The RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka has announced a spectacularly limited Halloween accommodation plan, titled ‘A Terrifying Banquet in the Mysterious Lord’s Castle.’ Only one lucky person per day can book the decorated room, which features in-room meals and more treats to discover. Reservations are open through October 28, and the room will be available from September 10 until October 31.

‘A Terrifying Banquet’ Dining Table

Living Room

Skeletons in hotel uniform, ready to greet guests in the front room

This spooky setup will be held in the Fontainebleau suite, themed as a French palace. Guests will enjoy a western dinner course in the comfort (or discomfort) of the room. Decorated with black cats, ever-watchful owls and skeletons, guests can also look forward to taking plenty of photos at a designated photo spot on the sofa.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep people in their homes, the hotel created this room as a way to experience a new kind of cozy Halloween getaway. Visitors will enjoy plenty of other perks, including free parking, soft drink coupons, and breakfast the following morning.

Would you be able to sleep in this room filled with skeletons and specters?

Solare Hotels and Resorts has announced that a new branch of hotels androoms will open in Kyoto Shijo on March 6, 2021. In the run up to its grand opening, the company has opened a website where guests can book hotels with Solare Hotels and Resorts at the cheapest possible price. The website will begin rolling out more information about each hotel on the site through the year.

Access

hotel androoms Kyoto Shijo is located a convenient 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station’s Karasuma Line section and 7 minutes from the Central Exit in the JR section, placing it within close distance to many of Kyoto’s sightseeing spots.

The hotel offers seven different room types from standard to double to premium twin. One room can house a maximum of three people, accommodating groups and families. It also promises to be packed with a variety of exclusive services you won’t find at other hotels.

Specialty coffee by Unir Kyoto

hotel androoms Kyoto Shijo will welcome the opening of a new branch of Unir inside the hotel which serves coffee made from specially-selected coffee beans. The coffee is hand-roasted on site with baristas pouring their love and skill into every cup.

Breakfast delivered right to your room

The morning time is your time and should be used as you please without you having to rush around, so says the hotel, and so it offers a breakfast delivery service which must be booked in advance.

Relax and unwind in the modern-style baths

Those looking for a little relaxation can look forward to pushing all their stresses aside in a modern bathing area which is inspired by a cave. It’s open from 3pm-2am and again from 6am-10am.

If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto and want a hotel with easy access to all the hot spots then be sure to consider hotel androoms Kyoto Shijo.

Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, which is a museum and hotel fusion, is serving up a special Strawberry Afternoon Tea and Strawberry Cocktail at its restaurant New American Grill “KANADE TERRACE” from January 6 to February 11 and February 15 to March 19 next year.

Strawberry Afternoon Tea | ¥4,500, with champagne ¥6,200 (1 Person/Before Tax/Service Charge Not Included)

New American Grill “KANADE TERRACE” is known for its afternoon teas, which are made with seasonal ingredients, as well as its cocktails. Their new Strawberry Afternoon Tea will welcome in the New Year with a strawberry and rhubarb tart, strawberry fondue, strawberry and mascarpone soup, and other sweet and savoury selections.

Strawberry Cocktail | ¥1,600 (Before Tax/Service Charge Not Included)

The Strawberry Cocktail is of course made with fresh strawberries as well as mint and soda for a fusion of sweet and tangy. Those who don’t enjoy alcohol can rest assured they’ll enjoy this alcohol-free cocktail.

Hakata Hotels is welcoming the third branch of its The OneFive brand hotels with the opening of The OneFive Terrace Fukuoka in Chuo, Fukuoka, on December 15, 2020.

The OneFive is based around the old Japanese way of ichigo ichie, which roughly translates to “treasure every meeting, for it will never reoccur.” It has taken considerate measures to question what really constitutes as necessary service when it comes to hotels, and launched as a new brand of simple yet comfortable and high quality hotels serving Japanese omotenashi, or hospitality.

Simple yet fine quality comfort

The OneFive Terrace Fukuoka is located in busy central Hakata—within walking distance of the entertainment district of Nakasu and the lively riverside area of Tensu—while offering spacious and comfy rooms.

Rooms are 27㎡～48㎡ in size, with Double Rooms being equipped with king size beds and Twin Rooms with two double beds. Each has a bath, toilet, and wash area, as well as a writing desk, closet, and other pieces to make the hotel stay as comfortable and convenient as possible. There are of courses terraces too, living up to the hotel’s name, which act as ‘another living room’ for guests.

