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Online Benefits If you do not need the print version of EIC Express, please visit http://www.keioplaza.com/eic/express.html for registration. Those who register will be notified of new issues via e-mail. This measure is part of the hotel's effort to decrease paper waste and stay as environmentally friendly as possible. The Keio Plaza will give a 500-point bonus to those who choose to register. The Keio Plaza Hotel Restaurant Fairs: Take a Gourmet Tour of Japan and the World The Keio Plaza Hotel has long delighted the public with numerous events open to all, from admission-free art exhibits in the lobby to charity events. Among such offerings, restaurant fairs have earned a special place in the hearts of many. Our numerous restaurants work together to demonstrate their culinary mastery, creating special dishes based on a unified theme such as a particular ingredient or area of the world. Some such fairs focus on a special region of Japan, such as Hida, renowned for its high-quality beef, or Hokkaido, appreciated for its fine seafood. These events bring the best foods from across the country right to your plate here at the hotel. During the fairs, each and every participating restaurant goes the extra mile to make the most of fresh local ingredients in its own way. Also popular are celebrations highlighting individual restaurants, presenting "ingredients of the season" or "the season's delights" with many different methods of preparation and cooking. As an example, Coffee House Jurin's "Blueberry Fair" is now a cherished annual event. Also of note, Korean Dining Gokoku-Tei holds a "Summer Fair of Spicy Korean Foods." One restaurant fair you cannot afford to miss this fall is "La Festa di Fortuna: Recipes of Fortune from Toscana," which will be presented this October by our Italian restaurant, Fortuna. The restaurant has invited Chef Fabrizio Innocenti to Japan from a five-star hotel in Florence. Fans are already clamoring to taste the creations that will emerge from the collaboration of Mr. Innocenti and Fortuna's own chef. Every time you visit the Keio Plaza Hotel, you will be able to experience something new and fascinating. Throughout the year, a kaleidoscope of restaurant fairs makes for an ever-changing culinary adventure. During your next visit, be sure to take time to experience the finest dishes from Japan and the world, right here in the hotel. Fortuna (South Tower, 2nd Floor) Hours: Lunch: 11:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (orders accepted until 3:30 P.M.) Dinner (Weekdays and Saturdays): 5:30 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. (orders accepted until 10:30 P.M.) Dinner (Sundays and Holidays): 5:30 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. (orders accepted until 10:00 P.M.) 98 seats in all (including those in two private rooms) *Reservations are recommended. The Club Lounge: Peace and Quiet for the Select Few This April, the former International Club Lounge was reborn as The Club Lounge, a serve-yourself space available only to selected overnight guests such as EIC members and Plaza Comfort guests. Located on the 34th floor of our South Tower, The Club Lounge offers free coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, wine, and snacks, along with spacious sofas and a breathtaking view of Tokyo. Also available are the International Herald Tribune and other English language newspapers and magazines, as well as massage chairs and other amenities that help you relax fully in your free moments. The lounge also features meeting rooms for 8 and 4 people, where guests can access the Internet and take advantage of other services. (See the sidebar.) On a quiet afternoon, spend some time reading in the sunshine, enjoying the comfortable sofas with tea and a light snack. Or, after a demanding day of business, unwind with a drink and take in the nightscape of one of the world's largest cities. Whatever your taste, The Club Lounge awaits you, a private oasis available at your convenience. The Club Lounge (South Tower, 34th Floor) Hours: 1:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. *Open throughout the year, except during the year-end and new year holidays Free for all EIC members and guests staying at the Plaza Comfort, 2,000 yen for each additional guest Meeting Rooms: Type A (up to 8 people): 8,000 yen for the first two hours; 4,000 yen for each additional hour Type B (up to 4 people): 4,000 yen for the first two hours; 2,000 yen for each additional hour *The price includes self-service drinks and snacks. *Advanced reservations recommended. *To use or make a reservation for a meeting