A quick guide through my hotel room in Tokyo, with terrible commentary.
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The world’s most populous metropolitan area, Tokyo is the capital city of Japan and is home to more than 20 million people. The contribution that Tokyo has made towards global economic and technological development has been magnanimous. It is a truly global city – well managed, fast-paced, high-tech, extremely disciplined and has even been described by experts as a global economic command centre along with New York City and London. The traveller has an absolute plethora of activities and attractions to indulge themselves in during their visit to Tokyo. From historic sites and places of religious worship to totally high-tech modern day marvels, Tokyo will satisfy everyone. The city also features plenty of shopping and entertainment districts of which the Ginza is an important one. The Ginza District is the most popular high-class shopping, entertainment and dining district of Tokyo with hundreds of boutiques, department stores, restaurants, pubs, cafes, night clubs, art galleries and much more. The Ginza is frequented by Tokyo’s elite and almost all members of the city’s rich and the famous fraternity could be regularly seen here. The Ginza features several interesting spots. This includes the Ginza Wako clock tower which is also the symbol of the Ginza District and the Sony Building featuring the latest developments in the Sony product line including televisions, mobile phones and computers. The Kabukiza Theatre located at the Ginza presents shows of the ancient art of Kabuki throughout the year. The Ginza also features many department stores such as the Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, Matsuzakaya, Printemps, Hankyu and Seibu offering a myriad of products ranging from high-class branded garments to electronic items. Located adjacent to the Tokyo Station and surrounded by some of Tokyo’s most popular shopping areas the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo is the latest property offering the signature comforts of the Shangri-La brand. The Tokyo luxury hotel promises its guests elegant living standards, total relaxation and a level of service that can seldom be matched by any other Tokyo hotel.
Hanami or Sakura viewing is a Japanese ritual where they gather around famous parks and gardens to behold the spectacle of flowering Sakura trees. Sakura is the flower of cherry trees otherwise known as cherry blossoms. The locals would sit around green turfs and watch hundreds and thousands of cherry trees wrapped in pastel pink Sakura, fluttering in the wind. Just as much as Sakura is a part of Japanese culture so are their traditional gardens, welcoming you to a world brimming with serenity, allure and bliss. Amidst the bullet trains and soaring concrete giants, Tokyo too is speckled with lush greenery, becoming mini oases to escape the fast paced lifestyle. These strikingly landscaped gardens feature verdant turfs and multicoloured flowering trees and shrubs, surrounding serene lakes and ponds. One of the interesting gardens in Tokyo is Hama-Rikyu Sunken Garden, nestled at the river mouth of Sumida River in the Chuo Ward of Tokyo. This scenic garden is surrounded by the Shiori Pond, a seawater pond that rises and recedes in sync with the Tokyo Bay’s tides. The famous Shinjuku Gyoen, the national garden, is a harmonious blend of English, French and Japanese landscaping styles. This beautiful garden rests in Shinjuku Ward, famous as a major administrative and commercial hub of Tokyo. You could see a wide variety of cherry trees, chrysanthemums as well as vivid hydrangea, blooming in their respective flowering seasons. The Koto Ward of Tokyo boasts of another stunning Japanese garden called the Kiyosumi Teien. Impressive landscape stones brought from many parts of Japan adorn this garden and its large pond. Stone trails falling across the pond invites you for a mindful walk, where you can capture the glimpses of swimming fishes and wading turtles. Gardening enthusiasts would definitely enjoy a tour in Jindai Botanical Garden, perched at the corner of Musashino Plateau in Chofu City in Tokyo. This botanical garden houses around 100,000 florae of over 4000 species. From roses to Sakura, peonies to azalea you are bound to be lost in a paradise of gorgeous flowers. Sit on the lush turfs and let yourself inhale some fresh air. Absorb the sweet fragrances of blooming flowers and fill your eyes with the exquisite beauty of nature. A visit to these picturesque gardens in Tokyo is a must in your Tokyo sightseeing itinerary. You can stay at a Tokyo luxury hotel like the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo set in the heart of Tokyo in Chiyoda-ku. This elegant Tokyo hotel sits next to the Tokyo Station that will connect you with other cities via its bullet trains. You can also explore other tourist attractions in Tokyo easily from here, while being pampered with Shangri-La’s unrivalled hospitality.
Tokyo is speeding towards the future at break neck speeds, fashion gets outdated as fast as it’s taken off the rack, and advances in technology are profound and hurried in this dynamic economy. The obsession locals have with all these new trends is never ending; their passion for all things strange and exotic is world famous. And yet with everything newfangled comes a deep sense of belonging and tradition. The true essence and unbridled energy of this triumphant city comes from its ability to stick its feet firmly to the ground whilst pointing their heads towards the sky. Just as you would expect to see the latest pop culture emerge from Tokyo, you can expect to find hidden pockets of shrines and traditional spiritualism in its deepest form just about everywhere. Tokyo is something to be experienced; and this Asian delight holds a suitcase full of mementos that will last you a life time. Setting the stage for some of Tokyo’s greatest performers from sports to singers is the Tokyo Dome City. Opened in 1998, this stadium is the first of its kind to reach the city. Baseball is a favoured sport here and on average 60 games takes place in the stadium every year for the delight of locals and tourists alike. Taking in to consideration concerts can also be held at this venue, the Tokyo Dome City has seen the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson and the Backstreet Boys. Hosting also an array of exhibitions right through out the year, the stadium has something going on every day of the year. Tokyo Dome City also features an amusement park with rollercoaster rides and bowling alleys, ensuring a great day out for the family. And for a little probing in to the history of Japanese baseball, one can visit The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. A lesser known fact about Japanese baseball is that it began in the 1950s and today has become very much a large part of their culture. Complementing the museum is the Baseball Café that serves a delightful array of steaks, burghers and beers to appease the taste buds. Looking for that ideal Tokyo hotel? Accommodation options in this beehive of a city are in abundance, but finding that ideal hotel in Tokyo to meet your needs is a must. Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo is a famous Tokyo luxury hotel that provides some of the finest dining, fitness, spa and accommodation options. Be indulgent and make a booking with this fine Tokyo hotel, and be rest assured that your needs will be met, time and time again. |
Tokyo City
September 10, 2010, 6:41 pm
 Partly sunny 27°Creal feel: 27°C
current pressure: 1010 mb
humidity: 65%
wind speed: 6 m/s S
wind gusts: 6 m/s
sunrise: 5:20
sunset: 17:56
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