Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo offers a bouquet of special experiences to celebrate hanami, the viewing of sakura. A cherished tradition throughout the country, the arrival of cherry blossoms heralds the arrival of the spring season along with a wealth of specially crafted delicacies featuring ruby chocolate, a new type of chocolate launched to the world by Callebaut in 2017 which boasts a naturally pink hue and fresh berry-like flavor. Since its introduction, ruby chocolate has gained popularity in Japan, but is not yet widely available in North America.
For those who wish to enjoy sweet indulgences while under the blooming canopy of a cherry tree, The Boutique by Shangri-La offers a variety of items to take away and enjoy as a picnic, including ruby chocolates and bonbons. The hotel has also created a Sakura Afternoon Tea and ice cream cupcakes to be enjoyed in the elegance of the Lobby Lounge. And CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La is offering two treatments to refresh and rejuvenate with the new season.
The Boutique by Shangri-La
Sakura Bonbons
These charming ruby chocolate bonbons shaped like flower petals are a delight for the senses. The gradations of pink draw the eye, the raspberry ganache accents entice with a faint aroma of sakura, and the velvety smooth chocolate makes for the perfect finish.
Sakura Bonbons 15 March – 15 April, 2019
JPY2,200 (about USD18) (Three-piece set; consumption tax included)
Shangri-La Original Japanese Confectionery by KITAYA Rokunin-shu
In a special collaboration with famed wagashi house Kitaya Rokunin-shu, Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo is proud to offer a set of three original Japanese confectioneries. “The Sakuranbo” is charmingly shaped like a pair of cherries made from sweet bean paste delicately infused with cherries. The pastel pink “Hanafubuki” is wrapped around a core of pistachio bean paste, the fragrant nuts providing a superb compliment to the sweetness of the beans. The green “Wakasa” features a blend of walnuts and other nuts enfolded in a matcha-flavored bean paste, while pink nerikiri accents dance on the surface like flower petals caught in the wind.
Shangri-La Original Japanese Confectionery by KITAYA Rokunin-shu; March 1 – April 15, 2019
JPY2,800 (about USD25) (Three-piece set; consumption tax included)
Sakura Ruby Chocolate
Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo’s unique chocolate bar is inspired by a flower box, with a bed of naturally pink ruby chocolate decorated with sprays of strawberries, cherry blossoms, raspberries and pistachio nuts. The juicy flavor of the berries is followed by the more subtle flavor of sakura, creating a depth reminiscent of cherries in full bloom. A touch of saltiness combined with the fruity sweetness of the ruby chocolate create a treat embodying the vibrancy of spring.
Sakura Ruby Chocolate; March 1 – April 15, 2019
JPY2,800 (about USD25) (Consumption tax included)
Original Cupcakes
The Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo chefs have prepared two special cupcakes for this spring season: a sakura cupcake nicely pairs the acidity of raspberries with mild cheese cream and a matcha cupcake showcases the divine Japanese marriage of rich green tea cream and sweet red bean paste. With lovely sakura petals as accents, these make for a perfect spring dessert.
Original Cupcakes; 15 March – 15 April, 2019
JPY680 (about USD6) per piece
(Sakura or Matcha Green Tea flavor; consumption tax included)
The Boutique by Shangri-La is located on Level 1. For reservations, please call 03-6739-7888 or email boutique.slty@shangri-la.com.
The Lobby Lounge
Sakura Afternoon Tea
Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo brings the blossom viewing right to the table with an afternoon tea set bursting with sakura's iconic pink hue. For the sweets, perennially popular fresh strawberry and sakura confections are joined by the newly developed ruby chocolate that has captured hearts across Japan, while the savory menu features an abundance of luscious seasonal ingredients like cherry salmon and sakura shrimp.
Sakura Afternoon Tea; March 1 – April 30, 2019
JPY4,800 (about USD44) per person
Ice Cream Cupcakes
In the warmth of the spring sun, these cooling bites of ice cream offer perfect refreshment. Diners can choose from cream cheese-accented strawberry with the aroma of cherry blossoms or the quintessentially Japanese marriage of matcha green tea and adzuki sweet beans.
Ice Cream Cupcakes; 1 March – 30 April, 2019
JPY1,200 per piece (about USD11)
The Lobby Lounge is located on Level 28. For reservations, please call 03-6739-7877 or email lobbylounge.slty@shangri-la.com.
CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La
Authentic Tokyo Experience Spring
CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La’s popular Authentic Tokyo Experience treatments use ingredients from the bounty of Japan's four seasons. This spring, the theme is cherry blossoms. The treatment begins with a tranquil bath and body scrub using sakura essential oil, which is said to evoke a sense of well-being and promote mind-body balance, followed by a paraffin wrap and sauna, before finishing with a massage using a blend of ylang ylang, sandalwood and other essential oils to foster relaxation in body and spirit. This treatment, gently redolent of sakura, is perfect for alleviating turn-of-season tiredness.
Authentic Tokyo Experience Spring; March 1 – May 31, 2019
JPY47,000 (about USD426) (150 minutes)
Menu includes bath, body scrub, body wrap, steam sauna, body treatment
Pure Spring Energy
For spring, the season of rebirth, CHI, The Spa has prepared a special package including a body treatment using essential oils from spring jasmine and a facial using products from English organics brand ila. The superb power of jasmine to relax and enliven is supported by sandalwood, ylang ylang and other essential oils to lift your mood and encourage proper hormone balance, resulting in a deep sense of tranquility and peace of mind. Delivering radiance to skin and mind, this treatment mirrors the new growth of spring, giving guests an energizing boost to start the season.
Pure Spring Energy; March 1 – May 31, 2019
JPY25,500 (about USD231) (105 minutes) and JPY37,500 (about USD340) (165 minutes)
Prices are subject to consumption tax and 15% service charge, unless otherwise specified. An additional JPY2,000 (about USD18) will be added to Spa treatments on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La is located on Level 29. For reservations, please call 03-6739-7880 or email chi.slty@shangri-la.com.
