JAPAN

The Future of Food

An up-to-date gourmet version of a traditional yokochō — an enclave of pedestrian alleys – has opened in the centre of Tokyo…

Toranomon Hills Business Tower boasts 59 shops including retails shops, supermarkets, and Toranomon Yokocho – a complex of 26 bars and eateries that brings together some of Tokyo’s hottest and most respected restaurant names. It has been intentionally designed to evoke the nostalgia of being in a Yokocho, which literally means “alleyways off to the side of a main street”. These small alleys can be found all over Japan, and in early times were often lined with small izakaya (tapas style bistros).

Special drinks are offered at a craft gin brewery that uses famous Tokyo-based Shima shochu and pure water from Tokyo’s Oume mountainous area. Toranomon Yokocho Cellar boasts various bottles of wine that can be enjoyed in any of the restaurants thanks to a universal Bring Your Own (BYO) policy, enabling visitors to pair favorite wines with foods from Tokyo’s top eateries.

There are thousands of menu items to sample, ranging from branches of Michelin star restaurants to humble Yakitori and Ramen shops. Diverse a la carte choices are available, even from operators known for serving only course meals at their main restaurants, making it possible to sample a rich variety of cuisines and cooking styles.

All images from Japantimes.co.jp