Hotel Okura Kobe will offer a staying plan called, “Art Flower Sweet ～Sakura (cherry blossoms)～” where lodges can stay in a suite room decorated with cherry blossom art flowers (one room per day).
The theme of the plan is “cherry-blossom viewing party.” The whole suite is decorated with cherry blossom art flowers and the dinner bento-box (lunch box) representing a cherry-blossom-viewing -bento box will created by the Japanese restaurant inside the hotel. This bento-box will be served in the room called, “Shokado.”
In addition, many cherry-blossom related decorations and “Sakura Anpan” (cherry blossom bean jam bun) will be sold in the restaurant, “Camelia.”
Let’s enjoy this special cherry-blossom-viewing staying plan.
◼︎Information
Art Flower Suite ～Sakura～
Available period: 2018/03/01 (Thurs.) to 30th of April (Mon. – compensating holiday)
Price: two persons per room – below are the prices for one person ※tax and service fee are included
One night stay – 14,000 yen ～
One night stay – 19,000 ～
TEL：078-333-3555（reservation-accepting staff）
Main Lobby ～Sakura Arrangement～
Period: 2018/03/01 (Thurs.) to 03/31 (Sat.)
Sakura Anpan
Period: 2018/03/17 (Sat.) to 03/31 (Sat.)
Price: 178 yen ※tax included
Available restaurant: Café restaurant “Camelia”
TEL：078-333-3522
Hotel Okura Kobe
Address: 2-1, Hatobacho, Chuoku, Kobe
TEL：078-333-0111
Access: 10 minutes on foot from JR Hanshin Line Motmomachi Station, shuttle bus service is available from Sannomiya Station (the bus route goes via “Shin Kobe Station” on Saturday, Sunday and holidays)
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Hoshinoya Tokyo, a traditional ryokan in Otemachi, has announced the New Year’s Kabuki Plan, a two-day, one-night stay from January 5 until January 7, 2023. During the Edo Period, citizens enjoyed watching Kabuki plays during the New Year’s holidays, often sipping tea at connected teahouses. This event will invite visitors to experience what this was like, complete with traditional food and decorations. Watching Kabuki was a chic way for those in Edo to ring in the new year. Theater teahouses were also a popular gathering place–along with arranging tickets, the teahouses offered plot notes, tea, sweets, boxed lunches, snacks, and other drinks.**Hiroshi Fujita, Yoshihide Tomizawa (2012) / The Updated Kabuki Dictionary, Kashiwa Shobo
Relax Before Enjoying Tea and a Play
Guests are invited to relax in the Ochanoma (Living Room) Lounge, decorated to look like a traditional teahouse with fans, ukiyo-e prints, and formal curtains. Hanabiramochi, or rice cakes with flower petals, will be served with green tea. These rice cakes are said to date back to the New Year’s tradition of eating hard foods like daikon and rice cakes in the hopes of prolonging one’s life. Characterized by its curious burdock root aroma, the cakes are sweetened with white miso bean paste. Enjoy a Post-Viewing Mont Blanc Shaped like Soba with Sweet Dessert Wine
At theater teahouses in the Edo period, sake, snacks, and desserts were served one after another. During this special event, a menu inspired by this practice and prepared by Hoshinoya Tokyo Executive Chef Noriyuki Hamada will be served! Soba noodles were often served after a play in the past. Inspired by this tradition, Mont Blanc made with chestnut paste and sponge cake will be served up to look like this popular dish. Paired with a dessert wine aged in oak barrels, the sweet will be served in a traditional lacquerware basket. In addition, the dish will be paired with Wasabi Pralines, Shichimi Meringue, and Ginger Pate de Fruits.Take a Rickshaw to the Kabuki-za Theater
Guests will be taken on an Edo-style tour on their way to the Kabuki-za Theater. Passing through the Nihonbashi area, the first stop will be the Fukutoku Shrine. It’s said that Hidetada Tokugawa paid a visit to and praised the shrine on New Year’s Day in 1614. The next shrine on the docket, Hodo Inari Jinja, was enshrined in Edo Castle during the Edo period to protect the heir to the Tokugawa family. It’s said that the shrine provides blessings for child rearing, matchmaking, and business prosperity. This tour will provide a more elegant way to explore Tokyo as guests enjoy exposition from their chauffeur. To make the rickshaw ride even more enjoyable, guests can rent kimonos for an extra charge. Would you like to take a step back in time this New Year?Information
New Year’s Kabuki Plan
Running: January 5 – January 7, 2023
Capacity: 1 couple per day (1-2 people)
Price: ¥110,000 per person, ¥180,000 for 2 people (Including Tax & Service charge, excluding accommodation charge)
Reserve/Details – Official Site: https://hoshinoya.com/tokyo
*Reservation required at least 14 days in advance
**Exclusive experience for Hoshinoya Tokyo guests
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Fans of Japan and Japanese culture may know that Kobe’s food scene is not to be missed. A new restaurant, KANBE, is now open and tells the story of the city’s food culture. The grand opening was on November 30 in Sannomiya.
