It has grown on me!: 2023

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Hamarikyu Gardens - Enjoy Japanese Autumn Leaves in Tokyo

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I visited Japan last year. While we were staying at Conrad Tokyo, we enjoyed the beautiful view of Tokyo Bay and Hamarikyu Gardens from the 37th floor. Eventually, we decided to visit Hamarikyu Garden.

Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge on the 37th Floor

The View of Hamarikyu Gardens from the 37th Floor at Conrad Tokyo

Hamarikyu Gardens (浜離宮恩賜庭園)

1-1 Hamarikyuteien, Chuo-ku

Tokyo 104-0046, Japan

Open Hour : 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. (Last entry is at 4:30 p.m.)

Closed : 12/29 through 1/1

Admission Fee :

300 yen

150 yen for age 65 and older

Free for age 12 and younger (Elementary students and younger)

Free for residents in Tokyo under the age of 15 (Junior high school, middle school, students and younger)

It took us less than 10 minutes from Conrad Tokyo to Hamarikyu Gardens on foot.

Otemon Bridge (大手門橋)

Otemon (大手門)

We made it to the park shortly before 4 p.m. (The last entry time is 4:30 p.m.) We should have been there earlier though. You probably might want to spend two hours or more if you want to fully enjoy the park.

There are many different types of ocean water fish in the pond, Shioiri-no-ike (潮入の池).

We were amazed at how beautiful autumn leaves and Japanese gardens were. This park was opened in 1946, and there are many mordern high-rise buildings surrounding the park now.

Nakajima no ochaya (中島の御茶屋) and Shioiri-no-ike (潮入の池)

I thought that it was one of the best seasons to visit this park. If you would like to enjoy autumn leaves in Japan, you should visit there between mid November and early December.

Nakajima-no-Ochaya (中島の御茶屋)

You can enjoy authentic matcha green tea at Nakajima-no-Ochaya, a teahouse.

Nakajima-no-Ochaya (中島の御茶屋)

Open Hour : 9 a.m. through 4:45 p.m. (Last Order 4:30 p.m.)

This bridge was made from hinoki (ヒノキ), Japanese cypress.

Yukitsuri (雪吊り)

When you visit there in fall and winter, you will see yukitsuri (雪吊り), a traditional Japanese technique for preserving trees from heavy snow. The ropes are attached directly to the top of a tree and hangs around the circumference.

Yukitsuri (雪吊り)

Nakajima no ochaya (中島の御茶屋) and Shioiri-no-ike (潮入の池)

The refraction of modern buildings on the pond water surface was stunning.

Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal

We were able to see Tokyo Cruse Ship, a water bus. Some people were taking photos of the ship with telephoto lenses from the Hamarikyu Garden. If I have a chance to visit Tokyo next time, I would like to ride on Emeraldas, Himiko, or Hotaluna form Tokyo Cruse Ship.

We wanted to spend more time at the park but the park was closing soon. The time was almost up!

Tokyo Tower

While we were leaving the park, we were able to see the Tokyo Tower finally.

We were really satisfied with visiting Hamarikyu Gardens. The autumn leaves at the park were so beautiful at that time. If we visit there next time, I would like to enjoy the park more for a few hours. :)

Hamarikyu Gardens (浜離宮恩賜庭園)

1-1 Hamarikyuteien, Chuo-ku

Tokyo 104-0046, Japan

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Thursday, December 21, 2023

Review : Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge - Afternoon Tea & Evening Cocktails

Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge (37th Floor)

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I stayed in Conrad Tokyo last year.

Conrad Tokyo has the Executive Lounge, which is located on the 37th floor. If you stay in Executive room or Suite room, or if you have Hilton Honors Diamond Status, you can access to the Executive Lounge and enjoy complimentary foods and drinks during afternoon tea and evening cocktail hours.

Afternoon Tea Hours (3 p.m. through 5 p.m.)

Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge (37th Floor)

During afternoon tea hour, you can enjoy drinks, desserts and light meals there. We went there around 3 p.m., so there were not many people and was pretty quiet.

We sat by the windows which we could enjoy beautiful views of Tokyo Bay.

We enjoyed sandwiches and mini cakes. I chose macha green tea latte.

Conrad Tokyo Mask Case

Because it was during the COVID19 pandemic, there were disposable face mask cases on the tables. You can put the mask in it while you are having meals. I thought it was a very thoughtful service during the pandemic. The case had beautiful drawing prints of Conrad Tokyo, the surrounding buildings and Hamarikyu Garden.

Conrad Tokyo Mask Case

The views from the Executive Lounge was spectacular.

We were able to get a bird's-eye view of Tokyo Bay and Hamarikyu Garden.

While I was enjoying the beautiful view of the Hamarikyu Garden from the executive lounge, I thought that we should go there. The Hamarikyu Garden closes at 5 p.m., so we went there quickly.

The Photo I Took at Hamarikyu Garden

This is the photo I took at Hamarikyu Garden. I will write about it next time.

Evening Cocktail Hours (6 p.m. through 8 p.m.)

During evening cocktail hours, you can enjoy drinks (including alcohol), appetizers and desserts.

We went to the Executive Lounge again during Evening Cocktail hours. When we arrived there, it was nice and quiet.

Otoso

This was the set of sakazuki for otoso (おとそ, お屠蘇), Japanese sake drunk during the New Year's period.

We also sat by the windows which we could enjoy beautiful night views of Tokyo Bay.

Salmon Cocktail

Dessert

Fresh Vegetable Sticks

There were many kinds of drinks you can choose from.

We don't drink alcohol but were really satisfied with their delicious meals.

After that, we went back to the room, and relaxed there. We wanted to go to the gym that night but were really tired after having a complete medical check up that day. (When we visit Japan, we tried to have ningen dock, complete medical check up including EGD, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, if we have a time. By the way, medical tourism in Japan has been popular for wealthy Chinese people.) That's why, we decided to go to the gym next morning.

Next time, I will write about Conrad Tokyo gym area.

These are my entries related to Conrad Tokyo.

■Hotel Room Tour and Review - Conrad Tokyo in Japan

■Review : Conrad Tokyo Executive Lounge - Afternoon Tea & Evening Cocktails

■Review : Conrad Tokyo Fitness Center - Luxury Fitness Gym

■Review : Conrad Tokyo Breakfast Buffet - Cerise

These are my entries related to Hilton Tokyo.

■Hotel Room Tour and Review - Hilton Tokyo in Shinjuku, Tokyo Japan

■Review : Hilton Tokyo Executive Lounge - Evening Cocktail

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■Review : Hilton Tokyo Breakfast Buffet - Marble Lounge