LET YOUR DREAMS BLOOM IN JAPAN THIS SPRING JAPAN INTO SPRING


36 Travel News April/May 2022


One of the most enlightening times to visit Japan, spring-time is renowned for cherry blossom festivals, food, and relaxation. Allow Japan’s natural beauty to revive and revigorate your 2022 as Northern Ireland Travel News rounds up the perfect way to celebrate the first bloom of spring.


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PRING represents new beginnings in Japan; the start of the school year and new jobs for recent university graduates, as well as the famous blooming


of sakura that are representative of the country. Though the transient pink flowers last an average of two weeks, they are celebrated and embraced wholeheartedly by the whole country, especially by The Capitol Hotel Tokyu which brings them to its guests luxuriously. The best way to truly enjoy these fleeting flowers in Tokyo is to do as the locals do, and take yourself away from the crowds for a private and truly relaxing sakura viewing experience. The Five Star Way to Enjoy Sakura in the Heart of Tokyo The Capitol Hotel Tokyu lives in the moment throughout the year, incorporating the seasons throughout the hotel in special seasonal drinks, dishes, and accommodation plans so that you can embrace the present with all five senses no matter what time of year you come to Tokyo. Sakura season is no exception, and The Capitol Hotel Tokyu provides its guests with a luxurious sakura experience. Japanese Gin Meets Sakura


Up the private stairs or private elevator from the main


lobby, “The Capitol Bar” is a special space that is isolated from the hustle and bustle of city life, where you can enjoy a peaceful drink as you overlook the greenery of the garden and the cityscape of Akasaka from the lounge, or relax in the cosily lit space at the counter. The Capitol Bar celebrates the seasons with the hotel, and when the sakura begins to bloom, the bar creates drinks that allow you to taste the springtime. Ranging from sakura mojitos with salted cherry and mint, to sakura based tonics with the Japanese craft gin “ROKU”, The Capitol Bar embraces the flow of time and serves it perfectly as refined apéritifs and after-dinner drinks. Taste the Flavours of Spring


Passing through the corridor from the lobby, you’re invited to a special space surrounded by the lush greenery of the garden into Japanese Restaurant “Suiren”, the hotel’s main diner. Symbolic of its hospitality, the changes in the seasons can be felt as you enjoy the beautifully prepared seasonal dishes that are made with carefully selected ingredients to ensure freshness. For the springtime, Japanese Restaurant “Suiren” prepares a beautiful “kaiseki”, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner reminiscent of the sakura in full bloom in a calm Japanese space. The annual “Hanami Kaiseki” incorporates abundant


spring ingredients so that you can enjoy a wide variety of delicacies that are a beautiful treat not only for the eyes, but for all five senses. Japanese Restaurant “Suiren” embraces the seasons, and is the ideal place to enjoy a delicious meal that keeps you in the moment. Springtime in the Guest Rooms The Capitol Hotel Tokyu offers a luxurious stay in its modern-Japanese style rooms. Lots of care is taken to fill the space with the omotenashi that is now synonymous with the hotel’s name. In a springtime special plan, room service brings an original sakura-viewing three tiered bento lunch, featuring Japanese, Chinese, and Western cuisine that can be enjoyed beneath the sakura that decorate the room, along with a gift of a memo holder with a sakura motif made from Venetian beads. The Capitol Hotel Tokyu treasures each moment throughout the year, and captures it in these delicate and refined touches within its rooms to ensure that not a single moment is lost or wasted during your trip. Returning to your hotel at night doesn’t have to mean the end of your sakura experience, and The Capitol Hotel Tokyu promises the luxury of falling asleep whilst enjoying the season to the fullest after a long bath soaking in sakura bath salts. The Best Sakura Viewing Locations Near The Capitol Hotel Tokyu The Capitol Hotel Tokyu is proud to be a part of making our guests’ stays as comfortable and luxurious as possible, and is always happy to share insights as to where the best places to see sakura are near the hotel that only the locals know about. The hotel’s concierge has shared some recommendations and local insights of places which are located near the hotel for some special ways to enjoy sakura in Tokyo without being overwhelmed by the crowds for a peaceful and delightful experience. Chidorigafuchi Park Marunouchi Located 10 minutes away by car from The Capitol