The story begins with water, the source of Kobe's food. The city’s famed fare like Kobe beef, Suma salmon, and seasonal vegetables will take the stage through storytelling, projection mapping, and uniquely planed dishes. Ingredients are served to guests the same day that they are delivered to the restaurant, offering the freshest possible experience. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of drinks made in Kobe, including Nada Gogou sake and Kobe wine. These are made using Nunobiki water from the Rokko mountain range, meaning that everything guests enjoy was truly made in Kobe. At KANBE, visitors will chat with a storyteller who weaves the story of Kobe's food into the experience. A chef himself, he is well-versed in cooking methods, food history, and nutrition. The 18-meter-long counter adds to the experience by displaying seasonal scenery, the water of Nunobiki, and the night view from Mt. Rokko. Nature sounds, like the murmuring of Nunobiki Falls and the chirping of birds, also echo through the restaurant in time with the projection mapping, creating an atmosphere that feels alive. Why not come enjoy a new kind of dining experience? Information
FARM TO TABLE ‘KANBE’
Opening Date: November 30, 2022
Reservations Required (May be made up to 3 days prior.)
Address: Taishin Sunset Building 7F (2-5-1 Kitanagasadori, Chuo-ku, Kobe)
Reservations/Official Site: https://www.ko-z.com/
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Kobe is filled with famous sightseeing spots like the nostalgic Ijinkan neighborhood and port. The city is packed with fashionable shops and restaurants and is highly regarded for its selection of tasty sweets!The port city, with over 150 years of history, has fostered a unique and diverse culinary culture. Recently, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu began starring in a series of promotional videos for the Gastropolis Kobe project. The artist traveled to the city to partake in plenty of delicious treats, and MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON went along for the ride! Here are some of the singer's favorite spots around town.
Kobe, known as a city where East meets West, is lined with sweets shops that are unique to the area. The tea salon TOOTH TOOTH Dekoboko Sabo opened in 2019 in the Kobe City Museum and offers a menu that mixes Western food and sweets with tea and ingredients from traditional Japanese cuisine. Kyary ordered the Dekoboko Sabo Afternoon Tea Set, a collection of western sweets blended with the essence of traditional Japanese flavors. Guests are invited to enjoy their tea and sweets in a one-of-a-kind space filled with Meiji period flare and retro Western furniture. Those interested will need to make a reservation, so be sure to remember the next time you’re in Kobe. TOOTH TOOTH Decoboco SaboAddress: 24 Kyomachi, Chuo Ward, Kobe (Inside the Kobe City Museum)Hours: 9:30-17:30 (Last Order at 16:30) Closed MondaysOfficial Site: https://toothtooth.com/restaurant/decoboco-sabo The next stop was Kobe Nankin-machi, one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan. Kobe MILK is known nationwide for its Apricot Pudding, which is made with local ingredients. The raw apricot pudding is mixed with milk brought from the foot of Mt. Rokko and other ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture. Of course, Kyary ordered some, and was amazed by its fluffy texture. You can only enjoy it in Kobe–also, the shop sells other puddings mixed with seasonal fruits, so don’t miss those either! Kobe MILKAddress: Shin-Motomachi Building 1F (1 Motomachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe)Hours: Weekdays 9:30-19:00 / Weekends 9:30-19:30Official Site: https://kobe-milk.com For Kyary’s final stop, the singer visited the Moore House, a cafe located in a building with over 100 years of history. Guests are surrounded by greenery, and the Western-style building is incredibly elegant. The Strawberry Mille-feuille Kyary ordered was created by an expert patissier and based on the strawberry mille-feuille recipe from the legendary French restaurant Maxim’s de Paris in Ginza. A generous amount of custard cream complements the crispy pie crust and enhances the sweetness of the fresh strawberries. We’d recommend it with a glass of champagne–if you’re of age. Kitano Ijin-kan Moore HouseAddress: 2-9-3 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, KobeHours: 11:00-17:00Closed TuesdaysOfficial Site: https://www.kitanomoore.com/cafe/ The streets of Kobe are packed with sweets that you can only enjoy if you visit. Why not come experience these incredible spots like Kyary did? Kobe Sweets Trailer: https://youtu.be/Sx9B1ZdAvlI -
Kobe is filled with famous sightseeing spots like the nostalgic Ijinkan neighborhood and port. The city is packed with fashionable shops and restaurants and is highly regarded for its Kobe beef restaurants and tasty local spirits. Facing the Seto Inland Sea, Kobe is surrounded by rich nature and produces plenty of tasty veggies while also bringing in tons of fresh fish. The port city, with over 150 years of history, has fostered a unique and diverse culinary culture. Recently, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu began starring in a series of promotional videos for the Gastropolis Kobe project. The artist traveled to the city to partake in plenty of delicious fare, and MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON tagged along. Let’s take a look at her top picks! Kobe beef is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name of this Japanese city, right?
