YOSHIMI HASHIMOTO, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF THE CAPITOL HOTEL TOKYU IN TOKYO, EXPLAINS WHY RITZWELL FURNITURE WAS CHOSEN TO FURNISH THE SPACES OF THE RENOWNED HOTEL, WHICH HAS BEEN RENOVATED THANKS TO A DESIGN BY KENGO KUMA. |
“The food, clothing, and shelter of Japanese people in the past were all wonderful. 500 meters from the National Diet Building, The Capitol Hotel Tokyu is located next to Hie Shrine, revered as the village shrine of Edo Castle. The opening words above are from artist and gourmand Kitaoji Rosanjin, who in 1925 gave life to the members-only high-end restaurant Hoshigaoka Saryo and well correspond to the spirit of the charming hotel. This hotel first stood for 20 years as Tokyo Hilton Hotel, Japan’s first foreign capital-affiliated hotel, followed by 23 years under the name Capitol Tokyu Hotel. Through this history under two names, the hotel has led the advance of Japan’s hotel industry. Following renovation as The Capitol Hotel Tokyu in the fall of 2010, too, the hotel has been loved by VIPs and by noted artists from overseas and Japan. This is a place that receives guests from the world over. We spoke with Ms.Yoshimi Hashimoto, Assistant General Manager of the hotel, about how Ritzwell furniture fits into the hotel. |
Ms. Hashimoto was involved in the project for the two years leading to the reopening. What Tokyu Capitol Tower took as its perspective was “the trinity of nature, buildings, and culture” that is present as an undercurrent in Japanese architecture. The Capitol Hotel Tokyu took up that brand concept to make itself a one-of-a-kind luxury hotel that integrates a traditional Japanese style with contemporary Japanese aesthetics. “As a flagship hotel of the Tokyu Group, we had to create a hotel that would satisfy all stakeholders, under a mission of enhancing the value of the Tokyu brand overall.”
The Capitol Hotel Tokyu opened its doors in October 2010. Foreign guests from North America, Europe, Asia, and other origins are increasing in number, and the occupancy rate has recently returned to its pre-COVID-19 pandemic level.
“In our guest rooms division, affluent foreigners make up over 70% of our guests. Due to its location, the restaurant hosts many members of the Diet, top executives of companies, and families visiting neighboring Hie Shrine. At a typical hotel, banquet rooms are used primarily at night and rarely in the morning. At our hotel, however, the rooms often host meetings, study sessions, and other activities from the morning, remaining fully operational throughout the morning, noon, and evening.”
Weddings often take place Hie Shrine with receptions held at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu. The hotel has also earned a sterling reputation in the industry for its cuisine.
“Our hotel prides itself on its outstanding cuisine. Meals at a hotel often evoke the image of high-class French cuisine, and most of the hotel chefs have in fact learned French cooking. When we opened in 2010, for the main dining area that is the most prestigious restaurant in the hotel, we spent considerable time discussing whether to go with high-class French cuisine as in the past, or make a new change to Japanese cuisine, In the end, we went back to our brand vision and decided on Japanese cuisine for the main dining area, based on our wish to offer true Japanese hospitality at the hotel. As Japanese cuisine was subsequently added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013, I think the choice we made was not a mistake.”
The Capitol Hotel Tokyu
2-10-3 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014
Photo credits: Tonari_no_koho
Products by Ritzwell: RIVAGE EASY CHAIR, MARCEL CHAIR, BEATRIX HIGH BACK EASY CHAIR with OTTOMAN, BLAVA EASY CHAIR and CLAUDE ARMCHAIR
Ritzwell Collections: https://camstudioid.com/ritzwell