room, please contact The Club Lounge staff. Nature and Japanese Aesthetics at Kyu-Shibarikyu Onshi Teien In the 17th century, a number of daimkyo teien gardens were built by daimyo (Japanese feudal lords). One such location, known as "Kyu-Shibarikyu Onshi Teien" today, is within easy reach of those staying in Tokyo. Within the space of several hours, visitors can experience nature and get a taste of Japanese aesthetics in this garden. Built around a large pond, the garden is home to some 2,000 trees. In the late fall, beautiful leaves in all their autumnal glory sway in the breeze, interspersed with tasteful touches such as rustic huts, stone lanterns, and small bridges. A short stroll down the promenade around the pond is a perfect stress reliever. Take an 18-minute ride on the Oedo subway line from Tocho-mae Station, the station closest to the Keio Plaza Hotel, to Daimon Station, which is only a 5-minute walk from the garden. Amid the many skyscrapers of Tokyo, the garden awaits in peace with its soothing landscape. For more information, feel free to speak with Guest Relations. Hours: 9:00 A.M. to 5 :00 P.M (Enter by 4:30 P.M.) Admission: 150 yen per adult *Closed December 29th through January 3rd Series: Scenes from Japanese Society Volume 12: Manga: A Japanese Gift for Today's Global Culture Japan takes pride in its manga, or story comics, which are an original contribution to global culture. Numerous manga magazines are published every week and month, some aimed at elementary school children, some at teenagers, and some at grownups. Ten such magazines enjoy circulations exceeding one million. Often, visitors to the nation are surprised to see office workers reading manga magazines on commuter trains, demonstrating the wide appeal of the art form. Even in Japan, many parents used to frown upon manga publications, fearing they might adversely affect their children. Recently, however, numerous manga feature realistic stories and meticulously rendered psychological descriptions that are sophisticated enough to captivate adult readers. Many manga are also quite informative, providing expert knowledge in business, cooking, and the arts, for example. Made-in-Japan manga, as well as animated films based on them, are now published and disseminated across the globe. Manga now form the backbone of a highly competitive global content industry, which has caused many in business circles to take the phenomenon seriously. Something for Everone at the Sky Lounge Aurora Lounge (45th floor, Main Tower) Hours: 11:30 A.M. to 11:30 P.M. (orders accepted until 11:00 P.M.) 134 seats Aurora Lounge, an open-space lounge high in the sky, lets visitors relax and enjoy superb views of Tokyo as well as excellent food and drinks. Offerings include coffee, tea, soft drinks, cocktails, beer, whiskey, and many other alcoholic beverages, as well as snacks of many kinds and desserts. The spacious hall, rich with a soothing atmosphere, is enjoyed by people of all types, from families and friends to businesspersons conducting negotiations. When night falls and the air turns romantic, the lounge becomes the perfect place to celebrate an anniversary with someone special. Takanori Ueno, the manager of the lounge, says, "Customers love the nightscapes they can take in here, and our lounge is the only place in the Keio Plaza Hotel at which Tokyo Tower is in view. Among the hotel's many restaurants and bars, we serve the largest number of non-Japanese customers. We are proud of our cocktails, prepared by award-winning bartenders. All of us try to communicate sincerely with each and every customer, so that every dish and glass we serve is satisfactory. Drop in any time and enjoy yourself here in our unique space." Visually enticing, rich in culture, and perfect as gifts — discover the crafts of traditional Japan. Series: Tiny Gifts from Yesterday's Japan Volume 15: Plastic Precision in Your Palm These days, it is possible to see numerous packs of chocolate, gum, and other treats that are sold with tiny prizes and toys. Priced at around 100 yen to 300 yen, they often offer little in the way of edible substances, with the real prizes being the items they make available. These include plastic figurines of famous celebrities, cute animals, toy cars, miniature models, and stickers. Many of these items are precisely detailed, which can be surprising given their low prices. As palm-sized sculptures, they are often collected even by adults. As an example, one company offers a series of 30 breeds of cats from around the world, with a different and unknown model in each pack. Some fanatics, eager to get the whole series, have been known to buy several dozen packs