This blog will be mainly made up of pictures, as the images speak for themselves.

*Please see the blog about the room I stayed at here.

Kaiseki Dinner

Bettei Senjuan really impressed us with their authentic kaiseki dinner featuring the freshest of Japanese ingredients, spectacular plating, and even better taste.

We enjoyed our dinner in a private dining area, which really allowed us to immerse ourselves into the kaiseki experience without having the distractions of an open dining area.

Tea (Ocha) was served to start.

We were served some local Sake.

Sashimi on ice.

Dessert

After Onsen

When we returned to our room after a late evening visit to the onsen we were delighted to find a snack consisting of rice, wrapped in bamboo leaves, and some Japanese pears waiting for us.

Breakfast

We enjoyed our breakfast in the same room in which we had dinner the previous night. I will admit that the Japanese breakfast can be daunting for Westerners but, if you are up to it, I would suggest trying it. If you would like to stick to the more traditional western style breakfast, Bettei Senjuan is able to accommodate you. Not all ryokans have this option, so it is important to check beforehand to avoid any surprises.

Below is the western breakfast that was provided. As you can see, it included an omelet, salad, and some toast (with a cute little toaster provided as well).

Check Out

As we were checking out of Bettei Senjuan, we were provided with refreshing yuzu to drink and very cute water bottles for our trip back to Tokyo.

To book or learn more about this beautiful ryokan, please feel free to contact me here.

The post Bettei Senjuan - Dinner and Breakfast appeared first on Luxury Experience Travel.

The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo is a wonderful property located right next to Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. With exceptional customer service, fantastic views, and close proximity to a major train station, The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo is an ideal hotel to have as your base when visiting Japan.

We arrived a little late, around 10pm and it was nice to see that they had already performed the turndown service before we even checked-in. This little attention to service meant a lot as we were able to go straight to bed after a long day of travel instead of being interupted.

On the bed was the cutest little Teddy Bear with a sign saying "Take me home!" Of course, we did.

The room was nicely laid out.

The bathroom was very well organized, and they made great use of the space,

The bathroom amenities are Thann, a Thai natural skin care brand. THANN。

As we had just come off a small cruise ship without a bathtub, a nice Japanese deep soaker was a welcomed sight.

The night view of Tokyo was spectacular from The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo. It really made us excited for the day ahead.

As we had a corner room it, the view was even that much better, especially being able to watch the trains come and go from Shinagawa Station below.

Breakfast is served in a beautiful open air space just off of the main lobby. With the beautiful Atrium ceiling, trees, and the overall decor, the atmosphere and breakfast was amazing.

The quality of the food offered at the buffet was very high, and we were also able to order eggs in any style we wished.

They also had freshly squeezed juice.

The Strings by Intercontinental Tokyo is a great hotel for those in Tokyo for a short stay and, as mentioned, for those looking for a convenient base from which to take trains to other parts of Japan with it's great location adjacent to Shinagawa Station

For my clients, I have received a special offer from the General Manager which includes breakfast for two, a room upgrade upon availability, as well as an early check-in and late check out also upon availability.

*IHG membership numbers can be applied, but reservations cannot be made at the membership fee.

To book The Strings by Intercontinental Tokyo, please contact me through my website here.

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Kyoto can be said to embody the very spirit of Japanese culture. Now we've seized the opportunity to create an inn where guests can fully experience Kyoto's wonderful blend of tradition and modernity. Arashiyama was a resort area for the people of Kyoto, influenced by the culture of the Heian Dynasty. It is here where our guests board a boat at the base of the Togetsukyo bridge and enjoy the beautiful scenery for a short ten minute cruise up the Ooigawa River where Hoshinoya Kyoto is revealed. Just how separate this place is from the rest of the world becomes apparent the minute you come ashore. During the day, other people can be seen boating on the river and visiting the nearby mountain temples, but by nightfall, the Hoshinoya guests are the only ones left in this mystical world.

To stay in a place with the privacy of a private home while indulging in the refined cultural joys Kyoto has to offer is our overall theme. All 25 rooms offer a view of Arashiyama's beautiful Ooigawa River, where guests can enjoy the picturesque changing of the seasons to their hearts' content. The buildings have been handed down through the generations and given a sophisticated Hoshinoya touch.  Enjoy a relaxing stay in one of our spaciously designed rooms.  Choose the right room for your taste and group size from nine different types. At Hoshinoya Kyoto, you are not bound by time. You may select your meals for the day as you desire. You may select the menu and dining location as you desire. We offer you the luxury to enjoy the meal of your choice in the way of your choosing.

