In honor of the award, the staff of the Polestar Skybar have teamed up with the Liquid Culture team at The Japan Times to offer an afternoon workshop in the art of the cocktail.

Reserve your Red Carpet Treatment quickly as there are only 20 places and they will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Details

Date: Saturday Oct. 18
Time: 1PM -3:30PM
Place: Polestar bar, 45F Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku (Keio Plaza Access Map)
Price: ¥5,000 (includes workshop, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres)
Contact: Email coldicott [AT] japantimes [DOT] co [DOT] jp for more information or to apply.

Image Credit:  Flickr, Wink

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

The National Printing Bureau was founded in 1871 as the Paper Money Office (Shiheishi) under the Ministry of Finance and they have engaged in the manufacture of banknotes and postage stamps since that time.  The Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum was created by the National Printing Bureau to preserve the history of the Japanese currency and offers exhibits of historical and current banknotes, postage stamps and securities along with the equipment and technologies utilized in making these financial instruments and ensuring that they are safe from counterfeiting.

The exhibits in the museum are documented in Japanese but are very visual and self-explanatory in nature. There is hands-on area where you can test your ability to carry 100 million yen (US $1 million) and observe how the luminescent ink on banknotes glow.  This Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum is informative and educational and is something that the whole family can enjoy.

The Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum is a 10-15 minute walk from the Ichigaya, Akebonobashi, or Ushigome Yanagi Stations and is open 9:30 – 4:30, Tuesday through Sunday.  Admission is free. (map)

Photo Credit:  Personal Collection

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

“When foreigners go to Japan, Tokyo tops their list of places to see. Seven of the 10 most-visited destinations in the country are in the capital, according to the Japan National Tourist Organization.”

The article offers a brief overview of Asakusa, Ginza, Harajuku, Shinjuku and other areas that have been mentioned here at The Tokyo Traveler and it is worth a read if you are planning a trip to Japan.

Photo Credit:  Personal Collection

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

Karyukai, or Geisha culture, was born in Kagurazaka and many Ryotei (Geisha houses) still operate in the area. In 1910 there were as many as 600 Geishas entertaining business men, famous writers and politicians in the area. Step off Kagurazaka-Dori and spend some time wandering the alleys and you will get a feel for what it must have been like in old Edo.

In contrast, a stroll up Kagurazaka-Dori will take you past trendy clothing shops, traditional tea merchants, lacquer ware stores and you will find sushi restaurants competing for business with French pastry shops. It’s quite the mix of old and new.

But don’t miss the alleyways! Continue reading to find out how…

On a recent visit to the area, while admiring the beautiful lacquer ware in one of the shops, the owner gave me a Walking Guide for Kagurazawa. This amazing map will direct your stroll through the alleys, past ancient temples and shrines, the current Geisha office and identifies a number of restaurants and stores in the area. The map is produced by Michi Travel but is not available online.

The front of my well used brochure is pictured on the left and I would recommend that you pop into one of the stores at the base of Kagurazaka-Dori and request a copy. Then take some time to wind your way through the cobblestone alleys of this fascinating area. Kagurazaka is conveniently located and accessible from the JR IIdabashi station on the Yamanote Line. As you exit the station, turn to your right and a one minute walk will place you at the base of Kagurazaka-dori. Tokyo Metro Iidabashi and Ushigome-Kagurazaka stations also provide access to the area.

The Shinjuku City Tourism Association offers a great guide to Kagurazaka with some photos and history of the various points of interest and don’t forget to pick up your Walking Guide for Kagurazawa from one of the area vendors.

Sources: The Ikamachi Club, KAGURAZAKA Explore the past in cosmopolitan ways
Photos: Personal Collection

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

If you read A Little Bit about Tokyo, you will know that there are 23 special wards, 26 cities, 5 towns and 8 villages in the 1,359 square miles that are all part of the Tokyo prefecture. Web-Japan has put together a great click-able map of Tokyo that will take you to the various various city and ward sites where you can find links to foreign resident guides, city overviews and maps, medical facilities and often links to sightseeing spots in the area.

Here are some examples of the vast amount of information that is available:

• If you click on Shinjuku city it will take you to the city’s official website and you are only a click away from reading the Shinjuku City Oultine which tells you all about the city emblems, history and provides some statistical information. A few more clicks and you can find “A Leisurely Stroll Through Shinjuku” which will guide you to many of the parks and museums in the area.
• If you are heading for Hachioji. You can read the Guide on Disaster Prevention or check out the ginko-lined road.
• You can find out how to deal with medical emergency in Shibuya or download an edition of the bi-monthly City News Shibuya.

If you want to more more about the area where you will be living or visiting in Tokyo take a moment to check out the click-able map of Tokyo – it’s a great portal to an amazing amount of information!

Photo Credit: Wikimedia, Tokyo-All-Wards

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler