It shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of our all-time favourite movies is Sofia Coppola’s breakout movie Lost in Translation, staring Scarlett Johansen in the semi-autobiographical role of Coppola based on her own experiences in Japan while filing her first movie The Virgin Suicides and of course, the brilliant Bill Murray as ‘Bob Harris’ the fading movie star brought to Japan to promote Suntory whiskey (also a firm favourite of The Japan Concierge!)

The evocative and beautifully filmed movie is largely set in Tokyo with the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku playing a very strong supporting role as several of the scenes take place at this iconic property. To many, the Park Hyatt Tokyo is now synonymous with the movie. A stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo is a special experience and has become an essential stop for lovers of this film from around the world.

If the true ‘Lost in Translation’ experience is on your travel bucket list, then you might want to review your travel schedule. The Park Hyatt Tokyo has announced plans for a property-wide renewal of its guestrooms and facilities starting in spring 2024. The hotel will suspend operations in May 2024, and won’t reopen again until late 2025.

You'll need to get in even earlier if you want to visit the iconic New York Bar and Grill, the setting of several key scenes from the movie, including Charlotte and Bob’s first meeting. This spectacular bar and restaurant will be closed from January 2024 through to March 2024 for a refit. Apart from feeling like you’ve stepped into a movie set, we can personally attest to the New York Bar and Grill being masters at mixing an especially good martini.

No doubt these renovations will only enhance the overall experience of staying at this amazing property but if you’re after a true Lost in Translation time capsule experience then you’ll need to move swiftly.

If you’re anything like The Japan Concierge, then you may well have downloaded the film’s soundtrack and booked your flight before reading on...

So where else should you visit to have the full Charlotte experience?

Well firstly (and most obviously) the Park Hyatt. In terms of which room to book, while all the rooms are excellent, if you want to stay in ‘Charlotte’s room’, you might need to push the budget a smidge – they used one room for filming, a larger suite, for both Bob and Charlotte’s scenes. If money truly is no object (and we really mean, absolutely no object), then we highly recommend the Tokyo Suite which boasts a living room complete with library and grand piano, a dining room, full kitchen and a king bed. This is still The Japan Concierge’s most memorable, ‘pinch me’ hotel experience (and we’ve had a few!)

Of course, you will need to head over to Shibuya and take on the famous Shibuya Scramble. The shopping here is excellent too, so plan to spend the day. Shibuya’s Karaoke Kan is home to the movie’s karaoke scene. You can perform your own interpretation of “God Save the Queen”, “Brass in Pocket” or “More than This” in room 601 which is where this amazing scene was shot.

After a late night, you may want something a little more serene the following day. This is the perfect time to visit Jogani Temple which Charlotte visits in the rain early in the movie (she mistakenly calls the temple a shrine). Sadly, you are unlikely to find chanting monks, these were an embellishment. Afterwards travel to Udagawacho to visit Shabuzen, the Shabu-Shabu restaurant that Bob and Charlotte visit - but do resist the temptation to order two meals. Head back to the Park Hyatt Tokyo and the New York Bar and Grill hotel for a nightcap of Suntory Hibiki or Yamazaki.

Matthew's Best Hit TV, the television variety show that Bob appears on is no longer airing but there are equivalents running most nights on TV. After a night out you can retire back to your room overlooking Tokyo although the spectacular view may win out over channel surfing.

The next day you will check out of the Park Hyatt Tokyo and catch the famous shinkansen (colloquially known in English as the ‘bullet train’) to Kyoto. Although Charlotte’s trip to Kyoto only accounts for around three minutes of film time, a bullet train trip and visit to Kyoto are absolute must-dos for any visit to Japan. Be sure to visit the Heian-jingu Shrine and follow in Charlotte’s footsteps as you cross the stepping stones. In the film, Charlotte also visits the Nanzen-ji temple which is definitely worth a visit.

On your way back to Tokyo perhaps check out the location for another beautiful scene, where Bob playing golf in front of Mount Fuji. This is shot at the Kawaguchiko Country Club, located southwest of Tokyo and about nine miles from Mt. Fuji.

Another must-do is to view the neon lights of Kabukicho in Shinjuku from a taxi window, as Bob did on his arrival. You can do this on your last night when heading out to the Golden Gai (although not technically a scene in the movie but an iconic Tokyo experience nonetheless). The Golden Gai is a rabbit warren of over 200 bars that seat only a handful of patrons. It’s a great Tokyo experience and definitely a must do when staying in Shinjuku.

Obviously, this itinerary only scrapes the surface of what Tokyo and Kyoto have to offer but, if you love the movie Lost in Translation as much as we do, it would be a shame to miss out on your own Coppola-esque experience of Tokyo.

Pink wigs and inside-out camouflage t-shirts are optional.

Get in touch if you’d like us to plan your Lost in Translation adventure.