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The Hotels In Tokyo That Everyone Is Talking About Right Now
The Hotels In Tokyo That Everyone Is Talking About Right Now

Graziadaily

time11-07-2025

  • Graziadaily

The Hotels In Tokyo That Everyone Is Talking About Right Now

Visiting Japan is like seeing the Northern Lights - it's rare to meet a person without it placed firmly at the top of their bucket list. But after booking your tickets, you need to know where to stay to make it the once in a lifetime trip you expect it to be. Whether you're heading here for the shopping, the sushi, the shrines, or a little bit of everything, where you stay can totally shape the vibe of your trip. The city's hospitality landscape has levelled up in the past few years, with a wave of new boutique boltholes, skyscraper suites, and lifestyle-led spaces that blur the line between hotel and hangout. Looking for a minimalist room with a hinoki tub and skyline views? Done. Want something more social, with DJs in the lobby and sake flights on tap? Tokyo has that, too. There are hotels that double as art galleries, spots where the breakfast includes free-flow Prosecco, and hidden gems in local neighbourhoods where staff will take you on walking tours to their favourite gyoza joints. Below, we've rounded up four of the most exciting stays in Tokyo right now from high-design towers to more affordable boutique finds. Each one nails the basics (comfort, location, style), but also brings something extra to the table - be it views, vibes, or a genuinely great restaurant you'll want to book even if you weren't staying the night. Towering above the chaos of Kabukicho, Bellustar is the kind of hotel that feels like its own universe elevated (literally and stylistically), hyper-considered, and deeply peaceful. It's the crown jewel of the new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower and brings together refined luxury with a distinctly modern Japanese edge. If it's the wow factor you're after, you won't be disappointed, come here if you want to experience the views of the city. Rooms: Bellustar's rooms are all about high-altitude calm. Floor-to-ceiling windows mean you're waking up with sweeping views across the city even catching a glimpse of Mt. Fuji on clear days. Interiors are modern and minimalist, with deep soaking tubs, natural wood tones, and ambient lighting that feels soothing after a night out in Shinjuku. Food and Drink: Up on the 45th floor, Bellustar has a few restaurants which bring together French technique and Japanese seasonal ingredients. There's also a sky bar for nightcaps with a view, plus in-room dining that includes premium bento boxes and late-night Japanese comfort food. Book a suite with a private hinoki cypress tub for the ultimate wind-down. The spa and wellness floor is still under-the-radar and rarely busy. Perfect for: Honeymooners, design fans, and anyone who wants that 'above the clouds' feel. Address: 1 Chome-29-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan Prices: approx £320-£345/night A hotel that's low-key elegant and genuinely restful, GrandBach brings a sense of hush to one of Tokyo's buzziest neighbourhoods. Named after the composer Johann Sebastian Bach, the space is designed to soothe from the warm-toned interiors to the classical music playlists and calming rituals built into your stay. It's refined, yes, but never try-hard. Rooms: The rooms are spacious for Tokyo standards and lean into modern Japanese design with shoji-style sliding doors, muted tones, and warm lighting. Bathrooms are luxe and come with a rainfall shower and soaking tub. Everything is beautifully curated to feel restorative. Food and Drink: The GrandBach restaurant Wald Haus serves a solid breakfast spread featuring local ingredients and seasonal Japanese dishes. There's also a calming mini bar in the lobby and easy access to Ginza's high-end sushi spots and kissaten-style coffee shops. Perfect for: Quiet luxury lovers, couples, and anyone who wants to be near Ginza's boutiques. Try the nighttime relaxation tea service - a quiet ritual that sets the tone for deep sleep. The in-room Bluetooth sound system lets you play curated classical playlists. Address: 5 Chome-13-12 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan Prices: approx £250-£300/night This is the hotel for people who want more than just a place to sleep. Royal Park Canvas Ginza Corridorblends boutique design with a real social pulse - it's part hotel, part hangout, and perfect for those who want to drop their bags, freshen up, and head straight to the bar (or DJ booth). It's stylish without being showy and sits right on the edge of both Ginza's polished calm and Shimbashi's late-night chaos. Rooms: This is one of Tokyo's coolest hidden gems, tucked between the glitzy shopping streets of Ginza and the buzzing nightlife of Shimbashi. Rooms are sleek and contemporary, with warm wood tones, soft lighting, and smart tech touches - including a projector and bluetooth speaker in the shower. Most have compact layouts, but they're thoughtfully designed with soundproofing, separate shower and toilet areas, and plush beds that make it easy to crash after a long day (or night) out. Food and Drink: There's a social energy that runs through the whole hotel, especially in the Canvas Lounge, which doubles as a co-working space by day and a DJ-hosted bar by night. The Il Cardinale restaurant downstairs serves a surprisingly solid Italian menu (yes, with free-flowing Prosecco at brunch), and the Omiki Bar is an intimate spot for sipping premium sake and shochu into the evening. The Canvas Lounge is open until 2am most nights and great for solo travellers or creatives wanting to mingle. You're right near the Ginza shopping strip and a short walk to Shimbashi's nightlife, so it's ideal for bar-hopping. Perfect for: Solo travellers, young couples, and anyone after a cool, design-led base with energy. Address: 6 Chome-2-11 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan Prices: approx £150-£200/night OMO3 is what happens when cool, compact, and local-savvy come together. Designed for travellers who want to plug into the rhythm of the city (rather than stay above it), this Hoshino Resorts concept nails the balance between affordability and energy. It's set in Akasaka a lively neighbourhood packed with ramen joints, karaoke bars, and low-key izakayas and serves as the perfect base for travellers who don't need five-star fuss to have a five-star time. The premise of the OMO hotels is simple: numbered from 1 to 9, each property is rated on the different level of facilities. Rooms: A budget-friendly but ultra-stylish offering from beloved Japanese hospitality brand Hoshino Resorts. Rooms are compact but smartly laid out, with everything you need (think: built-in USB ports, rain showers, and minimal clutter). Food and Drink: There's no formal restaurant, but the OMO3 has a small café next door, and you're in walking distance to Akasaka's huge variety of izakayas, ramen joints, and bars. Staff are known for giving solid recs depending on your vibe. Perfect for: Solo travellers, digital nomads, and foodies on a budget. Join the neighbourhood walking tours hosted by OMO Rangers - they'll take you to hidden gyoza spots and tiny sake bars. Vending machines stocked with Japanese drinks and beauty products. Address: 4 Chome-3-2 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan Prices: approx £45-£125/night Renee Washington , Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie..