Hotel Tokyu, Chidorigafuchi Park is a 700 metre long promenade along the moat of the western side of the Imperial Palace, and features a breathtaking variety of approximately 170 sakura trees that burst into gorgeous shades of pink when in full bloom. With the delicate hues of the blossoms reflected in the deep green water of the moat, the concierge recommends renting a paddle


boat or a rowboat and relaxing on the water as the petals gently float around you and flutter above. Sky Bus, Tokyo From cruising on the water to cruising on the road,


the concierge recommends a sakura tour on the Sky Bus, which departs from Tokyo Station, only three stops away and just under ten minutes from The Capitol Hotel Tokyu. The double-decker takes passengers on an hour- long adventure through the city with open-air views of the sakura around the Imperial Palace, Kita no Maru Park, Tokyo Tower, and Zojoji Temple amongst other locations, including the National Diet Building that’s recommended as an ideal photo spot! In particular, the concierge urges guests to book the 5:45 p.m. bus tour to enjoy the sakura in the twilight. Sotobori Park, Yotsuya Though sometimes you want to kick your feet up and watch the scenery go by, there’s nothing quite like a leisurely stroll at your own pace, and when that mood comes up, the hotel concierge recommends Sotobori Park. Located just five minutes away from The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, this promenade stretches approximately two kilometres alongside a moat where you can enjoy walking beneath a tunnel of around 240 sakura trees. Gorgeous as it is in full bloom, the locals also think that just after the peak passes and the petals begin to fall and float in the moat’s water is just as beautiful, along with glimpses of yellow through the pink as the trains of the Chuo Line pass by Yotsuya Station. No matter the season, the staff at The Capitol Hotel


Tokyu strive to make the most of every day and provide a luxurious and memorable experience for all of its guests. Embracing natural changes is part of “Fueki Ryuko”, the hotel’s concept of “fluidity and immutability”, making every stay at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu unique regardless of the time of year you visit.


Stay with The Capitol Hotel Tokyu During


Your Future Trip The Capitol Hotel Tokyu continues to play a leading in the growth of Japan’s hotel industry, being


role


awarded as a five-star hotel in Tokyo for 2021 by Forbes Travel Guide. With its long history, it remains a beloved hotel for many VIPs from all over the world, including international musical greats, and film and pop stars. The refined Japanese architectural style of the hotel’s exterior, 1st and 3rd floor lobbies, and main entrance designed by Kengo Kuma, one of the world’s trending architects, create an atmosphere perfect for relaxation, whether travelling to Tokyo for business or leisure. The Capitol Hotel Tokyu is a member of Tokyu Hotels Group, one of the biggest hotel chains in Japan, and Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing 739 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences and unique hotel groups across 85 countries. Information provided by https://www. tokyuhotelsjapan.com/global/capitol-h/index.html Spring transforms Japan, bringing with it vast swathes


of cherry blossom. The appearance of these delicate blossom is particularly spectacular in and around Tokyo’s Sumida City. Not only is Sumida home to one of Tokyo’s most iconic structures, theTokoyo Skytree, it also runs


along Sumida River and is a stone’s throw from historic Asakusa, a down-town district lined with ancient temples and retro shopping streets. All of this makes for some sensational spring Sumida vistas: think picture- perfect juxtapositions of old and new Japan, framed with the soft pink of spring’s ultimate flower. Check out some of our recommendations below, and make sure to enhance your blossom viewing with some of the special seasonal treats on offer at nearby Tokoyo Solamachi and Tokoyo mizumachi.


