A Sense of Place
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, opened in December 2005, in Nihonbashi, one of Tokyo’s key business districts, which still today retains a sense of Old World charm, capturing both the city’s vibrant modernity and its intriguing history.

Tokyo has welcomed a number of 5-star international hotel groups in recent years, and one of the key differentiating factors of Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo is its unique location in the heart of Nihonbashi, strongly influenced by authentic “Edo” culture, which appeals both to international guests as well as domestic guests from around Japan.

What is ‘Nihonbashi’?
Nihonbashi has enjoyed commercial prosperity since the first Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, set up his capital Edo in 1590, later to be renamed “Tokyo” when the shogunate came to an end. Ieyasu built a landmark bridge in 1602 called “Nihonbashi”, after which the district was named, and declared it to be the point of origin for Japan’s five main roads. Nihonbashi became the base point of transportation for all of Japan, and to this day continues to serve as a point of reference for all roads in Japan. Since that auspicious start, Nihonbashi has flourished as the commercial center of Tokyo and still retains its position today as the heart of Japan’s economy and finance.

As seen from the multitude of traditional Japanese merchants with long histories that date well back to the 17th century, Nihonbashi remains today an area rich in culture, history and tradition.

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo and ‘Nihonbash’
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo offers guests rare glimpses into the uniquely chic spirit of old Edo that lives on today, and helps guests reach back into traditional Japan.
In addition to the fantastic outings listed below, our Concierge is pleased to help arrange insider tours of centuries-old shops, traditional tea ceremonies, museum visits, artistic excursions, or any number of other cultural programmes to enhance your stay.

‘Cultural Experiences’ at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

Learn Bushido – the Soul of Japan – from a Samurai Master
Many maintain the soul of Japan derives from bushido, the ancient code of honour and ethics developed by Japanese samurai. However, it’s not widely known that samurai training facilities still exist in Japan where adepts perfect their technique and ennoble the sprit. At the Samurai Training Hall in Nihonbashi, you’ll wear kimono and experience either an introductory two-hour or more extensive full-day lesson, each conducted by a samurai master. Wield a Japanese sword with skill to your master’s approval, and afterwards receive a certificate acknowledging course completion and your entry into the “way of the warrior”.

Offered for one person daily but subject to availability. Three-day advance notice required. From JPY27,500 per person including interpreter charge

Craft Your Own Sushi at Tsukiji, ‘The Seafood Pantry of Japan’
This guided tour of Tsukiji’s inner and outer markets begins with a brief film presentation introducing the diversity of local colour to be witnessed at the world’s largest fish market. After taking in the real action, convene at a popular sushi shop for a hands-on lesson by the chef in forming (and eating) the perfect sushi.
Minimum parties of four; daily except Sundays, Wednesdays and public holidays; five-day advance notice required; JPY38,000 per person

Traditional Art Experiences
Take this opportunity to experience Japanese traditional art first-hand through lessons in tea ceremony, ikebana flower arrangement or calligraphy, conducted by an English-speaking master of each art. Each private lesson runs 60 to 90 minutes and includes a special gift to take home: a fan and a portable tea ceremony set, the completed flower arrangement or a calligraphy piece written by the master of calligraphy. Japanese sweets are served at the tea ceremony and calligraphy lesson.

Minimum party of one; available daily; two-day advance notice required; JPY 27,500 for one or two per lesson

Haute Kaiseki Cuisine and Performances by Geisha
In a private room at Kanetanaka or Shinkiraku, two of Tokyo’s most exclusive traditional restaurants, where first-time clientele require a formal introduction, guests can enjoy sophisticated kaiseki cuisine as kimono-clad geisha sing and perform traditional dances.

Limited to one party per day; available weekdays except public holidays; seven-days advance notice required; from JPY150,000 for two

Two-Michelin Star Lunch at a Private Retreat
Gather around a 750-year old hearth in a private room at Fukudaya, a favourite retreat of Nobel laureates, gourmands and other glitterati over its seven-century history, for a lunch of refined kaiseki cuisine and a rare performance of Shinnai, a highly ornamented style of singing to shamisen accompaniment that dates back to the late 18th century. On Saturdays, dinner may be booked instead of lunch.

Limited to one party per day; daily except Sundays and public holidays; seven-day advance notice required; from JPY240,000 for two

Sumida River Boat Cruise
Enjoy views of the city from its main river, on this tour of the Sumida River—the playground and poetic source of inspiration for Tokyoites since the early 17th century.  The evening begins with a meal of traditional Edo cuisine at Kameseiro, established on the waterfront in 1855.  Afterwards, guests will board a chartered yakatabune, a traditional roofed boat fashioned after those used by the Tokugawa shogun, for a river cruise complete with entertainment by geisha dancing and playing of the shamisen.

Limited to one party per day; daily except Sundays and public holidays; seven-day advance notice required; JPY370,000 for two

Understand the Art of Living in a Traditional Japanese Wooden Home
Experience a true sense of place by visiting a traditional wooden home. Close to the hotel near Kanda Myojin shrine stands a home built 80 years ago for a wealthy lumber merchant from Edo era. You can enter the tatami-covered living room – all typically spartan yet accented with chic décor with seasonal flavours – and learn how make tea like the locals, master the art of origami and become familiar with manners for visiting shrines.

Offered for two persons daily but subject to availability; from JPY14,700 per person including interpreter charge

Rickshaw Touring
Our Nihonbashi neighbourhood is the birthplace of the rickshaw, so take a trip back in time to old Edo with a rickshaw visit to such nearby attractions as Edo Castle (now called the Imperial Palace), beautiful Japanese gardens, and inspiring temples and shrines.
Minimum party of one; available daily; seven-day advance notice required; JPY31,500 for one or two persons

The Ultimate Onsen Getaway at Gôra Kadan Hotel in Historical Hakone
Guests of Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo can enjoy special privileges at Gôra Kadan, the ‘Grande Dame’ of hot-spring resorts in the Hakone National Park at the foot of Mount Fuji. Our Mandarin Oriental concierge will book a luxury stay at this exclusive, traditional inn and former imperial summer residence, where the spacious gardens, thermal baths and surrounding lush mountain scenery invite total relaxation in any season.
Prices on request