Romantic Proposal Ideas in Tokyo?
 

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.

edited.

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?

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.ph..._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.

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!"

May she rest in peace, but live on in our funny bones. ^

www.gildasclub.org/home/default.asp

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.

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.

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.

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