Lost in Translation

Our second journey to Japan was more targeted in the sense that we only had one week and we wanted to get a deeper appreciation of Tokyo and its people. One quickly realises that even this is an ambitious time frame to get a true sense of this vast city. In Tokyo nothing is done in half measures, the luxury boutiques are essentially the size of Office Towers, taking the customer experience to a completely new standard. Service is always impeccable, with ‘getting the detail right’ a Japanese obsession.

Our first day was much the same as last year, WET, we got soaked. On our second day, we were again welcomed by a Tokyo tower view from our hotel room with the majesty of Mt Fuji in the backdrop. It is views like these that we have so deeply missed since our first visit, which was over 18 months ago. The rest of the week's weather continued to be fine, warmer than we were expecting.

What made our holiday so special this time around was the fact that we also stayed at the magnificent Park Hyatt Tokyo which was the centrepiece in the movie ‘Lost in Translation’, starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The Park Hyatt Tokyo must surely go down in the history of cinema. Rarely can a hotel have benefitted so greatly from a movie having been filmed there.

Imagine our excitement as we approached what must be one of the most luxurious hotels we have ever stayed at.

Specially commissioned artworks and furnishings as well as beautiful antiques, throughout the hallways are pleasant diversions.

This rooftop pool(47th floor of the middle tower) must sport one of the best views in the world. We certainly capitalised on the hotels fabulous facilities.

Our room on the 49th floor was just as breathtaking as the views.



Now this is what I call a spirits mini bar.

With all this excitement a pre dinner glass of champagne was in order.

The atmosphere is exactly the same as in "Lost in Translation" and as you wander the corridors, you almost expect to bump into Scarlett Johansson around every corner.




The New York Bar is located on the 52nd floor which is the top tower. The views and layout make this an electrifying experience one that will be cherished by us for a long time. The steak was perfection itself, and the duck breast the biggest we have ever encountered.


The cool Jazz band from Chicago, played late into the night.

This was only a small part of our latest adventures in Tokyo and an experience that we will greatly treasure.