ANNIVERSARY EPISODE
01 Wedding Anniversary With all my heart
A red bouquet of gratitude
"Do you have a table available on this day next year?"
Continuing our wedding anniversary tradition
We had our wedding at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay in 2015. We never want to forget the special day that we shared with all our loved ones, so every year on the date we had our wedding, the two of us dine at Restaurant Fontana. We like seeing the bridal coordinator and sound engineer that handled our wedding, so we always end up dropping by without an appointment. They remember us, and when we meet, we discuss how things have been going with each other, and we always talk as if we were distant relatives.
Once our child was born, the three of us went out for lunch together for the first time in 2019. Knowing that we eat there on the same day every year, the Restaurant Fontana staff recommended the same anniversary menu that we had for dinner, just the two of us, last year, so we were able to enjoy the same flavors even as a family of three. I always request the roasted green tea granita, which was on the menu on the day of my wedding ceremony, and it brings back memories of that day whenever I eat it.
Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay is a special place for us as they always give us a warm welcome and make us feel at home. We have made another reservation for 2020. "Do you have a table available on this day next year?"
A gesture of thanks
This story is about a couple that held their wedding at our hotel. They had been married for almost a year, and with their wedding anniversary approaching, the husband consulted us about using the meal as an opportunity to express feelings of gratitude that he usually finds difficult to convey.
When the day came, we prepared the same menu for the couple that we had served at their wedding reception. The wife, quickly noticing that it was the menu that they had carefully picked out together, was delighted with her husband's surprise.
The dessert plate at the end had a message: "Thank you for everything. Looking forward to many more years with you". The wife was visibly moved by this small, heartwarming gesture by her usually reserved husband.
40 years together
A red bouquet of gratitude
On our 40th wedding anniversary, my wife and I stayed at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay. For dinner, we had the special anniversary menu at the counter of Teppanyaki Hagoromo. We started the meal with a champagne toast. The meal was delicious and very enjoyable, complemented by a gift of sake from our daughter and reminiscences of our 40 years together. We left the counter to have dessert in another location. Accompanied by a celebratory cake, I gave my wife a bright red bouquet to coincide with our 40th year ruby wedding anniversary. I wasn't able to fully express the various words of gratitude that I had been considering, but my wife looked gratified in the photo we had taken together.
The next day, we had photos taken in a studio to mark the occasion. They said, "You two look alike," to which I replied, "Aw, don't say that!" But I didn't really mean it.
Thank you to everyone on the hotel staff for your warm hospitality.
The importance of saying "thank you"
This was a vow renewal ceremony for a 25th wedding anniversary. "Thank you for taking this journey with me." "Thank you for raising me." "We are glad to be your mom and dad." Our hotel held a vow renewal ceremony to celebrate a couple's 25th wedding anniversary.
It began when a client contacted our Anniversary Coordinator with the words: "I want to celebrate by wearing a dress and having photos taken with my family. I want to have a silver wedding ceremony." Of the two daughters, the older sister had already moved out of the family home, and the younger had recently had her coming-of-age ceremony and just graduated from a vocational school. Both daughters in this family were moving on to the next stage of their lives.
The daughters were delighted to see their mother and father all dressed up, and the studio photo shoot was a big success. When choosing the background color for the photo, they asked the photographer to "use the one that will make our mom and dad look their best" Then, it was off to the chapel for the vow renewal ceremony. Reminiscing about the past with a song full of family memories in the background, the couple expressed their gratitude to each other, as did the daughters to their mother and father. The mother and father shared feelings they had never expressed before with their daughters, and the family signed a certificate affirming their bonds. The bouquet that the mother held was designed as a combination of three mini-bouquets in one so that two could be given to the daughters who would eventually get married. The mother presented them to the daughters during the ceremony.
We are grateful to the family for sharing such a wonderful time with us.
We hope to continue being there for all of you, helping you to celebrate the important milestones in your life.
A heartwarming surprise
This story is about a couple that previously had their wedding ceremony at our hotel. The wife consulted with us about surprising her husband while dining at one of our restaurants on her birthday close to their wedding anniversary. After a number of meetings with our Anniversary Coordinator, she decided to recreate the cake from their wedding ceremony.
It turns out, the husband had likewise asked about recreating this wedding cake…When the day came, the hotel staff were also moved as they looked on at the moment of surprise shared by the loving couple. We look forward to helping your family celebrate another anniversary someday.
02 Birthday Surprise present
A surprise birthday dinner for my husband
In February, I surprised my husband with a birthday dinner at Restaurant Fontana at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay.
I talked to the concierge about my husband's ingredient preferences and dishes that hold special significance for him.
