Marie Claire Australia — June 2017

marieclaire.com.au 185

HAFUU

In this unassuming,

pint-sized restaurant,

world-class wagyu beef

is the order of the day. Pull

up a chair at the counter

for a front-row view of the

chefs, and ask for the

tasting menu for a protein-

packed meal to remember.

hafuu.com

WHERE

TO STAY

The Screen is a “personalised”

boutique hotel with just 13

rooms, all designed by the

likes of famous kimono creator

Jotaro Saito and artist Tetsuei

Nakamura. It’s modern pared-

back sophistication at its

best. Visit Expedia to

book; expedia.com.au.

screen-hotel.jp/en

Is this a bookshop or a bedsit?

Hard to tell, which is half the

charm of this stay (left) in the

heart of Gion. It’s packed with

more than 3500 books, so

you’re sure to find a bedtime

story before you turn in behind

one of the blue curtains that

conceal capsule-like rooms.

bookandbedtokyo.com/en

Travellers to Kyoto often check into

one of the many traditional ryokans –

Japanese-style guesthouses with futons,

tatami matts and small boutique service.

They range from budget to luxury and

are the ultimate way to be immersed

in Japanese culture. But contemporary

options abound as well, with perfectly

appointed modern twists making your

stay all the more comfortable.

THE SCREEN

BOOK AND BED

WHERE

TO EAT/

DRINK

BAR K6

Fancy sampling local Kyoto

craft brews? What about

a selection of sakes? Bar

K6 is a great little spot to

mingle with locals and

see Kyoto’s night-life.

ksix.jp

PHOTOGRAPHED BY GETTY IMAGES; SORYOFU/JNTO; COURTESY OF BOOK AND BED HOTEL KYOTO. TEXT BY CLAIRE PATIENCE

TRAVEL TIPS

WHEN TO GO

Transitional seasons work best in

Japan. Spring – from March to May

• is prime cherry-blossom season,
  but also peak tourist time. Autumn,
  from September to November,
  is equally beautiful.

FLY QANTAS

With daily flights from Sydney

to Haneda, and Melbourne and

Brisbane to Narita, Qantas goes

the extra mile with business class

customers enjoying Rockpool

menus designed by Neil Perry.

qantas.com

THE TEMPLES

You’re here for the temples, right?

If you only have a day up your

sleeve, start with a visit to the iconic

Kinkaku-ji temple (below), known

as the Golden Pavilion. It attracts

crowds all year round so arriving

early is key. Round off the day with

a trip to the Daitoku-ji temple, which

is surrounded by a calming Zen

garden, and Honen-in with its

lush moss-covered gate.

DO NOT MISS...