An Anti-Retro Tokyo Guide

The Citroën DS3's uniqueness lies in its fusion of functional and stylish elements, creating a new kind of automobile. Citroën, which had previously named all its models starting with "C," chose "DS" for the first time to offer a car that aligns with today's diverse lifestyles. Combining the practicality of a hatchback with the elegance of a coupe, the DS3 proves to be an enjoyable car for any occasion.

The Citroën DS3 is available in two variants: the 1.6-liter "Chic" and the more powerful 1.6-liter turbo "Sport Chic." The former caters to users prioritizing comfort, while the latter, also offered with a manual transmission, is for those who enjoy driving actively. The wide range of body and roof color combinations is another highlight. While matching colors are an option, you can also pair a pale blue body, called "Bleu Botticelli," with a white roof, "Blanc Opal." Attention to detail is evident, with the door mirrors matching the roof color and the wheel center caps mirroring the body color.

A model with a pale blue body, "Bleu Botticelli," paired with a white roof, "Blanc Opal."

As its "anti-retro" keyword suggests, the DS3 is a car that looks to the future. Yet, it has a strong connection to the past. This connection lies in the image association with the "DS," the prestigious saloon unveiled in 1955 that astonished Paris and the world. The original DS was considered avant-garde, not only for its bullet-like styling but also for its innovative mechanism that connected all systems – suspension, steering, and brakes – via hydraulic pipes.

A similar sense of strong presence can be felt from the DS3, launched in 2009. Likewise, there are many places that, while distinctly modern, evoke a connection to the past. This is an anti-retro Tokyo guide to those places.

Features "vehicle personalization" allowing selection of body and roof color combinations.

An interior that reflects meticulous attention to detail.

The Nezu Museum, Reimagined by Architect Kengo Kuma

The Nezu Museum in Minami-Aoyama can be described as history beautifully contained within a novel vessel. Opened in 1941 to publicly display the collection of Kaichiro Nezu, a prominent industrialist and art collector, the museum houses Japanese and East Asian art, including seven National Treasures and 87 Important Cultural Properties.

The collection remained the same, but the building underwent a "new creation and opening" in October 2009. The new structure was designed by architect Kengo Kuma. Its beautiful style, which boldly incorporates metal and glass while coexisting with the bamboo grove and gardens, has garnered acclaim.

The collection comprises Japanese and East Asian art.

The vast garden, exceeding 17,000 square meters, is also a charm of the Nezu Museum, with ancient trees and four tea houses scattered throughout.

"The sequence from Omotesando to the museum is like the path to a tea house, a crucial space that calms visitors from the hustle and bustle of the city to a serene art space." This is Kengo Kuma's concept for the building. The expansive roof, designed to contrast with the open sky, is made of modern materials yet evokes the serene yet powerful presence reminiscent of the Tenpyo era of Nara, which gave rise to structures like Todai-ji Temple. The sensibility of viewing the streets of Aoyama, where boutiques and restaurants are constantly emerging, as a path to a tea house, and the way new life has been breathed into a museum displaying ancient art, is truly anti-retro. It may offer a new direction for the future of museums.

Aoyama and cars have a good affinity. The area is known for its fashion-forward sensibility, where passersby notice what you're driving. Driving down narrow streets lined with outdoor cafes, the striking design of the Citroën DS3 is met with smiles. The DS3 particularly suits a city with people who value self-expression, much like in Europe and America. Furthermore, its compact exterior dimensions make it easy to maneuver, and it performs exceptionally well on hilly terrain and winding roads. In this sense, it demonstrates a rare ability to be both conspicuous and blend in.

The building was designed by architect Kengo Kuma.

AQUAVIT: A Restaurant Where Tradition and Modernism Converge

Fine dining also pairs well with cars. In Europe and America, arriving at a restaurant by car is a beautiful sight to behold. AQUAVIT in Kita-Aoyama, Tokyo, is one of the few restaurants in Japan that invites such an arrival. True to its claim of "Modern Scandinavian Cuisine," it features a meticulously paved driveway, reminiscent of European streets.

AQUAVIT is the Tokyo outpost of a popular Nordic restaurant in New York. The interior, with its abundant use of glass for natural light, is a composition of natural materials like wood, polished metal, and cool glass. Beautiful Scandinavian furniture adorns the space, with tables made of smoothly finished wood, while chairs combine leather and chrome. The overall coordination is an expression of highly original modernism.

