Between meetings
If you have a couple of hours…
Shopping in Tokyo is a pleasure, from the trendy backstreets of Aoyama to the budget electric thrills of Akihabara. If time is short, head to Beams Japan in Shinjuku-ku (beams.co.jp), for a mix of fashion, traditional crafts and furniture, all with a cool twist.
If you have half a day…
The new Mori Building Digital Art Museum (borderless. teamlab.art) is dedicated to the digital work of Japanese creative agency TeamLab. Wander the fully immersive environments of sound, light and projection mapping for a complete escape from reality. Book tickets online before you go.
If you have a day…
When you need to get away from the constant buzz of the city, head to seaside Kamakura, just over an hour south by train and miles away in attitude. It was originally a Buddhist temple town but now you can combine the old-time culture with surfing and beachcombing as your stress melts away.
If you have a weekend…
Just under two hours from Tokyo riding the Odakyu Romancecar, Hakone is a favourite weekend getaway for locals. Spring and autumn are particularly popular, when soaking in one of the many outdoor hot springs is enhanced by the colourful flowers and foliage. Stay at Kai Hakone (kai-ryokan.jp), a serene resort with modern Japanese design. Many rooms have a private hot spring bath. Breakfast and dinner are multi-course all-Japanese affairs or you can eat at Wood Side Restaurant, part of the Nest Inn Hakone (nestinn-h. co.jp). The airy, rustic space, surrounded by beautiful gardens, is dedicated to locavore cuisine. Enjoy dishes from the woodfired grill and the onsite smoker. It’s also worth a visit to Okada Museum of Art (okada-museum.com) for its collection of Asian art in a spectacular woodland setting. The museum café features a long, warm ashiyu (footbath) to dip your toes in while you have a coffee.