Also, the sommelier found a wine from 1998 that we remember fondly. My husband is not Japanese, so some of the dishes we requested are not well known in Japan, but the hotel chefs prepared a wonderful meal full of memories for my husband. When my husband saw the dishes served on the table, he had a smile that I had never seen before.
The next day, we did a surprise balloon release.
We could not invite our friends due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we were delighted with the heartfelt hospitality of the hotel staff.
This year is our 25th wedding anniversary. We hope to enjoy another unforgettable, happy stay at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay. Thank you very much to everyone.
A birthday surprise for my mother
In December 2020, for my mother's birthday, we stayed at the hotel on the anniversary plan and had dinner at Restaurant Fontana.
I wanted to do something special for my mother's birthday. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic when we couldn't go anywhere, and I was hoping we could celebrate somewhere luxurious, a world apart, yet close to home. The first place that came to mind was Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, where my mother and I had previously had dinner, with its stately entrance, wonderful food, and tranquil atmosphere. I called in advance and decided to have a whole cake and a box of flowers prepared to celebrate the birthday. When I was having trouble deciding which flowers to get, they said, "If you plan to carry them around and visit the local attractions the next day, a box of flowers might be better," giving advice from the customer's perspective, which was just the kind of thoughtful help I had come to expect from the hotel.
The flowers I had ordered were given to me secretly by the service staff at the end of the dinner when dessert was served, so I was able to give them to my mother as a surprise. My mother was very impressed by the wonderful hotel and food, asking, "You even got flowers and cake for me?". The thoughtful suggestions and unpretentious manner of the staff really put me at ease, and I felt that the service we received was very sincere.
The room and the beds were also spacious, and I was amazed to find that the tub in the luxurious bathroom filled with hot water in just one minute.
Both my mother and I were able to recover from the fatigue of daily life, and I couldn't help but think how wonderful it was to be able to enjoy such a unique escape just a short drive from home.
My mother was also truly pleased, so I'm really glad that we chose Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay. I look forward to celebrating some other special occasion there.
I hope I was able to show some gratitude to my mother, considering how much trouble I always cause her! Wishing you continued health and happiness. Thanks for everything!
I was amazed by the hospitality
In September 2019, I stayed at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay to visit a theme park with friends.
Actually, my birthday is in August, but my friends had made plans to celebrate it a month late.
After receiving many congratulations and having a fun time at the theme park, we checked into Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, which my friends had booked, and entered the room. A little while later, I heard a knock at the door.
My friend opened the door, and standing outside was a member of the hotel staff, who handed me a box of sweets, saying, "This is for your birthday".
My friends hadn't given the hotel my information, so when I asked how the staff knew, they said they saw the birthday sticker from the theme park on my chest. I was surprised that they had noticed so much during that short time of our check-in (and I wasn't the one who did the check-in), and I remember well how happy it made me and how impressed my friends and I were with the wonderful hospitality.
A birthday surprise for my sister at a hotel full of memories with our grandmother
In 2019, we had a birthday celebration for my sister.
This was my first time planning a surprise. I requested that they bring a birthday cake to our room. Even as the one who made the reservation, I was worried, and I emailed several times to confirm the details. They always replied courteously, making suggestions about when the cake should be brought and asking if anything else would be needed.
When the day came, the front desk staff and the staff who showed us to our room helped calm my nerves, for which I was very grateful.
For the birthday cake, they prepared a stunning chocolate cake that was completely fruit-free as my sister has a fruit allergy. The person who brought the cake smiled the whole time and kindly offered to take photos, making it a truly joyful day not only for my sister but also for me as the one who planned the surprise.
My sister and I have been staying at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay since we were little, brought by our grandmother. We have many memories at this hotel with our grandmother, and in hopes of making even more memories, I planned a surprise to mark this occasion at the hotel that we love. Our memories of this day will last a lifetime, and I am so captivated by this hotel that I am determined to stay here several times a year. Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay is a special place for us.
03 For Every Celebration Special day
Celebrating my father’s 60th birthday and my own wedding - our most important days were at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay
My parents held their wedding at the hotel that once stood where Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay is now.
At my mother’s request - "I want to celebrate your father’s 60th birthday at the hotel full of memories" - our family gathered to celebrate at a restaurant in Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay.
On the day, the staff member who guided us listened intently and warmly to my parents’ stories from their wedding days, occasionally smiling, and it left a deep impression on me. From that moment, Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay became a contender for the venue of my upcoming wedding.
Later, I attended a bridal fair. My mother and I were guided by the bridal coordinator who would eventually become our planner.
I will never forget that encounter. She deeply understood my desire for a warm, laughter-filled wedding with just close family, and offered us so many thoughtful suggestions.
