Travel Aug. 06, 2009 - 04:02AM JST ( 4 )

TOKYO —

The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo has enhanced its Culture Experience program with An Encounter with Bushido, an ancient code of honor and ethics. This exclusive experience offers guests the opportunity to take lessons in samurai sword martial arts, or participate in an exclusive samurai tea ceremony followed by a Michelin 3-star Japanese meal served in a traditional ryotei restaurant.

The Mandarin Oriental’s Culture Experience program was launched in 2008 to offer exclusive opportunities for guests to experience Japanese traditional culture.

An encounter with Bushido – Lessons in Japanese sword martial arts from the 17th century
Japanese martial arts is one of the proud traditions of the Japanese.

Mugai-ryu Iaido, a school of the art of drawing swords, was founded during the 17th century Edo Genroku Period by master swordsman and Zen practitioner Sukemochi Gettan. Mugai-ryu has been practiced for over 300 years since, following the guidelines originally laid down by Gettan.

The Encounter with Bushido experience involves a visit to the Mugai-ryu training facility in Nihonbashi, where a master will personally instruct guests in a two-hour introductory course or a 7-hour one-day induction course.

At the end of both courses, participants will receive instruction in the use of an authentic sword, and will receive a certificate of attendance.

Lunch will be served at the famed Kappo Toyoda restaurant in Nihonbashi, which was founded in 1863, and whose fifth generation head chef is also a 6th degree master of Mugai-ryu Iaido.

Rates are from Y31,175 yen per person for a two-hour introductory course, or from 55,000 yen per person for a one-day induction course, inclusive of fees for an English interpreter.

This program is available Monday through Saturday except for national holidays. Rates are inclusive of lunch but not beverages. Prices for lunch are subject to change based on the menu served. Rates are inclusive of 5% consumption tax and 10% service charge. Reservations must be completed no later than 3 days in advance.

Sekishu-ryu Isa-ha, originated by Sekishu Katagiri, the Grand Tea Master for Ietsuna Tokugawa, the 4th shogun of the Tokugawa reign, is an exclusive Samurai tea ceremony that is based on the spirit of the bushido art form, and which has been kept a jealously guarded secret for over 300 years.

As a result of Mandarin Oriental’s collaboration with Sekishu-ryu Isa-ha together with the Michelin 3-star ryotei restaurant Hamadaya, Sekishu-ryu Isa-ha will open its doors for the first time in history and offer the outside world the opportunity to experience its unique heritage. After experiencing this traditional tea ceremony in the serene and beautiful tea house setting of Hamadaya, guests will enjoy the best of the season prepared by the restaurant’s Michelin 3-star chef.

This once in a lifetime experience is limited to one party of up to eight people per day. Rates are from 94,000 yen for a party of two, with 47,000 yen for each additional person.

This program is available on Monday or Friday from 7 p.m. Rates are inclusive of kaiseki course dinner but not beverages, prices for dinner are subject to change based on the menu served.

Rates are inclusive of 5% consumption tax and 10% service charge. Reservations must be completed no later than 3 days in advance, a 50% cancellation fee will be levied from 3 days prior to the booking date.

For further info, visit http://www.mandarinoriental.com/tokyo/