GET ROMANTIC IN JAPAN
Lisa-Marie Presley married to her guitarist and music producer in Kyoto in 2006. For more classic celebrity marriages, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio took their honeymoon to Japan in 1951. Follow them to find the hidden romantic destinations in Japan, and experience unique romantic moments.
Both the most urban cityscape and the unchanged nature create romantic atmosphere, and enjoy the unique mixture of both flavors for your romance. In the Japanese historic places represented by Kyoto, the calm and peaceful air embraces people with romantic and luxurious atmosphere.
Japan’s urban scene is full of the latest and the most sophisticated hospitality: Tokyo, in particular, is now the culinary capital with the highest level of European restaurants, not to mention the best and the most authentic Japanese foods, and Tokyo received the largest number of stars than any other cities in the world when the French restaurant rating guide Michelin recently released their first restaurant guide of Tokyo. Combine this top class restaurant experience and the romantic view of urban lights in the evening from the top floor of the skyscrapers, and enjoy more romantic moments than movies.
Snuggle up by the unforgettable view of Tokyo
The best view of Japan’s capital is a must-see for urban romance. Cafés, bars and restaurants serve not only drinks and beautiful dishes but also breathtaking views of the city.
Tokyo City View
(The observation deck at Roppongi Hills)
The second from the top floor of Roppongi Hills, one of the newest skyscrapers in central Tokyo, is the observation deck at 820 feet above the sea level. The 360 degree view of the Tokyo metropolitan area reaches to Mount Fuji and Yokohama when the weather allows. The cafés on the same floor may be the highest cafés in the city, where you enjoy the astonishing view of Tokyo over the cup of coffee.
www.tokyocityview.com/en/
Tokyo Tower
If the Madonna of the city of Paris is the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower reins over the Tokyo’s cityscape. This 1,092 feet tall tower serves as the television and radio signal transmission tower, and just like the Eiffel Tower, there are two observation decks on Tokyo Tower at 492 and 820 feet. Although there have been several new skyscrapers higher than Tokyo Tower, which was built in 1958, this is the classic place for Tokyoites, who sometimes become nostalgic when comparing old images of the view of Tokyo from this tower.
www.tokyotower.co.jp/english/
Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden
On the 69th floor of Yokohama Landmark Tower, the highest skyscraper in Yokohama’s waterfront area, this is the highest observation deck in Japan. The entire floor has as much space as five tennis courts, with 360 degree view up to almost 50 miles ahead. Below is the busy maritime traffic of the Port of Yokohama through occasional streams of clouds. In the elevator to Sky Garden, don’t miss the speedometer that indicates the highest speed of 0.46 mile per minute! Sky Café is the perfect romantic stop with the great view of Yokohama and Tokyo.
www.yokohama-landmark.jp/english/index.html
Big O, Tokyo
Ferris Wheels are not only a fun ride but are very romantic in the private capsule with the stunning city view when reaching to the top of the wheel. Among several Ferris wheels in Tokyo, the world’s first centerless Ferris wheel, located in the middle of downtown Tokyo at LaQua, the city’s premier entertainment and shopping center. As exhilarating as it is romantic, the superb moment comes with the view of central Tokyo as well as other amusement rides below. Après ride romance continues while strolling through an upscale mall with some 70 shops and restaurants, or a massage and hot-spring bath at the adjacent Spa LaQua.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
This is the only observation deck in Tokyo open to public for free. As high as 663 feet above the ground, this observation deck is surrounded by other skyscrapers of Shinjuku, one of the busiest districts.
Romantic Calmness
Capture the romantic moments in the Zen-like calmness at ryokan, the traditional Japanese style inns that started in the 17th century as inns for travelers along Japan’s major roads connecting big cities. Usually with natural hot springs nearby and easy access to old landmarks such as temples, shrines, palaces and castles. Some ryokans featured luxurious rooms, meals, hot springs and so on–particularly for shoguns and other high-ranking people on their way to important missions.
Even today, this high level service and hospitality remain, providing heart-warming view from private guestrooms, cultural encounters and exclusive hospitality. Enjoy the typical features of ryokans such as a private guestroom with tatami (woven straw mat) flooring, great views of Japanese gardens that shows different scenes in each season, freshly washed and pressed yukata, the room robe that you would don after relaxing in the natural hot springs, onsen. Meals are set up by female concierges in your room and served dish by dish fresh. Then the futon, the traditional bedding are opened directly on the floor. Days at ryokans that are located in secluded sites, facilitating private bathing space in outside hot springs, would be guaranteed for the most luxurious air for the private and romantic time.
Take a romantic side trip for secluded luxury. On the contrary to urban romance, Japan’s silence is full of romance as well. Take a side trip for romantic ryokan experience and the view of beautiful coastlines, mountain ranges, peaceful farmlands on the way reflect romantic calmness. Here are some places with quiet and romantic atmosphere.
Fujiya Hotel, Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture
Escape from busy crowds of Tokyo for a romantic getaway at this historic hotel, opened in 1878 and combining rustic charm with old-fashioned comfort and service. Stroll its beautiful landscaped garden, relax in its hot-spring baths, and fall in love all over again in its spectacular scenery, views of Mount Fuji, countless mountain retreats, some of the country’s best thermal waters, and unique attractions like the Hakone Open-Air Museum with its beautiful grounds and statues.
Yufuin, Oita Prefecture
Romantic ryokans spread all over the country: One of the famous hot springs spots on Kyushu Island, the south island of the Japanese archipelago, is Yufuin. Kyushu Island already has many hot spring spots and Yufuin is well-known as the high concentration of hot springs, beautiful nature, morning mist, and quiet and classic atmosphere. Several ryokans are in business in this spa town, and try Murata Sansou, the ryokan quietly accommodate guests with fabulous traditional luxury in guestrooms, meals, hot bath and gardens. Enjoy Japan’s one of the best spa as well as the top quality of Japanese meals, teas and an unexpected encounter to authentic European confectionaries.
Tsurunoyu Onsen (Hot Spring Resort), Akita Prefecture
Luxuriate in natural hot springs at this historic ryokan, resting in Nyuto hot spring village in the beautiful mountains of northern Honshu. First opened as an onsen more than 350 years ago, Tsurunoyu Onsen is a slice of old Japan with its traditional wooden buildings, indoor and outdoor baths, tatami rooms, and delectable Japanese dinners delivered to your room. In winter, the entire region is a snow-covered wonderland, with ski slopes just a short bus ride away.
— Nori Akashi: Marketing Specialist at the New York Office of JNTO
Urban Waterfront
Tokyo and Yokohama line up side-by-side along the Tokyo Bay, where traditional Japanese houseboats and modern boats cruise around to exhibit the gorgeous skyline of these two cities. From piers of both Tokyo and Yokohama, take a cruise trip for afternoon tea and private dinner on the boat at sunset. As city lights and lit-up bridges sail by, the cruise experience boosts the romantic moments.
www.royalwing.co.jp/
Japan gets closer!
Japan is becoming closer to New York! In addition to over 30 nonstop flights per week with both Japanese and US airlines from the Greater New York area, Japan Airlines increases their nonstop service (JFK to Narita, Tokyo) from 13 to 14 flights on March 31. See JNTO’s North America website at www.japantravelinfo.com for booking information.
In addition, there is a time-limited special rate for Japan Airlines’ fights.
Visit www.japantravelinfo.com for details.
Japan National Tourist Organization
New York Office
One Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1250, New York, NY 10020
TEL: 212-757-5640 www.Japantravelinfo.com
