Travel

I traveled in their Business Class cabin (which allows access to the airline’s comfortable Admirals Lounge). There is nothing like being able to leave New York on 6:55 p.m. Friday evening— enjoying premium amenities inflight , including lie-flat seats, full

tokyo Tokyo will overtake your senses with its beauty, cleanliness, and modern sensibilities. Here’s our guide to experiencing one of Asia’s crown jewels. By Isoul Harris Pharrell is right. Tokyo is a dream. From the blitzkrieg of neon illuminating its GETTING THERE skyline to the enviable style of its citizens, forget never American Airlines has a great direct flight from JFK sleeping, it’s a city that never to Haneda International Airport, which is only 20 bores. Indeed, because the Japanese refuse to accept no in minutes from downtown Tokyo. anything, they surpass in just about everything, including entertainment library—to wake their food, architecture, and up in Tokyo Saturday at 10:15 p.m. indelible style (luxury cordons ready to attack the night. After like Louis Vuitton specifically spending Sunday and Monday make products and build exploring the city, you can depart stores for the wildly forward Tokyo at 6:50 a.m. Tuesday, and Japanese consumer). arrive back in New York at 6:40 Tokyo is arguably the cleanest a.m. on the same day. aa.com (litter is nonexistent, and the cab drivers don white gloves) and one of the safest urban areas on earth (leave your iPad at the coffee shop and you can return three hours later to find it waiting for you). There are nearly 100,000 restaurants in the metro area, including ubiquitous ramen noodle spots (from cheap fast food versions to gourmet interpretations from top chefs) and more Michelin-starred eateries than any other city in the world. Whatever you desire, Tokyo can satisfy. It’s a city readymade for dreamers, as well as those simply enjoying the creations of those dreaming.

On this page: Relax, Relate & Release at the Shangri-La Tokyo ‘s pool and fall into luxury in one of the rooms overlooking Tokyo.

Shangri-La Tokyo. The 202 rooms and suites of this hotel, located in the financial district, occupy the top 11 floors of the Marunouchi Trust Tower Main building. The result: Guests enjoy electrifying views of the city’s best attractions, including the Imperial Gardens, Tokyo Bay, and even Mount Fuji on a clear day. If you’re not flying into Haneda, and are arriving instead from Narita International Airport (American Airlines partner JAL flies daily into Narita) via the Shinkansen Bullet train (certainly an experience), disembark at Tokyo Station, adjacent to the hotel, and take advantage of the complimentary “Meet and Greet” service, where a hotel representative will meet you on the platform and escort you to the property. Here, you will be greeted warmly by the attractive hotel staff, who will continue to address you by name through the duration of your stay. Walking through the lobby, your eyes will involuntarily gravitate to finds from the property’s exquisite 2,000-piece art collection and the Herculean chandelier cascading from the lobby ceiling (imagine a shower of handmade crystals in the shape of ginkgo biloba leaves—the symbol of Tokyo— falling from above.) A miniature museum of sorts, the hotel offers a guided tour of its works, and everyone in guest relations is qualified to conduct an art tour. Rooms here range from the modern Deluxe to Premier City View (corner appointment). Then there are the gorgeous Executive, Shangri-La, and Presidential suites, which come with access to the Horizon Club, including amenities such as complimentary breakfast, evening cocktails, and even shopping service at Takashimaya Department Store with an interpreter. As you would expect from Shangri-La, the food provides its own experience. Piacere offers an Italian menu complemented by the stunning views from its 28th-floor location (enjoy the Lobster Cake Benedict for breakfast while ogling at the gorgeous view of the city sprawl). Nadaman is the hotel’s signature Japanese restaurant. With fare bought fresh daily from Tokyo’s world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market, enjoy delicious traditional sushi, as well as specialty dishes such as Kano eggplant wrapped in Wagyu beef. Also, do yourself a favor and order the Shizuoka melon for dessert—it’s the most delicious melon you will ever taste in your life. Pinky swear. shangri-la.com/tokyo

You will never experience a fraction of what Tokyo offers during one visit. Advice: Choose specific sights, areas, and interests and focus on them. Here are a few suggestions.