Hoshinoya Kyoto Amenities for 2021:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily continental breakfast for two guests per bedroom, via room service
• Dinner for two with a seasonal set meal to be enjoyed in the comfort of their pavilion
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

To book the Hoshinoya Kyoto, please contact me through my website here.

For more information on this beautiful property or to learn about the special amenities that my clients can receive my booking this hotel through me, please visit my luxury Virtuoso page here

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Hyatt Regency Kyoto Hotel is a wonderful luxury hotel in Kyoto, Japan. Our Kyoto hotel is located just minutes from JR Kyoto Station, in the Higashiyama Shichijo district, the traditional and cultural heart of Kyoto. Guestrooms are designed with a simple yet functional concept in mind, using natural colours, white oak wood and Japanese kimono fabric. All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen television and a work desk with high-speed broadband Internet access. Each room features a spacious granite bathroom with separate deep soaking bathtub and wet area.

The Grill serves prime cuts of meat and the freshest seafood cooked in an open kitchen with wood-burning ovens. Trattoria Sette - This casual trattoria-style restaurant features authentic  home-style Italian dishes and pizzas served directly from a show kitchen, creating a total sensory experience. A pastry boutique located at the entrance of the restaurant offers a variety of breads, pastries, chocolates and cakes, that can be enjoyed in the restaurant or taken home.The unique and stylish Japanese restaurant, Touzan, is modelled after the heart of a traditional Kyoto-style house and offers three choices of cuisine: a Charcoal Grill, a Sushi and a Bar with a wide range of premium sakes…all under one roof. The Touzan Bar offers a boutique sake collection, cocktails, wines and premium whiskies and draft beer from a local brewery.

Hyatt Regency Kyoto Amenities for 2021:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily set menu breakfast, for two guests per bedroom, in restaurant
• $100 USD Equivalent Food & Beverage credit, to be utilized during stay (not applicable to Room Service and Pastry Boutique, not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

To book the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, please contact me through my website here.

For more information on this beautiful property or to learn about the special amenities that my clients can receive my booking this hotel through me, please visit my luxury Virtuoso page here

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We boarded the Silver Explorer, and expedition ship with Silversea Cruises, in Kobe, Japan for a 9 day cruise to various ports in Japan and ending in South Korea. On this particular cruise, we were fortunate to be the Virtuoso Hosts. As the Virtuoso Hosts, we were there to ensure the enjoyment of the guests that had booked this cruise through Virtuoso Travel Agents from anywhere around the world.

Our ports of call included:

• Kobe, Japan (Embark)
• Okayama, Japan
• Takamatsu, Japan
• Miyajima, Japan
• Hiroshima, Japan
• Hagi, Japan
• Sakaiminato, Japan
• Kanazawa, Japan
• Sokcho, South Korea
• Busan, South Korea (Disembark)

As an expedition ship, the Silver Explorer is smaller than the rest of the ships belonging to Silversea Cruises. Is this size allows for it to gain entry into ports that larger ships are unable to reach. It also means that there are less passengers, with a capacity of 144 guests and 118 crew. On our cruise there were 120 guests that essentially gave us a 1 to 1 ratio for guests and crew.

As an expedition ship, Silver Explorer, is designed to provide guests with more of an exploration type cruise, meaning that the focus for the cruise is on the destinations and not the life aboard the ship as is the case with the larger luxury ships. On our cruise we had biologists, geologists, and historians that would provide detailed backgrounds on the significance of the port we would be visiting the next day, as well as recaps in the late afternoon on what we experienced on our excursions. The excursions for Silver Explorer are all included in the cruise fare, as are all of the meals and drinks.

In addition to these experts, we also had a Japanese guide on board for the entire cruise who not only provided translation services when needed, but assisted the crew and passengers on the cultural aspects of the different areas we would be visiting and managed the Japanese guides that accompanied us at each port.

Our Cabin

As Virtuoso Hosts, we are not considered members of the crew, but as passengers, so we stayed in a regular cabin assigned to us by Virtuoso. We stayed in the View Suite, which was 18 square meters. The layout of our cabin is below. As this was an expedition cruise, we spent very little time in our cabin and it was spacious enough for the two of us with 2 pieces of large luggage an 2 carry-on bags that all fit nicely under the bed.

There are higher categories, such as Vista Suite, Veranda Suite, Medallion Suite, Silver Suite, Grand Suite, and the Owner's Suite (which is 67 square meters and the floor plan is pictured below).

Upon arriving in our cabin, we were greeted by our butler who would be attending to us for the duration of the cruise. He showed us around our cabin and answered any questions that we had.

