the Naito family feudal lords, Shinjuku was later opened as a national park. Around 150 acres of gardens, hills, ponds and bridges, stone lanterns, and paths winding around 3,000 types of plants, shrubs, and trees.
• Shitamachi Hakubutsukan: Shitamachi, the town below the castle, retained its ancient appearance and is now preserved at this museum. You are required to take off your shoes when entering the merchant house and tenement rooms on the first floor. These are intact with all their furnishings. Demonstrations of traditional skills involve the audience.
• Suzumoto: Built as a theater 1857) for comic monologues rakugo) and still in operation today. This is the oldest theater of its kind in Tokyo. Rakugo comedians sit on a purple cushion, dressed in a kimono, and tell stories that have been handed down for centuries.
• Tokyo Chuo Oroshiuri Ichiba central wholesale fish market): The fish market covers 54 acres in Tsukiji. Around 1,200 wholesale shops supply 90% of the fish consumed in Tokyo everyday and employ 15,000 people. Their fish auction is free.
• Tokyo City View: Observation deck, 360-degree views.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office: This controversial building cost billions 1991) and consists of the main office building, annex, Metropolitan Assembly building, and a courtyard used for open-air concerts and exhibitions. The building is 48 stories high, with the 33rd floor dividing into two towers.

Museums

• Japan Folk Crafts Museum: Antique folk handicrafts, pottery and textiles are exhibited in a traditional house.
• Mori Art Museum: A new way of looking at modern art. You can enjoy collections of paintings, sculpture, drawings, photography, prints, architecture, design, and electronic media art.
• Nezu Institute of Fine Arts: Nezu houses the private art collection of Meiji-period railroad magnate and politician Kaichiro Nezu. Japanese painting, calligraphy, ceramics, Chinese bronzes, sculpture, and lacquer ware. Gardens.
• Tokyo Hiroshige Art Museum: Collection of Hiroshige Utagawa, Japan’s Ukiyoe painter.
• Tokyo National Museum: This is the largest museum in Japan with over 80,000 items featuring traditional Japanese art, scientific, and natural history exhibits. Located in Ueno Park.

Shopping

• Flea Market and Antique Market Ginza: Tokyo’s Fifth Avenue, restaurants, department stores, shops, high tech showrooms, theaters, near the Imperial Palace. Sony Building- test latest digital cameras or try Play Station, 8 blocks of stores.
• Odaiba District: Waterfront area, stores, restaurants, Tokyo Joy Polis amusement park. · Aqua City Shopping Center: Shops, restaurants, museums, 13-screen movie complex.
• 100 Yen Shops: Japanese equivalent of U.S. $1 stores.
• Roppongi Hills: 210 restaurants, bars, stores, movies, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo City View Observatory. Center of Tokyo’s nightlife, restaurants, clubs, and bars.
• Yanaka Street: Buildings dating back to the Edo period, you see temples, a tofu factory, tatami weavers, small museums, and galleries.

The Yanaka Rice Crackers business started at the beginning of the Taisho Era, about 90 years ago. The hard type round cracker that is toasted and seasoned with a proprietary recipe is very popular.

The Isetatsu Yanaka Store dates back to the Edo era and sells Edo style paper with colorful figures or patterns and Edo style carton Pierre, a kind of papier-mache, imitative of stone or bronze. There are over 1,000 different designs, which represent life and fashion during the Edo era.

The Takehisa Yumeji Museum has 2,800 works of popular romantic poets and artists 1884-1934).

• Zenkoku Dentoteki Kogeihin Senta Japan Traditional Crafts Center): Crafts from all over Japan - lacquer ware, ceramics, paper products, dolls, and metalwork. The center's certification guarantees the quality of their crafts and techniques.

Where to Stay

• The Grand Hyatt Tokyo Hotel adjoining Roppongi Hills, is the ULTIMATE expression of luxury accommodations with 10 world-class international restaurants. Have your own private chef and banquet room for parties. Wedding planners allow you to come to their kitchen to sample the food and prepare every detail for a perfect wedding! There is even an elevator large enough to bring a car to the Grand Ballroom for conventions. Try a Japanese bathing ritual - fill the tub and let it overflow into the special drain - or take a rain shower. Feel the ultra-soft 300-thread count Egyptian cotton linen. Watch the 30” flat screen TV in the room or a 13” TV in the shower/ bath/ sink area. Grand Club offers guests staying on the 10-13 floors complimentary continental breakfast buffet, evening cocktails, hors d oeuvres, meeting room, concierge, and private lounge.
• Hotel Laforet Tokyo is located in the Gotenyama Hills new office complex, a 5 minute ride from Shinagawa Street. Quiet hotel with restaurant fitness center, spa, tennis courts, and services.
• Hotel Seiyo Ginza is located in the center of the Ginza district. A personal secretary is available for each guest to organize your business needs, travel arrangements, shopping, and sightseeing tours.
• The Keihin Hotel was built in 1871 and renovated in the 1960's. Keihin is one of Tokyo's oldest hotels. Brick building, single rooms are said to be dark and gloomy, front rooms hear traffic noise.
• The Metropolitan Edmont Hotel is a two-star hotel. Central Tokyo, good location for business or pleasure traveler. Japanese, Chinese, French restaurants, and cafe.

