The spirit of the place according to Taku Obota

"I live outside Tokyo because it's the only way to have space and a large studio to work in. Nevertheless, I love the energy of this city and I visit it regularly, particularly in Roppongi, the district where my gallery, Clear Edition, is located. It's located in a small street, in a somewhat confidential area, but three minutes from the beautiful Mori Museum, dedicated to contemporary art. I love this museum, and even more so since it was renovated. To get there, you have to walk past the famous Spider by Louise Bourgeois and, more recently, a sculpture by Jean-Michel Othoniel. As the Mori Museum is perched high up in its tower, it's an ideal place to hold meetings. The view from The Sun and the Moon café on the 52nd floor is breathtaking. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji!

In the same district, you should also drop in at 21-21 Design Sight, the design museum designed by architect Tadao Ando. Its shop offers a fine selection of unusual objects, ideal for finding pretty "made in Japan" gifts. DO, the gift shop in the very creative Claska hotel, is another good address for small items to bring home, and is full of refined decorative objects in ceramics, textiles, paper, etc.

As someone who studied at Tokyo's Faculty of Art, I often go to see exhibitions at the University Art Museum, where the programme is original and of high quality. This museum, like the university, is in the heart of Ueno Park. From there, you can walk to the National Museum, which houses some splendid prints from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

For business meetings, I recommend Mikawa Zezankyo, an upmarket tempura restaurant opened in 2010. There's only one counter, but the atmosphere is sure to please those who want to experience the real Japan. However, it's important to book in advance, as the place is very popular... and there are only nine seats. I also like the small restaurants in Ginza, like Taishukappo Sanshuya, which is really affordable and has an atmosphere reminiscent of the 'Shôwa era' (editor's note: from 1926 to 1989). I always order a 'Kaisen-don', a seafood donburi, which is my favourite. The atmosphere is so special that you forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

I also like the restaurant Kôbô, in the Shibuya district. It's an unusual place, where the food is really delicious and where I often go, because I'm friends with the couple who run it. But if you're looking for an international atmosphere and a breathtaking view over Tokyo, head for the rooftop bar of the new Andaz hotel, where you can sip seasonal cocktails inspired by Japanese culture on the 52nd and top floor of the Toranomon Hills tower.