TOKYO
Illums Bolighus – An interior Mecca – one big department store where you’ll find everything you need for a designer home. Here you can explore everything from Georg Jensen to Arne Jacobsen, in other words, all the jewels of Scandinavian design. All of it are new originals, so do remember the big wallet, nothing comes cheap here.
SHOP: HAY, Beautiful shop encompassing a whole building filled with HAY furniture and nic nacs.
Stilleben – A small shop which has specialized in ceramics, glassware and décor from both Danish and foreign artists. Another great example why you should not only stay on the main shopping street, Stroeget, but walk in the small parallel streets.
Rue Verte – Has developed a unique cozy lifestyle Mecca with two clothing sections and an interior section called Rue Verte Plus. You can also enjoy a freshly pressed juice in the juice bar, Joe & the Juice in the middle of the shop.
Illum – Apartment store with a lot of fashion brands, but on the 3 floor you can find a lot of Danish interior, don’t miss it if you walk down Stroeget.
Tivoli – One big and very historic amusement park. Fantastic adventures for all ages. Enjoy the sight of the many flowers, try the many rides and enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the park’s restaurants.
Danish Design Center – Is located in the heart of Copenhagen in a five storage building, designed specifically for the Danish Design Centre by architect Henning Larsen. In addition to the Gallery, “Ovenlyssalen” and knowledge centre, the building also houses exhibitions; a café, of course with great designer furniture and a shop where the main concept is “Travel Light” where the products are characterized by being light and compact and often have more than one function.In the centre you will find both Danish and international design. There are often 3-4 exhibitions at one time with as different themes as environment, children, young designers, commercial and industrial design.
Ny Carlsberg Glypotek – French and Danish art and sculptures in amazing surroundings. Look at the amazing ceilings and eat your lunch and nice cakes in the café in the big winter garden.
Kongens Have and Botanisk Have – Take a break from all the shopping and other tourist, if the weather is good, then take a break with many of the Copenhageners that often meets in The King’s Garden. After the break, you should find your way to the Botanic Garden, take a stroll between all the amazing flowers from all over the world and smell the exotic flowers in the giant greenhouse.
Nyhavn – One of the most visited place in Copenhagen. The canal was dug by hand in the 1870’s and is definitely a place you should spend an afternoon in the sun with all the other tourists and natives. Enjoy a beer at one of the many sidewalk restaurants looking at the more than 300 year old buildings, in some of which the famous writer H.C. Andersen lived for more than 20 years. Nyhavn is also the place where you find the canal boats that take you around Copenhagen. If you have nice weather you should really spend an hour on the water, but take the one called Netto-bådene as these are a lot cheaper but just as good as “DFDS canal tours”.
Amalienborg – The palace and property of the royal Danish family, counting 4 mansions. One has recently been renovated for the Crown Princeand Princess, Frederik & Mary. Visit to see the amazing view with the cupola church at one site and the new Opera at the other, and remember to take a picture with the royal guard patrolling here.
The little mermaid – As you may know, the little mermaid of Denmark is lend out for the big EXPO in Shanghai, so if you are here this summer, you cannot see her. But to be honest, there is not much to see, if you really want to see her, you can see her body double in Tivoli. Normally you can also see the little mermaid from the canal tours, see “Nyhavn”.
La Glace – If you are in Copenhagen to lose weight, stay away from La Glace. They make and serve the best and biggest layered cakes. Step back in time in the oldest confectioner’s shop of Denmark.
Café Viktor – Have at least one lunch at Café Viktor, where you can sit outside and spot the Danish celebrities that often visit this historic café, order my favorite fried beef tartar (Pariserböf) with garniture.
Riccos Kaffebar (Studiestraede) – If you want to sip coffee with the locals, visit this downtown coffee bar with the best simple buns with cheese. Very simple down to earth, and the waiters only speak English!
Madklubben – Get yourself a very delicious dinner for a very fair price. It is just good, straightforward and unpretentious food.
Damindra – Japanese lunch and dinner, the very best sushi outside Japan. It is just to die for. Amazing service from the owner, Damindra. Make sure to try the homemade ginger & lime juice and the sizzling sashimi with sweet shrimp, you just do not want to eat and drink anything else for the rest of your life.