We were also provided with a welcome bottle of champagne and a personalized note welcoming us aboard.

Our Queen size bed was very comfortable an adorned with the style of pillows that we had selected during our online registration prior to leaving for the cruise.

Although Silver Explorer is a smaller ship and can get into many ports, there are times that a Zodiac is used to ferry passengers to the shore. In such cases, a special life jacket is required (pictured below).

We were also each provided with our own Silversea backpacks that are water resistant, the crew was very careful to point out that they are not waterproof, just resistant and that care should be taken when carrying and electronics or cameras in the bags when water is involved in the excursion.

We were also provided with individual water bottles to use during the excursions. Both the backpack and the water bottles were ours to keep after the cruise.

There was a small desk in our cabin, but large enough for a laptop and to do any work while aboard the ship. WiFi was also included on the ship and you could also choose to pay for faster internet should you require it. We had brought along a WiFi Router that we rented prior to the cruise and it provided great internet access while in port.

To the left of the desk, there was a small min-bar that was complimentary and re-stocked daily.

There was amble closet space for our clothes which we had unpacked from our luggage, with the luggage then stored under the bed. There was also a safe for our valuables.

The bathroom, while small, was clean and efficient. Although the shower are was a little challenging as there was only a partial barrier for the shower and water would tend to get on the floor in the bathroom. There was no tub in our category, but the higher categories did have them.

The amenities in the bathroom were Bulgari.

As required for all cruise ships, once we were settled in our cabin we were then required to participate in the evacuation drill exercise. An announcement was made ship wide for all passengers to report to the Explorer Lounge where we were shown how to wear our life jackets and the procedures for evacuation were explained.

The Restaurant, used for both breakfast and dinner was a large open area at the back of Deck 4. Upon arrival at the Restaurant, you were greeted by the hostess who would seat you upon your preference at a private table, a larger table to mingle with fellow passengers, or with your larger group.

Next to the Restaurant on Deck 4 is a small Fitness facility.

Also on Deck 4 there is a laundry room, equipped with washers and dryers as well as complimentary detergent. Next tot he laundry room is a beauty salon (not pictured).

On Deck 5 is the Panorama Lounge where you can enjoy talking with other passengers over your choice of beverage, enjoy the on-board pianist, or join afternoon tea.

Also on Deck 5, there is the office of the Cruise Consultant where you can ask about and also book future cruises. Adjacent to this office is the shipboard shop.

At the back of Deck 6 you will find the Grill Restaurant where you can enjoy lunch in the afternoon, relax in one of the two Jacuzzi's, or simply take in the sites as you cruise.

On Deck 7, there is the Viewing Deck that overlooks the Grill and provides an elevated view from the top of the Silver Explorer.

On Deck 6, there is the Explorer Lounge. It is here that we spent most of our time while on board Silver Explorer. We would have daily briefings on the destination we would be visiting the next day including historical and geographical significance of the area, what to expect in terms of weather and a breakdown of the excursions scheduled for that day. We would also have a recap of the day we just concluded and the experts aboard the ship would answer any questions that the passengers had from the current day or about tomorrows adventure.

Other areas of the ship not included in this summary included the Medical Facilities (with an on-board doctor), Tors Observation Library on Deck 6 across from the Explorer Lounge (here you could have an early morning coffee and pastries or relax indoors with large observation windows).

For the complete deck plans for Silver Explorer, please click here.

The cruise experience aboard Silver Explorer, in essence, can be described as toned down luxury. Again, and expedition ship is all about the destination and not the ship itself. The staff and crew are amazing and definitely have a passion for showcasing the ports of call while still ensuring that the passengers are well taken care of a treated with the upmost in excellent customer service.

All of the Virtuoso passengers on-board were provided with a $150 USD shipboard credit, a welcome reception and Virtuoso Hosts (us) that provided any information and assistance that they required to ensure a wonderful cruise.

If you would like to learn more about schedules and different Silversea Cruises, please visit my Virtuoso page here.

If you would like to receive more information, or book a Silversea Cruise, you can contact me here.

Vision Travel is proud to be able to provide my clients with special deals and shipboard credit on select cruises. These can be combined with promotions offered by Silversea Cruises as well.

The post Silver Explorer Expedition Cruise - Japan appeared first on Luxury Experience Travel.

The Mandarin Oriental Tokyo provides an exceptional level of service and comfort to its's guests. I was immediately impressed by the staff and their attentiveness to me as I arrived in their gorgeous lobby after my long flight to Japan. They were quick and courteous and escorted to me directly to my room.

The room was just wonderful and had everything that I have come to expect when staying in luxury accommodations in Tokyo.