"Modern Scandinavian cuisine can be described as French cuisine as a base, incorporating unique cooking methods and ingredients."

An interior with abundant use of glass for natural light.

This is according to Chef Kazuhiko Tsurumi of AQUAVIT, who also trained in Scandinavia.

"For example, we use fatty Norwegian salmon. While French cuisine is our base, we sometimes adopt Nordic methods to bring out the best in ingredients favored in the region. In Sweden, for instance, sugar is used. Although unusual in Europe, Japanese cuisine also actively uses sugar and mirin, so despite seeming unconventional, our dishes are easily accepted by those who enjoy Japanese food."

From the "2nd Anniversary Special Course Menu" priced at 8,800 yen. The main meat dish: "Canadian Veal Steak with Madeira and Shallot Sauce."

Chef Kazuhiko Tsurumi of AQUAVIT, who also trained in Scandinavia.

The modern elements bring Scandinavian cuisine, less familiar in Japan than French or Italian, closer to home. This may also symbolize the contemporary cultural landscape where boundaries are said to have disappeared. The Citroën DS3, while distinctive, possesses the power to bring happiness to everyone who drives it. Or perhaps, it's simply close by. Finding essential value within newness also resonates with the charm of anti-retro.

Grand Hyatt Tokyo: A Hotel Adorned with Modern Art

The Grand Hyatt Tokyo stands out for its modern sensibility, centered on design and art, within a historically rich area. This luxury hotel is located within Roppongi Hills. While its light brown exterior is striking from the street, when viewed from the Roppongi Hills commercial complex, the hotel building seamlessly integrates with its surroundings. From the walkways, a seemingly pleasant, green space might turn out to be one of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo's restaurants. This sense of a building within a building creates a comfortable, urban atmosphere.

The Grand Hyatt Tokyo opened in April 2003 and remains captivating. The restaurant "Keyakizaka," designed by Tony Chi to evoke a market, features fresh vegetables and a glass-aged beef display that stimulates the appetite. The bar "Maduro," with its dynamic gas lamps, is particularly eye-catching. Both offer not only exceptional food and drinks but also create memorable spatial experiences.

The bar "Maduro," designed by Tony Chi, features an unusually spacious interior for a hotel bar.

Another characteristic of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo is its art collection. Roppongi Hills houses a museum, and exploring the area reveals art installations in unexpected places. The hotel itself features a large head-motif sculpture by Jun Kaneko in the first-floor elevator hall, with approximately 200 contemporary artworks displayed throughout. The city and the hotel seem to breathe fresh air, a testament to the power of art.

A large head-motif sculpture by Jun Kaneko is displayed in the first-floor elevator hall.

"Waterfalls" by Hiroshi Senju, displayed in the foyer before the "Shrine."

Among the artworks, "Waterfalls," a piece by Hiroshi Senju displayed in the foyer before the "Shrine," is particularly popular. Emerging as a motif of cascading water against a dark background as you pass through the corridor, the work has a breathtaking impact. The "Grand Chapel," designed by Takashi Sugimoto, who also designed the shrine, is equally awe-inspiring, with its walls constructed from interlocking wooden planks resembling falling rain and a massive cross suspended from the 16-meter-high ceiling.

Combining shrine and chapel elements with a modern aesthetic—this innovative sensibility surprisingly leads to a sense of comfort. Perhaps it is the "soul" that moves us, inherent in creations by creators with strong, fundamental concepts. This might be another aspect of the essence of anti-retro.

Roppongi Hills is surprisingly well-suited for cars. Keyakizaka, lined with boutiques and restaurants, is a short stretch but packed with the luxurious elements of modern Tokyo. Driving along it offers a unique experience. Additionally, the circular internal road within Roppongi Hills connects attractive destinations like the hotel entrance, cinema complex, and shopping facilities, making driving here an exciting experience in itself.

The "Grand Chapel" designed by Takashi Sugimoto.

The hotel's porte-cochère.

<PLAY>
Nezu Museum
6-5-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours | 10:00–17:00
Closed Mondays, during exhibition changeovers, and year-end/New Year holidays
However, if Monday is a public holiday, it will be closed the following Tuesday.
Tel. 03-3400-2536
www.nezu-muse.or.jp/

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AQUAVIT
2-5-8 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours | 11:30–15:00 / 18:00–23:30
Open year-round
Tel. 03-5413-3300
www.aquavit-japan.com/

<STAY>
Grand Hyatt Tokyo
6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-4333-1234
tokyo.grand.hyatt.jp