If New York has The Plaza, and Dubai has the Burj Al Arab, then the buzzing metropolis of Tokyo has Palace Hotel Tokyo, the city’s pinnacle of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) that is more than mere accommodation—it’s an experience worth flying there for. Its name is not just superfluous: the hotel is the next best thing to staying under the same roof as the emperor, as it is only separated from the Imperial Place by a moat.
Every room boasts views of the royal estate through floor-to-ceiling windows and, beyond the hotel’s entrance, is Marunouchi Naka Dori, the city’s equivalent of London’s Bond Street, with upscale dining and shopping.
The hotel’s reputation is such that it has garnered the prestigious Five-Star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide and the coveted Three Keys by the Michelin Guide, the guide’s highest distinction for exceptional stays.
To enhance stays at this coveted address, the Palace Hotel Tokyo is launching a new, tailored gastronomic stay package for its discerning guests, titled The Best of Japan: The Art of Gastronomy. These are extensions of the already substantial experiences at some of the hotel’s 10 restaurants and bars, which are dining destinations in and of themselves, including the one-Michelin-starred Esterre.
Sophisticated imbibers may opt to enjoy An Introduction to Sake & Japanese Wines through a private, 60-minute tasting of distinctly different sakes as well as wines from Yamanashi, Hokkaido and Nagano—Japan’s top three wine-producing regions at the hotel’s signature restaurant Wadakura.
Otherwise, teetotallers or those who simply wish to delve into Japan’s rich tea culture that dates back to the 8th century can enrol for A Sophisticated Tea Tasting at Higashiya-man, a chic tea salon, just a brief stroll from the hotel. A private session with a tea sommelier will include an introduction to a variety of high-grade Japanese teas and tips on how best to enjoy different brews, complete with pairings of seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery) specially handcrafted for hotel guests.
Palace Hotel Tokyo opens doors to exceptional experiences, including Building Bentos with a Bento Master, Marc Matsumoto, who is a chef, author and host of NHK’s popular cooking show Bento Expo. Have an exclusive look inside his sleek in-home kitchen studio just outside of central Tokyo with a family-friendly experience. The bento adventure includes shopping at a grocery store, immersion into bento’s fascinating history, and learning how to pack the prepared food into a handcrafted wooden box, an art in and of itself.
For those seeking An Insider’s Glimpse into Japanese Food Culture, wander the streets of Tokyo with Matsumoto himself, who is also the creator of the online cookbook NoRecipes.com and who boasts strong personal connections with those dedicated to the food scene. Personalised tours include a step back in time to the bustling lanes of the historic Tsukiji market, a visit to Tokyo’s ‘kitchen town’, or a trip to a subterranean food hall to discover ingredients like regional delicacies from Hokkaido to Okinawa.
No trip to the capital of Japan would be complete without a taste of ramen, and Brian MacDuckston, author of Brian’s Guide to 50 Great Tokyo Ramen Shops, will take you on A Hunt for Epic Ramen. Another worthy option is Tokyo’s Ultimate Street Eats, also by MacDuckston, which offers an introduction to everyday comfort foods enjoyed by the locals, such as Japan’s best A5 wagyu sando at a secluded cigar bar.
The package offered by Palace Hotel Tokyo includes two nights of accommodation, daily breakfast in-room or moat-side at Grand Kitchen, and a choice of a fixed-price kaiseki lunch or dinner at Wadakura, accompanied by a matcha-tasting session. Rates for the stay package start at JPY400,000, inclusive of consumption tax, excluding a 15 per cent service charge and accommodation tax of JPY200 per person, per night.
For booking inquiries, visit their website.
