Being it my first visit to Japan, I was eager to get to know the Japanese culture. Trying new foods in every country that I visit is one of my favorite things to do, so I was especially looking forward to my Japanese dinner experience at Keio Plaza Hotel. Here is what you can expect from a traditional Japanese dinner in Tokyo!
The international luxury property Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo is centrally located in the vibrant entertainment district Shinjuku. Guests can choose between different room types such as their Japanese suites or their famous Hello Kitty rooms. The hotel offers its guests 15 restaurants and seven bars, making sure that each guest is perfectly suited to his tastes and preferences. Besides the Japanese dinner experience, Keio Plaza also offers several other cultural experiences, including a tea ceremony, a Japanese flower-arrangement ‘Ikebana’ and a casual Kimono (Yukata) experience.
Dinner was taking place in a beautiful and traditional setting at the restaurant Soujuan. We were welcomed by the friendly staff dressed in traditional kimonos and led to the private dining room. The first thing that you will notice as a foreigner is that you have to take off your shoes before entering the dining area.
Kaiseki cuisine at Soujuan is characterized by seasonal and traditional ingredients and sophisticated dishes. Each dish is beautifully presented in fine Japanese ceramics. We enjoyed a seven course dinner, which included a grilled dish, sashimi and a simmered dish. Japanese beer and traditional sake were accompanying our dinner experience.
We started our evening with tasty homemade sesame tofu as an appetizer, followed by the small dish. The small dish was beautiful to the eyes and consisted of several smaller foods like steamed egg and clam with dressing. Next was the soup of green peas with a crab meat dumpling covered with thin egg. Sashimi and the grilled dish, which also included several smaller dishes, were my two favorites. So good! Afterwards we enjoyed the simmered dish and the dessert. A cup of matcha tea concluded our Kaiseki experience.
Put Kaiseki on your Japanese to do list, if you’re eager to experience the traditions of Japan through food and are looking forward to immerse yourself into the Japanese culture. This authentic experience will take you through unique flavors in a Japanese ambiance and a peaceful atmosphere. The artfully prepared dishes are full of flavors. Flavors that you might not actually be used to or that you might not know, so that each dish will come as a surprise to you. The attentive staff, the intimate setting and of course the exquisite dishes ensure you an unforgettable eating experience in the capital of Japan.
Besides our Kaiseki experience, we also visited the Girl’s Doll festival at Keio Plaza. Every year on March 3rd the Girl’s Doll Festival, also called hina-matsuri, honors daughters across Japan. Families hope and promise that their daughters will grow up happy and healthy. Keio Plaza hosts annually hina-matsuri celebrations during the months of February and March. A huge traditional display of 6,800 of handmade dolls is presented in the lobby of the hotel. The dolls are made of old quilts and kimono fabric and each own has its own meaning. For instance, monkeys drive away bad luck. The restaurants at Keio Plaza join the Girls’ doll festivities by providing special menu items and workshops highlighting the traditions will be held.
Thank you to Keio Plaza for inviting me. The opinions expressed on this blog and the photos are as always my own.