Deck it Out

April 15, 2013

Deck it Out

Target these terraces for your spring café needs

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Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2013

About Blooming Time

Just because the cherry blossoms have all been trampled into the dirt, you don’t have to spend the rest of the spring watching Game of Thrones. Here are some other flora whose salad days are approaching—and where to find them.

Azaleas (Apr-May)
For everyone’s favorite shade-tolerant flowering shrub, known in Japan as tsutsuji, there’s no better spot than the 6,600m2 garden of Nezu Shrine (Nearest stn: Nezu or Sendagi). As one would expect there is a matsuri to appreciate the colorful little beggars (50 kinds of them), where you can quaff the sweet rice drink amazake, buy plants and tchotchkes, and bask in Mother Nature’s subtle charms. Meanwhile, the Imperial Palace East Garden (nearest stn: Otemachi)—aka the bit you can actually get into more than two days a year—has oodles too.

Japanese wisteria (late Apr-early May)
Get wistful at the Fuji Matsuri, which may sound like it takes place at Japan’s iconic mountain until you find out fuji also means… wisteria. The Japanese species of this flowering plant is the most spectacular, bursting into heady trails of white, blue, or violet clusters during the season. Tradition holds that this floral fest, which takes place at Kameido Tenjin (nearest stn: Kameido) is auspicious for academic aspirants. That might be because it happens at the beginning of the school year. Events include academic lectures, traditional music, tea ceremonies, and ikebana if you prefer your flowers dead.

Roses (May)
Life’s no bed of roses, unless you happen to live in Kyu-Furukawa Gardens (nearest stn: Nishigahara). London-born architect Josiah Conder somehow wangled a trip over to Japan to build the Western-style gardens in 1917, and his romantic sensibilities were given an outlet still to be appreciated today. With a couple of hundred odd bushes peppered with some 100 varieties of the flower, this is the place to soak yourself with natural perfume. There’s also a Japanese garden to cool you off after all that thorny passion.

Source: www.gotokyo.org

AUREOLE

  • A fantastic location facing the green of historic Shinjuku Gyoen. Hurry and you might even catch some sakura blooms to feast your eyes on while you feast
  • Try their unforgettable blood-orange beer (¥680) and the succulent grilled, matured Japanese black beef (¥1,980)
  • The Garden Beer Terrace Plan (dinner only)gives you all you can drink for 90 minutes for groups of two to eight, for ¥3,500 each. A popular deal—best book ahead
  • Say “I saw it in Metropolis” for a free mini dessert (not valid with other offers, lunch menu or course menus)
  • Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm & 5:30pm-10pm, Sat 11:30am-4:30pm & 5:30-10pm, Sun & hols 11:30am-4:30pm & 5:30-9pm

  • 101, 1-3-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Nearest stn: Shinjuku Gyoen. Tel: 03-3355-8447. Email: info@aureole.ne.jp. www.aureole.ne.jp

CHILES MEXICAN GRILL

  • Enjoy authentic Mexican just half a block from the cosmopolitan crowds of Harajuku’s Takeshita Street—or grab takeout and head for nearby Yoyogi Park
  • The classic crisp Margarita for ¥650, soaked up with a juicy pork pibil burrito, and the delectable beef with arbol sauce
  • Chiles is run by Carlos, a genuine Mexican fellow, making it one of the few places in town offering the real deal
  • 10% off on burritos from 3:30pm until close
  • Open Mon 10am-4pm, Tue-Thu & Sun 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm

  • 1-8-24, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Nearest stn: Meiji-jingumae. Tel: 03-6434-9693. Email: chiles_grill@yahoo.com. http://meturl.com/chilesmex

ROTI ROPPONGI

  • There’s no other ground-floor, comfortable, tranquil deck in Roppongi perfect for relaxed lunches, brunches, drinks or dinner, seven days a week
  • Slurp up from six revolving craft beer taps and up to 20 great wines by the glass (¥700-1,400)
  • Roti’s hearty tucker is prepared by people who care—and know what they are doing. Try their burgers, roast dinners and more, and taste the love for yourself
  • Bring Metropolis for a free wine, beer or mixed drink, limited to one per day per person, until Apr 19
  • Open daily 11:30am-11pm

  • 1F Piramide Bldg, 6-6-9, Roppongi, Minato-ku. Nearest Stn: Roppongi .Tel: 03-5785-3671. Email: info@roti.jp. www.roti.jp

TENGOKUDO

  • Decor blends heavenly and hellish themes with both tranquil and peaceful areas. “Freedom”-style atmos allows customers to mingle
  • All-you-can-eat pizza from the pizza oven, plus one drink, for just ¥2,000 (5pm-midnight). Can it be true? Try their special cocktail Tengokudo, reminiscent of a Bloody Mary
  • Authentic Napoli-style pizza dough with a crispy crust. All ingredients imported from Italy, including toppings, flour, cheese, salt and tomatoes
  • Mention Metropolis and get ¥500 off the all-you-can-eat pizza deal
  • Open Mon-Thu 5pm-12am, Fri-Sat 5pm-5am, closed Sun.

  • 1F, 1-23-1 Ebisu-Minami, Shibuya-ku. Nearest stn: Ebisu. 03-3713-7067. www.tengokudo.jp