Afternoon Tea Service

afternoon tea “stones”

On May 17, 2022, Palace Hotel Tokyo celebrated its 10th anniversary.

In commemoration of this special occasion, Lobby Lounge The Palace Lounge has renewed its afternoon tea service from its signature jyubako of layered lacquered boxes.

The new afternoon tea service is presented on lacquerware made by world-renowned Akito Akagi, based in Wajima. Akagi’s representative work “Stones,” using river stones as a motif, was redesigned exclusively for this afternoon tea.

Whereas most Wajima lacquerware apply a final coat uwanuri to express the smooth texture and beauty, Akagi chose not to take this process for “Stones,” emphasizing the matte, modern texture.

Made of wood and lacquer born of nature, “Stones” resonates with “Harmony with Nature,” one of Palace Hotel Tokyo’s brand values.

 
Sweets

Where: Lobby Lounge The Palace Lounge (1F)
Hours: 11:00 am / 11:30 am / 2:00 pm / 2:30 pm / 5:00 pm / 5:30 pm
*Afternoon Tea seating is limited to 2.5 hours.
Price: JPY 8,000 per person / JPY 10,400 with a glass of Champagne
*Prices are inclusive of consumption tax and subject to an additional 15% service charge.
*Limited to 20 servings per day.

Menu:
Under the sub-theme of “Colors of Japan,” the lacquer vessels serve as canvases for sweets and savories colored in traditional hues, with changing menus marking seasonal transitions. Enjoy an afternoon tea tantamount to a work of art.
*Menus to change with the season.

Reservations: Required
Tel: +81-3-3211-5370 (10:00 am – 7:00 pm)

Book a table (for Afternoon Tea)

Lacquerware Artist Profile

akito akagi

Born in Okayama Prefecture in 1962, Akito Akagi graduated from the Philosophy Department at Chuo University and initially worked as a magazine editor.

Moving to Wajima in 1988, he studied under lacquer craftsman Susumu Okamoto, and opened his own studio in 1994.

Akagi has since gained international recognition, and was selected as one of the “Twelve contemporary Japanese lacquerware artists” at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum. In 2004, his artwork became part of the collection at Die Neue Sammlung, a design museum in Germany.

His lacquerware is conceived to enrich contemporary life.

Palace Hotel Tokyo The Palace Lounge New Afternoon Tea Laquerer Akito Akagi H2
Akito Akagi
Matcha and Original Rakugan

September 1 - November 30

autumn menu

Visions of autumn bounty color the tranquil setting. Sweets include pear mousse and châtaigne meringue Chantilly, while savories feature mushrooms, pumpkins and other seasonal ingredients.
Japanese tea cakes from Nara confectioner Kashiya are served with Myoushou Sayama matcha.

[Matcha]
Organic matcha from Sayama served in an original Kiyomizu-yaki bowl by Zensho Kiln Palace Hotel Tokyo original rakugan (dried sugar confectionery)

[Sweets]
Apple tart / Pumpkin mousse, hazelnut biscuit / Grapes and white balsamic vinegar jelly, grape compote / Chestnut meringue Chantilly, osmanthus and orange gelée / Japanese confectionery from Kashiya

[Sweets]
Pistachio langue de chat, brandied cherries / Pear mousse, lemon-flavored chocolate cream / Salted caramel macaron, raspberry gelée / Ground cherry, apricot and vanilla pâte de fruits / Rum baba, coffee-flavored cream / Yuzu and cassis mousse

[Savories]
Brillat-Savarin tart / Quiche, pancetta & porcini / Shrimp tartare, beets, caviar / Chestnut & sweet potato terrine, marmalade, cardamom / Pumpkin cream soup / soup / Spanish serrano ham & dried persimmon salad, truffle / Marinated salmon crêpe, trout roe marinated with soy sauce

[Scone]
Bamboo charcoal and barley tea scone / clotted cream / apple jam

Savories
Sweets
Scone
Palace Hotel Tokyo The Palace Lounge Daytime T2

Japanese tea and Japanese confectionery purveyors will change with the season.
Selections for Autumn (September through November) 2023 are by…

Japanese tea: Myoushou Sayama matcha
The first matcha to be produced in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture. Named Myoushou by master Minato Sodo of Kenninji, the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto with deep ties to the cultivation of tea in Japan.

Japanese confectionery: Kashiya
A long-established Japanese confectionery located in Nara City, offering delicate sweets that bring out the best of each season.