Teppanyaki restaurant Tajima, located in the Kobe Portopia Hotel, serves Kobe beef along with other Japanese black beef, seafood, and seasonal vegetables. Kyary ordered the Kobe beef loin and seasonal grilled vegetables, watching with excitement as the chef prepared the meal in front of her. The steak is made from carefully selected Kobe beef and melts in your mouth. Tajima has private rooms as well as counter seating, making it a perfect location for everything from a family get-together to a first date. Teppanyaki TajimaAddress: Kobe Portopia Hotel 2F (6-10-1 Minatojima Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe)Hours:11:30-14:3017:30-21:30 *Open at 17:00 on weekends and holidaysOpen DailyOfficial site：https://www.portopia.co.jp/restaurant/detail/tajima/ What goes better with Kobe beef than local sake? One area of the city, Nada Gogou, has an incredibly high concentration of sake breweries. Nada Gogo Sake Brewery opened in April 2022 in a renovated building that was formerly the location of Kenbishi, a long-established local sake brewer with over 500 years of history. Visitors can enjoy sake and cuisine from 26 breweries in the area under the themes of ‘Seasonal, Local, Compatible, Fermentation.’ Here, Kyary ordered the Nada Gogou Set which includes the best possible food and drink pairings. Limited to 100 servings each day, the set includes five different sake and three seasonal small plates perfecting for pairing. The drinks and food offerings change with the seasons, allowing guests to enjoy tons of unique flavors from the region no matter what time they visit. Nada Gogou BreweryAddress: 3-11-2 Mikagehonmachi, Hagashinada-ku, KobeHours: 12:00-21:00 *Opens until 20:00 on Sunday and holidaysClosed Monday-ThursdayOfficial Site: https://nadagogo.com/ GOCOCU is an all-day buffet restaurant in the Kobe Portopia Hotel where guests can enjoy dishes using carefully selected ingredients from the five Hyogo provinces (Settsu, Harima, Tajima, Tanba, and Awaji) with a spectacular view of Kobe. Visitors can enjoy the chef's specialties including roasted and grilled dishes cooked in a custom-made stone oven. The restaurant is also known for its selection of alcoholic beverages, and Kyary enjoyed the Fukuju Junmai Ginjo. This particular sake has won many awards in Japan and abroad, including a gold medal at the National Sake Competition for three consecutive years. Popular for its smooth rice flavor, this well-loved brand uses rice and rice malt grown in Hyogo Prefecture. Adults can enjoy this and many more delicious beverages during buffet hours and cocktail hours after 8:30 or 9:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. GOCOCU ~Blessings of the Five Kingdoms~Address: Kobe Portopia Hotel 30F (6-10-1 Minatojima Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe)Hours: 7:00-10:30, 11:30-15:00, 17:30-21:00, 20:30-23:00Open DailyOfficial Site: https://www.portopia.co.jp/restaurant/detail/gococu/ Founded in 1659, Kiku Masamune is a leader in the sake industry. We visited the Kiku Masamune Sake Factory, opened to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its handy barreled sake, perfect for allowing customers to enjoy barrel-aged sake at home easily. Visitors can enjoy browsing sake barrels, with many created using traditional barrel making techniques that are still used today. They can also enjoy an exhibition of Yoshino cedar, the material used to make the barrels. Tours are by appointment only. Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis, so early reservations are recommended! Kiku Masamune Sake FactoryAddress: Uozaki Nishimachi, Higashinada-ku, KobeTour Times: 10:30~, 14:00~, 15:00~ (Each tour is approximately 30 minutes.)Closed during New Year's holidays.Official Site: https://www.kikumasamune.co.jp/tarusake-mf/ *No outside food or beverages are allowed inside the factory. Tastings are available at the Memorial Hall after the tour. After reading this, you’re interested in coming to Kobe, right? Enjoy some of this savory fare the next time you’re in the area. Kobe Beef Version:https://youtu.be/-HrNq6JGO3A Nada Sake Version: https://youtu.be/cd9_f59NWIw -
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is now starring in a series of promotional videos for Gastropolis Kobe, a project aiming to share the city’s incredible food culture with both domestic and international travelers. The project began on November 3, 2022.
