The Shangri-La Hotel in Tokyo has been named as the number one Luxury Hotel in the World in the Traveler’s Choice 2012 Awards by TripAdvisor.

The awards are based on reviews and opinions provided by travelers and were introduced 10 years ago.

The categories for 2012 have been expanded to include top-25 lists for 30 countries and regions, as well as an international competition for the best properties to visit.

Even though Christmas is not a traditional Japanese celebration, few places in the world mark December 25 with such gusto as Tokyo.

The Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo has announced a WISH.forJapan Christmas package that is available December 10-25.

10 percent of the price, which starts at Y52,000 per night will go to support people affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck northeast Japan in March.

Tokyo has now more Michelin three star restaurants than Paris, according to the latest edition of the gastronomical guide.

Japan as a whole also beats France, with 32 establishments granted the maximum grade, against 25 in the guide’s home country. Paris has just 10 three star eateries.

Of Tokyo’s 160,000 restaurants, 16 were awarded top marks, 52 got two stars and 179 were deemed worthy of one star by the authors of the Red Guide.

A nearly two million dollar golden Christmas tree has been put on display for the holiday season in Tokyo.

Tokyo’s jewellery store Ginza Tanaka unveiled its 2.4 meters tall Golden Christmas Tree, which is made from 12 kilograms of pure gold, worth 1.95 million US dollars.

It took 15 craftsmen four and a half months to complete the creation. The store says it’s the most expensive Christmas tree they’ve ever created.

Japan has overtaken France for the number of restaurants with three Michelin stars, according to the latest guide to the nation’s western cities to be released on Friday.

Japan is now home to 29 establishments that hold the highly coveted three-star rating, against 25 in France.

The latest version of the Michelin guide to Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe this year adds the former capital Nara and will be available both in Japanese and English.

Italian brand Roberto Cavalli has announced that it will open its first Japan flagship store in September, with the designer behind the label to visit Tokyo to mark the opening of the boutique in early November.

The store is located in the city’s upmarket Aoyama district and will also be the first directly owned and managed Roberto Cavalli boutique in Asia.

“Tokyo is on the world’s stage of fashion, glamour and sophistication,” said Cavalli. “This is a city of energy and inspiration.