2010-08

Did you visit any beer garden in Tokyo this summer?  If you didn’t have a chance, and are upset about it, this is good news for you!

While most beer gardens close in August, there is a beer garden that opens in September in Tokyo Midtown.  What makes this more special is that you can enjoy beer, directly shipped from Hofbräuhaus, a famous brewery in Munich, Germany.  There are sausage imported from Germany, and Seafood from Sapporo (which is a sister city of Munich) too.

Also, don’t miss the Yodel show by Sakura Kitagawa!
Kitagawa is one of the world’s greatest Yodel singer, who won the top grade at the Yodel fest in Switzerland.
At this stage, she will sing the Yodel that would be on the October Fest in Munich, even mimicking the accent!

Relax on the grass, and enjoy the real German beer, food, and show!
Tokyo Midtown Deutscher Biergarten
Location: Tokyo Midtown
Period: Sep.3 - 26
Open Hours : Weekdays 16:00～22:00, Sats&Suns 11:00～22:00
Website: http://www.eyema-ent.co.jp/event/biergarten/2010.html (Japanese)

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

S-court Azabu-juban #501 【Finished/終了】

Agent Commission 50% off!

Studio Type
Floor Area: 23.21 sqm / 249.84 sqft
Address:  3-14-3, Azabu-juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2 minutes walk to Azabu-juban Station / Namboku Line, Oedo Line
Completion: Aug. 2001
Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete

Rent: JPY99,000/month
Management Fee: JPY10,000/month
Key Money: 1 month
Deposit: 1 month
Parking: None
Pets: Not Allowed

S-court Azabu-juban is located near Azabu-juban station.
A drug store and a convenience stores are within 1 minute walk.
Also walkable to Roppongi Hills: about 1.2km far.

Pretty close to the capital freeway, so the atmosphere is not very quiet.

Auto-lock entrance.

Elevator Hall.

Room entrance and shoes closet.

Corridor and kitchen.
The kitchen has only one stove, and there is not much space for cooking…
Washed dishes can be placed on the rack above the sink.

Rest room and bath room.

Living dining room, with a closet.

View from the balcony.

物件名：エスコート麻布十番
賃料：99,000円
敷／礼　：1/1
仲介手数料50％Off

Thank you for checking S-court Azabu-juban.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

I’ve talked about cat cafes, so it would be unfare if nothing was said about dogs

As well as cat cafes, there are Dog Cafes too.  But the concept is different: Cat cafes are where cats owned by the shop wait for you.  Dog cafes are where you take your own dog, and sometimes have meal together.  Of course it is all right to go to dog cafes if you aren’t with dogs.
Enjoy the comfortable time with your dog, and communication with other pet owners

Gallery Cafe Bar Enyen
Address: 15-8-2, Azabu-juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open Hours: 11:30~23:00
HP: http://enyen.jp/ (Japanese)

Rieta Nero
Address: 15-9-2, Kita-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open Hours: 11:00~24:00
HP: http://www.forza.co.jp/rieta-nero/ (Japanese)

Cafe Madu
Address: 1-8-5, Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open Hours: 11:00~23:00
Remarks: Dogs allowed in terrace, open areas.
HP: http://www.hakka-group.co.jp/index.php?Cafe%20Madu%20Aoyama (Japanese)

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Tokyo is a very convenient metropolis, everything in the reach of your hand…but there is little space for people to live in.  Many people are cramed into small rooms, often being unable to have pets.
Looking for your room, maybe you have experienced a scene like this: location, good.  size, ok.  view, splendid!  pets…not allowed…

Of course there are many rooms at which having pets are OK or negotiable, but even if you can’t have pets in your own room, you don’t have to give up having a lovely time with animals.

Have you heard of Cat Cafe (猫カフェ) ?  It is a theme cafe whose attraction is cats that can be watched and played with.  Customers pay a cover fee, generally hourly, and hence cat cafes can be seen as a form of supervised indoor pet rental.

Below are some Cat Cafes in the center of Tokyo.  Find your favorite cats, and have a great time with them!

Neko Cafe Hapineko
・Address: 3-28-2, Dougenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Open Hours: 11:00~23:00
・HP: http://hapineko.com/index.html (Japanese)

Nyafe Melange
・Address: 13-7-1, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Open Hours: 11:00~22:00
・HP: http://www.nyafe-melange.com/ (Japanese)

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Crest Omotesando #104　【Finished/終了】

Agent Commission 50% OFF!