Westwinds Music Society prepares for European trip
Westwinds Music Society prepares for European trip

CTV News

time02-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • CTV News

Westwinds Music Society prepares for European trip

Sean Emery gets a little rehearsal time in before heading to Germany and Austria to perform with the Westwinds Music Society A group of Calgary musicians and singers are getting ready to perform across the ocean, in part of the world that birthed some of the greatest classical music ever composed. Close to 70 performers made up of choir and band members from Westwinds Music Society are getting ready to head to Germany and Austria for a number of performances. The two-week tour kicks off in Bottendorf, Germany where they'll be hosted by Thomas Mandel and the Bottendorf Possaunencour (Trombone Choir). 'One of the cool things about this trip is we're reconnecting with the group that we originally met in 2002 when they came to Canada,' said Westwinds Music Society director Kevin Willms. 'We're going to perform in Bottenorf at the church they're based in, then we're going to perform in Eisenach which is the birth place of Johann Sebastian Bach, we're going to perform in the church where he was baptized.' The trip also includes stops in Munich, Salzburg, and closes in Vienna. Willms says society members come from all walks of life who possess a number of skills vocally or on an instrument. 'There are doctors, lawyers, teachers, students, you name it -- as long as they're an adult and have a passion to make music and learn, they're welcome in our organization,' he said. 'It's not only to keep active, but to keep the brain moving and your passion alive. '(It's also) a place to go for kids who are coming out of high school and want to keep playing and singing and performing.' Sean Emery is a clarinet player who also sings in the choir. The 27-year-old has been a member for 10 years and joined up after graduating high school. '(Kevin) Willms--who is leading this trip--was my high school band director,' Emery said. 'So, at the last year of high school we finished our last concert and I was really sad, I didn't know what to do and Kevin was like well, let me tell you about Westwinds.' Emery is an electrician by day and says being part of the society is a hobby for him where he gets to spend time with his friend. This will be his first trip with the group -- which has done a lot of traveling since it launched in 1988, with trips to the Czech Republic, Spain, Cuba, China and New Orleans -- and he's excited about the organization's upcoming journey to the land of Bach, Mozart and all the rest of those classical music legends. 'It's one of those things I haven't thought about enough to get nervous about, but I'm excited,' he said. 'It's going to be a good time and we're just going to see what happens. 'I respect professional musicians greatly,' he added. 'I don't practice that much, that's not what I do, I do this for fun.' Choir director Anne Gray said the group has selected Canadian music to perform for the European audiences. 'We're taking a big map of Canada and we have a few costumes such as scarves from our 'Four Strong Winds' from Alberta,' she said. 'We started rehearsing in January and we go all the way through until we leave and put something together that's fun but meaningful -- and something we can feel really good about.' The group arrives in Germany on July 13th but before they go, they're hosting a free tour kick off concert Saturday July 5th at 2 p.m. at Calgary Opera, 1315 7th street, SW. Learn more about Westwinds here.

