nightlife and entertainment
Traditional theatre
Kabukiza
4-12-15 Ginza
Chuo-ku
Tel: +81 (03) 3541-3131
Higashi Ginza station (Hibiya line)
One of Japan’s most iconic images is the Kabuki. But this 18th-century dramatic form can be an acquired taste. The huge stage, ritual gestures, heavy costumes and plangent choruses accompanied by shamisen (a three-string lute-like instrument) make this an art-form some love and others loathe. And yet its symbols continue to reflect life in Japan.
The National Noh Theatre
4-18-1 Sendagaya
Shibuya-ku
Tel: +81 (03) 3423-1331
Shibuya station (Ginza & other lines)
The Noh, a form that dates from the 13th or 14th century (depending on one’s source), has its roots in the ancient dances and rites of a lost Japan. It may be the country’s supreme art form but it also sends most audiences to sleep. However, to doze off is considered the height of good form, provided you awaken before the climax. Those who enjoy the austere Noh tend not to become fans of the more flamboyant Kabuki—the one is aristocratic, the other plebeian.
Classical music and Western opera
Suntory Hall
1-13-1 Akasaka
Minato-ku
Tel: +81 (03) 3584-3100
Roppongi I-chome station (Namboku & other lines)
Website
A fine selection of classical music performances takes place in the two halls of this prestigious venue, located within the Ark Hills complex. The venue's roof is covered with a verdant garden, shrubs and small trees, and serves as a bird sanctuary. The small and quiet terraced squares nearby afford pleasant walks, but the sanctuary itself is closed to the public—it is strictly for the birds.
Tokyo Opera City
3-2-2 Nishi Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku
Tel: +81 (03) 5353-0770
Hatsudai station (New Keio line from Shinjuku)
Website
This new high-tech concert facility in Shinjuku offers a diverse programme of classical music and opera. Box office hits include Kent Nagano, Sir Simon Rattle, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Yo-Yo Ma. The opera house is part of a large business and commercial complex.
Casals Hall
Nihon Daigaku Casals Hall
Kanda Surugadai 1-6
Chiyoda-Ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 3294-1229
Ochanomizu station (JR line)
This superb concert hall, on a university campus in the Ochanomizu district, is well worth a visit. Try to get tickets for one of its chamber music events or small recitals.
Favourite bars
Blue Note Tokyo
Raika Building
Minami Aoyama 6-3-16
Minato Ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 5485-0088
Omotesando station (Hanzomon and Ginza lines)—but better take a cab from Shibuya or Roppongi
Website
The Blue Note was established in Tokyo barely 15 years ago, and it relies on a tradition of visiting celebrity musicians to fill its stage. Oscar Peterson, Maceo Parker and Doctor John have all played here, and luminaries still visit. Entrance and a drink will typically set you back around ¥l0,000. Call in advance to find out who is performing; ticket prices may vary.
Bluestone Bar
6-4-14 Minami Aoyama
Minato-Ku
Tel: +81 (03) 5485-0818
Omotesando station (Hanzomon and Ginza lines)—or take a cab from Shibuya or Roppongi
A wonderfully intimate lounge just behind the Blue Note. Trendy residents of the Aoyama area head to Bluestone for unique, fruit-filled cocktails and achingly cool music and decor. The bar fills up swiftly, and in the summer patrons spill out on to the street.
Heartland
1F Roppongi Hills West Walk
6-10-1
Roppongi Minato-ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 5772 7600
Roppongi station
Nestled under the Roppongi Hills complex, Heartland has developed a faithful following among the foreign banking crowd. On warm nights the crowd spills out onto the terrace.
New York Bar
Park Hyatt Tokyo
52nd floor, 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 5323-3458
Shinjuku station (Marunouchi & other lines)
After a starring role in the film “Lost in Translation”, this hotel bar is more popular than ever. Sniff, swirl and sip premium brandies and cognacs while enjoying unsurpassed views of the city below. You will be in good company: connoisseur drinkers, earnest sommeliers and live jazz musicians every night.
Orchid Bar
Hotel Okura
Toranomon 2-10-4
Minato-Ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 3582-0111
Toranomon station (Ginza line)
This is quite simply the oldest bar in town, beloved of American dignitaries, businessmen, visiting lobbyists and incognito government stiffs. The interior was redone a decade ago, with horrendous results (see: stained glass), but the name still draws.
The Peak Bar
Park Hyatt Tokyo
41st floor, 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 5323-3458
Shinjuku station
The Peak Bar offers a quiet escape from the chaos below. It's a lesser-known spot. Most punters head up a few floors to the more heralded New York Bar. Here the views are the same, but for the fifty washi paper lanterns that help create a soothing blur of colour and a rare corner of peace. Bookings are essential.
Soft
B1, 3-1-9 Shibuya
Shibuya-ku
Tel: +81 (03) 5467-5817
Shibuya station (Ginza & other lines)
For a glimpse at Japan's avant-garde, try Soft in Shibuya. Expect an odd fusion of unusual design (a maze of outsized chairs, small doorways) and a good choice of imported beers. A live DJ spins at weekends.
Tokyo Salon
5-47-6 Jingumae
Shibuya-ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 3407-5028
Open: 8pm-late, daily
Omotesando station
This is one of the city's most fashionable (and attractive) bars. There are dark wooden antiques, an adjoining tatami room, and an outdoor deck where you can drink under a lush cherry-blossom tree. The wines are predominately French and the cocktails are generous.
