The New Otani Online Magazine

[DAY 1] 2:00pm

Arrival, Followed by a Stroll in the Japanese Garden

As Ms. Kinoshita entered the suite, what caught her eye was its subdued yet tasteful color scheme.
“The room is tinted in what we usually consider to be muted, complementary colors. These hues work very well in setting off the purple accents, creating a sublime balance. Purple, or violet, has long been associated with nobleness in our culture. The color conveys a sense of compassion that is quite comforting.”

Deciding to wait until the evening to appreciate the comfort of her suite, Ms. Kinoshita instead went out to the onsite Japanese Garden, which she has visited several times before.
“This garden seems as if it is part of a natural forest, rather than something that has been landscaped. Everywhere you turn, flowers and foliage adorn your field of view. As you walk the paths, you can actually see and feel the change of the seasons here.”

Cherry blossoms, as they do every year in spring, were in bloom this day. Ms. Kinoshita shared with us her own perspective of this seasonal attraction.
“In Kokin Wakashu, a very early anthology of waka poems published around the beginning of the 10^th century, there is a piece that portrays the ephemeral nature of cherry blossoms as being its most prominent identity and allure. Cherry blossoms in full bloom are breathtakingly gorgeous, but the sight of fallen petals floating on the water or dispersed on cobblestone alleys are as equally beautiful and even sentimental.”

[DAY 1] 5:30pm

Reiwa SAKURA Dinner Course at KATO’S DINING & BAR

After her stroll through the Japanese Garden, Ms. Kinoshita made her way to KATO’S DINING & BAR where guests are treated to authentic Japanese cuisine.
Here she enjoyed the ‘Reiwa SAKURA Dinner Course’, which is a limited-time-only menu.

The five-course dinner begins with assorted appetizers presented on a dish resembling a porcelain stone slab.
“What a beauty. The presentation is immaculate with each item arranged on the plate as if it is a miniature landscape. This plate, which I hear is produced by a renowned Arita ware artist, is an elaborate work of art in itself. And, of course, each tidbit is a delight to taste; the intricate balance of subtle and rich flavors renders a chemistry that captures the essence of Japanese cuisine in its most refined form.”

The item that fascinated Ms. Kinoshita the most was the ‘Duck Foie Gras with Japanese Pickled Vegetables’, a unique fusion of two contrasting elements.
“The foie gras simply melts in the mouth, with a lingering flavor of naturally fermented narazuke pickles. The presentation in gold leaf is a nice, detailed touch symbolizing the Japanese custom of wrapping a gift. An amazing creation.”
Even while enjoying her dinner, Ms. Kinoshita’s artistic instincts are on alert and find inspirations for her work.
“I tend to imagine an enormous world behind the most minimal of aspects. An infinitely large universe I feel exists within the smallest, most modest items of cuisine. I think it relates to calligraphy in the same way that a single brushstroke or a dot can convey an expression beyond words.”

[DAY 2] 10:00am

Morning Snack at the Executive Lounge

The morning after a relaxing sleep in the comfortable bed, Ms. Kinoshita enjoyed some soup, salad, and Inari sushi along with grapefruit juice for a morning snack at the Executive Lounge that is reserved exclusively for EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN guests.
“I cannot eat much in the morning, so the breakfast was more to wake me up.
Last night, it was lovely to have the rare privilege of not having to do anything.”

After breakfast, Ms. Kinoshita took a walk around the hotel premises. She seemed to appreciate the somewhat nostalgic ambience that exists in the hotel. Hotel New Otani Tokyo opened in 1964, the year of the Tokyo Olympics.

“Looking at the decor and the arcade, it feels as if I am tracing back the time of over half a century.”

She returns to her suite after her walk to reflect on her stay.
“I came hoping to reaffirm my belief in the beauty of traditional Japanese art that I continue to pursue with my calligraphy work, through my stay in this prestigious hotel that accommodates many foreign guests. The hotel’s general architecture is of a Westernized modern style, yet within it, EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN incorporates concepts based on Asian philosophies such as ‘nothingness’. I think the hotel represents a magnificent harmony of Western and Japanese ways.”

[DAY 2] 11:00am

The Executive Garden Suite

Ms. Kinoshita took to reading for the remaining hours until check-out.
“I brought a book on architectural works that was a gift from Kengo Kuma (architect / interior designer) as well as an anthology of Japanese poems which was very dear to my grandfather. I like to spend my time in quietude when I am alone, flipping pages of my favorite books, rather than drowning myself in the tide of information brought to us through the internet that is updated every second. It is important for me to spend time in ‘nothingness’, with just a bare minimum of things that are of quality to me, so as to enhance my senses and stay inspired.”

As the time to check-out draws near, Ms. Kinoshita prepares for her departure, both physically and mentally.

“For me, grooming myself in front of the mirror is a daily routine that allows me to clear my mind and communicate with myself. These simple yet elegant and high-quality toiletries are ideal in the respect that they do not interfere with this process. The soap with the characteristic black tinge takes on a soft sheen when you run it under water, and the smooth foam is a pleasure to the skin that makes me feel as if I am being cleansed from within.”

The pure white towels used at EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN are soft and plush, made from supreme-quality pima cotton.
“I hear these are the much-renowned Imabari towels. They are extremely soft and fluffy with a pleasant springy texture, and dries off your skin in an instant. This is one of the privileges that makes a hotel stay such a luxury experience.”

Photography by: Taro Hirayama
Styling by: AIKA FUNAHASHI (TEAM COLORS)
Hair & makeup by: RIE HANEDA
Written by: SAYAKA TAKAHASHI

*Photographed in March, 2020.