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Celebrate a ‘Sparkling Christmas’ at Osaka's Hotel Universal Port

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By Alexandra Hongo

Let's face it - Christmas comes only once a year, and for those of you living and working in Japan, it comes at just around that time of the year when all you want is some rest from everything normal and everything that reminds you of the daily stress at work, the unfinished business and the promises you have been making to your family that you just never seem to find time to fulfill. So how about letting yourself free and doing something different this year?

For those of you who are up to challenging something special in 2015, Hotel Universal Port – the multiple-award winning official Universal Studios Japan hotel in Osaka - has a special offer, promising a movie-like festive experience that is surely to last in your memories. We won’t lie - you will need to be prepared to spend a considerable amount, but if you are really in search of something special – take our advice: go for it. Especially if you have kids who still believe in Santa Claus.

Calling it "Port's Sparkling Christmas,” the hotel has set up a variety of special Christmas plans, running from Nov. 13 through Dec. 27, including splendid stay-in packages, exclusive dinner courses and an unforgettable rendezvous with Santa Claus himself.

If you want to stay overnight, try the "Sweet Christmas Room” plan. Limited to only three rooms a day from Nov. 13 through Dec. 25, the plan includes breakfast and “Christmas party set” dinner, and the room you get to stay in is – really - more than sweet. The magic begins the moment you step out of the elevator and see the door to the room - decorated in a large ribbon to look just like an enormous present. Once inside, you are greeted by a rosé-colored beautifully-furnished room, decorated perfectly for the event: from LED candles to lit-up your spirits, to large snowflakes in the bathroom to remind you of the warmth of the season, despite the chill outside. The view, offering a good look at the Tempozan Giant Wheel and the harbor area, is surely also part of the package. Prices start at 19,100 yen per person for a room that can accompany a family of up to four.

The biggest event, however, especially if you want to surprise your little ones, is the appearance of Santa Claus right in your room. The plan, called "Christmas Night with Santa Clause," includes breakfast, “Christmas party set” dinner and a Christmas cake, and will have Santa knock on your door, stay for a while for a quick chat and take some photos together. You can also prepare a present in advance and have Santa deliver it to your child (or someone else, if you wish) directly to make the fairytale complete. The plan is limited to three days only, from Dec. 23 to Dec. 25, and comes in for the price of 22,700 yen onward per person for a superior room of up to two or three. If you are interested in this one, however, make sure that you hurry up with reservations. As of Nov. 8, there were only a few rooms left for each of the three days.

If staying, however, seems too costly, the hotel’s “Port Dining ricorico” restaurant recommends trying their buffet-style Christmas that includes over 70 kinds of special chef-selected Christmas meals starting from roast chicken, mozzarella and turkey, roast beef, Japanese-style boiled pork, cream salmon pies, sushi and over 20 kinds of desserts, including of course Stollen and Bushe de Noël – or Yule log if you prefer. The buffet runs until Dec. 25 and comes for the price of 4,300 yen for adults, 2,600 yen for elementary school children and 1,300 yen for kids between the age of four and six. (Prices will go just a bit higher from Dec. 19 through Dec. 25, with additional 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for kids and 150 yen for toddlers.)

Of course, if you are planning on spending Christmas in a traditional Japanese style – i.e. couples only – the hotel offers you a special Christmas Dinner Course as well. Limited to only six couples a day from Dec. 19 through Dec. 25, the course includes a total of seven meals, starting from an entrée of six kinds, assorted salami and prosciutto ham, oven-baked cheese gnocchi, lobster pie, roasted beef and duck with truffle sauce, Crêpe Suzette, and a secret gift from the hotel’s pastry selection. Price is 12,000 yen per person. Reservations only.

So if you haven’t already started planning, make sure to check the hotel’s website and put it in your agenda of must-visit places in Japan. The most important thing about Christmas after all is sharing the love with your special ones, but also choosing the right places to do so. Whichever plan you choose, this hotel will surely make your experience a very merry special one.

Hotel Universal Port Address: 1-1-111 Sakurajima, Konohana-ku, Osaka city, Osaka, Japan Tel.: +81-6-6463-5000 Fax: +81-6-6463-4000 Access: Three-minute walk from Universal City Station Tip: When making reservations, please specify the plan you have chosen.

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