A hotel distinguished for its Japanese hospitality is introducing a new culinary stay experience. The Palace Hotel Tokyo’s “The Best of Japan: The Art of Gastronomy” offers a curated selection of food and drink experiences that delve into Japan’s rich culinary traditions.
Guests can explore Tokyo’s diverse dining scene through activities such as seeking out the city’s best street food, participating in ‘ramen hunting’ with an expert, creating bento boxes with a well-known television presenter, and learning about Japanese wines from one of the hotel’s seasoned sommeliers.
The stay package for “The Best of Japan: The Art of Gastronomy” includes:
- Two nights of accommodation
- Daily breakfast, either in-room or at Grand Kitchen by the moat
- A choice between a prix-fixe kaiseki lunch or dinner at the hotel’s signature Japanese restaurant, Wadakura, along with a matcha tasting
- Additional on-site or off-site experiences can be added to the stay for an extra charge.
A Hunt for Epic Ramen
Brian MacDuckston, the author of “Brian’s Guide to 50 Great Tokyo Ramen Shops,” has spent the past 15 years living and traveling in Japan, exploring the country’s ramen scene. Known as Japan’s ‘ramen hunter,’ he shares his experiences with fellow ramen enthusiasts. His two-hour tour takes guests to two ramen shops (or three for those with a larger appetite), showcasing a range of establishments celebrated for their flavorful broths, seasonal menus, or spicy specialties. Special requests, including vegan ramen options, can be accommodated.
Tokyo’s Ultimate Street Eats
Exclusively for guests of Palace Hotel Tokyo, Brian MacDuckston’s ‘Insider’s B-kyū Gurume’ tour introduces everyday comfort foods enjoyed by locals. Customizable based on interests and preferences, the tour offers either a half-day or full-day outing to sample a variety of ‘b-rank gourmet’ (casual) cuisine or to focus on a specific favorite, such as:
- A Japanese curry tasting in Shimokitazawa ‘curry town’
- An introduction to yakitori, ranging from casual spots to higher-end eateries
- A noodle sampling, including ramen, udon, soba, and Japanese-style spaghetti
- Japan’s best A5 wagyu sando at a secluded cigar bar
- A gyoza tasting at 4-5 different shops
- An izakaya experience at a fish monger’s outpost in Yoyogi
- Discovering monjayaki, Tokyo’s version of okonomiyaki
- A sake tasting with small bites
To conclude the tour, guests can choose to visit an artisanal Japanese coffee house or enjoy a tasting of Japanese craft beer at a local spot.
Building Bentos with a Bento Master
For the first time and exclusively for Palace Hotel Tokyo guests, Marc Matsumoto, host of NHK’s popular cooking show ‘Bento Expo’ and author of “Ultimate Bento,” offers a private bento-making class in his home kitchen studio.
This approximately 3½-hour experience starts with a visit to a local grocery store, followed by a session in the studio. Participants will learn about the history of bento, various styles of bento presentations, and the combination of colors, flavors, and textures that make up this portable meal. Suitable for children (ages 9 and up) and adults, this family-friendly activity involves hands-on preparation of several bento items, packing them into handcrafted bento boxes, and then enjoying the meal together.
An Insider’s Glimpse Into Japanese Food Culture
Marc Matsumoto, also the creator of the online cookbook NoRecipes.com, has developed a profound understanding of Japan’s diverse food culture. Through personalized tours and strong connections with local food experts, he offers experiences that highlight the essential aspect of any traveler’s journey – local cuisine.
Customized to guests’ interests, time with Matsumoto can include experiences such as:
- An ‘ingredients tour’ introducing regional delicacies from Hokkaido to Okinawa, with a visit to one of Japan’s famous subterranean food halls to explore its vast offerings.
- A historical exploration of Tsukiji market’s bustling lanes, focusing on the ingredients that make Tokyo a top dining destination.
- A visit to Kappabashi, Tokyo’s ‘kitchen town,’ to discover the craftsmanship behind Japanese knives, tableware, and kitchen tools coveted by chefs and home cooks.
- An introduction to Japan’s culinary trends through visits to convenience stores, grocery stores, and specialty food shops.
- A private cooking lesson on preparing a multi-course Japanese meal, tailored to guests’ interests and dietary preferences. The experience concludes with a meal enjoyed together, and detailed recipes are provided.
A Sophisticated Tea Tasting
Guests can explore Japan’s rich tea culture with a private tea-tasting session at Higashiya-man, a contemporary tea salon in Marunouchi, located a short walk from the hotel. Hosted by one of the salon’s tea sommeliers, the 60- to 90-minute session introduces a variety of high-grade Japanese teas and offers tips on how best to enjoy different brews. The experience includes pairings of seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery) specially handcrafted for Palace Hotel Tokyo to complement the rich umami of each tea.
An Introduction to Sake & Japanese Wines
At Wadakura, one of Palace Hotel Tokyo’s award-winning sommeliers offers guests a private 60-minute tasting session featuring a selection of distinctive sakes and wines from Yamanashi, Hokkaido, and Nagano—Japan’s top three wine-producing regions. Guests can choose between a beverage-only tasting or one accompanied by small bites from Wadakura’s kitchen.
Website: https://en.palacehoteltokyo.com/offer/art-of-gastronomy-tokyo-food-tours/