My bathroom was just gorgeous and exceptionally clean.

The amenities provided by the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo were also very high end, from the lush bathrobes embossed with their iconic logo, to the soaps and lotions, and even the provided slippers. Everything was very high-end.

My room at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo also provided sweeping views of Tokyo which were made even more enjoyable by using the complimentary binoculars located in the room.

As part of the luxury amenities that my clients can enjoy at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, a full breakfast daily for up to 2 in-room guests, in restaurant is provided. This was an amazing experience as the selection was plentiful and the food was tremendous. It is also accompanied by amazing views of Tokyo.

To book the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, please contact me through my website here.

For more information on this beautiful property or to learn about the special amenities that my clients can receive my booking this hotel through me, please visit my luxury Virtuoso page here.

The post Mandarin Oriental Tokyo appeared first on Luxury Experience Travel.

We had the great opportunity to visit Koinzan Saihoji, better known as Kokedera (Moss Temple), a Unesco World Heritage Site, in Kyoto in December 2013. There are characteristics that cause this temple to stand out among all of the others that you will visit while in Japan. First, this Zen Temple provided us with a unique chance to visit a temple in Japan where we actually took part in a religious ceremony by observing and, depending on your level of Japanese, participating in a chant that was led by three monks in the main temple.  This experience was just mesmerizing and left me feeling very at peace, even without being able to follow along with the written chant provided as I do not speak Japanese, let alone read Hiragana. The full text, for those that can read Hiragana, is at the bottom of this post.

What was exceptionally breathtaking about this temple was the large and lush Moss Garden.  Even in Winter, the garden was beautiful and I am sure it is even more stunning in Spring, Summer or Fall.

The following pictures need no explanation:

Here is the full text of the chant:

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In the Gunma Prefecture, west of Tokyo, there exists a beautiful Ryokan called Bettei Senjuan. Gunma is famous for it's onsen (hot spring) districts and can be a easily reached from Tokyo via Shinkansen for a quick overnight trip in just under 2 hours. This is exactly what we did as we were looking for a quick escape in our hectic schedule to relax and rejuvenate in the tranquil atmosphere that only a Ryokan can provide. and Bettei Senjuan did not let us down. The beautiful Ryokan only has 18 rooms, which means you often feel as if you are the only guests and you really are submerged into relaxation.

Upon arrival at the local station, we were picked up by by a driver from the ryokan, who was waiting for us at the station as we had provided our travel schedule to them in advance. After quickly loading our luggage we were just a short drive away from Bettei Senjuan. This ryokan is situated in a lush surrounding with mountains, forests and beautiful scenery surrounding you at every turn:

As we entered the lobby area, we were seated in the common area (pictured below) where we were provided with a warm towel, a light snack, and a drink to freshen us up form our journey. This is also where a member of the staff signed us in and gave us the details of the property.

As we walked through the ryokan, what really impressed me however, was the simple beauty of this property. They have designed the ryokan with what I feel was a simplicity by design and the architecture is stunning without being distracting.

Our room was very spacious and I was pleased to see that the layout was very functional. As we walked in, we passed through a small kitchen area with the toilets located down a small hall to the right and away from the main areas of the rest of the room (a nice touch). Through the kitchen, the room opened up into a large living room are that contained a table with 2 chairs, and a television.

Beyond the living room there was a separate room (think large walk-in closet) where our luggage had been delivered and where there were cupboards for our clothes, which was also where we would find our Yukata's (traditional robes commonly worn throughout your stay at a Japanese Ryokan).

The real treat of our room however was to the left of the living room, where there was a fantastic seating are with floor to ceiling windows that provided gorgeous views of the mountains and forest. They even supplied binoculars for us to get a closer look at the flora and fauna just outside our room.

Adjacent to the sitting area, was our vanity area with a stand-up shower. Through the shower room there was also access to our private outdoor onsen bath that allowed you to soak in the natural beneficial mineral waters while also soaking in the spectacular view.

As we settled into our room, we were served tea and snacks by one of the staff. At this time we also made our dinner reservation for the Kaiseki dinner and I was surprised to also be asked about our preferences for the type of and the firmness of our mattresses and pillows, In most ryokans, Futons are put out in the main living room while you are at dinner, as they do not typically have separate bedrooms.

After some light unpacking, we donned our Yukatas and headed for the main onsen at Bettei Senjuan. Of course, the onsens are separated by the sexes and my wife and I went in our respective areas.