Where to Eat

• Gonpachi: G-zone, Ginza open kitchen, watch the waiters, cooks, and diners. The waiters shout their orders. Several restaurants in the building, Gonpachi is on the 3rd floor. Special group dining rooms. Garden.
• Grand Hyatt Tokyo: 10 world-class restaurants.
• Roppongi Hills: a star-studded culinary Mecca has been created at Roppongi Hills, a global meeting place. What a selection - Japanese, Chinese, Italian, French, Indian, Korean, Indonesian, western-style, ethnic, vegetarian, cafes, delicatessens, bakeries, New York bagels, tea rooms, take out spots, quick pasta stands, cocktail bars, smoothies, and juices. You will even find Wolfgang Puck’s California cuisine, Starbuck’s, and tapas-style multinational dishes. American cuisine is created by Chef Todd English, named Rising Star Chef and Best Chef in the Northwest by the James Beard Foundation and deemed one of the Top 50 Tastemakers in the United States. And Executive Chef Joel Robuchon, hailed as the Chef of the Century and the first and youngest chef to win 3 consecutive Michelin Stars, runs the casual yet upscale French restaurant. Soba-ya restaurants specialize in soba and udon noodle dishes. Most noodle dishes come either cooled with a dipping sauce or hot in a soup with different toppings. The menu often changes slightly with the seasons, with hiyashi cold) noodles in summer and nabeyaki udon in winter.
• Sumika Tokyo Cuisine: Located on the river with views of bridge, boats, and city. Modern "Tokyo cuisine" with a specialty in charcoal-grilled chicken.
• The Door Restaurant : Located in Kamakura, across from the train station, next to McDonalds. Take the elevator to the third floor. Waitresses wear kimonos, tasty Japanese cuisine with big portions.

Details

Getting There

• American Airlines: Daily non-stop flights to Tokyo’s Narita Airport from Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York JFK and San Jose, California; 800-433-7300, http://www.aa.com/.
• ANA Airlines All Nippon Airlines): Daily non-stop flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, New York, JFK; 800-235-9262, http://www.fly-ana.com/.
• Continental Airlines: Direct flights daily from Houston and Newark, 800-525-0280
• Japan Airlines: Flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York, 800-525-3663, www.jal.com.
• Korean Airlines: Direct flights from Los Angeles, 800-438-5000, http://www.koreanair.com/.
• Singapore Airlines: Daily from Los Angeles, 800-742-3333, http://www.singaporeair.com/.

