Ginza extravaganza
Robot pets and more at Tokyo’s Hyatt Centric Ginza.
07 July 2023
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Ginza is a district of old money and powerful business men. You’ll find ladies who lunch and Japan’s most luxurious department stores here Namiki Dori Street which runs parallel to the main shopping boulevard, Chuo-dori, is dotted with designer boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. It is on this street you will find, flanked by Bonsai, the Hyatt Centric Ginza.
Once the headquarters of Asahi Shimbun Company, a national newspaper, there are a heritage links to its past dotted throughout.
The hotel spreads across the fifth to the twelfth levels which houses 164 rooms and suites. Entry level rooms start at 35-square-metres with suites coming in at 77-square-metres, although the princely Namiki Suite complete with full sized teppanyaki grill and large terrace is 127-square-metres.
The lobby is set on the fourth floor with a wonderful library which features dark wood and deep copper tones, a Space Invaders machine and a retro Pacman giving off a hipster style vibe. There’s also a robot Aibo dog called Roc, a check in cube, and a view over the bar and restaurant on the third floor.
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The aesthetics include abstract paintings on sliding screens and nods to the history of the building such as stacked newspapers transformed into colour block features and art made with old printing press parts.
The staff are friendly and efficient and check in is swift. The rooms reflect the sleek style of the lobby using a palette of reds and yellows combined with natural woods. There’s a daybed, a desk, fun electronic blinds and a large LCD TV. The bathroom offers a separate bath and a shower, traditional style yukata gowns and Beekind amenities.
There is one restaurant and a bar/lounge which serves coffee, dessert and some scrummy cocktails with gins infused with delicate Japanese flavours that include cherry blossom, green tea or yuzu.
Next to the bar is the restaurant, Namiki667, which offers both a Japanese and Western menu. There are slow roasted dishes and a dinner menu with four and five courses. When the sun is out take up the opportunity to dine on the terrace and gaze out at Namiki Dori Street.
As mentioned there are great shops and restaurants in the area, even Michelin starred sushi restaurants, or visit the Kabuki-za Theatre and the hama-Rikyu Gardens or you can catch the subway to experience Omotesando and Shibuya. For some great gyoza visit Gyoza Hohei for a late-night gyoza fix. Its signature dumplings are stuffed with a savoury garlic and leek filling, or try the ginger gyoza. It’s got no garlic or onion.
They also serve drinks and some side dishes. Udon noodles should be tried at TsuruTonTan is on the tenth floor of Tokyu Plaza Ginza and sells great udon noodles which you can eat sitting on box seats or at the communal table. Everything is cooked to order. Those who like it spicy need to visit Shibire Noodles Rousoku-ya specialises in mapo-style ramen. If you like it spicy, this place is for you as there’s plenty of Sichuan pepper added or you can request just a tiny amount.
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