Bach's passion speaks anew
Bach's passion speaks anew

Express Tribune

time18-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Express Tribune

Bach's passion speaks anew

Composer Johann Sebastian Bach reinvented his famous St John Passion on three occasions, with each version adapted to reflect the spirit of the times. The story, which tells of the Passion of Jesus, is more timely than ever, judging by reworkings of the classic at the Leipzig Bach Festival, reported DW. In Christian theology, the Passion of Jesus refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ during his final week on Earth. It includes his arrest, trial, death, and burial, ending with his resurrection, which is a cornerstone to the Christian belief in salvation and redemption. On the opening weekend, the Queer Passion — with a new libretto by Thomas Höft — was about the suffering of people from the LGBTQ scene. "Especially in Russia and the USA, queer people are once again being discriminated against and oppressed," author, dramaturge and director Thomas Höft told DW. Bach in Arabic The Arabian Passion, arranged by Bulgarian musician Vladimir Ivanoff, gives Bach's music an oriental flavor. Performed in the open air on Leipzig's market square, his message for peace between west and east reached a large audience. Ivanoff had combined excerpts from Bach's St John and St Matthew Passion in 2006 as the US invasion of Iraq continued. "I saw the suffering of the people there and drew a parallel to the Gospel," he told DW. "I would never have thought that after almost 20 years, this topic would still be so relevant in the Middle East." The excerpts from the Passions are sung in Arabic by the Lebanese actor and singer Fadia Tomb el-Hage, who is currently living in Germany. "I grew up in Lebanon and there was almost constant tension," she told DW. "For as long as I can remember, there have always been civil wars." Following Israel's recent attacks on Iran, she has been very worried about her relatives and friends in Lebanon. She sang the aria Erbarme dich ("Have mercy on me") from the St Matthew Passion in a particularly heart-wrenching way. Transformation beyond music This year's Bach Festival motto is "transformation." "It's a word we hear in abundance at the moment," Bach Festival director Michael Maul told DW, referring to transformations in the economy, the digital world and the climate. "We have applied this term to music and it fits very well with Bach's works," he added. Johann Sebastian Bach often revised his own music, changing instruments or lyrics. An early version of his famous Mass in B minor, written in 1733, opened the concert. Though rarely performed, this version was later used in the full Mass, and is now part of UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. When performing the latter work at the Bach Festival, the Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Leipzig St Thomas Boys Choir — conducted by current Thomaskantor, Andreas Reize — received thunderous applause. 75 years of Bach Archive The Bach Festival is one of the most international classical music festivals in Germany, with visitors from over 50 countries attending this year - from Burundi to South Africa, the US to Latin America, according to ticket sales. A large number of guests from across Asia arrive annually to hear Bach's music at the venues where Bach himself worked as Thomaskantor from 1723 until his death in 1750 - and from where he also conducted the illustrious St Thomas Choir. The Bach Festival is organised by the Leipzig Bach Archive, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. To mark this, director Peter Wollny was delighted to receive the Kulukundis Collection from the US. It contains letters, writing and the autographs of Bach's sons. The archive in Leipzig has the second-largest collection in the world of writing, books and objects relating to Bach and his extensive family. The new Bach Sons collection is estimated to be worth around €10 million ($11.5 million). Festival director Michael Maul also contributed to the Bach-inspired entertainment with a special libretto. "It's a kind of light-hearted musical comedy in which I thought about how Bach might have set Goethe's Faust to music," said Maul of the work created for the 500th anniversary of Leipzig's Auerbach's Cellar in 2025. The former wine bar, where the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was inspired to write his drama Faust, is now a tourist attraction. Bach's Faust is performed regularly at the venue during the Bach Festival. The event has also brought Bach to life in the digital realm. Using augmented reality, the Baroque master will play a harpsichord concerto as an avatar — and comment on it in his famously gruff manner. "For the most part, these are quotes from himself or from his immediate surroundings with funny elements," explained Maul. The digital concert can be viewed with 3D glasses, and will also go on tour following the Bach Festival. There are already invitations from the US, Malaysia and Japan. The Bach Festival in Leipzig continues through June 22.

