This June, the Keio Plaza Hotel will celebrate its 40th anniversary. Ever since opening its doors in 1971, the hotel has remained firmly at the forefront in all that it does, in terms of both facilities and services. The Keio Plaza Hotel's innovation is apparent in countless ways—it was the first hotel in Japan to include universal barrier-free rooms, and it has been a pioneer in providing high-speed Internet access. From rental fax machines for the hearing impaired to bilingual close-captioned broadcasting in English and Japanese, the hotel never fails to anticipate the needs of its guests.
The high level of service and hospitality that the Keio Plaza Hotel's staff members bring to the job is an important part of an unfolding story of excellence. Li Guo Chao, a chef at Nan-En, has been serving the Chinese restaurant since the hotel's opening. A winner of the Tokyo government's "Tokyo Meister" award for outstanding craftsmanship, Li has carved out a place for himself as a leading name in Cantonese cuisine. In addition, Honorary Grand Chef Hirochika Midorikawa was twice granted the Ordre National du Merite Agricole by the French government for his contributions to gastronomic culture. Moreover, many bartenders at the hotel have distinguished themselves by winning multiple awards at both domestic and international competitions. The restaurant and bar personnel are not alone—every single section of the hotel is staffed with skilled professionals whose mission is to provide the warmest and most fitting hospitality possible.
As it enters the fifth decade of its history, the Keio Plaza Hotel is determined to improve its services even further. Special events such as the restaurant fair held at the Super Buffet Glass Court this January and February are being organized this year as expressions of the hotel's gratitude to its guests. As always, we look forward to being able to serve you in the days and years ahead.

From January 20th through March 31st, The Keio Plaza Hotel will celebrate Hina Matsuri, or the girl's doll festival. This traditional festival is an occasion to pray for the health and sound growth of girls, and it provides excellent opportunities to experience an enchanting corner of Japanese culture.
The Main Lobby and other areas have been decorated with some 4,500 handmade silken tsurushi kazari, or special hanging ornaments evocative of Hina Matsuri. This year, the hotel is hosting an admission-free exhibition of a rare collection of antique dolls from the 19th century, in cooperation with a major doll manufacturer now celebrating the 300th anniversary of its founding. Carved wooden dolls from a craft school with 260 years of tradition are also on display.
In February and early March, the hotel held events focusing on tsurushi kazari and traditional music, at which participants were able to savor special cuisine. From February through the end of March, seven hotel restaurants will offer special lunches designed to celebrate Hina Matsuri. The Keio Plaza Hotel is pleased to be able to bring this living tradition to visitors from around the world.

On February 9th this year, the Keio Plaza Hotel held its eighth "Volunteer Plaza," a regular charity event that gave participants a chance to experience barrier-free environments and to learn about ecology free of charge in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This event was well attended this year as usual. Highlights included demonstrations of assistance dogs, a live concert by a singer using a guide dog, a charity bazaar, collection of used postage stamps, and a tour of barrier-free facilities within the hotel. All proceeds were donated to charity organizations.
The Keio Plaza Hotel has been a leader in providing barrier-free facilities and services for many years. In 1998, for example, it became the first hotel in Japan to offer easily accessible "universal rooms," and last fall it installed a room for breastfeeding on the lobby floor. In the years to come, the Keio Plaza Hotel will continue to enhance its offerings, and it remains firmly committed to providing all of its guest's with accommodations that meet their every need.

Karaoke has long since left its original home on the islands of Japan to gain international acceptance as a popular form of entertainment. Karaoke machines around the world play popular songs without any verbal accompaniment, allowing people to sing along with lyrics displayed on a screen. The term "karaoke" was coined from the Japanese terms kara (empty) and oke (short for "orchestra").
In Japan and elsewhere, so-called "karaoke boxes" are beloved by many, especially the young. These establishments offer private rooms for singing in pairs or small groups, and participants can even order drinks and food to go with the music. Karaoke boxes are popular destinations for close friends or colleagues getting together after company parties in Japan. They have also found their way into the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and many other countries.
The Keio Plaza Hotel features its own karaoke facilities at "Karaoke47" on the 47th floor. Be sure to stop by to enjoy food, drinks, and music, as well as magnificent views of the city.

Business Hours:
Breakfast:
7:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
Lunch:
11:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
(Orders welcomed until 2:30 P.M.)
Dinner: 5:00 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.
4:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M.
(Orders welcomed until 10:00 P.M.)

108 seats in all, 2 private rooms (for 6 to 24 people)
* Advance reservations are recommended.

