THE Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo celebrates its 10 year anniversary on March 30th (2017). They’ll be toasting the achievement not just in champagne but in sake too; with a unique private label of Japanese Sake, created with a lot of input from the staff of The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Japan.
This special sake is produced by Shichiken brewery, exclusively for The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Japan and in commemoration of the 10th year anniversary of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo. The staff of the Ritz-Carlton hotels in Tokyo,Kyoto and Osaka have been directly involved in the process of making this special sake. And when we say ‘directly involved’, we mean directly - from the actual rice planting and harvesting right through to the brewing process. 

The Shichiken brewery which was established in 1749 in Takato, Shinshu (Nagano prefecture). In April 2016, hundreds of staff from the hotels worked hand-in-hand to actually plant the rice in the field specifically reserved for The Ritz-Carlton in Hokuto city of Yamanashi prefecture. The crops were harvested on September 9th 2016 and bottled this northern spring of (2017), just as the cherry blossoms have started to bloom. 

 At Hinokizaka Japanese Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, a dedicated sake sommelier guides guests through the story of sake with an exclusive sake tasting set. As well as the hotel’s private label sake the sommelier will recommend sake to match the dishes from Sawanoi, from a Tokyo brewery named Ozawa Shuzo which has a history dating back to 1702.

Just more proof that the Ritz-Carlton hotels in Japan are continuing their mission to create unique experiences for all of their guests with food as well as sake. As we know, Japan harvests some of the world’s best food produce, it is a country that is highly regarded for its quality of cuisine, beverage, and culinary craftsmanship; gastronomy in Japan is not just a dining experience, but also symbolizes the culture of appreciating mother nature and seasonal produce.

It is not just the food and that special sake that attracts guest to Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. Located 45 floors up in Tokyo’s tallest building, the Tokyo Midtown Tower, and overlooking the vibrant Roppongi District, the hotel has some of the best views in the city. On the day TLTB visited during ILTM Japan (Japan’s most exclusive luxury travel show) you could see to Mount Fuji. The hotel has recently introduced the final component of its multi-phase renovation, the ‘Modern Japanese Suite.’  Which blends traditional Japanese design with a chic, contemporary aesthetic. This luxury hotel suite embodies a modern interpretation of Japanese-style living in sleek, Tokyo fashion.