Vol.26: ESSENTIALS FOR THE PERFECT TOKYO AUGUST

Welcome to TOKYO BEAT - a special series by your trusty Tokyo Tourism Representative (New York Office) that aims to provide you with story ideas and inspiration. Whether a trip is a week-long or three, travelers have so much to decide on when visiting Tokyo in the month of August, which is both the hottest month of the year and the most filled with traditions, activities, and entertainment. But enjoying the peak of summer like a local is always enhanced by yukata and beer – two things that reliably beat the heat, inside and out.

Dressing Down with Style To stay cool like a local, there’s nothing like investing in a yukata – the one-piece cotton outfit for both men and women that is emblematic of summer celebrations and relaxation. Picking a new one up can be as easy as heading to a department store like Marui in Shibuya or Mitsukoshi in Ginza, where they can start around USD $100. Specialty stores like Chikusen in Nihonbashi has been around since the Edo Period, and as the long-standing kimono and yukata store, they have a selection of exclusive designs that can’t be found anywhere else. But for the ultimate in contemporary luxury, designers like Jotaro Saito in Ginza and Hiroko Takahashi in Narihira, right by Tokyo SkyTree Tower, pay homage to tradition while featuring patterns that speak to the modernist’s eye – and prices can easily soar past USD $1200. For the budget conscious, there are plenty of places that sell lightly used and renewed yukata starting around $30 and up. Specialty shops like Tansu-ya (Shibuya and multiple locations) showcase the best new and renewed selections, while second hand stores like CHICAGO in Omotesando offer some fantastic deals.

Yukata rentals are also a popular option, as rental shops offer additional services to complete the yukata-wearing experience. For about USD $50 a day, places like Aki Kimono Rental in Shibuya will help dress up renters, and for $30 more, style their hair, take professional pictures, and even serve sushi. J-Culture Kimono-ya, located right by Kanda Myojin shrine, is run by the aforementioned Tansu-ya and brings the company’s great selection and high level of customer service to the rental arena. And with its multiple locations in Asakusa, Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and more, Vasara is a convenient option where one can rent a yukata virtually on the fly. Anyone traveling in groups can find even more price flexibility with shops such as Aiwafuku in Asakusa, which offers special day rates for friends, couples, children, and families. This store also offers a next-day return option for a small fee, so that renters can get the most out of their yukata at fireworks festivals and other evening activities without worry.

Beer to Cheer On Tokyo’s robust beer culture reaches a fever pitch in the summer months, as there is no time nor weather more appropriate for a tall, cold glass of suds. There’s no shortage of beer gardens from rooftops to on top of mountains, but this year, some of the hottest are underground. For those who love classic Japanese beer imports and want to try the original, Kirin City Yaesu in Tokyo Station’s underground mall for example is one of the best places with its selection of reliably delicious drafts, including the company’s famed frozen beer. Offering an outdoor space just outside the station’s Yaesu exit is The Farm Tokyo, which is run by Suntory (yes, Suntory makes more than whiskies), in a patio area that is the perfect place to sample the company’s Premium Malt’s brand – an award-winning line of beers that currently can’t be found in New York, and is a must-try for beer lovers seeking something crisp and refreshing.

For those whose tastes run more towards trying even harder to obtain Japanese craft beers, there’s a surfeit of options. New Yorkers who have fallen in love with Hitachino beers and ales will feel like a kid in a candy store in the Hitachino Brewing Lab, which presents rare lines from this popular brewery. A tiny local spot that will let visitors rub elbows like a local, Craft Beer Bar iBrewis another great option for a rotating line of craft beers hat represent the best of the country. Baird Beer Tap Room in Harajuku (and multiple locations), founded by American brewer Bryan Baird and his wife Sayuri, offers an exclusive selection created by the owner himself, all of which pairs perfectly with the bar’s izakaya-style selection of food. Last but not least, ARK Hills in Akasaka welcomes Yona Yona Beer Garden again this summer, serving up Yo-Ho Brewery’s latest creations. With so much to choose from, beer lovers can’t go wrong in Tokyo.

For more information on enjoying the month of August in Tokyo, contact press@tokyo-nyc.com or call 917-200-4887. For general information on traveling in Tokyo, head to TokyoTokyo.jp and Gotokyo.org/en/

To visit the archives, visit: www.japansolutionusa.com/tokyobeat