A Culinary Journey Through Japan's Seasons at Hotel Niwa Tokyo's Japanese Restaurant Yukuri

Hotel Niwa Tokyo announces a special one-night dining event at its Japanese restaurant Yukuri, titled "A Culinary Journey Through the Seasons with the Garden." The inaugural event will celebrate the flavors of Niigata, the head chef's hometown, on January 24, 2026.

The event showcases regional Japanese cuisine paired with carefully selected local sake, offering guests a unique gastronomic experience. The first edition features seasonal ingredients from Niigata alongside premium sake from Kamonishiki Sake Brewery, known for their acclaimed "Nifuda-shu" series.

Hotel Niwa Tokyo Japanese Restaurant Yukuri seasonal event

Event Details

The special dining experience brings together the culinary traditions of different Japanese regions through kaiseki cuisine. Each seasonal event highlights a specific area of Japan, presenting its local ingredients and sake in a carefully curated menu.

For this Niigata-themed evening, the head chef crafts dishes inspired by his hometown, incorporating the region's abundant natural bounty. The menu features Kamonishiki Sake Brewery's celebrated sake collection, creating a harmonious pairing of food and drink unique to this occasion.

Event Information:

Date: January 24, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)
Venue: Yukuri Japanese Restaurant, Hotel Niwa Tokyo, 1st Floor Annex
Price: ¥20,000 (including meal, tax, and service charge / with free-flowing drinks)
Capacity: 20 guests (reservations close when full)
Reservations: Table Check or by phone
Contact: Yukuri Japanese Restaurant TEL: 03-3293-2181 (Monday-Saturday 11:00 AM-6:00 PM)

Appetizer: Yukuri's special noppei chawanmushi (savory egg custard), crab rice wrapped in bamboo leaf, Tochio deep-fried tofu with cream cheese
Soup: Sado yellowtail sake lees soup
Sashimi: Winter flounder wrapped in Chinese cabbage with monkfish liver, marinated bluefin tuna
Warm Dish: Tilefish steamed with turnip
Main Courses:
- Fish: Cod and shirako (soft roe) with yuzu cream bake
- Meat: Seared Echigo pork
Meal: Yukuri's original funori (seaweed) soba
Dessert: Dried persimmon hojicha gateau chocolat

*Menu items subject to change based on ingredient availability.

Kaiseki cuisine featuring Niigata ingredients

Beverages

Aperitif: Yukuri's Special "Le Lectier Amazake"

The meal begins with a signature amazake (sweet fermented rice drink) blending Niigata's specialty pear "Le Lectier" with house-made amazake.

Kamonishiki Sake Brewery "Nifuda-shu" Collection - 5 Varieties

"Bizen Omachi" Junmai Daiginjo
"Koshi-tanrei" Junmai Daiginjo
"Banshu Aizan" Junmai Daiginjo
"Akaiwa Omachi" Junmai Daiginjo
"Yoshikawa Yamadanishiki" Junmai Daiginjo

*Each guest receives one glass of each variety.

Free-Flowing Drinks

Sake, shochu, wine, whiskey, and soft drinks available from the regular drink menu.

Kamonishiki Sake Brewery Nifuda-shu collection

About Kamonishiki Sake Brewery

Founded in 1893 in Kamo City, Niigata, this sake brewery has earned recognition for its flagship "Nifuda-shu" series. The brewery uses carefully selected sake rice and premium water to create sake characterized by elegant aromas and delicate flavors. Under the guidance of a young master brewer, Kamonishiki continues to innovate while maintaining traditional brewing methods.

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamonishiki_official/

Related Event: "Rakugo Tasting Experience"

Hotel Niwa Tokyo also hosts a popular series combining rakugo (traditional Japanese storytelling) with dishes inspired by the performances at Yukuri Japanese Restaurant.

https://www.hotelniwa.jp/stay/event/misakicho/

About Hotel Niwa Tokyo

Located in Tokyo's Kanda Misakicho district, Hotel Niwa Tokyo evolved from a Japanese inn established in 1935. Under the brand concept "A Garden for the Heart," the hotel creates experiences that connect guests with the local culture and seasonal nature, providing moments of tranquility in the urban environment.