Bedrooms: 1
Floor Area: 111.98 sqm / 1205.38 sqft
Address: 9-15-3, Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 7 minutes walk to Meijijingu-mae Station / Chiyoda Line
8 minutes walk to Omotesando Station / Chiyoda Line, Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line
9 minutes walk to Harajuku Station / JR Yamanote Line
Completion: Oct. 2005
Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete

Rent: JPY450,000/month
Key Money: 1 month
Deposit: 2 months
Contract: 2 years
Parking: None
Pets: Not Allowed

Crest Omotesando stands on the back street of Harajuku, with numerous small shops and museums.  Close to Omotesando Hills, Laforet Harajuku, Kiddy Land, and more!

Entrance.
There is no common entrance like usual apartments.  Enter the room directly.

The door is glass-made.  You can see the outside from the door, but pedestrians can see inside the room as well.

Windows facing the street is fogged.  It cannot be opened widely (opened to the max in the photo).

Living dining room.

Lightings are movable on the track.

Kitchen.  One cooking stove might be convenient if you cook at home.

Bath room and rest room.

You can adjust the height of the shelfs on the cabinets and closet

Bedroom has a roof-light window, but there are no windows on the wall.

物件名：クレスト表参道104号室
賃料：450,000円
敷／礼　：2/1
仲介手数料50％Off

Thank you for checking Crest Omotesando.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

【Urban Oasis】
Have you been to any Tokyo gardens?
Even within the heart of Tokyo, many Japanese gardens are maintained for public admission, in such places as temples, hotels,or the ex-mansions of feudal lords.
Here is the samples of the Japanese gardens of Tokyo.
ex)・ Happoen (八芳園); Previously the mansion of a daimyo lord. The beautiful garden is now used for wedding ceremonies.  Shirokanedai, Minato-ku.
・ KyuShibarikyu-onshiteien (旧芝離宮恩賜庭園); this garden of a daimyo lord from the early Edo-period.   Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku.
・ Kiyosumiteien (清澄庭園); A garden circuit, situated around a central pond and pine trees.  Kiyosumi, Koto-ku.

These gardens include the traditional Japanese-style gardens such as “pond circuit”gardens designed for viewing while strolling around a central pond, as well as Zen-influenced karesansui (枯山水, “dry”) gardens that use sand and rock to express mountain and water. These enable you to experience a refined beauty that is unique to Japan.

【Shinjuku Gyoen】
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) was constructed on the site of a private mansion belonging to Lord Naito (内藤氏), a daimyo of the Edo era.
It’s completed in 1906,originally created as a garden for the Imperial Palace.

Shinjuku Gyoen in 1934.

It was re-designed as a national garden after World WarⅡ and opened to the public.
It is one of the features of Shinjuku Gyoen that there are the first examples planed in Japan, such as tulip trees, himalayan cedars and bald cypresses. In spring,cherry blossoms are full bloom and in summer a lot of soft greens,
Shinjuku Gyoen, which is 58.3ha in size and a circumference of 3.5km, is an ideal place to get close to nature and experience the changing seasons. And also,it is the national park,harmonizing both European and Japanese styles.
It has 3 different garden-styles, French Formal Garden, English Landscape Garden and Japanese Traditional Garden.

It’s easy access from the metropolitan area, you can be absorbed in the traditional Japanese Garden.

(Access)
・5-minute walk from Shinjuku-gyoenmae Subway St. on Marunouchi Line
・5-minute walk from Shinjuku 3-chome Subway St. on Shinjuku Line
and more ways.

It’s nearby the office building areas, so that you can see some workers(サラリーマン, salarymen) rest or women chatting on the benches.
And also, there are a variety of flowers and plans that enable people to relax.
If you want to get away from the noise and bustle of a large city, it is well to visit Shinjuku Gyoen.

▼Shinjuku Gyoen Official Web Site▼
http://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/english/index.html

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Maison Dolce

Agent Commission 50% OFF!