After getting undressed (no clothes are permitted in an onsen) and completely washing myself (a must in Japanese culture) I headed to the onsen located outside. There was also an indoor onsen, but I selected to enjoy the crispness of the evening while soaking in the hot (approximately 40 degrees Celsius) waters as I looked over the forest and mountains. Sorry, no pictures here for understandable reasons. Just below the outdoor onsen and down a little hill, there was also a seating area available.

Please also see the blog about the wonderful food we experienced at Bettei Senjuan here.

To book or learn more about this beautiful ryokan, please feel free to contact me here.

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When we arrived at Kagaonsen Station, we were personally met by the Manager of Beniya Mukayu.  He quickly got our bags into the van we were on our way to the Ryokan.  While on our way, he provided us with some information and highlights of Kaga Onsen.  This personal touch was fantastic and definitely appreciated after our long train journey.

As you drive up to Beniya Mukayu, you are immediately impressed with the facility.  It presents itself to you as a place of luxury nestled into a wilderness backdrop that tells you that you are about to have an experience of deep relaxation and pleasure.  We were there in March just before the blossoms of Spring arrived.  I can just imagine how even more beautiful this area is from Spring to Fall.

Entering the lobby I was struck by the simplicity of the furnishing and the casualness of the atmosphere, this almost Zen like feeling upon entering was accentuated by the soothing aroma of incense that filled the lobby.  We were met by the owner of Beniya Mukayu, Sachiko, with her wonderful and friendly personality, was able to make us feel like old friends even though we had just met.  Once again, our bags were transported to our room for us and we were given a personal tour of their facility by Sachiko who, I must mention, speaks great English.

To put it simply, this facility is amazing.  The tour started in the an area just off of the main lobby where guest can sit in a peaceful environment, and enjoy the gorgeous views of the trees and garden outside while enjoying a beverage for the small bar off to the side.  A real specialty is their freshly squeezed juice, available from a variety of fruits to choose from.

We then went up a small flight of stairs to the right of the lobby where we entered a large library that provides for a really serene and quiet respite for any travelers.  The quiet seating area in the main area of the library is designed with little in the way of decorations or distractions with various seating options to meet the needs of the guests.  If you would like to read, but unfortunately forgot your own book, a separate room provides various reading materials in a wide variety of topics in both Japanese and English.

Our next stop was their spa area where their professional staff is highly skilled in providing their clients with a variety of treatments based upon an Herbal Matrix, where they will carefully select herbs to prepare your herbal balls, herbal infusions, and herbal teas based upon your own physical condition and requests.  Their guests can enjoy a variety of treatments including Body Treatments, Facial Treatments, Foot and Head Massages, and other treatments available depending on the season.

This facility is truly designed to provide their guest with the ultimate in relaxation and comfort, allowing you to truly let your concerns and tensions slip away as they use techniques and minerals to soothe and rejuvenate your body and mind.  We made a quick stop to the entrance to their communal Hot Spring facilities, of which I will write more of later in this blog as we did not enter the facility as part of the tour for the privacy of those using the facilities.

Next to the spa area is their large dining hall.  This room is very unique in its design as it not only is the venue for their meals, but also serves as their facility where guests can participate in yoga classes every morning.  The room is essentially divided into two, with the far half composing of the main seating area for meals and the closer half having more of a multi-functional feel for other activities, such as yoga.  The wooded pillars that occupy the room, allows the staff to partition the room as required.

Sachiko, then proceeded to give us a tour of the various styles of guest rooms that they have at Beniya Mukayu.  There are only 16 rooms in total, and I am assuming that this is to assist in providing a quiet and non-rushed atmosphere at the Ryokan and to enhance the relaxation of their guests. They provide Japanese style rooms, Western style rooms, Japanese/Western style rooms and their Wakamurasaki Suite rooms.  Beyond the fact that each and every one of these rooms is spectacular in terms of the layout, amenities and comfort, each room also has its own private open-air hot spring bath for personal enjoyment.

Most Ryokans that we visited on our trip only provided individual private hot springs in a few specially selected rooms; Beniya Mukayu has made this a standard for all of their guests.

The rooms themselves are all very spacious and provide you with a fantastic escape.  All the rooms have a great view of the luxurious grove of trees that populate the grounds of Beniya Mukayu or of the town in Yamashiro (Japanese/Western room) depending on the floor.  The beds in every room are quite comfortable and spacious, upon our arrival we were asked what type of pillows we would prefer to use during our stay (I chose feather, while my wife chose a memory foam pillow).  Depending on the style of room you will either have an open-air or covered veranda.  In the Wakamurasaki Suite, obviously the larger choice to be had, you are provided with a dining table in the sunken kotatsu style (low to the floor but you sit normally with your legs going into the open are under the table).

