Guests at Okura Hotels & Resorts now enjoy expanded Japanese cultural experiences. The two newest additions to the experiential workshop programme include a Japanese table manner workshop and a premium saké-tasting session.

The Japanese table manner workshop is available at the Hotel Okura Tokyo. Bilingual instructors give guests a hands-on lesson on classic Japanese dining traditions while enjoying a seasonal lunch. Topics covered include correct utensil usage, the proper order in which to enjoy dishes and Japanese dining faux pas.

The saké-tasting session includes seasonal and premium sakes, featuring five rice wine liquors, which guest can either choose themselves or enjoy a pre-selected variety picked by the hotel’s sommelier. The session also includes various information on the history of the drink and the brewing process.

The experiences start at JPY2,700 per person. They join other available experiences, including workshops and classes on Japanese cooking, tea culture and local traditions.

“Our founder, Kishichiro Okura, was fond of saying that a hotel, more than just a place to stay and rest, should bring people together to stimulate cultural and artistic exchanges. Hotel Okura Tokyo was built on the concept of making best use of Japanese traditional design patterns and atmosphere, and one of our traditions is to provide guests with firsthand experiences in authentic Japanese settings,” said Akira Nishimura, general manager, Hotel Okura Tokyo.