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After about an hour's bus ride, we arrived at the Keio Plaza Hotel, one of the leading hotels in Tokyo. The vibrant, colorful flower arrangements in the lobby immediately caught our attention. What makes the Keio Plaza special is that it not only offers accommodation, conference services, and dining, but also focuses on showcasing the unique cultural identity of Japan within the hotel itself. Each month, the hotel hosts exhibitions with different themes such as fans, ceramics, and chopsticks. Furthermore, guests can view images and paintings of Mount Fuji or cherry blossoms. We also had the opportunity to experience a tea ceremony, try on everyday kimono attire, and learn Ikebana flower arranging right at the hotel.
A sense of tranquility coexists with the hustle and bustle of the city streets.
After strolling around the bustling Harajuku shopping district, popular with young people, we visited the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Shibuya-ku. The Meiji-Tenno Shrine and Shōken-kōtaigō Shrine, built in 1920 to commemorate the emperor's contributions, is surrounded by an artificial forest containing approximately 170,000 trees planted by people from all over Japan. For nearly 100 years, the forest has grown lush and green, creating a cool and tranquil atmosphere. It was surprising that just moments before, we had been overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the city streets, yet now we could immerse ourselves in this surprisingly peaceful and serene space. This is one of Japan's most famous shrines. During the first days of the new year, the shrine welcomes millions of visitors from all over the world who come to pray for good fortune in the spring.
The birthplace of the famous Noh play Hagoromo
The Shinkansen train took us from Tokyo to Shizuoka City. The tour guides were waiting for us there. After about 35 minutes by bus, we arrived at Miho no Matsubara, a coastal pine forest with over 30,000 pine trees. To get there, we had to cross a wooden bridge, known as the "path of the gods," flanked by rows of pines swaying in the wind. Then, before us stretched an endless expanse of tall, sturdy pine trees. We went to the pine tree where the legend of Hagoromo (the fur cloak) originated to hear the ancient tale of a fairy performing a court dance to depict the beauty of Miho no Matsubara in spring, before flying over Mount Fuji to return to the celestial realm under the bright full moon. Every October, artists gather here to perform the Noh play Hagoromo in the flickering evening light of bonfires.
Image source: Hagoromo Matsuri Management Board
A panoramic view of Tokyo at night.
We had the opportunity to admire the panoramic view of Tokyo at night from the 45th floor, the "Aurora" sky lounge, which the Keio Plaza Hotel opened last December. This area is designed for guests to enjoy dinner while admiring Tokyo at night. From a height of 160 meters, you can see the Tokyo TV Tower and other skyscrapers with their beautiful twinkling lights. It's wonderful to enjoy a delicious meal with family or loved ones in such a spectacular setting right in the heart of Japan's capital.
Leaving the hotel to the gentle, soothing sounds of the harp koto, we vowed to return to meet the warm, hospitable people and immerse ourselves in the atmosphere steeped in traditional Japanese art. Sayounara, Tokyo!