The bathrooms in each room also come fully stocked with the various lotions that include a cleansing gel, facial wash, lotion, emulsion, and a body lotion.  These are unique lotions are made specifically for Beniya Mukayu and were definitely wonderful to use and nourishing to the skin.  Each room also has separate seating areas, a television, and in-suite Wi-Fi.  In all, they are designed foe maximum comfort and relaxation, and trust me, they deliver.

After our tour, we settled into our room, the Japanese/Western style room, and enjoyed a welcoming cup of tea and confectionery.  We both put on the traditional Japanese Yukata and headed down to the communal hot springs.   These facilities were very clean and quite large.  The main changing area provided baskets in which to place my Yukata and sandals, and the washing area was kept very tidy.  After washing, I entered the communal open-air bathe to enjoy a long hot soak in the rejuvenating alkaline spring water kept a approximately 40 degrees Celsius.  The open-air bath was a large cedar tub, and since I was the only one there at the time it provided more than enough room.  I would guess that 5 or 6 men could enjoy it at the same time with no problems.  The bath itself, was nestled against the grove of trees that you see from most of the rooms at Beniya Mukayu, but of course your privacy is preserved by the placement of bamboo and trees.  Before leaving the facility I tried out to indoor hot spring which was much larger than the outdoor one, and by being indoors I could really feel the effects of the heat on my face as the steam rose from the water.  Overall, a thoroughly pleasurable and stress relieving experience.

As I walked back to my room, in the full knowledge that my wife would still be in the women’s communal hot spring, I stopped at the lounge area of the lobby to enjoy a complimentary glass of freshly squeezed juice.  I chose apple.  This small glass of juice was quite refreshing after my hot spring, and the juice itself was 100% pure with nothing added which made it absolutely amazing to enjoy.  While enjoying my juice my wife arrived and after she enjoyed her juice, we were invited to experience their tea ceremony.

This tea ceremony took place in a small, intimate cabin situated amongst the grove of trees.  The ceremony was provided to us by Sachiko’s husband.  This ceremony was definitely more formal and traditional than the previous one that I had experienced at Hoshinoya (again, that casual ceremony was great in it’s ability to prepare me for future ceremonies).  We entered the room wearing our Yukatas and kneeled on the small cushion next to a burning candle.  The room itself was very cozy and the dim lighting provided a real authentic ambience.  Our host appeared from a side room wearing traditional robes and provided us each with a confectionery to cleanse our palates.  As we ate this, he prepared the tea from scratch using the traditional Japanese methods.  We both took our turns enjoying the tea.  Afterwards, he was more than happy to answer any of our questions and was a very gracious host. We then returned to our room and rested before dinner.

Dinner was served in the main dining hall and was Kaiseki style, this is where several small dishes are served individually over the course of the meal.  Typically, a Ryokan will base the menu of their Kaiseki dinner in consideration of the specialties of their region in Japan as well as the current season.  Thankfully for me, this meant that we were going to experience a glorious 9 course meal where 5 of the dishes were featuring snow crab – a personal favourite.  As mentioned previously, there are only 16 rooms in total at Beniya Mukayu and a wonderful result is that the dining room is not extremely busy or noisy.  A Kaiseki meal is meant to be an experience, if not an adventure, and the staff and owner of Beniya Mukayu provide you with a level of service that is unparalleled.  They prepare the courses, often right at you table, and assist you throughout the meal that makes you feel as if you are their only guests without ever becoming bothersome.  This is a fine line, and they worked it to perfection.

Our dinner was completely fantastic, and with its conclusion we were more than ready for bed.  We returned to our rooms and ready and excited to see what the next day would hold.

We woke up early in the morning in order to make sure that we fully took advantage of this gorgeous Ryokan.  My wife quickly got herself prepared and went to the large dining hall where they have complimentary yoga classes every morning before breakfast.  Our hostess, Sachiko, often leads these classes but today there was a different instructor.  My wife found it to be very relaxing and not too strenuous as it is geared towards beginners to encourage their guests to attend.  She found it a great way to prepare for the day.

Meanwhile, it was a beautiful sunny morning and I could think of no better way to start my day than to have a private open-air hot spring bath on the balcony in our room. The wonderful thing about hot spring baths is that they are always hot and ready to go. In mere minutes I was immersed in the revitalizing alkaline spring water.

When we were given the tour yesterday by Sachiko she told us how the hot spring in the area had been discovered by a Buddhist saint about 1,300 years ago on his way to Hakusan Mountain (White Mountain).

