Looking to stay on the cutting edge of food, drink and shopping trends in Tokyo? Sure, keeping track of all the new restaurants, bars, shops and stands opening across the city every month can feel exhausting and almost hopeless – but that's where we come in. Sparing you the trouble of wading through long lists of shiny promotional pics and hollow praise, we've again compiled a handy list of the top five spots to start business this month. Check out our editorial team's picks below, and make sure to leave a comment if you think we missed something.
Japan obviously rules the roost when it comes to the diversity of Kit-Kat flavours, but this shop centred on the cult wafer choc will likely draw in both domestic and international fans of the lucky bar. Set in Ginza, it's the first-ever high street Kit-Kat shop – all the other Chocolatories are located inside department stores. Besides a whole new lineup of funky Kit-Kats overseen by patissier Yasumasa Takagi, there's also an eat-in space on the second floor with Kit-Kat madeleines and much more.
Barcelona's chocolate artisans peddle an impressive lineup of sweets made with fresh ingredients sourced from the area around Barcelona, plus chocolate crafted from carefully selected French components. Don't miss the show-stopping Xabina chocolate cake, which won a mention as the 'World's Best Chocolate Cake' at the 2005 World Pastry Cup in Lyon. And they haven't skimped on localisation efforts either, as said cake is sold in a specially developed package available only at their new Omotesando shop.
The sister restaurant of upscale yakiniku spot Kenshiro in Nishi-Azabu, Ushimitsu is looking to 'promote Japanese omotenashi' through the tried and tested medium of grilled meat. They're offering an innovative take on yakiniku with some French and Italian touches mixed in, all in decidedly fancy fashion. Try the Kenshiro-yaki, a mainstay at the Nishi-Azabu outpost, or the Ushimitsu Kiwami Yukhoe, which comes topped with sea urchin and caviar.
Re-opened near Ebisu Station, this creative Ryukyu-an (Okinawan) restaurant and hub for Okinawan craft beer serves up both classic island dishes and more creative fare centred around the theme of health and beauty. You'll find vegetables like island carrots, turnips and daikon, which are turned into dishes such as Obaashima Vegetable Bagna Cauda and Irorojima Vegetable Pickles – all packed with enough vitamins and minerals to make you feel good about overindulging in the southern prefecture's riches.
Grown-up fashion brand Salaba is setting up an eagerly awaited pop-up stall inside Seibu Shibuya, where their new styles, old favourites and accessories can be browsed until February 16. Actor Nao Omori and 'Big Black Maria' silver accessory and clothing designer Masataka Aoyama have created a collection that's essentially unisex and disregards age and shapes, featuring both T-shirts that are oversized on men and pullovers that turn into a dress for women.
Catching up? Check out the hottest openings in January here