Tokyo Marunouchi never sleeps

 

Mitsubishi and all its subsidiaries were the first to move into this new temple of business. But since then, Marunouchi has been home to the entire cast of the Japanese economy, as well as a host of international guest stars. Alongside Mitsui, Hitachi, Nikko, Citigroup and Toyota, the district's buildings bear the names of Rabobank, JP Morgan, Bloomberg, KPMG, Price Water House Coopers and Deloitte Touche. 

 

 

Once you have completed the final security procedures at satellite 5 in terminal 1, turn left towards gates 51 to 58. At the end of the corridor, an escalator leads to the glass door of the lounge. The separation takes place here, after the welcome desk: on the right is the ANA Suite, reserved for First passengers and Diamond members of the ANA Mileage Club; on the left is the area dedicated to business passengers and Gold members of the Star Alliance frequent flyer programme.

This very large facility, with 3,000 m2 and 450 seats, offers a wide range of options. When it comes to working, WiFi is freely available everywhere, and there are around twenty cubicles with computers, printers and fax machines. As for the rest, along the way you'll come across a relaxation room with a dozen insulated recliners, a Japanese room with tatami mats for small meetings, and a large washroom and treatment area with a dozen showers and massage rooms that can be paid for in miles or coins (3,780 yen for 30 minutes). The whole area is open and bright, with a clear preference on the part of waiting passengers for seats with a view of the runway and, what's more, all the connectivity equipment within easy reach.

On the food side, bowls of ramen and udon from the noodle bar complement the cold menu, which includes sushi, canapés and pastries... Another original feature for fans is the sake bar. Special attention has also been paid to smokers, with a well-ventilated smoking room overlooking the slopes.

There are a few differences for passengers in the ANA Suite section: it is obviously more intimate - seating around a hundred - and more exclusive, with a wider range of hot dishes and the option of being served at the seat. Note that ANA also offers lounges in satellite 4, with similar services. 

 

Looking at buildings is a highly respectable activity, especially in this district where the architecture is really well thought out. But Marunouchi is not an 'above ground' district and there are other things to see, starting with the green spaces. The two main ones, bordering the gardens of the Imperial Palace, are Wadakura Fountain Park to the north and Hibiya Park to the south. But nature can also be found in fine touches in the heart of the major developments. Here are just a few examples: Yurakucho Colline (on the 3rd floor of the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan building), Terrace Garden (on the 7th floor of the Shin Marunouchi Building), Ichigokan Square and the interior garden of the Marunouchi Hotel. 

 

 

Some will head south, for a morning at the Tsukiji fish market - at dawn, preferably - or an afternoon in the astonishing decor of Ginza's luxury boutiques. Others will prefer to head west to discover other key districts of the Japanese capital: Shinjuku and its perpetual movement, the lively Shibuya, traditional Ueno or Roppongi and its cosmopolitan atmosphere.