Tokyo American Club

This place has been a hub of activity—and relaxation—since it was founded in 1928. Sure, you can get your shoes shined or play a few games of bridge or squash, but the Tokyo American Club is so much more than your typical upper crust expat watering hole. For one, its members hail from over 50 countries, and the club’s library, cooking classes, and open mic nights speak to the emphasis placed on cultural exchange. Megumi Nakajima-Caldwell takes her son to the club for swimming lessons. In addition to a gorgeous glass-enclosed pool atop the club’s new building in Azubudai, there’s an open-air kiddie pool, with lounge chairs for parents close at hand. There are also several eating spots at the club, including a family friendly café that serves pizza, and the more upscale Decanter, the menu of which reads like those of leading American nouveau restaurants in New York.