The Private Practice Summer 2013/14 Page 77

The Private Practice

Summer 2013/14

ESCAPE

thoroughly engaged throughout the
meal. Dish after dish is extraordinary
everything is uncomplicated yet
remarkable due to the use of the finest
seasonal ingredients.

Two standout dishes are the red

tanner crab and autumn vegetables
seasoned with miso paste and roasted
on a magnolia leaf, and the grilled
abalone with liver sauce.

There's only so much euphoria

we can take (and afford), and we
eventually say our goodbyes to Lisa
and the incredible Nishimuraya team,
who offer us a parting gift of incense
and crab crackers a traditional gift
and an act typical of these beautifully
warm-hearted people. Kinosaki, we
will be back!

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST

Now it's back to Tokyo for the last leg
of our holiday, this time to the heart
of the big city. We have four days
to visit the major districts, yet are
determined to do it at a leisurely pace.

We head to the pungent yet

fascinating Tsukiji Seafood Market at
the crack of dawn (eating breakfast
ramen at a local `hole in the wall'
with fisherman); take in the designer

lifestyle of Roppongi Hills; explore
the super department stores in
Ginza; and experience an archi-tour
of Omotesando, one of the foremost
`architectural showcase' streets in the
world, which features a multitude of
fashion flagship stores all competing
with each other for the most
futuristic design.

We miss our old neighbourhood

of Gakugei-daigaku and spend a day
back there among the little doughnut
shops, noodle houses and design
studios this really is our favourite
part of Tokyo.

Our base in Tokyo is the grand

Hotel Okura, set in Minato,
surrounded by foreign embassies and
exuding a 1960s aesthetic. The hotel's
website says it best:

The main lobby gives expression to a

uniquely Japanese style of hospitality in
an atmosphere of restful serenity that
crystallises the traditional and timeless
charm of Wa (harmony)..... a firm
dignity impervious to fleeting fashion
exquisitely converges with innovative
approaches in a hotel replete with
genuine originality.

Soon enough our holiday comes

to a close. We've spent three weeks

immersed in the most fascinating
culture, accumulating experiences
and memories that we will talk
about for the rest of our lives. We
all bonded deeply with each other
and, above all, have recharged our
batteries and are ready to face the
challenges of work and family life...
Until next time.

Hotel Claska

1-3-18 Chuo-Cho, Meguro-Ku,
Tokyo, Japan 152-0001
T: +81 3 3719 8121
F: +81 3 3719 8122
E: info@claska.com
www.claska.com

Hyatt Regency Kyoto

644-2 Sanjusangendo-mawari,
Higashiyama-ku,
Kyoto, Japan 605-0941

T: + 81 75 541 3151
F: + 81 75 541 3159
E: mitsuko.washio@hyatt.com
kyoto.regency.hyatt.com

Nishimuraya
Shogetsutei Hotel

1016-2 Yushima Kinosaki-cho
Toyooka Pref, Japan 669-6101
T: +81 796 32 3535
www.nishimuraya.ne.jp/
shogetsu/en/

Nishimuraya Honkan

469 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho,
Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture,
Japan 669-6101
T: +81 796 32 2211
www.nishimuraya.ne.jp/honkan/

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