November 17th, 2009
Tokyo has overtaken Paris as the city with the most Michelin three-star restaurants, cementing its status as the “world capital of gastronomy”.
The latest edition of the Michelin guide to the Japanese capital awarded 11 eateries the coveted three stars, against 10 in Paris.
Tokyo also kept its title as the world’s most-decorated city with 261 stars in total — 34 more than last year — awarded to 197 restaurants.
July 7th, 2009
Tokyo is the world’s most expensive city, according to Mercer’s 2009 Worldwide Cost of Living survey released today, with the cost of living up 13.1% from 2008.
Japan’s capital is followed by Osaka and Moscow, which held the top spot in last year’s rankings. Geneva comes in fourth.
The significant changes from last year are due to massive swings in exchange rates, with many currencies at their weakest in years against the U.S. dollar, during the March 2009 survey period.
June 9th, 2009
Tokyo’s Inner Central District overtook London’s West End to become the most expensive office location in the World - with an occupancy cost of $183 per sq. ft. - according to the CB Richard Ellis global office cost survey.
Moscow, Hong Kong’s central business district and Tokyo’s outer central district were in third, fourth and fifth position.
Financial centres around the world have been hit by declining occupier demand. In many cases office occupancy costs have dropped by 20% or more over the last 12 months.
June 3rd, 2009
French jeweler Mauboussin gave away 5,000 tiny diamonds as part of a promotion in Tokyo on Monday. The tiny diamonds were 0.1 carat diamonds worth about $50.
Mauboussin’s flagship Japan store opened in Ginza, one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in Japan, in February.
But the store had often been empty because its name, though associated with international celebrities, isn’t widely recognized among Japanese.
April 21st, 2009
The first model of Leica’s chic new limited edition all-white digital camera has just been spotted at the Audi Forum Tokyo.
April 10th, 2009
River Re Wall is a system for green walls that’s developed by Hokkaido Sanyu Corp. It seems like a mini version of a riverbed or garden turned on its side.
Behind the moss-covered wall panel is an irrigation system that ensures all-around healthy greenery and generates a faint, trickling sound of water.
The sound is designed to create a sense of real, living nature, as well as encourage relaxation.