[Kobe Beef Version] https://youtu.be/-HrNq6JGO3A In the new videos, Kyary experiences the wonders of Kobe beef as well as local sake and desserts while exploring the city’s best sightseeing spots. T The main video will be aired on a massive screen near Shibuya Station in Tokyo starting in mid-November, and will also be available to watch online. [Nada Sake Version] https://youtu.be/cd9_f59NWIw[Kobe Sweets Version] https://youtu.be/Sx9B1ZdAvlI To celebrate the campaign, four popular restaurants in Tokyo will participate in the Gastropolis Kobe Fair, inviting guests to enjoy cuisine from the capital of Hyogo Prefecture. Interview with Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Q: After filming, what was your impression of Kobe? A: “I took pictures in all kinds of places, but honestly, they were all so close to each other. It was easy to get around and see everything–it only took between 15 and 20 minutes to get somewhere, and shooting went smoothly, so I was really able to enjoy every second!” Q: What's your overall impression of Kobe's cuisine?A: “There was so much amazing food. Everything was delicious and I ate and drink so much...because of how much drinking was involved in this shoot, I felt like food and alcohol were really connected in Kobe. Even between takes, the staff would ask if I wanted to try something or have another drink. I was so moved by the warmth and kindness of the people I met. This trip was filled with love and hospitality.” Q: You traveled around Kobe, right? What was your favorite place? A: “I love fashion and history, and Kobe had so many incredible historical buildings. I wanted to have tea at a place like that, and the view at night was unbelievable. I thought it was a great date spot or even a place you could spend time with your family and friends. I loved watching the big boats in the harbor.” Q: There are only two months left in 2022. Is there anything you still want to do? A: “I’ve been on my Japan tour since January, so I’d finally like to relax a little bit. Maybe eat some good food and go to a hot spring. Q: Do you have a message for the readers?A: “The two days of shooting in Kobe were incredible. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious, and the drinks were divine. I’d love to return on my own trip! I hope everyone enjoys the videos!”Information
Gastropolis Kobe Web Series
Streaming: November 3, 2022 at 0:00
Gastropolis Kobe Fair
Running: November 3 – November 9, 2022
*Shiseido Parlor Harajuku will be closed from November 7 until November 10
Participating Venues:
・TAVERN by the green
Address: THE STRINGS Omotesando 2F (3-6-8 Kitaaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
・Shiseido Parlor Harajuku
Address: WITH HARAJUKU 8F (1-14-30 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
・Ginza Onodera
Address: Il Palazzino Omotesando (5-1-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
・Tokyo Jugatsu
Address: Ohararyu Kaikan B1F (5-7-17 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
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Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel will be offering a special room and collaboration menu inspired by the popular anime series The Vampire Dies in No Time from September 22 until November 30, 2022. Reservations will open on the hotel’s official website starting September 12 at 1:00 PM.
The Vampire Dies in No Time follows the hilarious adventures of the vampire Draluc and the vampire hunter Ronaldo. Set in the city of Shin-Yokohama, it makes sense that this collaboration would be taking place! Original Goods Collaboration Menu Guests and fans of the series will be able to enjoy a fully-decorated room and collaboration menu inspired by characters from the popular anime series. The concept room, located on an upper floor overlooking the Shin-Yokohama cityscape, is decorated with illustrations of Draluc, Ronaldo, and other characters. The guest-only goods feature newly-drawn illustrations. Sweets plates and drinks will be served at the restaurant on the top floor of the hotel. Guests can enjoy desserts shaped like Ronaldo’s red hat and Draluc’s ashes, so don’t miss it! ©盆ノ木至（秋田書店）／製作委員会すぐ死ぬ Information
Shin-Yokohama Prince Hotel x The Vampire Dies in No Time
Available: September 22 – November 30, 2022Collaboration Menu
Available: September 22 – November 30, 2022
Venue: Top of Yokohama Bar & Lounge (42F)
Hours: Weekdays 4:00-7:00 PM / Weekends & Holidays 2:00-5:00 PM
Reservations Open: September 12, 1:00 PM
https://www.princehotels.co.jp/shinyokohama/plan/contents/94