Tokyo Trippin’

We headed to the Land of the Rising Sun for a frenzied week of shopping,
sushi and sake.

stay
Built in the 70s, Hotel
Okura in the Akasaka district is old-school Japan at its best. The
ultra-attentive staff (including kimono-clad elevator assistants) can
help you get to the best shops or book a bullet train to Kyoto. Pressed
cotton kimonos are laid out on the bed every afternoon: Call up for a
soothing in-room massage (6200). Hotel Okura Tokyo, 2-10-4 Toranomon,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan, + 81 (3) 3582-0111, www.okura.com

shop
The question is, where cant you shop? In a city
where Louis Vuittons are as prominent as Starbucks, youll need the
self-discipline of a samurai not to spend, spend, spend. Walk along
Harajuku street, lined with avant-garde shops and teens dressed in wild
anime costumes, and at the end find a Marc by Marc Jacobs shop carrying
Little Marc, mens clothing, sunglasses, and an extensive selection of
bags, shoes and watches. 4-25-18 Jinuumae Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, +03
5772 5561, www.marcjacobs.com

shop More
For trendy yet practical pieces at a
decent price point, we headed to Beams, a Japanese lifestyle chain. We
scooped up a house label plaid top (all the rage in Japan right now)
with a cinched waist for 15000. www.beams.co.jp

eat
Located in the ultra modern Conrad
Hotel (the abstract lobby sculptures alone are worth the visit), we
headed straight to the 28th floor for a table at chef terrible Gordon
Ramsays casual brasserie, Cerise. The three-course menu with wine
pairings (8000) had us feasting on crab salad with whipped avocado,
braised lamb and a rich chocolate torte with salty caramel gelato.

see
For a calming afternoon activity, visit the
pristine East Garden at the Imperial Palace (the Emperor and his family
reside on the grounds). With its meticulous landscaping, Bonsai trees
and soothing Koi fish pond, youd never guess that thousands pass through
this garden everyday. Free admission, closed Mondays and Fridays, access
from Otemachi Station and Tokyo Station.