John Tancock is president of Sotheby’s Japan. He lives in the centre of Tokyo.

Where do you live and why?

I live in Nagatacho, in Tokyo, close to the lively atmosphere of Akasaka and a 10-minute walk from my office. In a city where people commute long distances that is quite unusual.

I also have a stunning view of the grounds of the Imperial Palace and the Diet Building.

What advice would you give a tourist?

Go see the obvious sites listed in your guidebook, then start walking at random in the back streets. Tokyo is a city of countless neighbourhoods of great charm and full of eccentric domestic architecture and tiny gardens. For old Tokyo, explore the Yanaka area, and for the ultimate in contemporary chic, go to Aoyama and Omotesando. Don’t miss the Nezu Museum with its lovely garden.

What advice would you give a visiting business person?

Make sure you choose a hotel close to where you plan to have your meetings. That is to say don’t stay in Shinjuku if your meetings are in the Ginza or vice versa. If you are coming from the US or Europe, allow a day for the worst effects of jet lag to wear off—it’s a long journey!

What and where have been your most memorable meals?

Many of my most memorable meals have been at small counter restaurants with highly sophisticated food, for example Miyashita near Gaienmae metro station.

I also enjoy eating in restaurants that specialise in one kind of food, whether it’s tofu, eel or sublime soba.

Where would you take a client to wow them?

If they don’t know Tokyo, then either before or after a good dinner, I would take them to the top of the new Mori Building in Roppongi Hills to look at the astounding view. Dinner might be at Appia in Minami Azabu—an outstanding Italian restaurant popular with celebrities. For a more serene experience, I would take them to Daigo for beautifully prepared vegetarian food.

What do you most miss about Tokyo when you’re away?

The civility of it all, the food and the fact that everything works.