Tokyo: Where to eat, drink and raise capital

Which airport should I fly into: Haneda or Narita?
“Haneda. It’s closer to central Tokyo and offers more international flights,” says Kazushige Kobayashi, managing director and head of primaries, Asia for Capital Dynamics. Hideyuki Tozawa, managing director and co-head of BDA Partners’ Tokyo office, agrees: “Haneda has easy to access to Tokyo.”

Where’s the best place to stay?
“For business, try the Palace Hotel Tokyo in Otemachi. For a private visit, opt for the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku. The Palace Hotel is nearby the Imperial Palace and Park Hyatt is relatively quiet and its service is very good,” says Kobayashi. “The Conrad Tokyo has beautiful views of Tokyo Bay,” adds Tozawa.

Where’s the best place for LPs?
To plug into Japan’s growing interest in alternatives from insurers, pension funds and asset managers, Capital Dynamics’ Kobayashi advises centring yourself in Tokyo’s financial district. “Almost all limited partners are based in the Otemachi/Marunouchi central business district area,” he says.

What’s the best neighbourhood for a night out?
Ginza for its “easy to access from Marunouchi” and because it has “lots of nice restaurants and bars”.

Where’s the best place for a morning run?
The 5km run round the Imperial Palace is the agreed choice, especially in late March/ early April for the cherry blossoms.

Where’s the best place for a breakfast meeting?
Aman’s restaurant on the 33rd floor in Otemachi “provides a relaxing atmosphere and superb views overlooking the Imperial Palace”, says Kobayashi. Tozawa suggests the main lobby lounge at New Otani for its “wide open space and nice views of its Japanese garden”.

Which restaurant would impress a client?
“Hinokizaka in Ritz Carlton – nice sushi with a beautiful view from Tokyo midtown,” says Tozawa. Kobayashi says he takes clients to local restaurants for sushi or yakitori (skewered chicken) because they are “are better than Michelin star restaurants”.

Which building has the most jaw-dropping view?
Kobayashi recommends the lounge bar of Conrad Tokyo or Andaz in Toranomon Hills for its “views of the city’s skyscrapers as well as Tokyo Tower”. Tozawa plumps for the recently completed 30-storey Marunouchi Nijubashi Building in front of the Imperial Palace.

Where’s the most enjoyable day trip?
Kobayashi advises the hour train ride to the Zen temples and gardens of Kamakura, the centre of Japanese politics from 13th to the 15th centuries. Tozawa suggests the hot springs at Hakone (“preferably for a one-night stay”) where there are spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and its lakes on a clear day.

Where should I pick up a last-minute gift?
“Ginza Six shopping mall,” says Kobayashi. “There are shops for very nice Japanese-style tableware such as glasses for Japanese sake or beer.”