Bedroom: 1
Floor Area: 116.67 sqm / 1255.87 sqft
Address: 33-5-3, Nishi-azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: 8 minutes walk to Hiroo Station / Hibiya Line
9 minutes walk to Roppongi Station / Hibiya Line, Oedo Line
13 minutes walk to Nogizaka Station / Namboku Line
Completion: Mar. 1985
Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete

Rent: JPY480,000/month
Management Fee: JPY55,200/month
Key Money: 1 months
Deposit: 3 months
Parking: Available
Pets: Negotiable

Maison Dolce stands right next to the Embassy of Ukraine.
5 minutes walk to Roppongi Hills, and also close to Kougai park (笄公園) and Arisugawakinen Park (有栖川記念公園).

Entrance.

Lobby and garden.

Room entrance.

Corridor.

Rest room.

Living dining room.

The living dining room can be divided into 2 rooms.
Don’t be rough when you move the partition: it’s quite squeaky.

Balcony.

Kitchen is with 4 cooking stoves.

Bed room with a dresser and a walk-in closet.

Prefabricated bath room connected to the bed room.
By the way, there was a gecko sticking on the outside of the window.  Azabu is full of green and nature, so I recommend you considering if you like it or not.

As this room is on the ground floor, you may be seen by pedestrians from the windows.  If you put emphasis on privacy, this room might not suit you very much.

物件名：メゾンドルチェ
賃料：480,000円
敷／礼　：3/1
仲介手数料50％Off

Thank you for checking Maison Dolce.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

【The Imperial Palace】
The Imperial Palace (皇居) is located in the center of Tokyo(Kokyo Gaien, Chiyoda-ku).
It was originally the inner courtyard of Edo Castle (江戸城), is now the official residence of the emperor and empress of Japan.

Picture of Edo Castle.

Once surrounded by 5 great moats, with many gated entrances, the palace grounds now have only portions of one moat.

And a guard post on the eastern corner of the grounds that gives some impression of the size and glory of the original castle.
The present imperial residence is a combination of Japanese and Western architecture that reflects the cultural heritage of Japan and the role of the imperial family. On the emperor’s birthday and on January 2, selected audience of the public are permitted to enter the palace grounds to celebrate and greet the emperor. The still heavily wooded grounds are especially visible from high-rise buildings in the city. Dispite its location in the heart of Tokyo, broad green space still prevails.

By the way, the Imperial Palace is popular with runners. It is about 5km around, you can see many people running around it.

In japan, we have two famous gold medalists of marathon in Olympics, so that running becomes more popular in the country.
Why don’t you try running around the Tokyo’s oasis?

【Many historical sights.】
There are many historical sights, such as the remains and gardens of Edo Castle and exhibitions of art works handed down in the Imperial Household.There are some areas open to general admission and need to book in advance.
The area can be divided into 3 zones below.

・Kokyo-mae Hiroba
It is oasis area surrounded by moat. Open 9am-4:30pm/close Mon & Fri.
There are;
1)Bronz statue of Masashige Kusunoki(楠木正成, Bronz statue of this hero from the Nambokucho (南北朝) period.)
2)Sakurada-mon(桜田門, Famous as the place of certain historical event.)
3)Wadakura Fountain Park(和田倉噴水公園, There is the symbolic water fountain.)

・Kokyo-Higashi Gyoen
It is history area where the look of Edo Castle is left.
There are;
1)Edojo Tensyukaku-ato(江戸城天守閣跡, Only stonewall foundation remains.)
2)Sannomaru shozokan(三の丸尚蔵館, The artworks housed in the Imperial Palace are on display.)
3)Hyakunin Bansho(百人番所, It is the Edo Castle guardhouse.)

・Kitanomaru Park
Where cultural facilities and rest spots are scattered.
There are;
1)Nippon Budokan(日本武道館, This martial arts sunctuary is also famed as a venue for concerts. )
2)Chidorigahuchi Boat Arena(千鳥ヶ淵ボート場, Ride on a boat in the Imperial Palace moat.)
3)The National Museum of Modern Art,Tokyo
(東京国立近代美術館, This museum houses modern and contemporary Japanese artworks.)

▼The Imperial Household Agency Website here▼
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Apartments Nishi-azabu Kasumicho　【Finished/終了】

Agent Commission 50% off!
No Key Money!
Free Rent 1 month!

