Hong Kong, 17 October 2011 – Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo’s exclusive accommodation package for the New Year offers an opportunity to relax, reflect on the year gone by and celebrate the dawn of a new year in an environment resonating with Old World elegance and the sophisticated culture of Japan’s Edo period (1603-1867).

Mandarin Oriental’s New Year Package includes luxurious accommodation for a minimum stay of two nights between 31 December 2011 and 2 January 2012, daily breakfast for two, one festive lunch for two at either K’Shiki, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, or Ventaglio, which offers a stylish Italian antipasto buffet. Celebrations continue with a delicious New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day dinner at Signature, the French-inspired restaurant, or Sense, the Cantonese restaurant, each featuring the hotel’s much lauded Michelin-starred delicacies. Guests will also have the chance to view a traditional Japanese ceremony to welcome the New Year, as well as receiving special Japanese New Year gift items as mementoes of their stay.

On New Year’s Day, guests can take pleasure in a traditional Osechi breakfast with Otoso sake at Sense, located high above the Tokyo skyline on the 37th floor, with the rising sun on the metropolitan horizon.  Known as the “Centre of Japan” since the Edo period, the Nihonbashi neighbourhood is ideally located for access to many of Tokyo’s most important sights.  The hotel’s direct subway access to Mitsukoshi-mae Station via the Ginza line is the best way to visit a variety of historic shrines, such as the Kanda Myojin Shrine, an important Shinto Shrine since the Edo period, the Suitengu Shrine, the Yushima Tenjin Shrine and the Meiji Shrine, where traditional Japanese celebrations to welcome in the New Year can be viewed.

During the afternoon of New Year’s Day, the hotel will play host to a rare performance, by traditional Edo firefighters.  Providing a unique insight into local Nihonbashi New Year celebrations, the firefighters, dressed in traditional Edo costume, offer blessings for health and peace in the New Year.

As a reminder of their stay, guests will receive two very special mementoes. Since the Edo period, tradition has had it that sleeping with a picture of the Shichifukujin (Seven Lucky Gods) aboard the Takarabune (Treasure Ship) under a pillow on 1 January ensures that any dreams of the New Year will be lucky.  In light of this tradition, and to ensure that guests also enjoy happiness in the New Year, an Ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock print) of the Takarabune and Shichifukujin, along with an original Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo hand-crafted zodiac fan featuring Japanese calligraphy, and popular as a collector’s item and a keepsake will be delivered to each room.

The New Year Holiday package is available for all room types, with rates starting from JPY233,766 for two nights and JPY301,299 for three nights from 31 December.  Rates do not include 5% consumption tax, 10% service charge and the daily municipal accommodation tax.  A cancellation fee will apply for cancellations made less than seven days prior to arrival.  Rates assume double occupancy.  Check-in is at 3pm and check-out is at 12 noon.

For reservations or further enquiries, please call +81 3-3270-8950 between 9am and 8pm, or reserve online at www.mandarinoriental.com/tokyo.