September 2015 Newsletter

30 Sep 2015 NEWSLETTERS


©visitBerlin, photo: Frank Nuernberger

	TCVB became active as a full member of BestCities Global Alliance Having joined BestCities Global Alliance as a full member in August 2015, Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau (TCVB) participated in the first BestCities Client Workshop held in Berlin from 26 to 29 August to work together closely with the other world-top convention destinations. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss how to acquire association meetings/conferences in helping international client network to get in close touch with local science and research sectors as well as with the members of the BestCities Global Alliance. The four-day networking event, which has been organized jointly by visitBerlin Berlin Convention Office and the BestCities Global Alliance, a global network of twelve destinations from all over the world was successfully held with participation of fifteen association representatives from China, France, India, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and the United States. To receive an exclusive invitation to the BestCities Client Workshop, it was required for the association to be in process of planning conferences with at least 500 participants in different locations around the world to offer potential benefits to the BestCities Alliance members. The next BestCities Client workshop is set to take place in Dubai from 5 to 9 December 2016. The BestCities Workshop is open to international association planners, if you would like to know if you qualify to be hosted at the event or for more information please contact Jane Cunningham or visit www.bestcities.net. _____________________ BestCities is the first global alliance to put in place a certification programme - with standards certified by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) - to ensure a consistent level of convention bureau service excellence from all partner cities. BestCities Partners are: Berlin, Bogotá, Cape Town, Chicago, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Houston, Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo and Vancouver.



	Tokyo welcomed UIC HIGHSPEED World Congress


	The world's most significant meeting for high-speed rail, the 9th UIC World Congress on High Speed Rail, took place with great success with 1,200 participants from July 7 to 10, 2015 at the Tokyo International Forum for the first time in Japan. The Congress was coordinated by UIC, International Union of Railways, and JR East, East Japan Railway Company in collaboration with all parties involved in high-speed rail in Japan. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government supported this Congress in sponsoring Japanese cultural programs and city tours for the overseas participants. Especially, half-day trips to Meiji Jingu Shrine, the Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum and Asakusa District were highly appreciated by the participants as perfectly organized tours to Japanese traditional cultural spots. Furthermore, "Day trip to Sake Brewery and Great Nature" featuring a deep cultural meaning of Japan was highly admired by many participants with a comment such as, "I understood that Sake would not be just alcohol, but it could be an art". The cultural programs including Dressing in Kimono, Tea Ceremony, Traditional Art/Craft of Washi (Japanese traditional paper) and Taiko (Japanese drum) were also organized by the Tokyo Convention and Visitor's Bureau. The Congress delegates who managed to join the Dressing in Kimono program despite of their tight schedule were thrilled with the experience to try authentic Japanese Kimono on. Especially, female participants were fascinated with the gorgeous kimonos and different ways of tying obi (belt) helped by professionals. Moreover, every participant was impressed by Tea Ceremony held in the space of Japanese tea ceremony garden style with an explanation and demonstration how to prepare a bowl of tea by an English-speaking tea-master from the International Chado Culture Foundation. After they enjoyed tasting professionally made tea as well as the process of experiencing tea making, traditional Japanese sweats were also served. Some participants left comments such as "Great opportunity to see Japanese tea culture", "Very nice experience", "Wonderful people", "Explanations were very interesting", "Thank you so much for your efforts you had put in. We had a wonderful time!", "I've learnt about Japanese culture in a very smart way". This program was also highly evaluated by the Congress organizers. Hitoshi SAIMYO, Director of the International Department in East Japan Railway Company said, "We feel very grateful for the program since our delegates could relish Japanese culture. Thanks to this program, delegates could feel unique Japanese hospitality and they will remember the experience for a long time. "