The 4 S’s of Japanese Tea at The OneFive Terrace Fukuoka

1. Select
A selection of specially-selected teas from around locations in Kyushu such as Yame (Fukuoka), Chiran (Kagoshima), Ureshino (Saga), and elsewhere.

2. Style
Enjoy tea in a variety of different styles from creamy and foamy draft tea to hand drip tea and more.

3. Sweets
The hotel’s pastry chefs will whip up a range of tea-flavoured desserts that fuse the traditional Japanese taste with modern western ideas.

4. Scene

All guests staying at The OneFive Terrace Fukuoka are offered a welcome cup of tea. The hotel is a chance for them to appreciate the local culture, region, and lifestyle arranged in a contemporary way.

Hoshino Resorts is offering many ways for guests to enjoy themselves this winter with a range of activities and vistas, whether it be gazing at the starry sky, enjoying a holiday season glamping session, and more—all of which can be done while avoiding the Three C’s during the pandemic, meaning you won’t have to come into contact with others.

A Wintertime Agriturismo Resort Experience in Tochigi

At Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Nasu, guests can enjoy an authentic, vegetable-packed Italian course dinner, indoor bathing in their own guest rooms in an accommodation surrounded by nature, open-air hot springs to warm up during the winter season, and more. There’s also a “Farmer’s Lesson” for that true agricultural tourism experience (‘agriturismo’) so guests can feel at one with nature in Nasu.

▼Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Nasu
Address: 2301 Takakuotsu, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi
Running: December 1, 2020 – March 15, 2021

Stargazing On the Ice in Nagano

Guests can lose themselves in the stars while they enjoy a glass of Nagano wine or fondue from Hoshinoya Karuizawa’s cafe and bar. One group of two guests can rent the area all to themselves for a romantic and memorable time.

▼HOSHINOYA Karuizawa
Address: 2157-428 Nagakura, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano
Running: December 1, 2020 – February 28, 2021

Winter Season Glamping in Yamanashi

HOSHINOYA Fuji is offering a special glamping program this winter where guests get their very own private space to enjoy the outdoors. They can chop their own woods, build their own fires, and more. It’s the perfect program to get your body warmed up during the cold winter months.

▼HOSHINOYA Fuji
Address: 1408 Ōishi, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi
Running: December 1, 2020 – March 15, 2021

An Unbeatable Ocean View With Hanami Flower Viewing in Shizuoka

Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Atami is offering a special program where guests can enjoy the earliest bloom of Japan’s plum blossoms together with a panoramic ocean view. The hotel’s rooftop Sora no Beach Books&Cafe is a cafe designed to look like a beach and serves as the perfect vantage point for this exclusive experience.

▼Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Atami
Address: 2 Chome-13-1 Minaguchicho, Atami, Shizuoka
Running: January 8, 2021 – March 12, 2021

Acquire Knowledge of the Blue Zone in Okinawa

HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island sits on Taketomi Island which is located inside one of the world’s four Blue Zones, regions where it’s claimed that a higher than usual number of people live longer. There, guests can gain knowledge on how to live a healthy lifestyle. They will spend time moving their bodies as they work out on the farm, learn the secrets to sunbathing and eating nutritional food, and more, all to rebalance the rhythm of their lifestyles.

▼HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island
Address: Taketomi, Yaeyama District, Okinawa
Running: From December 1, 2020 (Not running on select days)

Fuji-Q Highland, an amusement park in Yamanashi, Japan, added new photo spots to its popular Naruto x Boruto Fuji Hidden Leaf Village area on Friday (December 4).

The new spots

New statues of Jiraiya, Tsunade, Gaara, and Itachi have been placed around the park, making the perfect for a photo opportunity and to make guests feel even more like they’re in the world of Naruto.

A new Gaara-inspired ramen dish

¥1,180 (Tax Included)

The area is home to Ramen Ichiraku which is inspired by the ramen bar seen in the Naruto series. There, they have cooked up a new ramen dish inspired by Gaara which comes with a boiled egg with the kanji for ‘love’ (愛) that’s written on the character’s forehead.