I was especially touched when she proposed the idea of my husband - a former baseball kid - wearing a backpack beer dispenser.
After many fun planning meetings, the wedding day finally arrived, and thanks to the incredible support from everyone at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, all our guests were able to spend the day with smiles.
Most of all, I was so happy to see the satisfied, smiling face of my husband beside me. Both my father’s 60th birthday and my wedding - important milestones in our lives - are filled with memories at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay.
Celebrating 35 years of service with my wife
This year marked my 35th work anniversary, and I suggested a trip to my wife, who’s supported me all these years. I was thinking maybe a nearby hot spring, but to my surprise, she said she wanted to go to the theme park in Maihama. It had been about 20 years since we went with our children, and this time, she wanted it to be just the two of us.
After doing some research, we chose Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay for its great reputation and special anniversary offerings.
To show my appreciation, I reserved an anniversary dinner at the Japanese Restaurant Hagoromo, and arranged for a surprise cake.
At check-in on the day of our stay, we were even offered a complimentary upgrade to a suite. Our dinner was made even more special by the warm hospitality of the staff and the delicious Japanese cuisine - and then came the surprise cake. Touched by years of gratitude, my wife had tears in her eyes, and the staff member with us was moved as well.
Thanks to the hotel, we were able to have a truly memorable 35th anniversary.
A few years from now, once I fully retire, we’ll absolutely return to Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay again. Thank you so much.
Celebrating happiness at a girls' gathering
Three best friends since high school. Although they each live apart now, they look forward to taking a trip together once every two to three years.
One of them recently got engaged, and we were contacted with a request to celebrate the occasion with a relaxing stay at a hotel.
On the day of the gathering, we arranged to deliver a celebratory cake, champagne, and non-alcoholic cocktails to the room for the friend who doesn’t drink. And then, the day arrived.
The friend was overjoyed by the unexpected surprise. Holding their glasses, they took cheerful commemorative photos and smiled as they talked about wanting to spend time here together again someday.
A reward for hard work
We were also contacted by a parent who wanted to do something special as a reward for their child, who had earned perfect attendance.
They planned to celebrate the child’s graduation as a family and asked if there was something we could do to make it memorable.
Of the several suggestions we offered, the one they liked most was a "bartender service" - creating a custom, original cocktail right in front of them.
We discussed the child’s preferred flavors and colors, as well as the timing of the bartender’s appearance, and then the day arrived. The child, a bit nervous about dining in a hotel for the first time, joined the family for the celebration.
As the meal began, the bartender appeared just before the toast! The child was thrilled to see a real bartender and hear the sound of the shaker for the first time! Watching the bartender intently, the child lit up with joy at the finished non-alcoholic cocktail, and seeing that happy expression brought a big smile to the parents’ faces as well.
Celebrating Mother’s Day for the first time with my fiancé
We had decided to hold our wedding at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay. For the first time, my fiancé and I invited my mother along to celebrate Mother’s Day together as a group of three. It was my mother’s first visit to Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay. At the Japanese Restaurant Hagoromo, where we dined, there happened to be a special buffet celebrating the start of the new imperial era, featuring freshly grilled steak, hand-shaped sushi, and freshly fried tempura - even my mother, who usually eats very little, was happily satisfied. Buffets often feel hectic, but at Hagoromo we were able to relax in a calm atmosphere, and at the end, we were given a lovely gift of a bright red carnation and a commemorative photo. Since that day, my mother has become a big fan of Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay! Seeing her so happy, and witnessing the heartfelt hospitality of the staff, my fiancé and I truly felt that we had made the right choice in selecting Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay for our wedding. Completely enchanted by Okura, we went on to dine at all the hotel’s restaurants - Japanese, Western, and Chinese. Every one of them was absolutely delicious. We even reserved a Christmas cake. We’re already looking forward to enjoying another wonderful meal at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay.
A three-generation family trip...
A story about a trip with our parents in celebration of their 77th birthday. One day, we realized that our family trip would coincide with our parents’ golden wedding anniversary, and we received a request to create a keepsake that would capture the memories in more than just photos. Our Anniversary Coordinator suggested a "Family Certificate," a document that could include signatures, messages, and photos from every family member. On the day of the celebration, after a toast at the restaurant, the Family Certificate was brought out, and the grandchild presented it to the couple along with the messages. Surrounded by family, the joyful expressions on the couple’s faces made all of us feel deeply happy too.
Coordinator
Let us arrange your unforgettable anniversary
Arrange a memorable, one-of-a-kind anniversary—bring about your desire to celebrate that special person. Our Anniversary Coordinators are here to assist you in planning surprises and coming up with ideas for your one-of-a-kind anniversary.
