Restaurants, Bars and Cafés Beauty & Health Points of Interest

From world-class exhibitions to the latest blockbuster movie stars, Tokyo is on everybody's agenda. Why? Because this is the most exciting city in the world! The following are a few of our favorite spots in town; the places that make Tokyo our own.

Tsutaya Tokyo Roppongi (ツタヤ　六本木ヒルズ店) video rental Just a video rental shop? Think again. This is a Tsutaya like no other; on the ground floor, flip through their vast collection of English and Japanese magazines and books while sitting comfortably on a sofa with your favorite Starbucks drink in-hand (the coffee shop is located within the bookstore). Or, visit the second floor to browse through their CD (rental/sale) and DVD (rental/sale); all of their rental CD's can be listened to before you decide to take it home. Everything that meets the eye--from the box you return your CD's to the wrapping paper for gifts have been intricately crafted by the popular art director Kashiwa Sato, to give this store a unique, new hip feel. Those with easier access to Tokyo Midtown might want to check out the newly opened Tsutaya Music Store ( 03-5413-3773) and Tsutaya Book Store (03-5413-3774)--here, too, you are invited to listen to CDs while sipping on a cup of jo. Roppongi Hills Roppongi Keyakizaka-Dori 6-11-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku 03-5775-1515 Station: Azabu-Juban (metro exit 7) more information...

Hasegawa liquor shop A good selection of quality Japanese spirits like sake and shochu (焼酎, Japanese vodka), as well as wine. Small store but friendly, consistent service. Check the website for other locations in the city. Open year-round. 2-2-7 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku 03-5439-9498 Station: Azabu-Juban (metro exit 4) more information...

TOHO CINEMAS Roppongi Hills (東宝シネマ　六本木ヒルズ) movie theater multiplex Conveniently located in Roppongi Hills, not only does this multiplex show 10 films on average on any given day of the week, they also hold special showings for mothers' with small babies called "Mama's Club Theater" (where both lights and sound are at baby-friendly levels), special weekend movie-thons, and a Premier Screen with reclining seats and enough leg room space that will challenge any home-theater in comfort and quality. Recommended: women, get in for matinee prices every week! Every Wednesday is "Ladies' Day", allowing women to see however many movies they want to see for ￥1,000 a screening, all day. Check website for details and show times. Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Complex Bldg. 6-10-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku 03-5775-6090 Station: Roppongi (metro exit 1C; Toei Oedo line exit 3), Azabu-Juban (metro exit 4; Toei Oedo line exit 3), Nogizaka (metro exit 3) more information...

Tokyo City View (東京シティービュー) observation deck On the top floor of the weighty Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, a breathtaking panoramic view of Tokyo awaits, day and night. Watching the city lights glitter like stars beneath you is especially impressive from twilight to midnight. Recommended: capture the moment with a fish-eye photograph of you and your party against the city (placed to include Tokyo Tower) at ‘Tokyo Sky Shot.’ The photograph is digital, so you buy it only if it is to your liking (￥1,200 per photo). Admission is￥1,500 for adults (discount adult admission with Roppongi Hills member’s card), ￥1,000 for students and ￥500 for those up until 4th grade. Information available in English, Korean and Chinese. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 52F, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku 03-6406-6652 Station: Roppongi (metro exit 1C; Toei Oedo line exit 3), Azabu-Juban (metro exit 4; Toei Oedo line exit 3), Nogizaka (metro exit 3) more information...

Hibiya Koen (日比谷公園) park This was the first western-style park in Tokyo, and serves as a kind of Central Park to the city. Though not nearly as big as the one in New York, you’ll still find joggers, business people on their lunch breaks, grandma and grandpa taking walks and children feeding the pigeons. Its proximity to Ginza makes for a nice rest stop after a day of shopping or running errands. Free entry. Hibiya Koen, Chiyoda-ku 03-3501-6428 Station: Kasumigaseki (metro), Hibiya (Toei Mita line, metro), Yurakucho (JR), Sakuradamon (metro) more information...

Sony Building (ソニービル　銀座) showrooms Experience the newest Sony technologies. With eight stories above ground and three below―including cafés, restaurants and Sony Plaza shopping stores that sell non-Sony products―there’s something for everyone. Recommended: the stairs connecting floors B1 and 1 make piano sounds as you walk on them. 5-3-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku 03-3573-2371 Station: Ginza (metro exit B9) more information...

Hamarikyu Onshi Teien (浜離宮恩賜庭園) park Row, row, row your boat gently down Sumidagawa River via the Sumidagawa Boat Cruise, then get off at Hamarikyu station for a walk through the park complete with a tea house in the middle of the pond. A great way to entertain out-of-towners, or as a spot to rest the soul when you've had a bit too much of city life. Home to the Sanbyakunen no Matsu (三百年の松, the 300-year-old pine tree). Entrance to the park is ￥300 for adults. For the boat cruise, check website for schedules and prices. Hamarikyu Teien, Chuo-ku 03-3541-0200 Station: Park Shiodome (Oedo line exit 10) Boat Cruise Asakusa more information...

Tokyo International Forum (東京国際フォーラム) convention center A grand, maritime-inspired sculpture of a building encasing meeting halls, convention centers, small theaters, cafés, restaurants and gift shops. A must for architecture buffs, but nevertheless a magnificent sight for most everyone. Free entry, although most events within the different halls require tickets. 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku 03-5221-9000 Station: Yurakucho (JR International Forum exit; metro exit A4b) more information...

Illums Ikebukuro (イルムズ　池袋) interior shop, select shop Stylish tableware, bath goods, furniture, fabric and stationary from Scandinavia. Room and table settings are displayed on the second floor. Also available: a casual tableware line from famed porcelain company Royal Copenhagen, and original bone china by designer Thorson Torlop. 1-28-1 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-5949-5535 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit; metro exit 34) more information...

Sunshine Starlight Dome Manten (サンシャインスターライトドーム満天) planetarium Gaze upon over 400,000 twinkling stars in downtown Ikebukuro. There are usually a few different programs each day, one of them called a ‘healing program,’ synchronizing various aromatic effects and sounds with the view above. Many programs often feature famous musicians and composers as music supervisors. Recommended: the place is a bit difficult to find and you cannot make a reservation beforehand, so give yourself plenty of time to get there. Prices vary according to program, check website or call for details. Sunshine City World Import Mart Bldg. Top Floor, 3-1-3 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3989-3546 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit; metro exit 35) more information...