Kenji Furuichi talks about the charm of "Tokyo-ness" felt at "Hoshinoya Tokyo"

1. Noritoshi Furuichi talks about hotel life: "Even if it's just for a short time, the room becomes yours"

Sociologist Kenji Furuichi leads a busy life, with TV recordings and lectures. In recent years, he has also been active as a novelist, and seems to be traveling all over the country. He seems to stay at many accommodations all over the country, but what is hotel life like for Furuichi?

"The time you spend in a lodging facility is quite long, if you include the time you spend sleeping. No matter how busy you are, you'll probably stay there for about 10 hours. If it's a place where you spend 10 hours out of 24, it basically becomes a part of your life. That's why I think it's so important."

Now that you mention it, no matter how much sightseeing you do, if you consider the time from when you return to your accommodation until the next morning, your stay will inevitably be long. So, are your standards for choosing accommodation strict?

"I like accommodations that aren't just a place to stay, but that have a story, an atmosphere, and something that you can only feel there. In Japan, people often talk about service and hospitality, but for me, 'just so-so' is best. I like hospitality that's just right, not too polite, not too rough. More than that, I like places that have a good design, facilities, and a comfortable space. Even if it's just for one night, it becomes 'my room'."

"Stories and atmosphere." Hoshinoya Tokyo excels in the areas that Furuichi considers important. It combines traditional materials with modern design. If you ask the staff about each of these materials, they will give you a detailed explanation. It is truly a Japanese inn filled with many stories.

2. An overwhelming stimulation of the senses that you can't get at an ordinary city hotel

"Stories" are important because they stimulate the intellect and the senses. For Furuichi, who is passionate about research and creative activities, it may be something he naturally seeks out.

The attention to detail at Hoshinoya Tokyo, from the design of the furniture such as chairs and chests, to the fabric of the cushions, to the feel and scent of the tatami mats you step on, surpasses that of other Japanese inns and hotels.

"Even with just one object, if it has an excellent design or is made from a nice material, you can't help but look at it closely," says Furuichi, who is also very interested in the details of the interior furnishings and design.

In addition, on weekend nights, the lobby on the second floor hosts a live performance called "Gagaku Evening," which is a feast for the senses of sight and hearing. You can enjoy gagaku, a traditional Japanese music that has been passed down since ancient times, up close, and it's an extraordinary experience not only for guests from overseas, but also for us Japanese people. It feels fresh.

There are a variety of activities available, including music, that allow you to experience the atmosphere and culture of Edo-Tokyo, so you won't get bored during your stay.

3. Experience Edo culture through original activities

Most of the activities at Hoshinoya Tokyo allow you to enjoy traditional Japanese experiences and arts. Furuichi tried out the "Awakening Morning Practice." It is a stretching program that combines deep breathing with the swordsmanship of the Hokushin Itto-ryu swordsmanship school, which had a dojo in Kanda during the Edo period.

"I don't really exercise much," he said, but he became engrossed in the activity alongside the enthusiastic staff members who were teaching him.

"For many people, wearing a kimono and holding a wooden sword is something out of the ordinary. I think it's wonderful to be able to actually experience it."

Tokyo is seeing a rush of new facilities opening in 2020. We tend to focus on the "new" without even realizing it. If we don't pay attention, we won't be able to experience the traditional side of Tokyo.

"I think it would be especially well received by guests from overseas. Many people visit Tokyo in search of quintessentially Japanese culture, such as swordsmanship and kimono. Having such easy-to-understand activities makes it easier to recommend the place to others."

4. Enjoy gourmet food in a unique style

For Furuichi, who has many friends overseas, food is an essential element of hospitality when guests visit Japan.

"You can introduce the food with confidence. I think that's Tokyo's greatest charm."

"You can eat not only Japanese food but all kinds of cuisine, and best of all it's cheap. There are lots of delicious things in Tokyo that are on par with the world."

The dining area in the basement of Hoshinoya Tokyo is where the gourmet Furuichi can enjoy himself. The restaurant uses only domestic ingredients, even the seasonings, and serves a course meal centered on fish and vegetables. The course meal is unique to Japan and is served in an original style, created using sophisticated techniques that have been recognized at international competitions.