Naruto themed hotel rooms at Highland Resort Hotel & Spa

Fuji-Q Highland’s official hotel, Highland Resort Hotel & Spa, has its own special Naruto-themed rooms with references to shinobi and the Hidden Leaf Village dotted everywhere. A new batch of amenities are also set to roll out for guests from February 1, 2021 which will include yukata that dress you like Naruto and Sasuke, face towels with Naruto and Sasuke on them during their final battle, and more.

If you’ve always wanted to feel like you’re in the world of Naruto, look no further than Fuji-Q Highland.

ⓒ岸本斉史 スコット／集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ

BIO-RESORT HOTEL&SPA O Park OGOSE has announced that it’s set to light up the night sky of Saitama with a special evening lantern launching event which will be held on Fridays and weekends from December 6.

Guests can pick from five different sky lanterns which use LED lights and helium gas. The lanterns are safe for small children to use so families can enjoy the enchanting experience together.

O Park OGOSE is a biotope-themed resort facility where guests can stay while surrounded by lush green forests. The sky lantern event is being held in response to the pandemic outbreak so that people can feel refreshed and a coming-together.

FAUCHON HOTEL KYOTO is set to open its second branch in March 2021 which will be home to the Fauchon brand’s world-first spa Le Spa Fauchon.

Le Spa Fauchon’s spa experience incorporates its concept of “FAUCHON Meets Kyoto. Feel Paris” which is offered in a variety of ways. The spa of course serves a wide range of body, facial and scrub treatments with voluptuous fragrances and rich textures, while the floors of the spa rooms are dyed a stylish Fauchon pink. It’s a coming-together of splendorous Paris and quaint Kyoto.

An unforgettable spa experience by Japan and Paris’s beauty specialties

Le Spa Fauchon is managed by Cred International at FAUCHON HOTEL KYOTO, an industry-leading company that operates luxury hotels both inside and outside Japan.

The spa’s products and menu were developed in a joint effort between premium cosmetic brand KOS PARIS, which manages numerous 5-star hotel spas and offers high-quality products in Paris, and which is coming to Japan for the very first time, and Cred International. The spa is also offering an original and exclusive range of oils in collaboration with top Paris therapist Yuki Inotsume, who has offered her knowledge of Japanese skin care and Japanese peoples’ preferences, and KOS PARIS’s high-grade oils.

FAUCHON HOTEL KYOTO also offers all guests a selection of amenities in their rooms with the “FAUCHON Meets Kyoto. Feel Paris.” concept for guests to enjoy the ultimate spa experience.

If you’re staying in Kyoto, why not treat yourself to a spa trip at Le Spa Fauchon?

Adrian Zecha, the founder of Aman, together with Naru Developments, has announced the launch of their new ryokan hotel brand Azumi. The first Azumi property is set to open in the Seto Inland Sea area of Japan in Spring 2021.

Azumi: A New Ryokan Brand

Adrian Zecha came across his first ryokan in Japan about 60 years ago and subsequently went on to launch multiple hotel brands, including Aman. Azumi is his latest project to take the hospitable nature of the Japanese-style inn, known as a ryokan, and its traditions while ensuring to pay respect to the region and people in the community in which each property will open.

During the 1950s, Zecha, who was a correspondent and reporter of Asia at the time, encountered ryokan for the very first time while in Japan. He was impressed by the hospitality bestowed to guests staying at the inn which for him felt homely. With that in mind, Azumi maintains an exclusive and sophisticated appearance while at the same time is adamant in understanding that the guest is what makes a ryokan as a person, and so offers a warm welcome and interaction that connects to the local community.

Azumi’s approach aims to respect the traditions and community of each region while at the same time building something that will be passed down through the generations. Shiro Miura of Rokukaku-ya, a shop which values living materials such as wood and stone through Sukiya architecture, has been on the Azumi team since the brand’s inception to create a space that can be enjoyed as a marvel of Japanese architecture while satisfying those travelling from abroad.

The brand’s name comes from the Azumi people, an ancient seafaring tribe who crossed the ocean and settled in Japan.

The first Azumi property will open on an island in the Seto Inland Sea which boasts clear blue waters and is known for its abundant natural environment which has made it a big player in Japan’s citrus fruit production as well as the fishing industry.

Azumi will open its doors in Spring 2021, filled with the ideas conceived by the one and only Adrian Zecha.

Major real estate developer Mitsui Fudosan and Mitsui Fudosan Hotel Management will open “sequence SUIDOBASHI,” the third branch of their “sequence” hotel chain, in Chiyoda, Tokyo, on November 25, 2020.