Bach's music sounds out against war and discrimination – DW – 06/17/2025
Bach's music sounds out against war and discrimination – DW – 06/17/2025

DW

time17-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • DW

Bach's music sounds out against war and discrimination – DW – 06/17/2025

From the St. John to St. Matthew Passion, contemporary arrangements of Bach masterpieces at the Leipzig Bach Festival highlight oppression and conflict. Composer Johann Sebastian Bach reinvented his famous St. John Passion on three occasions, with each version adapted to reflect the spirit of the times. The story, which tells of the Passion of Jesus, is more timely than ever, judging by reworkings of the classic at the Leipzig Bach Festival. In Christian theology, the Passion of Jesus refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ during his final week on Earth. It includes his arrest, trial, death, and burial, ending with his resurrection, which is a cornerstone to the Christian belief in salvation and redemption. On the opening weekend, the "Queer Passion" — with a new libretto by Thomas Höft — was about the suffering of people from the LGBTQ scene. "Especially in Russia and the USA, queer people are once again being discriminated against and oppressed," author, dramaturge and director Thomas Höft told DW. The 'Queer Passion' in Leipzig Image: Marieke Wijntjes Bach in Arabic against Middle East conflicts The "Arabian Passion," arranged by Bulgarian musician Vladimir Ivanoff, gives Bach's music an oriental flavor. Performed in the open air on Leipzig's market square, his message for peace between west and east reached a large audience. Ivanoff had combined excerpts from Bach's St. John and St. Matthew Passion in 2006 as the US invasion of Iraq continued. "I saw the suffering of the people there and drew a parallel to the Gospel," he told DW. "I would never have thought that after almost 20 years, this topic would still be so relevant in the Middle East." The excerpts from the Passions are sung in Arabic by the Lebanese actress and singer Fadia Tomb el-Hage, who is currently living in Germany. "I grew up in Lebanon and there was almost constant tension," she told DW. "For as long as I can remember, there have always been civil wars." Following Israel's recent attacks on Iran, she has been very worried about her relatives and friends in Lebanon. She sang the aria "Erbarme dich" ("Have mercy on me") from the St. Matthew Passion in a particularly heart-wrenching way. Transformation beyond the music This year's Bach Festival motto is "transformation." "It's a word we hear in abundance at the moment," Bach Festival director Michael Maul told DW, referring to transformations in the economy, the digital world and the climate. "We have applied this term to music and it fits very well with Bach's works," he added. Johann Sebastian Bach often revised his own music, changing instruments or lyrics. An early version of his famous "Mass in B minor," written in 1733, opened the concert. Though rarely performed, this version was later used in the full "Mass," and is now part of UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. When performing the latter work at the Bach Festival, the Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Leipzig St. Thomas Boys Choir — conducted by current Thomaskantor, Andreas Reize — received thunderous applause. Michael Maul on 'Bach — We Are Family' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 75 years of the Bach Archive The Bach Festival is one of the most international classical music festivals in Germany, with visitors from over 50 countries attending this year — from Burundi to South Africa, the US to Latin America, according to ticket sales. A large number of guests from across Asia arrive annually to hear Bach's music at the venues where Bach himself worked as Thomaskantor from 1723 until his death in 1750 — and from where he also conducted the illustrious St. Thomas Choir. The Bach Festival is organized by the Leipzig Bach Archive, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. To mark this, director Peter Wollny was delighted to receive the Kulukundis Collection from the US. It contains letters, writing and the autographs of Bach's sons. The archive in Leipzig has the second-largest collection in the world of writing, books and objects relating to Bach and his extensive family. The new Bach Sons collection is estimated to be worth around €10 million ($11.5 million). Festival director Michael Maul also contributed to the Bach-inspired entertainment with a special libretto. "It's a kind of light-hearted musical comedy in which I thought about how Bach might have set Goethe's Faust to music," said Maul of the work created for the 500th anniversary of Leipzig's Auerbach's Cellar in 2025. The former wine bar, where the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was inspired to write his drama "Faust,' is now a tourist attraction. Bach's "Faust" is performed regularly at the venue during the Bach Festival. Bach goes digital at this year's Leipzig celebration Image: Desiree Engel/Bachfest Leipzig The event has also brought Bach to life in the digital realm. Using augmented reality, the Baroque master will play a harpsichord concerto as an avatar — and comment on it in his famously gruff manner. "For the most part, these are quotes from himself or from his immediate surroundings with funny elements," explained Maul. The digital concert can be viewed with 3D glasses, and will also go on tour following the Bach Festival. There are already invitations from the US, Malaysia and Japan. The Bach Festival in Leipzig continues through June 22. This article was originally written in German. Robot conductor takes charge at Dresden Symphony Orchestra To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Bach's music as a tool against war and discrimination – DW – 06/17/2025
Bach's music as a tool against war and discrimination – DW – 06/17/2025