Stunning Sakura Blossoms at Sumida Park Sumida Park is one of Tokyo’s top spots for enjoying hanami, the millennium-old tradition of blossom viewing. Pick a spot under a tree laden with blossoms: you’ll have plenty to choose from as the riverside park has some 510 cherry trees. The park hugs the banks of the Sumida River: look out for a stretch of about a kilometre along the bank, between Azuma Bridge and Sakura Bridge, that’s lined with 640 trees, creating a continuous cloud of soft pink blossom. It’s here that you’ll find the Bokutei Cherry Festival, which runs from late March until early April. During the festival, this stretch is lined with stalls and, at night, the cherry trees are illuminated, creating a gorgeous arcade of blossom and light. You can also take a boat ride along the river to take in the short-lived beauty of the blossom from a different perspective. Fukujin Bridge, along the Sumida River, is another great spot to take some incredible photos of the Tokyo cityscape in spring. Spring Celebrations at Tokoyo Skytree Tokoyo Skytree is one of Tokyo’s most iconic destinations, and this spring it will be hosting a series of seasonal events that make a visit even more worthwhile. These include a special lighting design for spring (March 1-April 10) entitled “Mai” (dancing) to evoke the falling cherry blossom (sakura) petals. Sorakara-chan, the Tokoyo Skytree mascot who greets all characters, will be wearing a special spring-themed outfit for the duration too. This spring will also see the


first-ever Yorimichi Café Street event held on the 4th floor: some 10 stores will be taking part in this coffee and confectionary event, with each store offering signature coffee blends and drinks, as well as perfectly paired sweet treats. What’s more, Tokoyo Solamachi, a town sitting at the bottom of Tokyo Skytree, is holding its annual Tokyo Solamachi Sakura Festival. It’s also holding a Tokyo Solamachi and Tokyo mizumachi Haru Festa, where you can collect loyalty stamps by shopping and eating at these two destinations. The Koi-nobori Festival 2022, running from mid-April to early May, will also see Tokyo Skytree flooded with colourful koi-nobori (carp-shaped streamers). Sakura Menu and Sweets at Tokyo Solamachi and Tokyo mizumachi Don’t stop at admiring Japan’s iconic sakura, why


not eat them too? Head to Tokyo Solamachi or Tokyo mizumachi between March 1st and April 11th to pick up a range of sakura- and spring-themed confections, food, and drinks as part of the Spring Sweets Menu campaign. The limited edition treats on offer include cherry blossom-infused sparkling wine, creamy cherry blossom cheesecake, and cherry blossom daifuku (ice-cream wrapped in soft rice cake). A range of limited edition, spring-inspired savoury dishes will be available too. Information provide by https://www.tobu.co.jp/en/ Given that Setouchi is arranged around the Setouchi


Inland Sea, it’s no surprise that Setouchi is most famous for its fresh seafood: from seasonal local catches to fugu (pufferfish), a delicacy which can only be prepared by licensed chefs. But great food in Setouchi comes in many other guises too: Kawara soba, Kobe beef, and oysters are among Setouchi’s many other local specialities – and don’t forget the craft sake tradition too. Why not structure your visit as a tour around Setouchi’s many gourmet delights.


Pufferfish: the taste of happiness The port in Shimonoseki City (Yamaguchi Prefecture) is widely considered the best place in Japan to try fugu (pufferfish). Forget any horror stories: while pufferfish does contain a highly toxic poison, it can only be prepared by licensed chefs who have completed rigorous training. It’s so beloved in Shimonoseki that the call it fuku, meaning “happiness”, rather than fugu, and its not hard to see why. Fugu can be prepared in diverse ways, each with its own distinct texture and charm: as delicate sashimi, simmered in a light broth, battered then fried, or enjoyed in a hotpot. It needn’t cost the earth either: while you can indulge in a multi-course tasting menu, there are plenty of reasonably price set meals to be found. While you’re in Shimonoseki, make sure to try the city’s other speciality too – fresh squid. Kawara Soba: soba noodles but not as you know them


Soba noodles are fairly well known outside of Japan,


but not when they’re prepared this like. Kawara soba is a specialty that derives from a practice developed by hungry soldiers during war in the 19th century, namely to use roof tiles as an alternative to a teppan iron plate in order to cook their noodles. The idea was then revived in Kawatana Onsen in Shimonoseki City (Yamaguchi Prefecture). Today, the dish is still cooked on a roof tile, but has a little more style: it’s made with cha-soba ... Continued on page 37...


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