As the largest wholesale fish market in the world, this is a definite must-see. Handling over 2,000 tons of marine products a day, Tsukiji is a bustling city of its own. Workers in tailor-like fit cargo pants and vests complete with Marc Jacobs–esque black rubber boots frantically scurry about on scooters, trucks, and carts. There’s a seeming absence of method to the madness; but with closer inspection, the reason why most of the world looks to this aquatic bazaar for tuna is evident. The tuna auction is ultra-popular, and visitors are limited to 120 a day (you must apply at the Osakana Fukyu Center beginning at 5 a.m.). Be sure to partake in a sushi breakfast at one of the surrounding eateries—it certainly beats the Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity at the local IHOP. tsukiji-market.or.jp

Tokyo consists of several districts, each the gatekeeper of particular interests. Harajuku is the area surrounding Harajuku Station, which lies between the streets of Shinjuku and Shibuya. The city’s world-renowned teenage street culture and fashion reigns supreme (Gwen Stefani’s hit “Harajuku Girls” and Nicki Minaj’s fleet of fans, Harajuku Barbz, originated from these young people and their extreme style). Take a stroll down Takeshita Dori, the thin street robust with boutiques, shops, and fast food joints. Hang a right, and head to Shibuya for Don Quijote (“Donki”)—a festive Japanese discount store featuring everything from clothes to tech items. It’s a rite of passage. donki.com In stark contrast, Omotesando is the Champs-Elysées of Tokyo. For those with a haute addiction, this tree-lined luxury retail area is for you. The five floors of Louis Vuitton’s Omotesando location, once the brand’s largest store in the world, mimic a stack of LV trunks. Omotesando Hills is a sixstory shopping complex that was once the Dojunkai Aoyama Apartments. In its new incarnation, Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent, and Jimmy Choo are the residents. For another dose of runway-ready fun, head over to Ginza, the city’s most famous area for luxury shopping. Lanvin, Prada, Hermès, and basically every other label is in Ginza. Dior’s Ginza store sports a façade of white and gray artistically placed abstract lines.

On This Page: (Above)Tsukiji Fish Market is the largest wholesale fish market in the world covering 57 acres with 1,500 stalls. (Right) Stylish girls roaming around the Harajuku Station district.

On this page: (Top) Isoul Harris hanging with his new Sumo wrestler friends after a practice session in Tokyo. (Bottom) Jiro Ono is the Sushi master and the wait for his 10 seat sushi counter is over 2 years.

In Tokyo, the party is never-ending and is always changing, depending on who you are and the mood you’re in. To Party Like A Foreigner: Head to Roppongi, an area replete with clubs and bars; Feria is a high-end post offering up tasty cuisine and sounds from the world’s most famous DJs. In the same area, The Pink Cow is a hybrid resto–art gallery–club in Shibuya, and is popular among expats. Lowkey fun atits best (thepinkcow.jp). Party Like A Native: The neighborhood of Shinjuku (Kabukicho) possesses what seems like an infinite row of destinations for the adventurous. The area is also popular for what the locals call couple kissa or “happening bars,” which are exclusive, with members vetted beforehand. But there is plenty of other fun in the area, which is akin to Amsterdam’s Red Light District. Party Like A Fashionista: M Event Space & Bar in Daikanyama is an open event space that’s typically booked for parties packed with shoulder-to-shoulder chic. Come like the Sartorialist is manning the velvet rope and your night is on. m-event-bar.com Party Like You’re in the ’70s: Roppongi’s Bar Funky boasts that it’s all about “Black Music & More For Funky People”; and it’s pure truth in advertising. Walk in and you’re instantly transported back to a time of Afro puffs and bell-bottoms, but in a laid-back den—more Shaft than Soul Train. Expect ’70s memorabilia, including posters of an Off the Wall–era MJ and 45s blaring rarities such as Sharon Redd’s top-of-the-’80s groove “Can You Handle It?” ’Nuff said.

Two Rooms Grill/Bar: This rakish resto, situated in Roppongi, is outfitted in sleek wood and leather and serves up simple yet sophisticated dishes such as Foie Gras French Toast with Chestnut Honey and a mouthwatering Iwate Iwachu Pork Chop. It’s a scene—from CEOs to models—so show up like you belong. tworooms.jp Bice Ristorante: This Italian eatery is famous among natives. After working up an appetite shopping in nearby Ginza, have the confit of rabbit or mushroom risotto beloved by Tokyo celebs and corporate high rollers. With only 37 tables available, be sure to have your hotel concierge secure a reservation early in the day. bicetokyo.com Sukiyabashi Jiro: This sushi counter in the bottom of a building adjacent to the Ginza metro station would be considered a hole in the wall in most cities. Not in Tokyo. With merely 10 seats, three Michelin stars, and a reservation harder to get than the President’s missile codes, sushi master Jiro Ono’s spot is a legend. He serves you 20 pieces of sushi (that he selects), one at a time, and once he’s finished, you are done as well. Price? Approximately $375. Yes, it may be the most expensive 15 minutes of your life; but think of the story you’ll have for the peeps back home. sushi-jiro.jp