“He carved a figure of Yakushi Nyorai (Healing Buddha), placed it as the main deity, and enshrined Hakusan God to be the guardian of the hot spring… It is historically known that the area around Yakuoin Onsenji used to be called ‘Yakushiyama (Healing Buddha’s Mountain)’ for its high spirituality, which was a place for training and learning for Buddhist monks, and at the same time, a place for healing , where monks cured people by providing hot spring baths and preparing medicinal herbs.”

Sachiko Nakamichi – Proprietress of Beniya Mukayu

After a very relaxing morning of yoga and hot spring baths, we made our way to the dining hall for breakfast.  I enjoyed a Western Style breakfast of a bacon and cheese omelette, yogurt, fresh fruits, a fresh organic vegetable salad, toast and coffee.  The food was fantastic, but what I really remember is the wide selection of freshly squeezed juice that was available.  And By freshly squeezed, I mean... that they actually squeezed the juice at their main table seconds before serving it to you based on your request. My wife had a Japanese style breakfast consisting of grilled flat fish (grilled on the table), a special brand of rice cooked in a stone pot, seaweed with Beniya Mukayu original soy sauce, boiled and dried young sardines, seaweed with mushrooms, a Japanese style folded omelette with grated radish and organic boiled vegetables with plum and sesame sauce, miso soup, Japanese pickles, Beniya Mukayu special blend coffee, and Kaga original green tea.  The food was excellent as once, once again, the service from the entire staff at Beniya Mukayu.

As we checked out, I must say that I was sorry to be leaving this wonderful Ryokan.  I truly enjoyed every minute that I was here from the warm and friendly staff, Sachiko - our wonderful and generous hostess and her husband who performed our beautiful tea ceremony, the relaxing and invigorating hot springs, the luxurious selection of soothing and nourishing lotions, and the wonderful food.  The entire experience at Beniya Mukayu was perfect and I highly recommend anyone to visit this wonderful Ryokan.

To learn more about Beniya Mukayu or to book it through us, please contact us here here.

To see more great photos of Beniya Mukayu, visit our Pinterest board here.

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We had the immense pleasure of staying at one of the Tokyo's premier luxury hotels, The Peninsula Hotel Tokyo.

Located in the Marunouchi district of Tokyo, you could not really ask for a better location.  The Peninsula Hotel Tokyo is in easy walking distance to the Imperial Palace, Hibiya Park, and best of all... the fantastic (and my favourite) shopping area - Ginza.

As you enter the hotel you are immediately treated with excellent care and service by the staff. Walking through the lobby, you are captivated by the restaurant that surrounds you in the lobby as you walk to the reception are, the dining are is aptly named "The Lobby".

Our room was exactly what you would anticipate in a lavish Tokyo Hotel, with a few additional bonuses that give this property a distinction all it's own.  The size of our room was large and well configured, giving us the feel that we were in a suite as the sleeping area and living area were casually separated to give the illusion of two different and distinct areas.

The large walk-in closet has plenty of room for your luggage to be stored out of the way once you have unpacked your clothes into the ample amount of drawers and hanging areas.  To top it off, the closet has a built-in vanity and sitting area. However, it is the spacious bathroom and features that really catch your attention.

What was special about this bathroom, was the control panel.  Although we have had many experiences with the automated systems that Japanese luxury hotels have in their bathrooms, such as automated toilets that open and close as you require, the Spa feature on the panel below was a welcome addition after a long day of sightseeing and shopping:

This button automatically transformed our bathroom in our own private spa.  It dimmed the lights and started to play relaxing music that instantly placed us in a peaceful and calming atmosphere.  It was a real treat.

The Peninsula also boasts some great views of Tokyo. I particularly liked the night view from our room as I could watch, and not hear, the Shinkansen trains moving through Tokyo with their cars completely lit up.

We enjoyed our breakfast in "The Lobby" which provided great views of guests arriving and leaving the from the hotel, yet we were separated enough that we could enjoy a quiet conversation as we enjoyed our breakfasts.  My wife opted for Japanese style, while I chose the western breakfast.

After breakfast, we took a short walk to the Ginza district to do some last minute shopping before returning to Canada.  Since Ginza is not that far, we did not opt to take advantage of the restored 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II which is complimentary for guests to use in a 2 km radius of the hotel.

For more photos you can visit our Pinterest page here.

Peninsula Hotel Tokyo Amenities for 2021:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• American Breakfast at The Lobby for two guests per bedroom daily
• $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full. Credit not valid for spa products at The Peninsula Spa, retail merchandise at The Peninsula Boutique and Café, and cannot be used at Sushi Wakon and Mon cher ton ton.)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

To book the Peninsula Hotel Tokyo, please contact me through my website here.