A convenient stay in Tokyo

sequence SUIDOBASHI is just a 1-minute walk from Suidōbashi Station’s JR Line and a 6-minute walk from its Toei Subway-Mita Line. Its convenient location puts it near the Tokyo Dome City entertainment complex where you can enjoy sports events, concerts, an amusement park, and more. It also means easy access to other places like Akihabara, Kagurazaka, and Otemachi.

Suidobashi is home to many office buildings, and so to blend in with its environment, sequence SUIDOBASHI features monotone colouring with chic and sophisticated design.

An easy check-in with facial recognition technology

At the hotel entrance is the facial recognition check-in counter. Guests use an app to register in advance and can use facial recognition or a QR code to self check-in easily. The hotel lobby also has a counter table and DJ booth as well as a cafe counter.

One checked-in, guests can enter the hotel to find their rooms or other facilities throughout the building. sequence SUIDOBASHI is the second branch to incorporate facial recognition, which lets the hotel do everything for you from checking-in to entering your room, following sequence KYOTO GOJO. The hotel chain is also the first in Tokyo to incorporate it.

The concept of “MOMENT”

The hotel is built around the concept of a moment, offering a range of spaces for guests to enjoy different moments like the theatre and the lounge, all of which can be experienced with proper COVID-19 precautionary measures in place.

Bar and dining at KANPAI TERRACE

The hotel’s bar and dining restaurant KANPAI TERRACE has a spacious open terrace where guests can enjoy a selection of sandwiches, French toast, mains and sides for breakfast and lunch. During bar time, pick from a range of alcohols and pair them with various Japanese, Western, and Chinese foods.

SHUNKAN LOUNGE

Up on the 2nd floor is the guest-only “SHUNKAN LOUNGE,” a 40m² mini theatres with an enormous 120-inch screen where guests can enjoy sports, entertainment, and more. They can also take food and drink they bought from KANPAI TERRACE in there.

SHUNKAN LOUNGE also has its own art gallery showcasing art themed on the concept of “MOMENT” from young, up-and-coming artists.

Guest Rooms

There are eight types of rooms to choose from, all of which can accommodate 2+ people. Rooms are compact and functional whether it be for guests’ morning routines or for desk work. The hotel has selected black as the base colour for the backstage area while the bed area uses white which softly illuminates with the light to create a chic contrast in the room design. There are also speckles of orange throughout the room which is the brand’s colour and adds accent to the overall design.

Floors 3-6 and 12 feature bunk bed rooms perfect for friends and families travelling together. The rooms are compact with everything guests need in there including the washrooms with showers and toilets. There’s also a concept room called “Bunk Bed 4 LIVE” which features a projector and BOSE speakers for guests looking for more of a party room.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Tokyo, why not check out the “next-generation” lifestyle hotel sequence SUIDOBASHI?

Marriott International has announced that W Osaka will have its grand opening on March 16, 2021. Room bookings opened via the hotel's official website on Wednesday (November 18).

W Osaka is a luxury lifestyle hotel that will open along Midosuji, the primary main street in central Osaka, positioning it within walking distance of Shinsaibashi which is home to world-leading luxury brand stores, Dotonbori which hails as one of the main tourist spots in Osaka where one can find an unending selection of restaurants and places for a great night out, and Minamisenba where you can find Osaka-based designer stores, coffee shops, and more. It's also conveniently situated near the business district of Honmachi.

The Hotel’s Theme: A fun place for Osaka’s merchants

The hotel’s design was overseen by Osaka-born international architect Tadao Ando. The 32- storey building is coloured a simple yet stylish black and is based around crystals.

The interior design was carried out by Concrete Architectural Associates from the Netherlands who have recreated the image of Osaka’s city lights with dazzling neon lights. Under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period, extravagance was banned, but that was well over a century ago, so it is of course permitted now. But while W Osaka incorporates flashy design, its interior isn’t overly-sophisticated and maintains an air of light-hearted fun to it.

A single button caters to whatever, whenever when it comes to guests

The 337 guest rooms boast beautiful vivid colours and contemporary designs that are sure to leave an impression. Washrooms are spacious and are equipped with rainfall showers. The rooms’; windows also stand from the floor to the ceiling, allowing for a perfect view of Osaka’s beautiful streets. Best of all, all room telephones are fitted with a “Whatever/Whenever” button on them which enables hotel staff to cater to guests’ needs and wishes at all times no matter what it is.

