For the latest in its ‘Best of Japan’ series, Palace Hotel Tokyo is launching ‘Couture Tokyo: The Art of Japanese Fashion’, a stay package created to elevate travelers’ understanding of Japanese culture and aesthetics through the lens of fashion and textile artistry.
Designed to highlight the substance and creativity behind Japanese fashion design and sensibilities, the experience is anchored by an insider’s introduction to some of Japan’s most exemplary brands with a selection of tours curated by Kaori Nakano, a scholar of fashion and luxury culture.
The ‘Couture Tokyo: The Art of Japanese Fashion’ stay package includes:
· Two nights of accommodation
· Daily breakfast – choice of In-Room Dining or at Grand Kitchen
· A special kaiseki course dinner at Wadakura inspired by fashion icon Kenzo Takada
· An original Palace Hotel Tokyo tote bag by suzusan, a contemporary Japanese textile brand
· A privately guided fashion tour (approximately 3-4 hours, inclusive of private car service)
· A special gift from the brand featured in guests’ choice of tours
Perfect for fashion aficionados and enthusiasts, the tours present guests with the opportunity to explore their choice of one of three of the city’s most celebrated fashion destinations. Each tour unveils the rich narrative of Japan’s fashion evolution through the history of the neighborhood, and is driven by bespoke experiences meticulously crafted exclusively for Palace Hotel Tokyo guests by three iconic brands:
Glitzy Ginza
Arguably one of Tokyo’s most famous shopping districts, Ginza is home to Wako, a venerable institution housed in the landmark Seiko House where timeless Japanese elegance and design innovation converge. Here, the finest traditions of Japanese craftsmanship are showcased alongside contemporary fashions and coveted timepieces. On its second-floor Jewelry Square, the selection of sophisticated, high-end pieces includes those by Wako’s own jewelry brands and designed and crafted by its in-house designers and artisans.
Having stood the test of time since 1947, Wako not only represents an incomparable retail experience but also a stalwart advocate for the preservation of the essence of Japanese artistic culture. Its gallery-esque basement level is dedicated to celebrating the rich tapestry of Japanese art and aesthetics, with exhibitions showcasing works by living national treasures and up-and-coming young artists alike.
Following a privately guided tour of Wako, guests can opt to swing by Dover Street Market for a striking contrast. Leaning more towards the edgy and eclectic, the artistry in fashion is evident across the outlet’s seven retail floors where urban chic meets trendy streetwear.
Stylish Daikanyama
Kicking off the tour in stylish Daikanyama is a visit to the flagship boutique of Jun Ashida. As the renowned pioneer of Japanese prêt-à-porter, Ashida’s interpretation of ‘elegant and practical’ endures more than half a century after he first arrived on Japan’s fashion scene and ultimately garnered international acclaim. For his contributions to fashion, Ashida was awarded Japan’s distinguished Order of the Rising Sun and purple ribbon Medal of Honor, France’s Order of Arts & Letters, and also the Order of Merit from Italy and Luxembourg. Today, his legacy lives on through his daughter, Tae Ashida, who now spearheads the fashion house and whose own contemporary designs reflect a synthesis of innovation and her father’s take on refined elegance.
The nearby MIZEN TOKYO Atelier + Showroom follows a philosophy of ‘Slow Fashion, Slow Luxury’, encouraging mindful contemplation of the true value and craftsmanship behind its creations by seamlessly blending workshop and boutique.
Upscale Omotesando & Eclectic Ura-Harajuku
Tantamount to Tokyo’s Champs-Élysées, Omotesando is a haven for those with a love not only for luxury retail but also the architecture and interiors in which they are showcased. Here, world-class brands and works by starchitects coexist alongside the avant-garde boutiques situated in the warren of backstreets that branch out from Omotesando’s tree-lined boulevard and intersect with Ura-Harajuku – the roots of Japanese subculture and the hub for free-spirited fashion.
Anchoring this tour is a visit to the boutiques of Kimono Yamato as well as that of KIMONO ARCH and Y. & SONS, two distinct brands that fall under its creative umbrella. At Kimono Yamato, guests will be introduced to how the company has carried forward the legacy of Japan’s deeply layered kimono culture by melding heritage and innovation into the design of garments that can be incorporated into daily life. From the casual to the ceremonial, each piece is underpinned by over a century of expertise. At the ‘men’s kimono tailor’ Y. & SONS, pieces are designed to be paired with western attire while at KIMONO ARCH, its more playful creations cater to both men and women.
Other Japanese brands in the area beckoning discovery include CFCL (Clothing For Contemporary Life) – which reimagines knitwear through advanced 3D, computer-aided, knitting technology to create garments that balance functionality, comfort, easy care and contemporary elegance while minimizing material waste.
PORTER is renowned around the world for its meticulously handcrafted bags, each one carefully made by skilled Japanese artisans. At its flagship store, an on-site workshop is seamlessly integrated into the elegant, two-story space. Here, visitors can watch artisans at work up close, experiencing firsthand the craftsmanship behind the company’s philosophy of, ‘Isshin-Nyūkon’ (‘Heart and Soul into Every Stitch’).
In addition to choosing their preferred shopping destination to explore (from the three detailed above), guests will be able to choose between being accompanied by a guide trained on the tours curated by Kaori Nakano or opting for the rare opportunity to be hosted by Nakano herself alongside an interpreter (additional charges apply).
For guests who wish to venture beyond one of the three fashion destinations, there is a separate option (at additional charge) to book a half-day (approximately 6 hours) tour with Kaori Nakano that would be entirely tailored to their interests (in lieu of the tour included in the stay package).
At Wadakura, the hotel’s signature Japanese restaurant, the prix-fixe kaiseki dinner included in the stay package will feature a special shabu-shabu presentation that was a favorite of the late fashion designer Kenzo Takada whenever he was in-residence at Palace Hotel Tokyo (currently only available upon request, advanced notice required).
The trail-blazing artist was most celebrated for having revolutionized 1970s fashion by being the first Japanese designer to achieve widespread acclaim in the Parisian fashion scene.
The ‘Couture Tokyo: The Art of Japanese Fashion’ package is bookable for stays from July 22, 2026 onwards (subject to availability), with prices starting at JPY 372,000 (based on double occupancy).*
*Rates are inclusive of 10% consumption tax
*A 15% service charge and a Tokyo accommodation tax of JPY 200 per person will be applied separately
*Booking requests must be made at least 14 days in advance
For more information, please visit: www.en.palacehoteltokyo.com/offer/couture-tokyo-the-art-of-japanese-fashion-tour