Only in Japan... Part V

I've caught up with my Japan food photos but there are still several Japan-related posts lining up in draft form, like this one in the Only in Japan series for example. I didn't do a post in this series throughout our time in Tokyo but it's better late than never.

Spotted this cool-dude-who-gives-zero-f*ck outside the Marunouchi Cafe Kai on the ground floor of the Kitte Building, across the street from Tokyo Station. Let's just say when you were minding your own business and then looked out the door to see guy sporting samurai hair, outfit, and hiking shoes, you just couldn't help but sneak a photo or two. I do wonder if there were a theater or film studio of some sorts nearby. Then again, he didn't look like he had any stage or film makeup on.

Afternoon Tea at The Lounge, Aman Tokyo, Part II

Back in July, our Tokyo afternoon tea club was taken breathless with the space and the atmosphere at The Lounge on the 33rd floor of the Aman Hotel Tokyo. So despite the chocolate overload in the afternoon tea service, we voted to come back for a second time in mid September for a last hoorah, just one more tea session before we all part ways and return home after a year in the capital of Japan. We figured it's been two months and their menu has probably changed, so it won't be the same death by chocolate as with the July session.

Afternoon Tea at The Lounge, Aman Tokyo

Happy New Year!

Meanwhile, I'm still catching up with photos. For July, our afternoon tea club tried the tea service at The Lounge on the 33rd floor of the Aman Hotel Tokyo, in Otemachi, north of Tokyo Station and west of Nihonbashi.

I have to say, the building may seem unremarkable from the outside, but inside it was rather breathtaking in terms of design and decor. Our group of six were mesmerized the moment we stepped inside The Lounge and I have a boat load of photos to prove it ^.^ The whole place is vast and airy and well-lit. In super dense Tokyo, there's nothing more luxurious than space itself. Just look at that ceiling!

Afternoon Tea at the Oriental Lounge, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Part IV

We had our last session of afternoon tea at the Oriental Lounge of Mandarin Oriental Tokyo in June. Four sittings and each was as spectacular as the last. No disappointments, no repeats, always something different and unique, and delicious. Gosh I love the tea service here, I really do. The next time we go back to Tokyo, this is where I'll be camping out ^.^

Afternoon Tea at the Oriental Lounge, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Part III

A week after our day trip to Nagoya, my in-laws came for a quick one week visit, partly because mum-in-law wanted to visit her old college roommate, Mrs. H with whom we've been acquainted since our days in Yokohama. Hubby has always credited his mum for his interest in East Asian literature. Thanks to Mrs. H who has kept contact with mum-in-law through all these years, hubby was exposed to "Asian things" from an early age.

Anyway, to fight off the jet lag, we brought mum and aunt-in-law to the Mandarin Oriental for a tea session, and they both loved it so much they wanted to go again. We picked a different place for our second visit though, because it's kind of embarrassing to return to the same hotel for tea twice in the same week LOL ^.^" Will post that soon too.

Afternoon Tea at the Oriental Lounge, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Part II

I didn't intend to turn this blog into an afternoon tea blog, but alas... Hubby's birthday was two months ago (yes, I'm now 2 months behind on posts, urgh), and to my surprise he wanted to go back to have afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo. I was more than happy to oblige, and I know hubby's colleagues have been going back with their visiting friends and family also, which goes to show how much we all love the place!

Since it was just the 2 of us and not our usual big group of 6-8, we got a window table with great view! Too bad it was a cloudy day, but it was still a really relaxing afternoon just snacking and chatting with my birthday guy.

Afternoon Tea at the Oriental Lounge, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo (Picture heavy!)

The afternoon tea session at the Peak Lounge, Park Hyatt Tokyo, ensured that we'll keep doing this tea thing for a long time. In October, our Afternoon Tea Club (me, hubby, his colleagues, whomever visiting or wants to join...) got together again, this time at the Oriental Lounge on the 38th floor of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Tokyo, in Nihonbashi near Tokyo Station. In fact, if you go I would recommend that you get a window seat and enjoy the sky view and the view of Tokyo Station with your tea ^.^

Here's the hotel lobby with entrances to the various restaurants and lounges. Photos were taken in the late afternoon as well as after sunset.

Looking at the Oriental Lounge, with the umbrella lamp shades at top right.


This is where the stairs lead to, and looking over the glass handrail, you'll see another bar/lounge on the floor beneath.