A Michelin-star chef’s menu

In the lobby, guests will see a mic on a mic stand which is a nod to Osaka’s famous manzai culture of comedy duos. The hotel also plans to open a bar area. For now, however, guests can enjoy the all-dining restaurant which boasts a menu supervised by a Michelin-star-winning chef who has also ranked in Asia’s Best Restaurants 50. In the future, W Osaka plans to be host to unique wedding ceremonies too.

If you’e planning a trip to Osaka next year, be sure to check out W Osaka, opening March 16, 2021.

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, Hokkaido’s top snow resort where you can stay, has announced that this year’s Ice Village will open from December 10, 2020 to March 14, 2021.

Ice Village opens up at Tomamu in wintertime only and has done so every year since 1998. It boasts 3.2 hectares of land and houses 10 enormous igloos to create a little village of ice. At its lowest, the temperature there can drop to -30°C which is what works the magic behind the Ice Village.

Many events around Hokkaido have been cancelled this year as a result of the pandemic, and so Tomamu has decided to remain open to both guests and non-guests while operating under strict countermeasures against COVID-19. This way, people can still enjoy the wonderful winter season of Hokkaido. This year sees the opening of the Ice Milk Cafe and Ice Fruit shop in the Ice Village where they can order a variety of food and drink to take out onto the Ice Terrace. There’s even the Ice Hotel and Ice Chapel.

Draw fresh milk from the Ice Milk Cafe

The one-meter tall Ice Milk Bottle lets visitors who order a glass of Ice Milk at the Milk Cafe draw fresh Tomamu Milk which has a distinctly deep flavour during winter. You can also mix the milk on an ice sheet to create gelato.

Ice Milk Cafe

Opening Hours: 17:00-22:00 (Last Orders 21:30)

Enjoy chilled fruits at the Ice Fruit Shop

Visitors can enjoy a range of whole frozen fruits that have been shaved into smaller pieces as well as frozen fruit beverages. They also serve fruits on skewers you can pick which fruit combinations you like to enjoy out on the Ice Terrace.

Ice Fruit Shop
Opening Hours: 17:00-22:00 (Last Orders 21:30)

Enter a magical frozen world at the Ice Terrace

Once you’ve ordered your takeout drink or dessert, you can go out onto the terrace to sit at the tables and chairs, which are also made of ice, and enjoy the frozen world around you, like the giant snowflakes.

Ice Terrace
Opening Hours: 17:00-22:00

Order a crisp drink at the Ice Bar

The ice bar serves over 50 different alcoholic beverages at the ice counter, with drinks like colourful cocktails served chilled in ice cubes.

Ice Bar

Opening Hours: 17:00-22:00 (Last Orders 21:45)

Dogs are allowed at the Ice Hotel

Everything at the Ice Hotel, from the ceiling to the walls, is made from ice. It’s available to one group per day and has its own ice bath and hot springs. Dogs are also allowed and get their own pup igloo.

Running: January 18, 2021 – February 28, 2020
*Reservations required 7 days in advance

The Ice Chapel made entirely of ice

A chapel made entirely of ice which represents “the unbreakable love between two pure souls which shall last forever.” From the altar and crucifix, to the wedding aisle and benches, everything is made of ice and snow. Firework displays will take place to congratulate newly-wed couples.

Running: January 18, 2020 – February 14, 2020

Visiting Times: 17:45 / 19:45 / 21:45 (10 minutes each)
Ceremony Times: 14:00 / 17:00 / 19:00 / 21:00

Crafts at the Ice Atelier and shopping at the Ice General Store

Visitors can craft things made from ice at the Ice Atelier as well as buy a selection of ice and snow-themed items like crafts, accessories, mugs, and more at the shop.

Ice Atelier / Ice General Shop
Opening Hours: 17:00-22:00

Kids and adults can have fun at the Ice Slide and Ice Rink

The Ice Slide is the most popular part of the Ice Village where kids and adults alike can slide down and overlook the bustling village. Right next to the slide is the Ice Rink, another bustling spot popular with visitors.

Ice Slide Opening Hours: 17:00-22:00
Ice Rink Opening Hours: 17:00-21:45 (Last Entries 21:30)