Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Summer 2013 - (Page 72)

local knowledge Generally, the expense depends on the quality of the product used. Teppanyaki can be quite pricey if you elect to enjoy Japan’s finest beefs; kaiseki is Japan’s traditional dining style featuring a multicourse experience; ramen is a favorite for the locals and one of Japan’s proudest creations. Find a shop with a counter, pay a small fee and enjoy the best noodles of your life. What can I eat in Tokyo that I won’t find outside of Japan? An experience that you cannot have anywhere else in the world is a sushi breakfast from Tsukiji market. Tsukiji is definitely the pinnacle of all fish markets worldwide, and after enjoying the auction a must is a sushi breakfast to enjoy the bounty of the Japanese waters. What is the most romantic neighborhood in Tokyo to share with my wife and have a meal? Yokohama is a magical place for couples. It is a very easy trip from Tokyo on a rapid express train (30 minutes) and here you can enjoy another world. Don’t miss a romantic stroll along the promenade in the evening and enjoy the beautiful lights of the city. A short walk from The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo is the charming neighborhood of Aoyama. Quaint shops, cafes and homes line the streets. Find your way to Aoyama Laputa for a cool, relaxing seat by the rooftop pool to finish the perfect night. Where can I catch a glimpse of old Tokyo — narrow streets, traditional restaurants, no neon? Shibamata is a bit off the beaten path and not in all the guidebooks. As one of Tokyo’s most historical shitamachi areas (traditional downtown), it is full of local flair and conjures thoughts of times past. Yanaka remains a residential district where many locals live, and visitors can observe the ongoing daily activities and trades carried out in the district market. Indeed, the unique shitamachi character that the area exudes attracts many domestic tourists as well. 72 w w w. r i t z c a r lt o n . c o m My children love Japanese manga comics. Where in Tokyo can I take them to buy comics and learn more about the history of manga? The Akihabara district is an attack on the senses, and here you’ll find the Tokyo Anime Center, which is a “don’t miss” for anime fans. Also, the Fujio “Doraemon” Museum has a very good interactive history of manga. I know that fashion in Tokyo is always changing. What is fashionable for young women at the moment, and where can I buy some of it to bring home to my teenage daughter? Fashion is one of Tokyo’s most expressive art forms. Get lost in the lanes of Harajuku to see the young people in their most cutting-edge attire or check out the traditional ladies in their finest kimonos if you are lucky enough to witness a Japanese wedding. We’d like to take a day trip outside of the city to see nature and, hopefully, some temples. Where would you suggest we go? Kamakura is the spot for you for this one. A quick one-hour trip away you find Kamakura nestled against the sea. Be sure to see the amazing Buddha and get lost in the natural trails surrounding the city. If you are feeling extra adventurous, get on a board and catch some Japanese waves. Is it worth getting up at 4 a.m. to go see the Tsukiji Fish Market? What goes on there? This is absolutely not to be missed. It is true that to catch the action you need to wake up before the sun, but if your internal alarm clock fails you, don’t worry and head down there a bit later. Just be careful of the forklifts that buzz around like bees. Where should I go shopping to find wonderful presents for my friends — anything from kimonos to confectionary — that they wouldn’t be able to find back home? Asakusa is home to a very historical temple, but the streets are lined with some of the most interesting shops Tokyo has to offer. The street is only 250 meters long and makes for a great souvenir scavenger hunt. http://WWW.RITZCARLTON.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Summer 2013

Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Summer 2013
Contents
Contributors
Editor’s Letter
President’s Letter
Falling in Love With … New Orleans
Design
Technology
On the Boulevards
Shopping
Jewelry
Watches
Family
Local Knowledge
Sports
Cancun
Doha
Fashion
Culinary
Let Us Stay with You
Heritage

Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Summer 2013