My girls are some of my favorite travel companions. Watching them explore the world in new and different ways is incredible.
I don't expect a thank you hug. But I never want to pass up these opportunities. Even though we were sweating profusely in the depths of Tokyo’s Shibuya subway station and having a mini-panic about not being able to find the lockers for all the items we’d purchased earlier in the day.
My teenage daughter and I spent 48 hours in Tokyo, one of the greatest cities in the world, before taking a boat trip to Tokyo. Mitsui Ocean Cruises. The cruise departed from Yokohama, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to introduce my kids to Tokyo.
Our base for this weekend is Tokyo version of Ginzaopened last year, is ideally located in the heart of the Ginza neighborhood, known for its shopping, dining and entertainment venues. This is Edition's second branch in the city. Tokyo's version of Toranomon is about a 10-minute taxi ride away.
As an upscale hotel in the Marriott family, the hotel perfectly blends Western familiarity and Japanese hospitality with a modern look and feel. I was surprised at how much I appreciated the familiarity, as did a child who had just experienced a long flight and disorienting time change.
warm welcome
The staff welcomed us in English and made us feel at ease. No arrival at the check-in desk: they sat us in comfy chairs, offered us a glass of sparkling wine and water, and our suitcases were delivered straight to our room. Then they brought me a cup of coffee.
The lobby was lovely but small and our king bedroom was small but big enough for two people with a large and comfortable bed. The spacious bathroom has a separate shower and toilet, making it easy to share with children. I was very happy when I opened the door and saw the TOTO toilet.
While all of Tokyo was easily accessible from our hotel door, my daughter had a specific agenda: shopping. For this purpose, the location is ideal. The EDITION is located near some of Tokyo's most upscale shops and department stores, such as Mitsukoshi, Ginza Six and Dover Street Market.
However, in order to create a plan that was kid-friendly, I did my research. I googled it. I got some ideas from the Mitsui America marketing team. Then, when we left Edition and walked in the wrong direction to the Ginza subway station, I immediately forgot about everything.
My daughter is constantly learning and I am constantly learning. That day, I discovered that my sense of direction had somehow transferred to her. “Mom, check Google Maps; I think we’re going the wrong way.” “Mom, the store is over there.” “Mom, I know how to get around this station.” etc.
We first went to Shibuya 109, where I also learned that most of the clothes in Tokyo's top teen-friendly department stores are meant for light, athletic American teenagers, but they didn't fit me.
“Would you wear this?” I asked my daughter in my best mom voice as we passed another steampunk kawaii-style clothing store.
“Of course,” she replied cheerfully. “It would be nice if I lived here.”
We buy about a million Kit Kats at Don Quijote stores. Then, braving Shibuya Station, we hid our shopping bags in a locker and rode to Shinjuku to have lunch at national chain restaurant Katsukura. Fried pork cutlet. I also used the opportunity to instill in my daughter the tradition of Japanese department store food courts. Takashimaya did not disappoint.
Then head to nearby Harajuku to visit a cat cafe and explore the Laforet department store. We visited a store on Cat Street that sells anime merchandise. Then we realized we were going in the wrong direction.
Thanks to my daughter’s orientation skills, we finally found the locker. Then she took me back to the door of Edition. I don't think I could have been happier to see the entrance to a hotel as we dragged our weary bodies across the threshold.
Roof, Tokyo’s Ginza version of an open-air restaurant. Photo credit: Rebecca Tobin
Dining at height
A staff member suggested I go out for dinner in Ginza, but we were too tired to go out, so we went to Edition's rooftop deck, called the Roof, for a light meal. The setting is beautiful: tables grouped with sofas and lounge chairs, separated by plants and trees, with the twinkling lights of Tokyo's skyscrapers as a backdrop.
If you're addicted to Japanese food and miss home, Roof has you covered with lasagna or burgers. They're made with a Japanese twist: lasagna with Tokyo white miso, burgers with shredded wagyu. Food and drinks were delivered promptly.
The Edition's main restaurant, Sophie, is also open for dinner. But let’s talk about breakfast first, which fuels all this shopping spree. Guests enjoying breakfast can enjoy one main course and unlimited access to the bar's buffet, which includes pastries, yoghurts, fruit, cereals and charcuterie.
Whatever you do, be sure to leave without trying the Matcha French Toast, which comes with red bean paste and whipped cream.
Another benefit of traveling with older kids: you can be apart sometimes. After dinner, she went back to her room to rest while I went to the Edition award-winning bar on the second floor. The Punch Room specializes in unique punches, but only for patrons of drinking age.
The final vote went to this version: It happens to be right across the street from a place my daughter really wanted to visit: the Itoya stationery store. We don’t need to get lost on the subway after all.