Address:  6-15-4, Nishi-azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: 10 minutes walk to Hiroo Station / Hibiya Line
13 minutes walk to Roppongi Station / Hibiya Line
Completion: Jul. 2008
Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete

Key Money: JPY0
Deposit: 2 months
Contract: 2 years
Parking: Available
Pets: Negotiable

Apartments Nishi-azabu Kasumicho stands on Ushi-zaka (牛坂) hill.  Ushi-zaka, literally meaning ‘Cow Hill’, is one of the numerous hills in Azabu district.  It is said that Ushi-zaka was named because many cow carriages frequented here in the Heian era.

Though close to the capital freeway, the neighborhood is relatively quiet.

Auto lock system is used for the entrance.

Entrance hall.

#104 【Finished/終了】

Bedrooms: 2
Floor Area: 121.80 sqm / 1311.08 sqft
Rent: JPY490,000/month

#104 is a maisonette on the 1st and B1 floor.

Entrance.

Rest room.

Kitchen with IH cooking stoves.

Living dining room.

Bed room with a walk-in closet.

The living dining room and the bed room can be divided.

Greenery surrounds the whole apartment

To the B1 floor.  The stairs squeak a bit…

Bed room.

Rest room.

Powder room and bath room.

#201

Bedrooms: 2
Floor Area: 76.29 sqm / 821.21 sqft
Rent: JPY359,000/month

Corridor.

Entrance.

Bedroom with walk-in closet.

Rest room.

Living dining room.

Balcony.  Not enough space for tables, but perhaps 1 or 2 chairs to feel the breeze

Wash room and bath room.

Kitchen with IH cooking stove.

Bedroom.  Can be divided with or open to the living dining room.

Balcony.
Apartments Nishi-azabu Kasumicho is built quite close to other apartments, so the view is not very good…

物件名：アパートメンツ西麻布霞町
賃料：104号室490,000円、201号室359,000円
敷／礼　：2/0
仲介手数料50％Off

Thank you for checking Apartments Nishi-azabu Kasumicho.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Do you know what the traditional Japanese stage arts are?- Noh (能), Kabuki (歌舞伎), Bunraku (文楽) and Kyogen (狂言).
Among them, Noh is the oldest form of theater in Japan. Its origins go back to ancient times, but it was the 14th century that it began to flourish. Noh was for members of the warrior or samurai class, whereas kabuki was for the common people.

【Noh theater in Shibuya.】
In Shibuya ward,there is “Kanze Noh Theater (観世能楽堂)”,1-16-4, Shoto, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.

Kanze Noh Theater was constructed Ogawacho in Shinjuku-ku and then it transferred to the present site because of the construction of highway and subway in 1972.　The capacity of the theater is 552 seats and the location is about 10 minutes from Shibuya Station(Hachiko exit).
The “Kanze (観世)”means the names of two persons(Kanami (観阿弥) and Zeami (世阿弥),they were father and his son),who completed the style of Noh.
Noh has the main four troupes and a style ,Kanze,Houjou,Konparu,Kongou and Kitaru, which have been handed on for a long time.
The Kanze-style was constructed in 1900 following the establishment of the Association of Kanze, the central organization of the Kanze-style, which has based its activities.
The Kanze-style with the largest membership in the world of Noh observes the tradition perfected them which dates back about 600 years.
Counting those sponsored by this association and other related organizations, approximately 150 performances are conducted annually, which reveals that the persons concerned are actively working on
developing this traditional Japanese entertainment.
At this theater where high-quality Noh performances loved by a wide range of fans can be enjoyed.
You will also get a good chance to learn and appreciate the traditional culture of Japan.

【Another famous Noh Theater. 】
The Cerlean Tower (セルリアンタワー) in Shibuya, which was completed in May 2001 as its concept “choice,tradition and creation”, is another popular Noh theater . The building is one of the landmarks in Shibuya, which was opened in May 2001 as a high-class hotel of Tokyu.
On the B2 floor is the Noh theater ,where you can appreciate the traditional Japanese art.

It is popular not only among tha Japanese but also many foreign visitors. There are more attracitions and facilities, such as jazz club, beauty salon and fittness club. They provide you a luxuarious time.

【External Links】
▼Kanze Noh Theater in Shoto▼
http://kanze.net/

▼Cerlian Tower Tokyu Hotel▼
http://www.ceruleantower-hotel.com/en/

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/