Kabukiza
4-12-15 Ginza
Chuo-ku
Tel: +81 (03) 3541-3131
Higashi Ginza station (Hibiya line)
One of Japan’s most iconic images is the Kabuki. But this 18th-century dramatic form can be an acquired taste. The huge stage, ritual gestures, heavy costumes and plangent choruses accompanied by shamisen (a three-string lute-like instrument) make this an art-form some love and others loathe. And yet its symbols continue to reflect life in Japan.
The National Noh Theatre
4-18-1 Sendagaya
Shibuya-ku
Tel: +81 (03) 3423-1331
Shibuya station (Ginza & other lines)
The Noh, a form that dates from the 13th or 14th century (depending on one’s source), has its roots in the ancient dances and rites of a lost Japan. It may be the country’s supreme art form but it also sends most audiences to sleep. However, to doze off is considered the height of good form, provided you awaken before the climax. Those who enjoy the austere Noh tend not to become fans of the more flamboyant Kabuki—the one is aristocratic, the other plebeian.
Classical music and Western opera
Suntory Hall
1-13-1 Akasaka
Minato-ku
Tel: +81 (03) 3584-3100
Roppongi I-chome station (Namboku & other lines)
Website
A fine selection of classical music performances takes place in the two halls of this prestigious venue, located within the Ark Hills complex. The venue's roof is covered with a verdant garden, shrubs and small trees, and serves as a bird sanctuary. The small and quiet terraced squares nearby afford pleasant walks, but the sanctuary itself is closed to the public—it is strictly for the birds.
Tokyo Opera City
3-2-2 Nishi Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku
Tel: +81 (03) 5353-0770
Hatsudai station (New Keio line from Shinjuku)
Website
This new high-tech concert facility in Shinjuku offers a diverse programme of classical music and opera. Box office hits include Kent Nagano, Sir Simon Rattle, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Yo-Yo Ma. The opera house is part of a large business and commercial complex.
Casals Hall
Nihon Daigaku Casals Hall
Kanda Surugadai 1-6
Chiyoda-Ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 3294-1229
Ochanomizu station (JR line)
This superb concert hall, on a university campus in the Ochanomizu district, is well worth a visit. Try to get tickets for one of its chamber music events or small recitals.
Favourite bars
Blue Note Tokyo
Raika Building
Minami Aoyama 6-3-16
Minato Ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 5485-0088
Omotesando station (Hanzomon and Ginza lines)—but better take a cab from Shibuya or Roppongi
Website
The Blue Note was established in Tokyo barely 15 years ago, and it relies on a tradition of visiting celebrity musicians to fill its stage. Oscar Peterson, Maceo Parker and Doctor John have all played here, and luminaries still visit. Entrance and a drink will typically set you back around ¥l0,000. Call in advance to find out who is performing; ticket prices may vary.
Bluestone Bar
6-4-14 Minami Aoyama
Minato-Ku
Tel: +81 (03) 5485-0818
Omotesando station (Hanzomon and Ginza lines)—or take a cab from Shibuya or Roppongi
A wonderfully intimate lounge just behind the Blue Note. Trendy residents of the Aoyama area head to Bluestone for unique, fruit-filled cocktails and achingly cool music and decor. The bar fills up swiftly, and in the summer patrons spill out on to the street.
Heartland
1F Roppongi Hills West Walk
6-10-1
Roppongi Minato-ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 5772 7600
Roppongi station
Nestled under the Roppongi Hills complex, Heartland has developed a faithful following among the foreign banking crowd. On warm nights the crowd spills out onto the terrace.
New York Bar
Park Hyatt Tokyo
52nd floor, 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 5323-3458
Shinjuku station (Marunouchi & other lines)
After a starring role in the film “Lost in Translation”, this hotel bar is more popular than ever. Sniff, swirl and sip premium brandies and cognacs while enjoying unsurpassed views of the city below. You will be in good company: connoisseur drinkers, earnest sommeliers and live jazz musicians every night.
Orchid Bar
Hotel Okura
Toranomon 2-10-4
Minato-Ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 3582-0111
Toranomon station (Ginza line)
This is quite simply the oldest bar in town, beloved of American dignitaries, businessmen, visiting lobbyists and incognito government stiffs. The interior was redone a decade ago, with horrendous results (see: stained glass), but the name still draws.
The Peak Bar
Park Hyatt Tokyo
41st floor, 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 5323-3458
Shinjuku station
The Peak Bar offers a quiet escape from the chaos below. It's a lesser-known spot. Most punters head up a few floors to the more heralded New York Bar. Here the views are the same, but for the fifty washi paper lanterns that help create a soothing blur of colour and a rare corner of peace. Bookings are essential.
Soft
B1, 3-1-9 Shibuya
Shibuya-ku
Tel: +81 (03) 5467-5817
Shibuya station (Ginza & other lines)
For a glimpse at Japan's avant-garde, try Soft in Shibuya. Expect an odd fusion of unusual design (a maze of outsized chairs, small doorways) and a good choice of imported beers. A live DJ spins at weekends.
Tokyo Salon
5-47-6 Jingumae
Shibuya-ku
Tel: + 81 (03) 3407-5028
Open: 8pm-late, daily
Omotesando station
This is one of the city's most fashionable (and attractive) bars. There are dark wooden antiques, an adjoining tatami room, and an outdoor deck where you can drink under a lush cherry-blossom tree. The wines are predominately French and the cocktails are generous.
posted by none | 7:17 AM
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