	Unique Venue New Challenge Happo-en, a picturesque venue of traditionally styled buildings set in a Japanese garden dating back nearly 400 years and one of the flagship unique venues in Tokyo, held a showcase event "WAZA* Department" on September 15, 2015. In order to challenge the new opportunities to convey Japanese culture to the world, the produce team members of Happo-en prepared this amazing one-night program to boost future MICE related events as new ways of entertainment for the guest to enjoy true Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) in demonstrating traditional Japanese techniques in this tranquil venue in central Tokyo. Grounded in all aspects of Japanese culture such as architecture, art, music, culinary techniques, traditional gardens and many others, Happo-en's uniqueness was revealed from every angle. The interiors with individual concept varied not only by floors, but also room in proficient use of projection mapping, illusion, light and shadow all of which made the venue look something like a breathtaking kaleidoscope. A tint-colored banquet room featuring a harp player, an energetic disco-bar-like organized room with red and black tables and a peaceful cozy lounge equipped with gorgeously curved wooden wall panels were just a few samples showing how to organize and utilize those newly-renovated spaces on the entire top sixth floor. One of the rooms on the fifth floor uniquely decorated inspired by Bonsai, as well as an off-site meeting space on the third floor with wide terrace equipped with comfortable wooden furniture attracted many visitors. Furthermore, the best thing of all was the magnificent performance of in-house chefs. Happo-en also demonstrated for the first time the whole set of identically looking Japanese cuisine prepared as proper halal food. The performance of the chefs on the first floor "WAZA Japan Night" allowed the guests to experience the full depth of skills employed. In addition to that, the small sushi in Happo-en style on bamboo skewer, Sukiyaki in Happo-en style with fluffy babble sauce, sorbet made with sake poured from frozen pot, the longest Chinese noodles you ever saw and many other dishes were served. Eye-pleasing and delicious taste goes without saying; the new approach to serving the traditional dishes is what amazed above all. Perfectly arranged collaboration of modern DJ performance with traditional Japanese instruments - shamisen and taiko (drum); floor staff smiling and tirelessly welcoming guests and wearing kimono and happi** in-house attire added more festivity to this whole atmosphere of Japanese beauty and culture. Do you need an extraordinary venue for your next offsite event in Tokyo? Happo-en is skilled, open and ready for you! _____________________ Waza - traditional Japanese craftsmanship technique *Happi - a traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat usually made of indigo or brown cotton and imprinted with a distinctive mon (crest).


	Strengthening business events environment A series of preparations for Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games 2020 will have a significant positive impact on Tokyo MICE business. One of the outcomes already started to reflect is the hotel renovations/new openings that are definitely strengthening business events environment.


	Re-openings and scheduled new openings:

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo

In response to the growing demand for large meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions related events, one of Japan's most prestigious convention hotels located in Shinjuku district, the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo reopened the newly remodeled 47th floor banquet room on September 12, 2015.
The hotel facilities were significantly improved through a redesign and renovation to emphasize the magnificent city views. The newly remodeled banquet room, capable of hosting 1,000 guests, can be used as an independent hotel facility or in conjunction with the guest rooms as well as other banquet rooms on the lower floors.

Keio Presso Inn Akasaka

As the business hotel featuring 157 rooms at a reasonable price, Keio Presso Inn opened in Akasaka on July 14, 2015. The hotel is a 1-minute walk from Akasaka Station on the Chiyoda Subway Line. Furthermore, the Keio Corporation is planning to open another business hotel in Yaesu, the area close to Tokyo station in summer 2017.

For more information about Keio Presso Inn Akasaka:
http://www.presso-inn.com/english/akasaka.html

The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho

The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho is to open in summer 2016 in the Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho. A former site of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka will reborn as a complex facility consisting of 2 buildings: an office building and residential building. The hotel will feature 250 guest rooms in 4 categories: suite, grand deluxe, club floor and deluxe with full utilization of available IT technologies.

HOSHINOYA Tokyo

An 84-room luxury Japanese Ryokan with international class accommodations in Tokyo Otemachi district will open in 2016. All rooms will be tatami suite style with 45 to 80 square meters each.
HOSHNOYA Tokyo sublimes Japanese ryokan hospitality at its most authentic.

For more information please visit:
https://hoshinoya.com/tokyo/en/


	Rebuilding and renovations:

Hotel Okura Tokyo

One of the Tokyo flagship hotels, Hotel Okura Tokyo, started rebuilding of the main building from September 2015 to upgrade its facilities and services in order to attract more foreign guests. The main building, with increased number of rooms to about 510 from current 408, will be equipped with the cutting-edge facilities to pursue the best performance and functionality. The hotel is scheduled to reopen in 2019.

The South Wing of the hotel continues to operate as usual. Restaurants Yamazato, Toh-Ka-Lin, Sazanka and Orchid Bar were moved from the Main Building to the South Wing where hotel atmosphere and high level of service, accumulated from over 50 years of operations, will be preserved well till the opening.


	Tokyo Prince Hotel Situated in a beautiful environment adjacent to Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park, Tokyo Prince Hotel is scheduled to close for seismic reinforcement construction from April 1, 2016 till March 31, 2017.



	Haneda Airport retains 5-Star rating for the second consecutive year London-based ratings company Skytrax, after nine months surveying 400 of the world's largest and busiest airports, awarded Haneda Airport with the highest 5-Star quality rank. The evaluation includes approximately 300 criteria such as terminal design and service, accessibility, Wi-Fi connectivity, queuing times, terminal cleanliness, terminal seating, food & beverages, airport shopping, etc. Haneda International Airport is the only airport in Japan to achieve this top level, the 5-Star Airport rating. For more information please visit: http://www.haneda-airport.jp/inter/en/info/N0000173/20150821en.pdf