Restaurants, Bars and Cafés Beauty & Health Points of Interest

The very best of Old and New Tokyo Ginza (銀座), Marunouchi (丸の内) and Nihonbashi (日本橋) have maintained prestige and historical charm for decades, but they were in need of a serious revamp to compete with the newer neighborhoods on the other side of the city not three years ago. So, as always just in time in Tokyo, up went the grand Marunouchi Building (or just “Maru Biru” in the vernacular) quickly followed by the landmark Nihonbashi Takashimaya undergoing a major renovation. Designer stores like Chanel, Mikimoto and Hermès promptly followed with redefined versions of themselves, while restaurants and cafés sprung up here and there and… Voilá! Once again, as good as new, if not better.

La Chouette De Bonheure French This intimate restaurant sits rather inconspicuously on the 2nd floor of a building in Tsukiji, but the owner-chef's bright smile and the clean interior will transport you into another world for a few hours. The chef studied at a three-star restaurant in France for six years before coming home to open his own business. Courses from ¥4,200. Menu in French and Japanese. JFA Tsukiji Bldg. 2F, 2-12-16 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku 03-5565-8744 Station: Tsukiji (metro exit 2) more information...

Aux Bacchanales Ginza (オーバカナル　銀座店) café, boulangerie, brasserie This authentic replica of a French café open since 1995 is still a Tokyo favorite, with over 70 types of French breads, a dozen tarts, fresh sandwiches and a great atmosphere. They sometimes host special events and fairs, so check online regularly for updates. Menu in French, Japanese and some English. Gallery Center Bldg. 1F, 6-3-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku 03-3569-0202 Station: Ginza more information...

Breeze of Tokyo (ブリーズ・オブ・トウキョウ) fusion Modern fusion in a dimmed, sophisticated space 36 floors above Tokyo in the Maru Biru. Standing bar available. Recommended: reserve the table in the middle of the dining room for a group dinner and impress your mates. Courses from ￥8,400, an extensive a la carte menu also available. Menu in Japanese. ￥1,000 table charge applies to some bar tables. Marunouchi Bldg. 36F, 2-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku 03-5220-5551 Station: Tokyo (JR Marunouchi south exit, Yaesu south exit; Keiyo line exit 7), Nijubashimae (metro exits 4 and 7), Otemachi (metro exits D1, B1, A5), Yurakucho (JR International Forum exit; metro exit A3) more information...

Henri Charpentier tea salon, patisserie Classic French confections with a contemporary twist in a fuchsia-rose interior. Light foods are available, but make sure to try at least one of their unique and often playful desserts. Highly recommended is the Crêpe Suzette (￥1,575 for one serving, ￥2,940 for two): the servers put on a performance as they make it in front of you. Combining refined sugar with orange juice and butter over a hot pan, the thin crepes are warmed in the signature sauce. For the grand finale, Grand Marnier is added to the pan and flambéed. Afterwards, ask where the restrooms are as you'll definitely want to check them out. A visit to the Salon de Thé from about ￥2,500. Menu in Japanese and some French. 2-8-20 Ginza, Chuo-ku 03-3562-2721 Station: Ginza-Itchome (metro exit 9), Ginza (metro exit A13) more information...

Kyubei (久兵衛) sushi One of the most famous luxury sushi restaurants in Japan, this restaurant opened in 1935 and has been loved by many artists, writers, politicians and other high-profile celebs over the years. They were the first to serve uni and ikura as sushi, and continue to use an original shari (the rice part of nigiri-sushi) recipe that calls for salt and vinegar to be mixed in, but not the commonly used sugar. Dinner from about ￥20,000. Menu in Japanese. 8-7-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku 03-3571-6523 Station: Shinbashi (JR Ginza exit; metro exit 1) more information...

Maison Kayser at Coredo Nihonbashi (メゾンカイザー 日本橋) bakery and café Parisian newspaper Figaro ranked Maison Kayser's croissants #1 in France. The largest of the Japanese Maison Kayser branches, visitors of the Coredo Nihonbashi store will enjoy 'window shopping' these sweet and savory breads just as much as sampling them back at home (or at the adjoining café). Wine, cheese and deli foods available. Bakery is open early Monday through Saturday. Coredo Nihonbashi B1, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku 03-3516-0030 Station: Nihonbashi (metro, Toei Asakusa line exits B12, C1, C2), Mitsukoshimae (metro exit B6), Tokyo (JR Yaesu exit) more information...

Mariage Frères (マリアージュ　フレール) tea salon and shop At this famous French tea shop, over 500 types of teas from around the world are lined along the shelves on the wall in characteristic black and platinum-colored tins. At the Salon de Thé upstairs, savory French dishes (which incorporate tea into the recipe) and an array of desserts are available to accompany your tea. The boutique on the ground floor is a great place to pick up trinkets and gifts for tea aficionados. Menu in Japanese with some English. 5-6-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku 03-3572-1854 Station: Ginza (metro exit A1) more information...

Sant Pau (サンパウ) modern Spanish A branch of the Michelin three-star restaurant in Catalonia, Spain opened in the center of Tokyo in 2004. The lunch and dinner menus feature the same elaborate courses that are served at the original location that encourage slow dining, with the addition of a 'quick menu' during lunchtime. Elegant, modern interior that includes wine and cigar bars. Many ingredients and wines are directly imported from Catalonia. Dinner from about ￥18,000. Menu in Spanish, English and Japanese. Coredo Nihonbashi Annex, 1-6-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku Restaurant 03-3517-5 Station: Nihonbashi more information...

Senbikiya Nihonbashi Main Branch (千疋屋日本橋本店) fruit parlor, café, restaurant and gift shop Sky-high prices for fruit parfaits, juices, fresh fruits and more, but each delight is worth every yen as Senbikiya fruits are grown and served to perfection. Recommended: every Monday they host an all-you-can-eat fruit buffet (￥4,200, at the Fruit Parlor) featuring 20 types of premium fruits, their signature mango curry (among other savory dishes) and drinks. Make reservations early as these sittings often fill up a month or two in advance. Unlike the other Senbikiyas, fine dining is available at the Nihonbashi Main Branch at restaurant De-Meter. Recommended: the seasonal fruit parfaits, delicious and gorgeous. Café from about ￥1,500. Menu in Japanese. Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower 1-2F, 2-1-2 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku 03-3241-1630 Station: Mitsukoshimae (metro exits A4, A6, A8) more information...

Vionys (ヴォニス) Salon de Champagne A collection of 260+ bottles of champagne and over 50 of red and white wines. Every day there are four kinds of champagne available by the flute. With French-influenced dishes to whet your appetite for more, let the bubbly flow! Open for pre-or post-dinner toasts, or dinner itself. A glass of Champagne from ￥1,365. Food menu in Japanese, wine list in French. Ginza 8818 Bldg. 3F, 8-8-18 Ginza, Chuo-ku 03-5537-0700 Station: Ginza (metro exit A2), Shinbashi (metro exit 1; JR Ginza exit) more information...