DW

time17-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • DW

Bach's music as a tool against war and discrimination – DW – 06/17/2025

From the St. John to St. Matthew Passion, contemporary arrangements of Bach masterpieces at the Leipzig Bach Festival highlight oppression and conflict. Composer Johann Sebastian Bach reinvented his famous St. John Passion on three occasions, with each version adapted to reflect the spirit of the times. The story, which tells of the Passion of Jesus, is more timely than ever, judging by reworkings of the classic at the Leipzig Bach Festival. In Christian theology, the Passion of Jesus refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ during his final week on Earth. It includes his arrest, trial, death, and burial, ending with his resurrection, which is a cornerstone to the Christian belief in salvation and redemption. On the opening weekend, the "Queer Passion" — with a new libretto by Thomas Höft — was about the suffering of people from the LGBTQ scene. "Especially in Russia and the USA, queer people are once again being discriminated against and oppressed," author, dramaturge and director Thomas Höft told DW. The 'Queer Passion' in Leipzig Image: Marieke Wijntjes Bach in Arabic against Middle East conflicts The "Arabian Passion," arranged by Bulgarian musician Vladimir Ivanoff, gives Bach's music an oriental flavor. Performed in the open air on Leipzig's market square, his message for peace between west and east reached a large audience. Ivanoff had combined excerpts from Bach's St. John and St. Matthew Passion in 2006 as the US invasion of Iraq continued. "I saw the suffering of the people there and drew a parallel to the Gospel," he told DW. "I would never have thought that after almost 20 years, this topic would still be so relevant in the Middle East." The excerpts from the Passions are sung in Arabic by the Lebanese actress and singer Fadia Tomb el-Hage, who is currently living in Germany. "I grew up in Lebanon and there was almost constant tension," she told DW. "For as long as I can remember, there have always been civil wars." Following Israel's recent attacks on Iran, she has been very worried about her relatives and friends in Lebanon. She sang the aria "Erbarme dich" ("Have mercy on me") from the St. Matthew Passion in a particularly heart-wrenching way. Transformation beyond the music This year's Bach Festival motto is "transformation." "It's a word we hear in abundance at the moment," Bach Festival director Michael Maul told DW, referring to transformations in the economy, the digital world and the climate. "We have applied this term to music and it fits very well with Bach's works," he added. Johann Sebastian Bach often revised his own music, changing instruments or lyrics. An early version of his famous "Mass in B minor," written in 1733, opened the concert. Though rarely performed, this version was later used in the full "Mass," and is now part of UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. When performing the latter work at the Bach Festival, the Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Leipzig St. Thomas Boys Choir — conducted by current Thomaskantor, Andreas Reize — received thunderous applause. Michael Maul on 'Bach — We Are Family' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 75 years of the Bach Archive The Bach Festival is one of the most international classical music festivals in Germany, with visitors from over 50 countries attending this year — from Burundi to South Africa, the US to Latin America, according to ticket sales. A large number of guests from across Asia arrive annually to hear Bach's music at the venues where Bach himself worked as Thomaskantor from 1723 until his death in 1750 — and from where he also conducted the illustrious St. Thomas Choir. The Bach Festival is organized by the Leipzig Bach Archive, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. To mark this, director Peter Wollny was delighted to receive the Kulukundis Collection from the US. It contains letters, writing and the autographs of Bach's sons. The archive in Leipzig has the second-largest collection in the world of writing, books and objects relating to Bach and his extensive family. The new Bach Sons collection is estimated to be worth around €10 million ($11.5 million). Festival director Michael Maul also contributed to the Bach-inspired entertainment with a special libretto. "It's a kind of light-hearted musical comedy in which I thought about how Bach might have set Goethe's Faust to music," said Maul of the work created for the 500th anniversary of Leipzig's Auerbach's Cellar in 2025. The former wine bar, where the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was inspired to write his drama "Faust,' is now a tourist attraction. Bach's "Faust" is performed regularly at the venue during the Bach Festival. Bach goes digital at this year's Leipzig celebration Image: Desiree Engel/Bachfest Leipzig The event has also brought Bach to life in the digital realm. Using augmented reality, the Baroque master will play a harpsichord concerto as an avatar — and comment on it in his famously gruff manner. "For the most part, these are quotes from himself or from his immediate surroundings with funny elements," explained Maul. The digital concert can be viewed with 3D glasses, and will also go on tour following the Bach Festival. There are already invitations from the US, Malaysia and Japan. The Bach Festival in Leipzig continues through June 22. This article was originally written in German. Robot conductor takes charge at Dresden Symphony Orchestra To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

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