Ruby’s – End your day with the best cocktails in town. If you do not find what you like on the menu, just talk to very talented bartenders who will come up with a special drink with ingredients you like, try for example one with redcurrants.
Summerbird – This is heaven of chocolate! Just entering the shop makes your mouth watering. Make sure to try the mini cream puffs with white chocolate and in the summer one of their ice creams covered with chocolate.
Perchs – Enjoy a cup of tea in the historic surroundings, where you can select tea from around the world and buy some to take home in small containers in their famous green color. Perchs have for many generations delivered tea for the royal Danish family.
Nimb – Here you find not only one of Copenhagen’s best restaurants and hotels but also the greatest hotdog in town. It is big and gourmet, with the best ingredients. Not to miss. Get one before visiting Tivoli.
Ravnsborggade – Visit this street and the side streets for interesting shops with retro furniture, antiques, secondhand Danish design, French long tables and candlesticks.
Bungalow – In the middle of Ravnsborggade you’ll find Bungalow, the shop that is famous for their amazing printed textiles.
Designer Zoo – If you want something unique you should visit Designer Zoo. This is a shop and workspace for different designers, who produce furniture, glassware, ceramics, etc.
Raun – Raun is known for their couches. However, you can find a lot of really nice small decor accessories in the shop too.
BoConcept – Is another big shop where you can find furniture, but you can always find some very nice accessories to brighten up your living room.
Nordre Frihavnsgade – On this street you will find a variety of shops with everything from floral china to old advertising signs and furniture designed by top designers of the 50s as Eames and Arne Jacobsen. Try “Props Gallery” No. 90 with a poster gallery in the back or “Oldies” in No 73, who specializes in retro radios.
Restaurant Noma – Since 2003 they have offered the guests a very modern and lavish Nordic cuisine. This is simply a must on your trip to Copenhagen. But it’s really experience – and will cost you the same as a week’s holiday in New York!
Anna Olivia – Get ceramics from this upcoming artist. She sells ceramics from her fantastic little shop, where all her products have been made with a narrative or informative element. They tell a story that will definitely lead to conversation when used on the dinner table.
Frederiksberg Loppetorv – If you are into flea markets and visiting a Saturday during the summer, then do not miss this free flea market with a lot of locals selling out.
NOTES
NOTE: CARRY CASH, Generally, it can be a good idea to have at least 20,000 yen in cash on you. If you do need to withdraw money from an ATM, then you can usually do this at a 7-Eleven or Japan Post Bank branch. IMPORTANT NOTE: Most ATM's in JAPAN only accept JAPAN issued ATM/Bank Cards.
NOTE: GET, MIFI ONLINE, Reserve a MiFi device or opt for a local SIM, internet/wifi access is necessary when traveling in Japan. If you have an opportunity to reserve the equipment in advance, choose for TEP Wireless.
NOTE: CITY CENTRAL, I can't stress enough; you need cold hard cash to buy bus/metro tickets to the city center; not something you want to worry about if you were on a long flight.
NOTE: TRANSLATION APPS, Yes, many Japanese people now speak English in the major capitals but having apps like Google Translate will be a game changer for when you travel to smaller cities or towns.
NOTE: POWER UP, Make sure to travel with an electrical adapter and power bank.
NOTE: COIN PURSE, Make sure to bring a coin purse, lots of coins as currency in Japan.
NOTE: JAPAN RAIL, As a visitor you can get a better rate by purchasing Japan Rail Tickets before entering JP; make sure you do this in advance as it will be a hassle to have the tickets delivered to
NOTE: your hotel in Japan. More details outlined in the following article.
NOTE: PUBLIC TRANSPORT, Always look at the arrival times when booking your travels to Japan. Why? The subway/railways stop running at 11-12AM dependent on the line, and the Taxi's in Japan are not cheap. Unless you're made of money or have alternate travel plans, make sure to think of when you'll land in Tokyo.STAY: THE SQUARE HOTEL, GINZA, Affordable hotel with modern amenities and whimsical decor, the rooms are laid out with intentional and purpose. This centrally located hotel in Ginza also has a private hotel Onsen.