woman&home’s Fiona McKim always dreamed of visiting the Land of the Rising Sun – and she wasn’t disappointed
When it comes to dreaming trips, Japan has always been the top of my list. The danger with having a fantasy destination is putting it on such a pedestal you never actually go, but with the 2019 Rugby World Cup coming up – not to mention the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – I realized the world was about to pip me to the post.
DAYS 1-4: The beauty and bustle of Tokyo
Before setting off with my partner Stephen, another Japan first-timer, we polled Facebook friends for tips. They warned us to take it easy at first as the time difference is a killer at nine hours ahead. Landing at 8 am Tokyo time, too early to check in to our hotel, we headed straight to the Imperial Palace Gardens. It was the perfect Zen-like spot for a pair of foggy-brained westerners – we strolled around manicured gardens, where koi carp shimmered in ponds, and local ladies shaded under their parasols were admiring brightly colored flowers.
Fuelled by fresh air, we strolled between skyscrapers to Tokyo Station’s famed food hall, Ramen Street, for bowls of tasty, filling noodle broth. We ordered through an automated machine for about £8 and slurped shoulder-to-shoulder with the city’s suited ‘salary men’ until hotel check-in time.
For a 17-story hotel in the middle of the world’s largest megapolis, the Hoshinoya Tokyo feels surprisingly intimate. Traditional tatami mat flooring means shoes come off and every floor has a lounge offering Japanese nibbles.
The residents-only restaurant serves French-Japanese fusion dinners in secluded private rooms, and breakfast, a box of delicious Japanese titbits including salmon and the silkiest scrambled eggs, is served in your room.
After a Shiki herbal poultice massage pummelled the long-haul tension from my shoulders, we slipped on the casual kimono sets in our quiet, moodily lit bedroom, flopped into bed and let our body clocks win.
Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Woman & Home.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Woman & Home.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
How healthy IS YOUR GUT?
This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced
CANCER WAS JUST A JOB until it happened to me
Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track
Nostalgic BAKES
Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats
A NEW NORMAL
The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
I look forward to being a very elderly, ECCENTRIC WOMAN'
Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
Lighter DINNERS
Big on flavour and easy on the calories
Behind CLOSED DOORS
What really goes on at your local surgery, and how are decisions made? GP and practice partner Dr Helen Wall reveals all
15 ways to IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY
Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks