Hello fellow FTers. Have decided to pop the big question to my GF :p Won't be a total surprise, since we chose the ring together, but would still like to do something special. Thought about going back to the Institut Franco-Japonais in Iidabashi where we first met for the sentimental value. They do have a small brasserie there and a garden, but would be interested in any other ideas. Any very romantic restaurants/locations/events in or near Tokyo? The alternative would be to wait to go back to Paris and propose near the Eifel tower, but that would be too ordinary, no?

Brasserie de l'Institut Franco-Japonais ^ ^ ^

Especially since it is a historically significant location for you, I think it would be pretty hard to beat. Can you wait a few weeks until the weather warms up? Then you could reserve a table outside for lunch.

Other ideas? Maybe leave the city altogether - go to the Fuji five lakes area (Climb up the hills behind Lake Motosu & Lake Shoji and propose at the top with the spectacular view ... )

Ok, so I might end up sticking with the first idea, although the Hakone idea sounds great too. Just have to wait for spring time to arrive to reserve a table on the terrace. Have never eaten at the brasserie, so I wasn't sure if it wasn't too cafeteria like inside, but it wouldn't matter if we're outside.

No need to propose "all at once" either, as I recently proposed to my (now fiance ;) ) over 3 days.

For example, if you had a 4 course meal (entre, main, dessert, cheese/ coffee) or the like you could have a word/message delivered somehow over each course, mixing up the words so marry is the last one offered. When you ask her to "scrabble" the hints (e.g. you; me; will; marry) and it "clicks" for her, then you could pop the (verbal) question @:-) .

I wasn't sure if it wasn't too cafeteria like inside.

It's not at all cafeteria-like inside. Quite OK actually - but much better to be outside on a sunny day. (Reservation is absolutely essential).

If I were you.... I'd look for a Oyaji(:Yatai) in Shiba Kou-en and make a reservation.

You've got Sake, Oden, Tokyo tower.... It's perfect, isn't it?
Hello fellow FTers. Have decided to pop the big question to my GF :p Won't be a total surprise, since we chose the ring together, but would still like to do something special. Thought about going back to the Institut Franco-Japonais in Iidabashi where we first met for the sentimental value. They do have a small brasserie there and a garden, but would be interested in any other ideas. Any very romantic restaurants/locations/events in or near Tokyo? The alternative would be to wait to go back to Paris and propose near the Eifel tower, but that would be too ordinary, no?

A vote for a day trip to Kyoto. There a several very stylish French bistros in beautiful northern Kyoto or you could go to one of the "fashionista" Izakayas on the northern edge of Pontocho alley. And if you don't happen to get the last Nozomi back there's always the Brighton or the Okura... ;)

A vote for a day trip to Kyoto. There a several very stylish French bistros in beautiful northern Kyoto or you could go to one of the "fashionista" Izakayas on the northern edge of Pontocho alley. And if you don't happen to get the last Nozomi back there's always the Brighton or the Okura... ;)

The added bonus is that you could go back and get married there in the style of Lisa Marie Presley: http://www.hollywoodrag.com/index.php?/weblog/comments/lisa_marie_presleys_kimono_wedding_pics/
;)

I personally think it's much nicer to go somewhere with some real meaning to you both, so I also belive that your instinct of going to the Institut Franco-Japonais is a dam' good one.

As an alternative; If you're planning to pop the question around July, and can stand the heat, I can't think of anything more romantic than proposing in a semi-rural setting whilst fireflies dance in the air around you.
http://www.ukai.co.jp/toriyama/ Which is just an hour from Tokyo. Not the finest cuisine, but the setting is pretty much perfect.

If you called them up and explained what you were planning, I'm sure they'd help you get the timing right.

So I was wandering the streets of Ebisu and found myself passing the Institute Franco-American-Japonais, a clear example of life imitating the internet. This thread motivated me to make a lunch booking and I just returned from that lunch -- for Y1500 you get a soup/salad course, a main course, dessert, and coffee. Pretty decent deal. The place itself is pleasant but not spectacular and the outside space is quite limited (it is too cold now for it to be open). Didn't see a single non-Japanese person there except for me; nonetheless, I'd go back again. While it wouldn't get a Michelin *, it was good value for the money. Go for it.

So I was wandering the streets of Ebisu and found myself passing the Institute Franco-American-Japonais, a clear example of life imitating the internet. This thread motivated me to make a lunch booking and I just returned from that lunch -- for Y1500 you get a soup/salad course, a main course, dessert, and coffee. Pretty decent deal. The place itself is pleasant but not spectacular and the outside space is quite limited (it is too cold now for it to be open). Didn't see a single non-Japanese person there except for me; nonetheless, I'd go back again. While it wouldn't get a Michelin *, it was good value for the money. Go for it.

I thought the place jib71 talks about is in Iidabashi?

Good point! Well the one I stumbled across is just down the road from Ebisu Garden Place and it's a pretty big building with a restaurant that is called "Brasserie L'Espace." The restaurant paper calls the building it is in "La Maison Franco-Japonaise." Could there be two places so similar in concept? It's Tokyo, I guess so -- I did a web search and found this in Shinjuku-ku, which is definitely NOT where I was:

http://www.ifjtokyo.or.jp/top.html

So in the words of Rosanne Rosanna-Danna, "Never mind!"