The menu that was handed to me had only one kanji character written on it: "stone" ("stone)," "warm" ("warm"), and "delicious."

"It only has kanji and the names of the ingredients written on it, so I don't know what kind of dish it is.... I'm excited, I can't wait!"

"This is the monkfish liver appetizer," said the staff member who brought the dish, holding a lantern in his hand.

"Lantern?" asked Furuichi with a puzzled look on his face. The staff member then said something.

"It's a lantern anglerfish...!"

The unique and clever way of serving the food makes it even more original. The course starts with a dish of kumquat puree.

"That's interesting! I really like this kind of thing."

You will be served on visually appealing dishes and plates, and beautifully presented items, and you can savor the delicious flavors of a course meal that will stimulate all five senses.

"I often go to restaurants overseas that take a sophisticated approach to cooking and presentation while making the most of local ingredients. The most important thing is that the food tastes good, but when I go there, I want something extra, like a surprise or something cool."

The signature dish at Hoshinoya Tokyo Dining is "Five Intentions." Dishes that represent the five tastes of Japanese cuisine - sour, salty, bitter, spicy, and sweet - are served on a "stone." You eat them with your hands, holding the stone that serves as the base. It's also surprising that the temperature of the stone is changed to suit each dish. It is said to be one of Chef Hamada Noriyuki's masterpieces, fusing tradition and creativity.

"The texture was what made the biggest impression on me. The contrast between the softness of the ingredients and the hardness of the stone in your mouth was enjoyable."

The food is beautifully presented, and the dishes are designed to look like bento boxes. Furuichi-san stops talking and listens intently to the stories he tells about each dish.

Of course, not only the way the food is served, but the cooking itself is also delicate. The taste, expressed by skillfully using dashi and condiments, is truly "Japaneseness" itself. This is an enjoyable time to explore Japanese ingredients and cuisine backed by solid French techniques.

"The story that the staff explains, including how it's served, is really good. I can't help but say, 'Wow!' Plus, they give you lots of small portions, which is nice."

Furuichi was very satisfied.

"The historical and the modern are beautifully combined to create an interesting piece of creativity. If there was only one of them, it would be a bit tiring."

Perhaps the appeal of Hoshinoya Tokyo lies not only in the food, but also in its creativity.

5. The appeal of Hoshinoya Tokyo from the perspective of Tokyoites

If you live in Tokyo, it may not be an easy experience to stay overnight in Tokyo, so what is the appeal of Hoshinoya Tokyo?

"For me personally, when you have a favorite place to stay, you grow to like the city itself, and it becomes a city you want to visit again. So I think this is a great place to help people fall in love with Tokyo. New and old cultures are tastefully mixed together. I think that's very Tokyo-like."

Hoshinoya Tokyo, which combines traditional "Edo culture" furnishings with modern design, is a place where Edo and Tokyo meet, and can be said to be a place that symbolizes what Furuichi calls "Tokyo-ness."

After his stay, Furuichi declared that he would definitely recommend Hoshinoya Tokyo to any guests coming from overseas.

Speaking personally, when I go to the regions, I'm always happy to find a hotel affiliated with Hoshino Resorts. I like Hoshinoya Tokyo as well because everything from the space to the customer service is just right.

In fact, the Hoshino Resorts accommodation in Atami appears in my novel, "Goodbye, Heisei-kun." In the novel, I write with an atmosphere of "It's Hoshino Resorts, so it's safe" (laughs). During my stay this time, not only was the space beautiful, but the staff's friendly attitude was just right, making it very comfortable. I hope they will build more and more of these hotels all over Japan."

Kenji Furuichi

Born in Tokyo in 1985. Sociologist. Senior Research Fellow at Keio University SFC Research Institute. Recipient of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science's Ikushi Prize. Gained attention with his book "Happy Young People in a Country of Despair" (Kodansha). Since then, he has written many books and serialised in magazines, with his latest work "Naraku" being his third novel. He is also active as a commentator on television programs.

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