WHEN TO GO & WHERE TO STAY: TOKYO
WHEN TO GO
I’ve been at the peak of cherry blossom season in April (which does vary), May and I’ve been in late October.
So I can’t speak to the other months. The weather and surrounding flora were wonderful when I was there. The Japanese love flowers: whether inside in spectacular arrangements...
or outside in parks and pots.
One thing to keep in mind: when does it get dark at the time you are visiting? In spring I had until 7pm to explore and it made a real difference. More recently there into early November, suddenly the sun dipped at 4:45pm which was a distinct marker and forced me to be super efficient about my day’s planning.
WHERE TO STAY
I’ve stayed in three different hotels, all wonderful. If you can swing it, a five star hotel is huge difference than a four star one. We stayed once in a four star and it was so jammed with tourists who were on group tour bus trips that the lobby and restaurant were always unpleasantly jammed. (Granted I was there during cherry blossom seasons.)
I was lucky enough to stay at the luxurious The Park Hyatt on my first trip. I’ll never forget walking into its lobby, fresh off the 14 hour plane ride and seeing a pink and white flower blossom floating in water with a delicate green tendril. And I took its picture. My first of hundreds to come.
If you like to swim, then its dimly lit, expansive indoor pool is like a balm. You can make a reservation and be sure to have entire lane all to yourself.
The location, smack in the elegant Roppongi Hills shopping complex offers much eating and shopping choices in inclement weather. Recently reopening, I’m sure it will be as iconic as ever.
This hotel begins on the 36th floor of a soaring skyscraper, so you are met with unparalleled views from check in. The bar is super glamorous and there’s a contained intimacy of the whole place. Set in a quietly upscale neighborhood, surrounded by embassies and gardens.
Just delightful and I loved its location right next to the Imperial Palace gardens. It's in the heart of the financial district but a short walk to the train station (key if you’re going to take trips outside the city!) and the little luxury boutiques of Marunouchi.