Where to Eat

TOKYO

• Gonpachi G-zone, Ginza. Our dinner: Scooped out pudding, clams salad, shrimp with sweet chili sauce and a touch of Japanese orange, rolled omelet, grilled skewered chicken plate with mushrooms and onions, chicken meat balls, vegetables, rice, dessert - $35. A la carte: Skewered breast of chicken - $2, skewered salmon - $3, skewered organic duck breast - $6, skewered chicken meatballs with teriyaki sauce -$2.60, skewered shitake mushrooms stuffed with minced chicken -$3, pork stewed kakuni-style -$9, skewered kuroge Japanese beef tenderloin -$12, soba noodles -with dipping sauce, chopped green onions -$8, grilled salmon and mitsuba served over grilled rice ball in broth -$7, oriental tiramisu-$6. 03)-5524-3641, 03)-5524-3626.
• Grand Hyatt Tokyo Hotel: Choose from 10 restaurants.
• Chinaroom: Regional seafood recipes. Original Vincent Vallarino painting. From 6th floor you can enter Roppongi Hills. Lunch: 11: 30 am - 2:30 pm weekends/holidays-3:30 pm). Dinner: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
• French Kitchen: French Brasserie featuring seasonal cuisine from Burgundy, overlooks Roppongi Hills, large open kitchen, catwalk-like runway with water on each side, outside terrace, floor to ceiling glass wine cellar cases hold 3,000 bottles, Christofle silverware, Raynaud porcelain. Private dining room for 12 people, own bulthaup kitchen. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Afternoon dessert buffet, snacks. Brunch-Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Salad Nicoise, with tuna- $21. Sandwiches- from $15, steak sandwich- $21. Grilled salmon, bearnaise sauce, potatoes, vegetables-$25. Grilled marinated chicken paillard, lemon taleteller- $27. Orange creme brulee, strawberry tarts. On 2nd floor. 7:00 am – 10:00 pm. French Kitchen bar, bistro, afternoon tea, light savories, evening cocktails, 11:00 am –11:00 pm. American a la carte breakfast- from $10. Set several course American breakfasts- from $19. Japanese set several course breakfast- $31. Lunch- set several course- from $26. A la carte- beef bourguignon- $29. Veal steak- $33. Chocolate pear cake, red berry souffle, bourbon vanilla ice cream.
• Fiorentina: Modern cafe, authentic Italian cuisine in the main lobby, modern, authentic, Italian cuisine, seasonal ingredients and food that can be shared. Venetian glass, Matteograssi chairs, Porcellana Bianca porcelain, and Alessi accessories. Outside terrace, access to Roppongi Hills fashionable Keyakizaka Street. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lunch set menu: Antipasto, grilled fish with marinated vegetables or sauteed guinea fowl with forest mushroom sauce, dessert, coffee or tea-$29. Pasta or pizza lunch- antipasto, rigatoni with pork ragout, or spaghetti with marinated sardines, garlic and chili, or pizza Capricciosa, coffee or tea- $23. Antipasto, rigatoni with pork ragout, grilled fish, or sauteed guinea fowl with morel sauce, dessert, coffee or tea- $34. Antipasto, lobster or spaghetti, and fish, roasted stuffed Guinea fowl with morel sauce, or beef tagliata with grilled mushrooms- $50. Grilled fish, roasted stuffed guinea fowl, or beef tagliata with grilled mushrooms and balsamic vinaigrette. Panna cotta and ume jelly with peach sherbet, coffee or tea-$50. 2nd course and main course. Desserts- Tiramisu, Fiorentina ice cream, sherbet, cakes, and pastries. Outside dining terrace overlooking fashionable Keyakizaka Street, sandwiches, salads, pastas, pizzas, lobby. 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
• Fiorentina Pastry Boutique: Luscious, mega-calorie signature cakes, pastries, sweets, and chocolates. Main lobby, 8:00 am – 10:00 pm daily.
• Juniper Cafe and Bar: Elegant dining and live DJ. Designer open kitchen, lime finished oak tables, original Hans Wegner chairs, visual show kitchen, and atrium terrace. Four unique 42” Panasonic flat screen TV’s mounted outside so that the public can view the excitement of their cafe and bar. Salads, sandwiches, home made soups. On 4th floor, 11:30 am – 10:00 pm.
• Maduro: Luxuriously designed bar, Italian furnishings by Promemoria, American furnishings by William Switzer, private whiskey tasting room with over 50 varieties, gas burning lanterns, collection of premium quality beverages. On 4th floor, open at 5:00 pm. Nightly entertainment 5:00 pm – 2:00 am, Sunday-Thursday; 5:00 pm – 3:00 am - Friday and Saturday. Cover charge after 9:00 pm Monday-Saturday) and after 8:30 pm. Sunday).
• Oak Door: Steakhouse quality meats, dramatic oak wood burning ovens. International section with exclusive boutique new world wines in dramatic wine cellar holds over 3,500 bottles and an original Paul Ching-bor painting in the private dining room. Lunch- set menus: Prawn cocktail, salad, grilled grass fed New Zealand beef sirloin with red wine butter, $40. Or avocado salad, slow roasted Kagoshima pork shoulder and homemade sausage-$19. A la carte: Roasted Long Island breast of duck-$33. New Zealand tenderloin steak-$47. Wood grilled quail-$33. New Zealand T-bone steak-$57. Australian rack of lamb- $40. On 6th floor, connecting with Roppongi Hills. 11:30 am - 10:30 pm. Oak door bar- 11:30 am – 11:00 pm.
• Roku Roku: Kimono clad waitresses serve sushi, sashimi, and set several course meals. Bamboo, waterfall, and pond. Complete lunches- $29-57, Complete dinners- $73-168, and 42 a la carte sushi selections. Japanese sake from boutique distilleries. On 6th floor, connecting with Roppongi Hills. Lunch-11: 30 am - 2:30 pm. weekends/holidays-3:30), Dinner-6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
• Shunbou: Organically grown and prepared Japanese cuisine. Mikageishi Japanese granite stone from Kagawa Prefecture and cherry wood tables. Kaiseki: Japanese set menu, series of courses. And Kappo: Traditional Japanese dishes ordered a la carte or shared.
• Kappo: Lunch - Fried, grilled or simmered fish- appetizer, sashimi, steamed egg custard, rice, soup, pickled vegetables, and fruits-$30. Charcoal grilled Japanese beefsteak - appetizer, soup, sashimi, rice, vegetables, fruits- $60. Kappo dinners from $100. On 6th floor, near entrance to Roppongi Hills. Lunch -11: 30 am - 2:30 pm, weekends/holidays-3: 30 pm). Dinner –6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
• Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. 03)-4333-1234. 888)-591-1234, https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/japan/grand-hyatt-tokyo/tyogh
• Roppongi Hills - Restaurants- 11:00 am – 11:00 pm. The Roppongi Takeyabu restaurant specializes in soba noodles and offers unlimited noodles, tasty sauces, and hot water for the cold noodles. Tororo: cold soba grated yams- $15. Nishin: hot soba soup, marinated herring-$21. Tempura: hot soba soup, fried shrimp, and vegetables- $26. Ten-seiro: cold soba, fried shrimp, vegetables- $26. Kake: hot soba soup - $12. Seino: cold noodles in a basket-$12. With over 70 restaurants, we were not able to review more than one during our stay. 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. 3 locations. General information 03)-6406-6000, http://www.roppongihills.com/, http://www.roppongihillsclub.com.
• Sumika Tokyo Cuisine: Full-course dinners start from $40. Grilled date chicken dishes- from date country, Fukushima: Thighs, gizzards, sausage, or chicken livers- $6 -9, Chicken with sour plum sauce and wasabi- $5, Grilled chicken meatballs with teriyaki sauce- $6, Chicken platter- for 2-3 people- $25. Tokyo cuisine: Shrimp and chicken breast spring roll-$16, boiled chicken with red wine sauce-$8, grilled marinated fish- $9, clams with Asian fruit sauce- $8, stir fried lobster with oriental hot bean sauce-$18. 11 A. M. -3 P. M., 5:30-11 P. M. Four locations. Daiba 1-7-1, Mediage 5F. 03)-3599-4071, http://www.wondertable.com/.