at once. Small and meticulous, these toys evoke something of Japanese aesthetics as well. The candies that come with them are available at supermarkets, convenience stores, and many other locations across the nation, usually at prices that are easy on the wallet. They make nice souvenirs from Japan, especially if the recipient is a fan of pop-culture rarities. For Members of the Executive International Club The Club Lounge opens its door to broader customers The International Club Lounge changes its name to The Club Lounge, and opens its door not only for EIC members also the guests staying at the Plaza Comfort. At the lounge guests can enjoy coffee, tea, cocktails and so on for help-yourself service during the opening hours. Location South Tower, 34th Floor Seating Capacity 40 (28 in the lounge area and 2 private rooms with 4 and 8 seats) Hours: 1:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Free for all EIC members and guests staying at the Plaza Comfort, 2,000 yen for each additional guest *Meeting rooms are also available: 1:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Type A (up to 8 people): 8,000 yen for the first two hours; 4,000 yen for each additional hour Type B (up to 4 people): 4,000 yen for the first two hours; 2,000 yen for each additional hour *The price includes self-service drinks and snacks. *Advanced reservations recommended *To use or make a reservation for a meeting room, please contact The Club Lounge staff. Special room rates for EIC members The discounted accommodation rates noted below apply to EIC members. Type of Room Single Double/Twin Superior 22,050 yen 26,250 yen Plaza Comfort 22,575 yen 26,775 yen Plaza Premier 24,150 yen 28,350 yen *Plaza Comfort rooms are located on the 28th through 33rd floors of the South Tower. *Service charges are not included in the above rates. *Rates are subject to change without notice. *Rates includes Complimentary Breakfast. Complimentary breakfast for EIC members To EIC members staying with us at the member rates, we offer free breakfast at the Cocktail & Tea Lounge on the 3rd floor (where the lobby is located) of the Main Tower. The Lounge, bathed with an abundance of morning sunlight, caters only to selected guests during breakfast, including EIC members. In this spacious, relaxing lounge, enjoy a buffet-style breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausages, and more. Breads and cereals of many different kinds, fresh fruits, coffee, tea, juices, and other selections are also provided. Breakfast (served at the Cocktail & Tea Lounge on the 3rd floor) 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. (Please enter the lounge by 9:30 A.M.) Free for EIC members; 2,520 yen per person for their guests *We provide a complimentary buffet breakfast for guests staying at regular EIC membership rates. *Service charges are not included in the above rate. Sanma, or the Pacific saury, is present in large numbers in the northern Pacific Ocean and is a popular food in Japan during the fall. Autumnal catches of sanma are renowned for their juicy taste. The name of this dagger-shaped fish is also sometimes written with three kanji characters meaning "fall-dagger-fish." One very common way to savor sanma is to broil it with salt and then serve it with the juice of lemon or sudachi citrus, or with grated Japanese radish. It also goes well with soy sauce. Some insist that the correct way to cook sanma is to broil it over a charcoal fire, and refuse to use a gas stove. Recently, more people enjoy eating it raw in the form of sashimi. At 100 yen or so per piece, sanma has historically been a favorite of the common people in Japan. The fish's name has even found its way into the title of a famous rakugo (or traditional comedy) story. Recent medical research has demonstrated the benefits of its nutrients, such as eicosapentaenoic acid, which improves blood circulation, and DHA, known to reduce "bad" cholesterol. Try This! Quiz on Topics Discussed in this Issue We hope you have enjoyed this newsletter. We have provided a quiz on the topics discussed in this issue. Please try your hand at the questions below and send your answers to us. We would appreciate your comments about this newsletter and the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo as well. Please send your answers and comments no later than November 30, 2007 to: Customer Relations Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo 2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8330 Japan E-mail: customer-rlt@keioplaza.co.jp Fax: +81-3-5322-8118 Prize of this issue: To three winners chosen by lot from among those who have applied with the correct answers, will be present a Hagoita. A rectangular wooden paddle used to play battledore: hanetsuki, as a traditional new years game. Hagoita is to be said as a good luck talisman that wards off evil spirits and brings in happiness. Today Hagoita is nicely decorated with paper and cloth figuring a kabuki actors etc, and placed as an ornament. They are sold at shrines at traditional fair hagoita-ichi, which are held in December. 