Friday, Dec. 7, 2007

Nabe Fair at Westin Tokyo

The Mai Japanese restaurant at the Westin Hotel Tokyo is holding a Nabe Fair through Feb. 29.

Nabe, a hot stew, is a popular winter dish in Japan. People enjoy sharing the warmth, aroma and "togetherness" of the dish with family and friends.

Mai is offering five kinds of nabe: anko (goosefish) nabe (¥13,000), kue (longtooth grouper) nabe (¥15,000), fugu (blowfish) nabe (¥18,000), original seafood nabe (¥15,000) and a shabu-shabu nabe using high quality Japanese beef (¥19,000).

The courses include appetizer, zosui (rice stewed in nabe soup) and dessert. Prices are for one person, and the nabe can be ordered for two or more. Lunch is between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., and dinner between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The hotel is a 7-minute walk on the Ebisu Skywalk from the East Exit of the JR Ebisu Station.

For reservations, call (03) 5423-7781.

Countdown to Christmas

The Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, less than two hours from Tokyo by train, is literally aglow with Christmas spirit.

A large Christmas tree fills the main lobby, and every day at 3 p.m., one window of a special gingerbread advent calendar will be opened by a selected guest.

There are also special events for overnight guests and day-trippers from Tokyo each Sunday through Christmas.

On Dec. 9, a 3-meter-high edible "fruit tree" will be assembled in the main lobby from noon. After completion around 3 p.m., fruit from the tree will be served to guests, and there will be a quiz with prizes for guessing the number of fruits used. Admission is free.

A professional florist will conduct a handicraft lesson on Mini-Christmas Tree-Making on Dec.16. The activity begins with a lunch buffet at Brasserie Flora between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The lesson will take place at Garden Restaurant Casareccio (total cost ¥5,000).

On Dec. 23, Night Water Party will be held at the hotel's Bade Zone from 7:30 p.m. The Bade Zone spa and pool area will be decorated with shimmering lights in the hot-spring's water. Hotel guests can join the party — in swimwear or casual wear — for free through midnight, with activities such as water basketball matches, water-ring tosses and more. Light meals and drinks are available with prepaid vouchers.

The Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa is a 15-minute drive from Odawara Station. There is a weekday shuttle bus from the station and a daily shuttle bus service from Nebukawa Station, two stops from Odawara.

For more information or reservations, call (0465) 29-1000.

Take a break at Washington Hotel

The Shinjuku Washington Hotel has sweetened its My Break accommodation plan with a few little extras.

Male guests can relax with a complementary beer in a Superior Single Room, which is designed to look like a study, and enjoy the use of unlimited VOD (Video on Demand). Complimentary mineral water, breakfast and even new socks are included in the deal.

Female guests have their own exclusive floor — safe and sound behind a security door — where a Ladies Superior Single Room comes with a fruit cocktail, mineral water and a bamboo charcoal relaxation set.

The plan, available through Jan. 31, costs ¥14,800 with tax and service, including the above amenities and breakfast.

The Shinjuku Washington Hotel is an 8-minute walk from the South Exit of JR Shinjuku Station.

For reservations, call (03) 3343-0489.

We welcome your opinions. Click to send a message to the editor.