‘Does it spark joy?’ Marie Kondo is the creator behind the now world-famous KonMari Method of prioritising and tidying. Kondo has relocated to the United States, but together with her husband and business partner, she continues to act as a global advocate for her mission to ‘organise the world.’
Tokyo—where she was born and raised—is a special place for her. Here, we’ll introduce a few spots that she likes to visit whenever she’s in town.
SÉZANNE
‘I went here with my husband for our anniversary. Each dish is exquisitely beautiful and full of surprises. It’s a comfortable space with friendly staff.’
A Two MICHELIN Stars French restaurant on the 7F of the One MICHELIN Key Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi. Their courses trace the steps of Daniel Calvert’s culinary journey. His experiences in various cities—London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong—interweave and elevate the culinary cultures of their respective countries.
7F, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, 1-11-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Nodaiwa Azabu Iikura Honten
‘When I’m tired or when I really have to work hard later that afternoon, I’ll have eel for lunch to replenish my energy. The plump, flavourful eel reenergises me and gets me ready to take on my afternoon schedule.’
With a career spanning over eighty years, fifth-generation owner-chef Kanejiro Kanemoto carries on his family’s culinary legacy at this restaurant. He continues to follow Edo grilling styles but adds his own creative twists. Still working in the kitchen today, Kanemoto is a master craftsman who has devoted his life to the grill.
1-5-4 Higashiazabu, Minato-ku
Aman Tokyo
‘I can relax in these Japanese-modern interiors which incorporate traditional Japanese materials like wood, Japanese washi paper and stone. I really like the Japanese-style breakfast I get as in-room dining because it has various small dishes and I can enjoy a little bit of everything. I also recommend the Aman Spa. Getting a treatment with Japanese traditional oil, called Kuromoji, is absolutely blissful. Kuromoji oil calms the mind, relieves anxiety and has anti-bacterial properties. These treatments really let you completely relax.’
This is a Two MICHELIN Keys luxury hotel.
Here, guests can appreciate Tokyo’s dynamic skyline from the uppermost floors of Otemachi Tower while also immersing themselves in a relaxed atmosphere that is distinctly Japanese.
The Otemachi Tower, 1-5-6 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku
Herb Ice cream Stand erb
One of the most popular flavours, the fresh mint chocolate ice cream delightfully pairs the crunchy texture of chocolate and cacao nibs with a sharply refreshing mint scent.
Meguro Station is the closest station to this take-out only stand close to the Meguro River.
‘This ice cream stand uses only fresh herbs, spices and citrus. I especially like the fresh mint chocolate. I love this place so much that I really wish it would expand globally.’
1-6-17 Meguro, Meguro-ku
Uf-fu, Tokyo
‘This is one of my favourite tea shops. The owners visit tea farms around the world to taste test and purchase tea leaves. You can hear detailed explanations of each tea leaf variety while deciding what to get.’
This shop in Minami Aoyama deals in carefully selected teas from all over the world. They even have their own original tea blends—using only essential oils, herbs and spices derived from natural materials—inspired by a belief in the benefits of using natural things as much as possible to shape our lives.
Saint-Tropez 302, 6-3-14 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
TAKEHISA YUMEJI MUSEUM
‘This is an art museum dedicated to Takehisa Yumeji, a famous painter synonymous with Taisho Romanticism art movement who was active from the Taisho period to the Showa period. The museum is full of examples of Japan’s charming “kawaii” culture.’
An unassuming art museum across from the Yayoi Gate at the University of Tokyo. Rather than glamorous beauty, the simple atmosphere exudes a sense of history and grace. Museum visitors can also see renowned paintings of beautiful women by Takehisa Yumeji—sometimes called a Taisho-period ukiyo-e painter—and even browse the adjoining Yayoi Museum with the same admission ticket.
2-4-2 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku
