Amanogawa (天の川) Sake Bar - Shinjuku

While in Tokyo everyone seems to be looking for the 'real Japan'. One such gem is a great little sake bar in the heart of Shinjuku's business district inside a hotel.

While I normally like to recommend places that are not simply an elevator ride from your room, Amanogawa is worth it even if you are not staying at the hotel where it is located - Keio Plaza.

This tiny 10 seat sake bar is actually inside of one of the hotels restaurants Kagari on the 2nd floor of their main tower. In light of the size of the space and the fact that it is only open from 5PM - 10:30PM, I would encourage you to make a reservation in advance.

This distinctive sake bar featuring some 40 different brands of sake from producers nationwide and with a resident sake sommelier on site Masaki Tada, you will be able to pair sakes with some specially prepared Japanese items or simply enjoy the sake on its own. Under the care of Mr. Tada, everyone from a novice to a seasoned sake aficionado can find something to suit their palette.

So after a long day of sightseeing, shopping or business meetings head over to Amanogawa for a real treat.

All the best...Mark

Capitol Hotel Tokyu ( 東急ホテルズ) to open newly contructed hotel in Tokyo October 2010

Looking for the next great hotel property to stay at on your next trip to Tokyo this fall????

Tokyu Hotels, Co., Ltd., recently announced that The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, its new flagship hotel in Tokyo, will open its doors October 22, 2010.

The hotel is a new property located on the same grounds as the former Capitol Hotel Tokyu in Tokyo's Akasaka district.

The new twenty-nine story building with 251 rooms, 13 suites, 5 restaurants and bars, plus banquet space, pool and fitness center will be one of the most luxurious hotels in Tokyo, will be situated very close to four different subway lines and just a short distance from the Prime Minister's Official Residence and the Hie Shrine.

The Capitol Hotel Tokyu's latticework-inspired exterior design and new construction conjures up a more traditional Japanese aesthetic and was designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma.

Address: 2-10-3, Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo



Guest rooms: 251 rooms Deluxe King (45 m2), Premier Corner Twin (57 m2), Premier King (63 m2), Executive Suite (102 m2), Garden Suite (108 m2), Sanno Suite (180 m2),The Capitol Suite (218 m2)Library Lounge (for guests staying on the Club floor, floors 27-29, and in the suites)

For those who had stayed at the Capitol Tokyu in the past and came to expect a superior level of service and amenities this latest offering is sure to meet and exceed your expectations.

Check out their web site: www.capitolhoteltokyu.com

All the best....Mark