Rosanne Rosanna-Danna
May she rest in peace, but live on in our funny bones. ^

www.gildasclub.org/home/default.asp

Good point! Well the one I stumbled across is just down the road from Ebisu Garden Place and it's a pretty big building with a restaurant that is called "Brasserie L'Espace."
I guess you must have been at this place:
http://www.mfjtokyo.or.jp/guide/guide_002.html

I didn't know about it. Good to see your recommendation - I will check it out.

Could there be two places so similar in concept? It's Tokyo, I guess so -- I did a web search and found this in Shinjuku-ku, which is definitely NOT where I was:

http://www.ifjtokyo.or.jp/top.html

Yep - That's the place I'm talking about. The address is in Shinjuku Ku - but it's far from the bright lights of Shinjuku station. It has a garden with a wood deck, a stage for music and enough space for four or five tables outside...
The closest station is Iidabashi.

So I was wandering the streets of Ebisu and found myself passing the Institute Franco-American-Japonais...

I didn't realize there was a similar institute in Ebisu too. Ours is definitely the Iidabashi one though, just around the corner from the British Council. Appreciate all the tips btw, but don't want to wait until July for the fireflies to appear :D Let's wish for spring time to appear this weekend... Oh, and if anyone needs any tips about buying an an engagement /wedding ring in Japan I can definitely recommend some places.

Institute Franco-American-Japonais

Dammit, now I'm going to have the Spaghetti-O's jingle stuck in my head all day! And I'll be imagining the wa-fu version....

And back on topic, congrats, cardesigner2000! Yeah, I'd imagine holding off until July would be difficult if she already knows you've got the ring. :D

Oh, and if anyone needs any tips about buying an an engagement /wedding ring in Japan I can definitely recommend some places.
In a similar fashion (for wedding bands) I can heartily recommend NIWAKA.

In a similar fashion (for wedding bands) I can heartily recommend NIWAKA.

That's where We'll get our wedding bands if all goes well :rolleyes: They have two shops in Tokyo (Omote Sando and Ebisu Garden Place). Check out http://www.niwaka.com to have a look. For the engagement ring you have to buy their (expensive) diamonds so I went elsewhere.

What about a weekend at the Fujiya in Miyano....a - close to Hakone. The hot mineral springs are so relaxing followed by his and hers massage. Cherry Blossom time is coming and the Fujiya Spring gardens are spectacular. Dine in private and "Pop the age old question!!"
bb

The Meguro Parasite Museum in Tokyo. It's a popular date destination in Tokyo. Really! :)

http://www.tmd.ac.jp/med/mzoo/MPM/mpm2E.html

Just as a follow-up. Original Plan: Tried to reserve something at the Brasserie de l'institut, but they were closed for a private party. It was probably too windy to be sitting outside yesterday anyways. On to plan 2: Since we were in Ebisu anyways, I thought about the other Brasserie there, but couldn't find their number to reserve something. Plan 3 was to reserve a place at XEX Daikanyama, which has a great rooftop terrace for when the weather is nice, but they only have an Italian restaurant and a Sushi place, and I thought to at least stick to the French theme. Plan 4: Then realized that there was a fancy French place in a replica Chateau at Yesbisu Garden Place. Somehow made me think of something they would do in Vegas, but I digress. Called them up to make a reservation, but of course they were fully booked for lunch and dinner, except for the more expensive second floor. No problem I said, although I asked if formal attire was required and metioned that I would be proposing tonight. Luckily a jacket could be provided and they gave us a nice private table. Food was excellent and service very attentive. Oh and to get to the point, she said yes :)

Plan 4: Then realized that there was a fancy French place in a replica Chateau at Yesbisu Garden Place. Somehow made me think of something they would do in Vegas, but I digress. Called them up to make a reservation, but of course they were fully booked for lunch and dinner, except for the more expensive second floor. No problem I said, although I asked if formal attire was required and metioned that I would be proposing tonight. Luckily a jacket could be provided and they gave us a nice private table. Food was excellent and service very attentive. Oh and to get to the point, she said yes :)

Ar! Well, first congratulations, on both your engagement, and the fact that you blindly stumbled upon what is probably one of the top 10 French restaurants in the world, the Joel Robuchon Tokyo!

Well, as long as I am filling the self-appointed role of forum architecture critic, I might as well mention that that place looks to me like a large version of the haunted mansion at Disneyland. It also doesn't match any part of the rest of the Yebisu Garden Place area.

Oh, and what happened to Taillevant, did he get bought out by Robuchon?

Well, as long as I am filling the self-appointed role of forum architecture critic, I might as well mention that that place looks to me like a large version of the haunted mansion at Disneyland. It also doesn't match any part of the rest of the Yebisu Garden Place area.

Oh, and what happened to Taillevant, did he get bought out by Robuchon?

Do not judge a book by its cover, at least in this case. Why it looks like that, don't ask, I am at peace with such things in Japan. As for why it is only Robuchon now, well, they got into a catfight of some kind, and they decided to go their own separate ways. Taillevent has opened a couple of wine shops in Tokyo, and I wouldn't be surprised if a restaurant wasn't far off.