Birthday Cake Ice Skating

Tokyo Neighbourhoods: The center

During a first visit to the city, we sometimes seek the "center" of Tokyo (东京) around the major stations of Shinjuku (新宿) and Shibuya (渋 谷), or sometimes in the "foreign ghetto" of Roppongi (六 本 木). They are however of recent urbanization. The district of Akasaka , would be a better candidate. But rather in the vicinity of the Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace that we will find the city's oldest and most interesting. The atmosphere and architecture are very different from the green spaces of the imperial palace to the tiny gargottes under the tracks of Yurakucho. The place is worth a visit on weekdays, when business people are present, and another on Sunday, when the streets are made for pedestrians and cyclists.

We begin by late afternoon in mid Sakuradamon Station (桜 田 门). Upon exit, we notice the huge moat of the palace of the emperor (皇居). Pine Forest takes a small mediterranean air at sunset. On the other side is the administrative district of Kasumigaseki (霞ヶ関), seat of the Japanese government. The former building of the Ministry of Justice (债务 所), built in 1895 by German architects (Boeckmann and Ende), then restored after the war, is just across the intersection. He now serves as a training center for the department. There are other buildings of this style in red brick, called "London Style": the inevitable Tokyo Station, and Classic Hotel ", and the building" Tokyo Bankers Club (东京 银行 协会) further north. The original facade was retained for the first floors, a modern tower was built above. The area of "Bankers Club is Otemachi (大 手 町). It is the seat of most Japanese media companies since 1957, when the government freed the land surrounding the occasion of his move to Kasumigaseki.

Sakuradamon Since you can reach Otemachi across the plaza outside the palace gardens (皇居 外 苑). The main plaza luxury of this space is indecent in a crowded city like Tokyo. The golden light of late afternoon is also good here. A complete tour of greenery can go through the Hibiya Park (日 比 谷 公园), a smaller version of Central Park New York, also surrounded by high buildings.

North of Hibiya Park, and south is the Otemachi business district of Marunouchi (丸の内). The word in Japanese means "inside the walls of the castle" so there are places that name in most cities that had a castle. Many daimyo, Japanese noblemen, had their headquarters during the Edo Era. After the Meiji Restoration, the land was bought by the company Mitsubishi, Marunouchi, and is now the seat of course many banks and traditional Japanese companies, some directly from the great noble houses. It is also best served the district: 11 of 14 subway lines in Tokyo have a break in the large square kilometer areas described here, in addition to very practical connections to both airports and the suburbs north and south the city. The architecture is stripped, resolutely square. The neon advertising PANELS, so common in other districts, are totally absent. The atmosphere is decidedly snobby: There's even a term "Marunouchi OL 'for female office workers of the district, the classic style but very elegant. "OL", or Office Ladies, means female employees in administrative and secretarial, sometimes with considerable responsibilities in the functioning of the company.

If the address is the most chic of Japan for an office, the district had a picture a little outdated and he blamed his lack of life until the mid 90s. Since a renovation plan was launched in 1996, major new buildings such as the Marunouchi Building or "Marubiru (丸ビル) were constructed. They gather, like all the new Tokyo Tower, offices and space "to live" with luxury shops and restaurants. The streets are no longer exclusively populated by "Salaryman," the Japanese employees of large groups, wearing a traditional black suit, white shirt and tie showing off a festival of gray and navy blue, their tone a bit somber face is called sakeyake (酒焼け), or "Tanned to alcohol," a consequence of decades of watered out with colleagues.

The most vibrant neighborhoods in Tokyo saw an international luxury hotel to be built, the "Park Hyatt" made famous by "Lost in Translation" in Shinjuku the "Ritz Carlton Tokyo" in the new round of "Tokyo Mid Town "at Akasaka . Marunouchi is no exception, with the installation of the "Peninsula Hotel", the famous chain of hotels in Hong Kong, near Yurakucho. The area also contains the prestigious Imperial Hotel " (帝国ホテル), one of three major traditional hotels in Tokyo (along the Okura and New Otani). I personally prefer traditional relaxing atmosphere often these institutions to their most typical Japanese design successors, especially as the New Otani Okura and others are often more affordable.

Let us now in the south around Marunouchi Yurakucho Station (有 楽 町). The Tokyo International Forum (東京 国際 フォ - ラム), a large modern building whose shape recalls a boat hull, certainly deserves a visit. For those who want to buy electronics, the "Big Camera" (ビックカメラ) near the station is as practical as Akihabara (秋叶原). Yurakucho has another face, with small restaurants Yakitori (焼 鸟), chicken skewers are best enjoyed in buveant alcohol, under the arches of the railway. The atmosphere is much more intimate than the large office buildings. Also popular walking a small hut at the foot of tall buildings offering of oden, a sort of stew, and where businessmen and bureaucrats bring a touch of warmth to their day.

