Here are the latest openings, offerings, and events in Tokyo.
Planning Your Trip To Tokyo
The Japan National Tourist Organization has closed its Chicago office but still maintains offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, and other locations around the world (www.jnto.go.jp/eng/JNTO/whats_jnto).
Although nine cases of mad cow disease have been confirmed in Japan since its first outbreak in 2001, fears of the disease have receded since regulations went into effect stipulating that all slaughtered cows must be tested for the disease. Most restaurants specializing in beef that switched to other dishes following the initial scare have now resumed serving beef.
Getting from Narita Airport to Tokyo
Train reservations for the Narita Express (which travels between Narita airport and Tokyo Station) can be booked online at www.world.eki-net.com up to one month in advance.
Both the Tourist Information Center (TIC, managed by the Japan National Tourist Organization, tel. 03/3201-3331; www.jnto.go.jp/eng) and the Tokyo Tourist Information Center (operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, www.chijihonbu.metro.tokyo.jp/english), have moved out of their expensive digs in the Tokyo International Forum to opposite ends of town. The TIC moved just a short distance away to rather cramped quarters on the 10th floor of the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan Building at 2-10-1 Yurakucho, while the Tokyo Tourist Information Center is now ensconced in Shinjuku on the first floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 (which also has a great, free observatory on the 45th floor).
Neighborhoods In Brief
Several Tokyo neighborhoods have undergone wide-scale makeovers, most notably Roppongi, with its 28-acre Roppongi Hills filled with offices, shops, restaurants, apartments, a hotel, a sophisticated cinema complex, and an art museum. Other construction projects are under way or have been completed on land auctioned off by Japan National Railways, all located near major train stations, including Shinagawa, Shiodome (near Tokyo Bay), and Tokyo station.
Getting Around
Odaiba, a manmade island in Tokyo Bay and home to hotels, shopping complexes, several museums, and other attractions can now be reached not only by the Yurikamome Line monorail but also by the JR Saikyo Line (www.japan-guide.com/e/e2373.html) -- 18 minutes from Shibuya, and the Rinkai Line (click here) from Osaki Station.
Where To Stay
Although the local tax was abolished a couple years ago, Tokyo has since reinstated a hotel tax of ¥100 (85¢) per person per night for rates between ¥10,000 and ¥14,999 ($83-$125) and ¥200 ($1.65) for rates ¥15,000 and up.
Several long-time moderately priced hotels have closed in Tokyo, victims of the recession and unable to compete with more up-to-date additions. The list includes Hotel Alcyone in the Ginza, the Holiday Inn Tokyo near Nihombashi, and the Fairmont Hotel, with its enviable location on the palace moat.
On the other hand, several upper-end hotels have come onto the scene in the past 2 years, including the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, 1-1-1 Marunouchi (tel. 03/5222-7222; www.fourseasons.com) with a great location next to Tokyo Station; the Strings Hotel Tokyo, 2-16-1 Konan in Shinagawa (tel. 03/4562-1111; click here); and the Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi Hills (tel. 03/4333-1234; tokyo.grand.hyatt.com).
Where To Dine
Two fast-growing chains that you're likely to hear more about are those belonging to Wolfgang Puck, who in addition to his Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill in Roppongi Hills (tel. 03/5786-9630) plans to open 100 more outlets in Japan over the next 10 years; and to Global Dining, which has outlets for Gonpachi (Japanese cuisine), Zest Cantina (Tex-Mex), La Boheme (Italian), and Monsoon (Southeast Asian) at many hot spots around town, with all restaurants open daily 11:30am to 5am.
What To See & Do
With drills deep beneath the earth's crust releasing thermal waters right in the heart of Tokyo, Tokyoites no longer have to travel out of town to soak away their cares in hot-spring spas. Oedo-Onsen Monogatari on Odaiba (tel. 03/5500-1126) is designed like bathhouses of yore and features shops, restaurants, massage rooms, sand baths, indoor/outdoor baths, and saunas. Spa LaQua, 1-1-1 Kasuga (tel. 03/3817-4173) is a modern bathing facility next to Korakuen's Tokyo Dome City Complex and an adjoining amusement park.
After Dark
Nonexistent in Japan just a decade ago, cinema complexes have revived the film industry and now account for more than half the country's screens. One of the newest and plushest is Virgin Cinemas in Roppongi Hills (tel. 03/5775-6090), offering seven screens, plus a Premier Zone with armchair seating and a bar. Best of all: movies are shown to midnight Sunday to Wednesday and to 5am the rest of the week.