The Capitol Hotel Tokyu Offers Authentic Japanese Cultural Experiences

The Capitol Hotel Tokyu Offers Authentic Japanese Cultural Experiences

Guests can enjoy Dining with a Geisha at one of Tokyo's most historic Ryotei Restaurants or Attend an Authentic Shinto Ceremony at Hie Shrine, adjacent to the Hotel

NEW YORK: The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, the five-star Tokyo flagship property of Tokyu Hotel Corporation, is now offering unique, authentic Japanese cultural experiences. Two exclusive offers include off-site luxury dining with geishas and genuine Shinto ceremonies at the adjacent Hie Shrine.

Dining with Geisha Experience
The "Geisha Dining Experience" takes place in the Akasaka business district, on the fringes of the Nagatacho government district, where the hotel itself is also located. This was once known as Tokyo's "restaurant zone." Here, geishas provide celebratory entertainment and traditional dance performances in private rooms.  The food, tableware, traditional music, sukiya-style architecture, interior décor and Japanese gardens all reflect the traditional, historic ambiance.

It's a very rare opportunity for guests to experience this traditional high-class entertainment form first-hand. Each guest is hosted one-on-one by a professional Geisha at the renowned Akasaka Asada restaurant, with more than 300 years of history. The experience features traditional Geisha performances with singing, dancing, shamisen (Japanese guitar) playing and conversation (offered in Japanese or English). At the same time, guests dine on a multi-course kaiseki dinner, Japan's haute cuisine. The two-hour long experience includes entertainment, dinner and alcoholic beverages.

Shinto Ceremony Experience
At historic Hie Shrine – just a two-minute walk from the hotel – the concierge can arrange select private ceremonies for a fee. Examples include: Coordinating for guests to enter the typically off-limits shrine building to experience the atmospheric rituals of an authentic Shinto ceremony. These ceremonies may include ritual: purification, meditation and prayer or even just a traditional sword dance to entertain the deities. They are typically performed at the behest of worshippers experiencing particularly important life events, such as a marriage, childbirth or when wishing for good fortune in business ventures.

Hie Shrine itself was originally built in 1659 by Shogun Ietsuna Tokugawa, the fourth shogun of Japan's Tokugawa dynasty. However, it burned down during the World War II Tokyo bombings. The current Hie shrine was reconstructed in 1958.

The current incarnation of the historic Capitol Hotel Tokyu opened in October 2010, offering a refined "Modern Japanese" ambiance. It features the best qualities of a traditional ryokan with the modern conveniences of a western hotel. Designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, who is also the architect behind the new National Stadium in Tokyo for the upcoming 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it boasts 251 spacious guest rooms (including 13 suites). Each guest room combines both "shoji'" paper screens and sliding partitions with numerous panoramic cityscape views or spectacular views of the gardens from the Sanno Groves at Hie Shrine. The hotel provides a wide variety of amenities for its guests to enjoy including a spa, swimming pool, fitness center.  Of special note are two fine dining restaurants including "Suiren," featuring Japanese cuisine including teppan-yaki, sushi and Kaiseki and "Star Hill" offering Chinese cuisine in a stylish and elegant setting. Restaurant Origami serves up all day dining, while the Capitol Bar is a place to relax, have a cocktail and even enjoy a cigar. The hotel also has a pastry shop which offers a wide variety of desserts, pastries and breads.

A full service spa offers a wide range of body and facial treatments with many incorporating traditional Oriental medicine concepts. Guests also have access to a therapeutic salt bath and low-temperature mist sauna. Expansive views of the city below are seen from the fitness center, which is located on the 14thand 15th floors of the hotel.