1. This April, the former International Club Lounge became a serve-yourself lounge for EIC members and other select guests. What is the lounge's new name? The Executive Lounge The Club Lounge The Comfort Lounge The New International Club Lounge 2. What is the name of the fish that has found its way into the title of a famous rakugo (traditional comedy) story? Pacific saury Tuna Bonito Sardine The winners of the prize for EIC Express, Vol. 31: Kamarhazlen Hamzah (Malaysia) Richard L Hong (U.S.A.) Bruce Merrett (Australia) The last issue's answers: 1. b, 2. d Use of Personal Information Personal Information received from Members (hereinafter called "Personal Information"), such as names, addresses, company names, and e-mail addresses, will be used for the purpose of sending newsletters about our services to such Members. The Keio Plaza Hotel chain will obtain, use, and store personal information about Members (such as names or addresses) only for the Keio Plaza Executive International Club (EIC), and will never use such information for any other purpose. The Renewed Business Center Opens on April 1st, on the 3rd Floor of the Main Tower On April 1st, 2007, our renewed Business Center began service on the 3rd floor of the Main Tower, where the lobby is located. The Center offers rental cell phones, fax and photocopy services, arrangement of interpretation and translation as well as of international delivery services, business card printing, and other conveniences. Windows PCs (connected to the Internet) and printers are also available. The Center has been renewed to provide everything necessary for efficient business activities. The Business Center's business hours Monday through Friday: 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. * The coin-operated PCs at the entrance to the Center are available 24 hours per day. Please help yourself. * The Center offers the following pay services, among others: 1. Photocopies (monochrome and full-color) 2. Fax transmission 3. Rental cellular phones 4. Arrangement of interpretation and translation services 5. Typing 6. Arrangement of international delivery service 7. Internet connection 8. Business card printing EIC Advantages By enrolling in the Executive International Club, you will be eligible to receive a variety of special services and discounts reserved exclusively for EIC members. We cordially invite all members of the Executive International Club to stay with us and experience these advantages. · Free use of The Club Lounge, exclusively reserved for EIC members · Extended late check-out until 3:00 P.M. upon request (subject to availability) · Early check-in at 11:00 A.M. upon request (subject to availability) · Priority room reservations · Frequent flyer mileage points with our 11 participating airline partners Joining is easy. Simply stop by the front desk, visit our web site, or write to the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo. http://www.keioplaza.com/eic/index.html Frequent Flyer Mileage Points Earn miles when using the following Frequent Flyer Programs. Points will be provided at eligible room rates or higher. To claim points, simply present your FFP membership card upon check-in. Participating Airlines and Program names AIR FRANCE 500 miles per stay ALASKA AIRLINES 500 miles per stay AMERICAN AIRLINES 500 miles per stay ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS 500 miles per stay CATHAY PACIFIC 500 miles per stay VIRGIN ATLANTIC 1,500 miles per stay JAPAN AIRLINES 500 miles per stay KLM 500 miles per stay QANTAS 1,000 points per stay UNITED AIRLINES 500 miles per stay VARIG BRAZIL 1,000 miles per stay To Make Your Next Reservation The Keio Plaza Hotel is a member of Summit Hotels & Resorts, an international luxury hotel group. To make your next reservation with us, please contact phone numbers below. * Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Tel: +81-3-5322-8000 Fax: +81-3-3345-8269 * Los Angeles Office Toll free: +1-800-222-5346 * Online Reservations http://www.keioplaza.com * Summit Hotels & Resorts United States (toll free): +1- 800- 457- 4000 China / Hong Kong: +852-2965-1902 United Kingdom (toll free): +0800-55- 65- 55 Brazil (toll free): +0800- 55- 1821 Australia (toll free) +1-800-801-855