At the Keio Plaza Hotel's Kagari, Japanese culinary delights made from the choicest ingredients await the discerning diner. The freshest seafood is delivered directly from fishing ports, and organic vegetables grown by contracted farmers are sure to please. Each day, Kagari's cooks demonstrate their masterful use of seasonings and preparation techniques that characterize the best in Japanese cuisine.
Kagari is the only in-house restaurant offering Kobe beef steak course, featuring the world-renowned taste of one of Japan's most celebrated brands of meat. Needless to say, diners can always savor a number of other specialties. A la carte offerings are available in great variety, and each dinner course is sure to delight the eyes as well as the sense of taste. The restaurant's chic and relaxing interior is modeled on the ambience of old Kyoto. A sake sommelier is on hand to help you choose the right brand of sake for your dinner, and numerous other beverages are available.
"We attend to every detail so that guests can relax and enjoy a colorful variety of Japanese foods. At Kagari, diners can select their favorite cooking styles and choose from displayed fish delivered fresh from the dock. Please come by and experience Kagari for yourself."

Takenoko, or edible bamboo shoots, are savored in many parts of Asia, from Japan, China, and South Korea to Thailand, Indonesia, and beyond. Their one-of-a-kind taste is marked by a subtle sweetness and a pleasant crunchiness.
In Japan, the prime season for experiencing the shoots lasts from late March to late May. They are among the most popular ingredients that are said to evoke the taste of spring. Common ways to prepare takenoko include boiling shoots with soy sauce or other seasonings, cooking them as tempura, and using them in soup. During the prime season, some visit bamboo groves to dig up their own shoots. Takenoko hunters often quickly boil and slice their findings on the spot, fresh from the earth. Preparation can sometimes take time and effort, but for connoisseurs it is always a labor of love.
Bamboo shoots are also appreciated for their health benefits. Low in calories, they are excellent sources of fiber and potassium, and they are considered by many to be good for hypertension and swelling. During the takenoko season, many restaurants in the Keio Plaza Hotel offer tempting dishes featuring this delicious ingredient.

Special Room Rates for EIC Members
Customers staying with us at EIC member rates will be entitled to many special services and privileges, including use of The Club Lounge, free breakfast, and free extension of checkout time to 3:00 P.M.

Room Rates in yen

*Plaza Comfort rooms are located on the 28th through 33rd floors of the South Tower.
*The above rates include service charge and consumption tax.
*Figures in parentheses are accommodation tax charges added to the general rates.

Use of The Club Lounge
The Club Lounge is open to EIC members staying with us at member rates, as well as their guests. In the lounge, guests can enjoy coffee, tea, and other amenities in a self-service environment during business hours.

Location:
South Tower, 34th Floor

Seating Capacity:
28 (20 in the lounge area and a private room with 8 seats)

Hours:
1:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Free for EIC members staying with us at member rates; 2,000 yen for each additional guest

* Meeting Room is also Available (up to 8 people):
1:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
8,000 yen for the first two hours; 4,000 yen for each additional hour
*Use of meeting room is available only to customers staying at EIC member rates.
*Meeting room cost includes self-service drinks and snacks.
*Advanced reservations are recommended.
*To use or make a reservation for a meeting room, please contact The Club Lounge staff.

Complimentary Breakfast for EIC Members
To EIC members staying with us at member rates, we offer free breakfast at the Cocktail & Tea Lounge on the 3rd floor of the Main Tower. The Lounge, bathed with an abundance of morning sunlight, caters only to selected guests during breakfast hours. In this spacious, relaxing area, 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.

Free Extension of Checkout Time
Upon request, EIC members staying with us at member rates can have their checkout time extended up to 3:00 P.M., depending on the room reservation situation.

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
April 30th, 2011 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

1. 10th
2. 20th
3. 30th
4. 40th

1. It held its 3rd charity event on February 9th this year.
2. It was the first hotel in Japan to include universal rooms.
3. It provides faxes for guests whose hearing is impaired.
4. It has a room dedicated to breastfeeding on the lobby floor.

The winners of the prize for EIC Express, Vol. 44:
Patrick Graas (Belgium)
Richard L. Hong (U.S.A.)
Oscar F. Lim (Canada)

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.

Carju Rajah, a luxury esthetic salon on the 8th floor of the South Tower, opened on December 1st, 2008. The salon has quickly become known for its excellent skills, sincere hospitality, and refined interior. Individual treatment rooms equipped with showers provide true relaxation for both males and females. Discount rates are even available for visitors who are staying with us. For more information, please contact Guest Relations.

The Business Center has opened 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.

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

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.