Ponytail Journal

There are people who love tea, and then there’s Shinya Sakurai. Although Japanese tea ceremony practices date back to the 9th century, Sakurai’s expertise is a rarity in contemporary Japan. After training for 12 years to become a tea master, Sakurai opened a small tea room in Nishi-Azabu called Souen. Anne Berry explores a perfect blend of modernity and tradition, resulting in one of the most innovative tea rooms in the world.

The beauty of a fervently creative city like Tokyo is what you can find in the nook and crannies if you look closely. This week we explore a little-known treasure in the city’s center: Miyagawa. Anne Berry tells us about when she had the most delicious tempura ever.

Tokyo: Along the Toei Oedo metro line sits a discreet little place called Bar Gen Yamamoto. Picture a small space carved out of a 500-year-old Mizunara tree, seating only eight at a time. There is no music or gaudy bar décor, merely an ikebana flower arrangement near the door. The menu itself is limited to either a tasting of 4 or 6 cocktails and their philosophy, seems quite simple: to make really really good cocktails.

Im sharing a little secret with you, my favourite donuts in Tokyo. To set the scene it’s dark and cold out, I’ve been on my fee...