The party season in Japan is in full swing throughout the month of December, but even in January there are some great New Year parties if you know where to look for them. The staff of Atago Green Hills Forest Tower organized a get-together for residents at the lounge of in-house Green Hills Spa, on the building's top (42nd) floor, 140 meters above the ground.

The spa prepared a variety of healthy, delicious foods, including fresh sandwich wraps and homemade cookies. Drinks were also provided, and guests enjoyed catching up with each other after the year-end holidays while taking in the stunning view of the city stretched out beneath them.

The highlight of the evening was a violin and koto (a 13-stringed Japanese zither) performance by a pair of young female musicians. In addition to traditional Japanese tunes, they also performed Western favorites such as Amazing Grace, which all of the residents clearly enjoyed.

Unlike most apartment complexes in Japan, Atago Green Hills Forest Tower has a distinct community feel. Many of the residents know each other and regularly socialize over breakfast in the spa lounge or in the exercise area of the spa itself.

I spoke to one resident who has only been in Tokyo for about a year, and he had only wonderful things to say about the atmosphere created by his fellow residents and the staff at Atago Green Hills Forest Tower, mentioning that they made him feel at home during the early days of his time in a strange city. We should all be so lucky!

Kelly