Marie Claire Australia — June 2017

marieclaire.com.au 183

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT... a walk through Shimokitazawa.

This small, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood (left), just a quick train ride from

Shibuya, is a creative enclave filled with second-hand shops, record stores, bars,

cafes and budget eats. It’s unpretentious, cool and full of discoveries.

WHERE

TO EAT/

DRINK

A little off the beaten track,

this design-centric stay is

one of the most interesting

experiments in Tokyo-cool.

There are 20 unique rooms,

all individually appointed

with some of the more spacious

offerings in this per-square-

metre obsessed city. And you

don’t have to leave the place for

a full design experience thanks

to the on-site shop, gallery and

French-inclined restaurant.

claska.com/en

Seemingly a world away from

the fast-paced streets of Tokyo

just at the doorstep, Hoshinoya

serves up relaxation with a

distinctly Japanese flavour.

Traditional tatami matted

floors, futons and seriously-

soaking tubs transport you

to a Zen-like space. Again,

try Expedia for good rates;

expedia.com.au.

hoshinoyatokyo.com/en

Number eight in the World’s

50 Best Restaurants list and

recommended by Australian

super-chef Neil Perry, this

swanky eatery alone is worth

travelling to Tokyo for. The

seasonal menu is expertly

crafted to each customer

and the 10-course degustation

experience is utterly

unparalleled. Bookings

are essential.

narisawa-yoshihiro.com

CLASKA

NARISAWA

Fans of the whimsical and

wicked childish figures that

appear in artist Yoshitomo

Nara’s works (left) will love

this cafe-cum-gallery filled with

tables, prints and installations

dedicated to his weird and

wonderful world. A perfect place

to re-energise after a shopping

spree in well-heeled

Omotesando.^

atozcafe.exblog.jp

A TO Z CAFE

It might be named New York,

but this bar (above) couldn’t

exist anywhere else but Tokyo –

it’s an unforgettable place to

toast an unforgettable city. Settle

at the bar, listen to the jazz and

watch the endless twinkling

of city lights stretching out

52 storeys under you.

tokyo.park.hyatt.com/en

NEW YORK BAR

HOSHINOYA TOKYO

LIFESTYLE