#15 Tokyo Ginza

                                                

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Hankyu Men

                                          

Businessmen travelling to Tokyo who want a one-stop shop for all their retail needs and even a massage or haircut have this destination to consider. Opened in October last year, this nine-storey department store by retail conglomerate Hankyu is a five-minute walk from The Peninsula Tokyo and is the only one of these outlets dedicated to men. All the international brands you can think of are here, including Hugo Boss, Kent & Curwen and men’s shoes by Jimmy Choo. Local brands are also available, and they are no less great in quality. Takeo Kikuchi offers nicely tailored suits for around US$1,000 each. Many styles can be made to specification. In the basement is the world’s first Monocle Café. VAT can be reclaimed at the counter on the ground floor. Visit www.hankyu-dept.co.jp/mens-tokyo/english

Soup Stock Tokyo
                                                

If you are feeling peckish after shopping, this place right across the street from Hankyu Men is perfect for a light meal. As the name says, it’s about soup, mostly Western recipes but with a Japanese touch. There are many branches in town and every one looks a little different. This particular location is tiny and has a deli feel. All food items are listed with calorie counts, but the low calories haven’t resulted in blandness – my shrimp bisque was to die for, and paired with a bowl of sesame rice, I had a very nourishing meal. A simple set with a cup of soup and a bowl of sesame rice starts from ¥500 (US$6). www.soup-stock-tokyo.com


Abercrombie & Fitch Tokyo

One block down from Chuo-dori, right in the beating heart of Ginza, stands this all-American institution. Okay, it’s another fashion store, and the taste is a bit young. But you don’t come here so much for the clothes as for the amusement factor. The lobby has nothing but a giant gladiator statue in armour, and your shopping experience starts from the elevator that takes you to the ninth floor, from where you walk down. The whole shop is lit like a nightclub, with music to match. You might find it hard to discern in the semi-darkness, but the floor staff, who all look like fashion models moonlighting as sales staff, are always happy to pick things for you and lead you to the more well-lit fitting rooms. Visit www.abercrombie.com

QB House

You may only have four hours before heading to the airport, but you can still have a haircut because it only takes 10 minutes at QB House. This chain of haircut parlours has more than 500 outlets in the country and you’ll always find one nearby. Put a ¥1,000 (US$12.7) note into the machine, get a ticket, and wait your turn. The hairstylist will cut your hair to request, as long as it is doable in 10 minutes. Don’t expect shampooing or even blow-drying. Even in a moneyed neighbourhood like Ginza there is a branch, on Showa-dori Street near Hotel Ginza Daiei. Visit www.qbhouse.co.jp

Tsukiji Fish Market

Walk southwest on Showa-dori and turn left on Harumi-dori, and you”ll be on your way to this famous seafood market, but it’s a good half-hour trek so it’s probably better to take a cab. Most of the action here is in the morning, and locals line up at restaurants here for sushi at the crack of dawn. Yes, they eat fresh raw fish for breakfast sometimes, and with sake too. The longer the queue, the better the chance of quality. The language barrier can be an issue, but if you just point to what looks like a chef’s recommendations menu on the wall, you can’t go wrong. Fresh sushi with sake here should cost about US$75 per head. If you have time, linger a bit and you might witness a fisherman sawing up a frozen giant tuna the size of a small killer whale.