KAMAKURA

• Door Restaurant: Lunch- $15- choose any 3 dishes- pork curry, salmon, shrimp tempura, pork cutlet, scallops, chicken, or potato. This comes with soup, vegetables, and rice. $10- fried rice inside an omelet.

Attractions

• Hama Rikyu Garden: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. Tea ceremony-$5. Admission $3, free for children up to 12, and seniors over 65. 1-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
• Shinjuku Gyo-En: $2.00, Tuesday-Sunday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, open Monday in April during the cherry blossom season. 11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. 03)-3350-0151.
• Shitamachi Hakubitsukan: $2.00, Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm enter before 4:00 pm). 2-1 Ueno Koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo. 03)-3823-7451.
• Suzumoto: $25.00, continual performances daily 12:30-4:30 pm, and 5:20-8:40 pm; 2-7-12 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 03)-3834-5906.
• Tokyo Chuo Oroshiuri Ichiba: Free. Monday-Saturday except 2nd and 4th Wednesday) 6:00 am – 4:00 pm. 5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. 03)-3542-1111.
• Tokyo City View: Observation decks 360 degree views. Adults- $15, Students-$10, Children-$5. 9:00 am – 1:00 am. Admission until midnight. Inside Roppongi Hills, Mori Tower, 52F, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. 03)-6406-6652, https://tcv.roppongihills.com/en/.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office: Free. September-July, weekdays 9:30 am –5:00 pm, weekends 9:30 am – 7:00 pm. August south deck 9:30 am – 9:00 pm. 2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 03)-5321-1111.

Museums

• Mori Art Museum: Gallery, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday. 10:00 am - midnight, Friday, Saturday. 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday. Mori Tower, 52F, 53F) 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. 03)-6406-6123, http://www.mori.art.museum/, http://www.mori.art.museum/mamc/.
• Nezu Institute of Fine Arts: $10.00, Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. 6-5-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 03)-3400-2536, http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en/index.html.
• Tokyo National Museum: Located in Ueno Park. 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 03)-3822-1111 central).

Shopping

• Antique Street: Aoyama Kotto Dori.
• Flea Market and Antique Market: Harajuku area- weekends- times change. Antique Market- Togo-no-mori Nomi-no-ichi on 1st, 4th, and 5th Sunday of every month 4 A. M. -3 P. M.). 03)-3469-6081, 03)-3425-7965.
• Ginza: Downtown, near the Imperial Palace.
• Odaiba District Aqua City Odaiba Shopping Center: Open 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, restaurants until 11:00 pm 03)-3599-4700, 03)-3599-0700.
• National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation: Located in the Odaiba District. Latest technology in science, Palett Town, large shopping center, amusements, shops, restaurants, Ferris wheel. Toyota Theme Park- Mega Web provides visitors with a hands-on showroom featuring all models of cars and attractions.
• Museum of Maritime Science: sea and ships, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm 03)-5500-1111.
• 100 Yen Shops: Located around Tokyo.
• Roppongi Hills: restaurants, 11:00 am – 11:00 pm; shops, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. General information 03)-6406-6000, http://www.roppongihills.com/, http://www.roppongihillsclub.com.
• Yanaka Street Yanaka Rice Crackers: 9:30 am - 6:20 pm, closed on Tuesday. 7-18-18 Yanaka, Taito-ku 03)-3821-6421.
• Isetatsu Yanaka: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, 7 days a week. 2-18-9 Yanaka, Taito-ku 03)-3823-1453.
• Takehisa Yumeji Museum: 10:00 am –5:00 pm, closed Mondays. Adults- $8, Students-$7, Children aged 6 to 15, $4. 2-4-3 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku 03)-3812-0012.
• (Zenkoku Dentoteki Kogeihin Senta Japan traditional crafts center) Crafts from all over Japan- lacquer ware, ceramics, paper products, dolls, and metalwork. The center's certification guarantees the quality of their crafts and techniques. 1-11-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, first floor of Metropolitan Plaza Building.

Where to Stay

• Grand Hyatt Tokyo Hotel: adjoining Roppongi Hills, 13 banquet/meeting rooms, chapel, Shinto Shrine, business center, spa, gym, and specialty departments.
• Grand Club Lounge: For guests staying on certain floors. Lounge is located on the 10th floor, 6:30 am – 10:00 pm daily. Drinks and snacks throughout the day. Free buffet breakfast- 6:30 am – 10:00 pm, Monday-Friday. 7:00 am – 11:00 pm, Saturday, Sunday, & holidays. Cocktails-5:30-7:30 pm daily. Complimentary use of club meeting room for 1-hour daily.
• The Grand Hyatt’s Nagomi Spa and Fitness Center: Jacuzzi, saunas, gym, 20 meter swimming pool, 6:00 am –10:00 pm. Facials, body scrubs and wraps, massage, tranquility relaxation massage, foot soak in Hungarian mineral salts enhanced with eucalyptus oil. Suite for 2 - soaking in the stone pool with massages. Nagomi Suite with 2 treatment beds and Italian deep soaking granite bath. The concierge has information about jogging routes. The guests’ pool is on the 5th floor. Business Center – 7:00 am –10:00 pm. Internet access in rooms. Accommodations: Standard-$393, Deluxe sitting room-$457, Suite with living room-$731, Grand Club rooms- $484, floors 10-13.
• Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. 03)-4333-1234. 888)-591-1234, http://www.hyatt.com/.
• Hotel Laforet Tokyo: superior double $290-310, superior twin $310-330, junior suite $600, deluxe $310-330, superior deluxe $350-400, superior deluxe twin $350-400, excellent double $370-430, excellent twin $370-430. Executive floor - 1 person 2 persons, corner suite $600, executive suite $700, royal suite $1,200, imperial suite $1,400, Laforet Suite $1,400. 4-7-36, Kita-Shinagawa, Shiragawa-ku, Tokyo 03)-5488-3911.
• HOTEL SEIYO GINZA: $480-$280, 1-11-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 03)-3535-1111, http://www.seiyo-ginza.com/.
• Keihin Hotel: $80-140, restaurants, bar, 4-10-20, Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo 03)-3449-5711.
• Metropolitan Edmont Hotel: 2 stars, 1 Person- $147, 3-10-8 Lidabashi, Chiyoda-Ku. 03)-3237-1122.

Tourist Information

The Japan National Tourist Organization JNTO) says, “don’t miss the modern and ancient sights because they are ALL Tokyo!” The JNTO arranges visits to Japanese homes, free Goodwill Guides, and free information about Japan. Los Angeles: 213-623-1952, http://www.jnto.go.jp/.

See Japan, Part #1, for the ancient Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, attractions, traditional Tokyo, food theme parks, museums, cruises, side trips, Minshuku Guest Homes, Ryokan or Japanese Inns, night clubs/ discos, airlines, tourist information, American Embassy, hospitals, doctors, etc.)