What was your all-time greatest trip and what made it so special?
The first trip I took in Japan with my husband was to Kyoto, which is the old capital and is a very traditional, beautiful place full of temples and shrines. We stayed at The Hotel Higashiyama, which is ideally located for exploring the old city. It’s like a perfect combination of that special Japanese atmosphere with Western luxury. Its traditional Japanese breakfast is amazing.
Which is your favourite city to visit?
Now that I live in the UK, I have to say that Tokyo is my favourite city to visit. I love its scale. It’s just got everything you could ever want. I love to visit a traditional Japanese restaurant called Teuchi Soba Shiomi. It does tempura and soba noodles made from fresh, locally produced ingredients. I go every time I’m back.
Teuchi Soba Shiomi, 556 Waseda Tsurumakicho, Shinjuku
Which is your favourite hotel and what makes it so great?
I love the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi. It’s on the 38th floor of a Tokyo skyscraper and you have these amazing views over the whole city. There’s a great bar, a pool and public baths. It’s so nice that you don’t want to go out, which is fine as you can see the whole city from your room. It feels like you’re in the air when you’re there.
What are your travel essentials?
I use a Coach backpack, which I always fill with Zara shirts, Cos T-shirts and Athletia products including the oil cleanser and the Phyto Sleeping Cream.
By James Sleaford, style director of Secret Trips. James has worked in the fashion industry for 20 years and has held the post of fashion director of French GQ. You can find more of his work at jamessleaford.com