For more information on this beautiful property or to learn about the special amenities that my clients can receive my booking this hotel through me, please visit my luxury Virtuoso page here

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We had the fantastic opportunity to stay at the spectacular Palace Hotel Tokyo. This hotel is the ultimate in luxury and with it's location right next to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, as well as it's close proximity to the luxury shopping district, Ginza, this property should be at the top of anyone's list when choosing a luxury hotel in Tokyo.

From the moment we arrived, we realized that the staff is dedicated to ensuring that are stay with them would be absolutely perfect. We were treated to some of the best customer service from the moment we stepped out of our taxi, through the easy check-in, the personal escort to our room, and throughout our stay.

Our room was fantastic, from the comfortable king sized bed, the spacious and immaculate bathroom, the separate seating area, and the large window overlooking Tokyo with views of the Imperial Palace and Mt. Fuji in the distance. We were immediately impressed.

However, perhaps the best part of our room was the discovery of a balcony, which is rare to find in luxury hotels in Tokyo, that provided us with a relaxing and private space to enjoy our complimentary welcome amenities of fresh fruit while taking in the beautiful views from the Palace Hotel.

We thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast in their main dining room, which also provide the options for indoor or outdoor seating.

There is also a wonderful Club Lounge on the 19th floor with an outside patio area:

To see even more pictures of the Palace Hotel Tokyo, check out our Pinterest page here.

Palace Hotel Tokyo Amenities for 2021:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Buffet breakfast, for two guests per bedroom (Full American Breakfast will be served until Covid-19 is settled)
• $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage or Spa treatment credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full. F&B credit may not be used in restaurants that are not managed by the Hotel - Sushi Kanesaka and Amber Palace. Credit may be used for a spa treatment but not for retail products in the Spa.)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

To book the Palace Hotel Tokyo, please contact me through my website here.

For more information on this beautiful property or to learn about the special amenities that my clients can receive my booking this hotel through me, please visit my luxury Virtuoso page here

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We had the great opportunity to stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo which had definitely been on my list of places to stay ever since watching "Lost in Translation" starring bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson back in 2003.  I was not disappointed.

This luxury hotel is located in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo and occupies the top 14 floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower, which means that it provides you with spectacular views of the city, but more on that a little later. Upon exiting the elevators on the main lobby floor of the hotel, we made our way to the main reception area by walking through  a quiet, yet beautiful hallway lined with bookshelves and main lobby area that is accessed through a wonderful hallway lined with bookshelves, pictures and art.

The staff that greeted us in the lobby were extremely professional, courteous, and definitely focused on making us feel as if we were their most important guests at the hotel as they paid attention to our every need with ease and pleasure. It is when we got up to our room that the real experience of this lavish hotel came to light.

Upon entering our room we were immediately transfixed on the spectacular view of Mt. Fuji that appeared right in front of us through our large window.  This was a really special treat, as not many hotels in Tokyo can boast such unobstructed vies of the iconic Japanese landmark.

Our room, of course, was wonderful and contained every comfort that you would expect in this luxury property.

We enjoyed our breakfast in a beautifully open concept restaurant called Girandole, which offered a wonderful buffet of both Western and Japanese selections. Everything was made to perfection.

The Park Hyatt Tokyo also provides other exceptional dining options for their guest to choose from, including The New York Grill, Kozue - an exquisite Japanese Restaurant, The Peak Lounge where you can enjoy afternoon tea, and selection of desserts or a light cuisine.

The hotel also has fantastic Spa facilities in their Club On The Park which also boasts a gorgeous swimming pool with fantastic views.

Here are some additional photos of the views at the Park Hyatt Tokyo that we took of views from different spots around the hotel...

This is a picture of the main buildings that make up Shinjuku. The tallest building pictured is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.  The North and South Towers have observation floors at the top. From these you can see more spectacular views of Tokyo.  Free audio systems provide descriptions of what you can see out of the windows.

View of Tokyo Skytree, which at 634m is the world's tallest free-standing broadcasting tower.  To put it into perspective, the Tokyo Skytree is approximately 11km from the Park Hyatt Tokyo.

Needless to say, our stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo was absolutely amazing and we highly recommend that you experience this hotel for yourself when you have the chance.

Park Hyatt Tokyo Amenities for 2021

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two guests per bedroom via room service
• $100 USD Equivalent Food & Beverage credit (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full, excludes mini-bar)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

To book the Park Hyatt Tokyo, please contact me through my website here.

For more information on this beautiful property or to learn about the special amenities that my clients can receive my booking this hotel through me, please visit my luxury Virtuoso page here

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