On the other side of the railway line is Ginza (银座), or "coin silver", a reference to the workshop coinage that were there . This is traditionally the area of luxury clothing stores and accessories. Department stores are numerous. Mitsukoshi (三越) and Wako (和 光) are located near the intersection of Chuo Dori and 中央 通り Arumi Dori (晴海 通り). This intersection is the unofficial center of Ginza, the place where the postcards are made. It is also the business district showrooms. The most famous one, from Sony, is located on the crossroads of Sukiyabashi (数 奇 屋 桥).

night, the southern district, near Shinbashi, brings together the most fashionable hostesses in the city, easily recognizable in their evening dress. Westerners often misunderstand these facilities, which enable businessmen to discuss with gorgeous girls who sympathize with their plight without offering more intimate services. Damselflies best places to take their work seriously, and regularly potassent economy and business life to be sure to have the conversation. I bet that the subtle pleasure of discussing subprime hybrid engines or a girl caring and perfect forms is well worth the expensive prices of these institutions.

note, on a more classic, it's also a great place to find camera equipment used to eat sushi and (寿司), the fish market in Tsukiji (筑 地) is any close. It deserve another visit in the morning. Due to abuse, tourists can not go anywhere, but the atmosphere is worth the trip. The market will move on an artificial island Toyosu in 2012, and many fear that the unique atmosphere disappears in nouveaus premises, in addition to small merchants who can perhaps not afford the new rates.

Further south, the business district of Shinbashi (新桥), the oldest station in Tokyo, was an old image until a freight terminal RAIL be redeveloped into office area ultra- modern name Shiodome (汐 留). Some views of this relatively small area would not be displaced in a science fiction movie. The contrast is huge with the Tsukiji district, center of the huge fish market, located a few hundred meters, where the warehouses succeed in a friendly chaos. We will end this short journey in Shiodome, and discussed in future articles the many other interesting areas of downtown.

Some addresses

Tsubakiya Coffee (椿 屋 珈 琲) Tokyo, Chuo-ku, Ginza 7-7-11 Sugawara Denki Building 2-3F, 东京 都 中央 区 银座 7-7-11菅原電気 ビル 2.3 F tel: 03-3572-4949, open from 10:00 to 4:30 in the morning on weekdays and from 10:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday: a tea quite expensive, but one of the best places to observe the locals. Coffee from 880 Yen (5.50 Euro), lunch options from 1100 yen (6.8 Euros). Since Shinbashi, take the "Chuo Dori" north and turn left at the first small street after crossing the highway suspended. The tea house is about fifty yards on the right ( http://www.tsubakiya-coffee.com/ )

Ginza Rengatei (炼 瓦 亭) 东京 都 中央 区 银座 3-5-16 Ginza, Chuo-Ku Tokyo Tel: 03-3561-7258, open weekdays from 11: 15 to 14: 15 (last order), and 16: 40 to 20: 30 (last order) and Saturday 11: 15-14: 15 (last order), and 16: 40 to 20: 00 (last order): A Japanese restaurant offering traditional western-classic deep-fried cutlets (カツレツ from 1200 yen - 7.50 Euros) at the Japanese steak and Home Rice (オムライス, from 1250 yen - 7.80 Euros). They say they are the best in town. The restaurant is located in the block opposite the store Matsuya (Matsuya), dans une petite rue parallèle à la Chuo-Dori.

Lounge Faro Shiseido (Shiseidou Faro), Ginza 8-chome, Chuo-ku Tokyo Ginza Shiseido Building 8-3 11F, Tel: 03-3572-3922, ouvert de 11: 30 à 23: 00 du lundi au samedi, et de 11: 30 à 18: 00 les jours fériés. Un café tendance dans un décor blanc futuriste, avec une superbe vue sur le quartier, tout en haut du showroom de la marque Shiseido. On peut y faire un déjeuner ou un goûter agréable (formule boisson patisserie autour de 1500 Yens - 9.30 Euros). Le restaurants Shiseido Parlour (Shiseido Parlour) au 4ème étage du même complexe est un des endroits emblématiques de ginza, et sans doute le seul endroit de la ville qui propose des currys à plus de 10.000 Yens. ( http://www.shiseido.co.jp/faro/ ). Situé sur l'avenue Chuo-Dori dans le sud de Ginza près de Shinbashi

Umai Sushi-Kan (good sushi intuition), Etage B2 (sous-sol), Karetta Shiodome 1-8-2, Higashi Shinbashi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 〒 105-7090 1-8-2, Minato-ku Higashishinbashi Caretta Shiodome B2. The branch of the chain Umai Sushi-Kan in the district offers sushi from 1500 Yen (9.30 Euro) 3000 yen (18.60 Euros) per person for a meal. open from 11am to 23h on weekdays, and from 11h to 22h holidays ( http://www.sushikan.co.jp/ )

It is recommended to use the Yahoo sites Gourmet http://gourmet . yahoo.co.jp / or Gunavi http://www.gnavi.co.jp/ to find a restaurant or bar (site in Japanese). The restaurants in Tokyo and often change an address is quickly outdated.