Concierge Corner: Akane Tanaka

TravelAge West talks to Akane Tanaka, chief concierge for The Peninsula Tokyo, for an insider’s view of Tokyo 

As the chief concierge for one of Tokyo’s most opulent luxury hotels, Akane Tanaka has seen her fair share of visitors to the bustling metropolis. Here, she recently shared a few of her tips for navigating through one of the most populous cities in the world.

Tanaka

What should first-time travelers to Tokyo see and do?
I think that Tokyo’s must-see places would have to be the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, the Meiji Shrine in Harajuku and the Omotesando and Roppongi areas for an experience of Tokyo’s nightlife. Must-do activities would include going to the top of Tokyo Tower or Mori Tower, enjoying a great meal and visiting a local museum. Also, waking up early to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market’s tuna auction and eating sushi for breakfast is a must-do while in Tokyo.

What souvenirs do you recommend?
Traditional Japanese yukata (pajamas), folding fans that fit easily in your purse or bag and kitchen items such as good knives and lacquered chopsticks.

What is a common misperception that visitors have regarding local cuisine?
Foreigners have a tendency to think that all Japanese food is labeled as ‘Japanese.’ In Japan, we classify the restaurant by the type of Japanese food (i.e. sushi, sukiyaki, tempura, soba, teppanyaki, etc.). Most Japanese restaurants tend to only serve one type of Japanese food. Therefore, I recommend guests be specific about the type of food they would like to eat. It also helps if they inform us what they cannot or do not like to eat.

What one piece of advice would you give to travelers to Japan?
Japanese are shy, and we may not be able to speak English well, but we are very polite and we like to help tourists. If you need assistance, please ask, but please be friendly and smile, and we will always do our best to help you.

There are a number of luxury hotels in Tokyo. What sets The Peninsula Tokyo apart from the rest?
The Peninsula Tokyo is the first free-standing hotel to be built in Tokyo in more than a decade. This makes the hotel very unique. I think having a hotel where guests can enter from the main floor brings a different feeling to the hotel. There is a lot of buzz, and it makes the atmosphere enjoyable. Also, the hotel’s location is very unique. The Peninsula Tokyo is located opposite the Imperial Palace and is only a three-minute walk to the luxury shopping area of Ginza. Finally, the staff makes it a cut above. A hotel can offer wonderful facilities, but its staff and guests are what make it come to life.

You’ve been with The Peninsula Tokyo since its opening in 2007. In what ways has it changed or remained the same?
The hotel itself has pretty much remained the same since the opening. The staff has not changed. When we opened, we said that The Peninsula Tokyo represents accessible luxury; there is something for everyone. We welcome everyone in the same way when they come through our doors — with a big friendly hello and smile. I think that people can recognize The Peninsula Tokyo’s personality and warmth much more easily now.

You are part of the exclusive Les Clefs d’Or Japan association. What do you do as a member and how does the association help travelers throughout Japan?
Les Clefs d’Or hosts a World Congress meeting every year in a different place around the world for approximately one week to expand our network. We participate in many workshops and discussions and also spend some time sightseeing in order to learn more about the local culture. Our motto is “service through friendship.” There are 4,000 members in 38 countries. We contact each other for assistance when we send and receive guests from those countries. I have been a full member since 2008, when I received my two ‘keys.’ There are only 18 full Les Clefs d’Or members in Japan.

While I’m sure The Peninsula Tokyo sees its share of business travelers, what do you recommend for leisure travelers, especially families?
For leisure travelers, I think a trip to Disneyland or Disney Sea (the only one in the world) is great. Also, a trip to Tsukiji Fish Market, the Tokyo Tower and Odaiba (a reclaimed island with many shops and even a small Statue of Liberty) or taking in a Kabuki theater play are also wonderful.

When’s the best time of year to visit Tokyo?
The best time is at the end of March or early April when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and the end of November to early December when all of the autumn foliage changes to yellow, orange and red. These two periods only last about one to two weeks. However, they are the highlight of the seasons and absolutely gorgeous.

What have been the most common and uncommon guest requests that you’ve received?
The most common is recommending a sightseeing schedule that fits to a certain amount of time. The most uncommon was to arrange a marriage proposal in Kyoto with the woman on a white horse so the man could propose.

What is a typical guest predicament and how do you solve it?
When a large family arrives in Tokyo and has many pieces of luggage. It is very difficult to move from point to point with so many pieces of luggage. Therefore, we recommend them to use a local courier service. This service is commonly used by the Japanese to send even one piece of luggage from one point to another. It allows people to travel more quickly and easily on local trains, and the luggage can arrive on the same day or overnight.

Do you sometimes find that Westerners have difficulty adjusting to Japanese customs? If so, how should they try to immerse themselves into the local culture and customs?
Sometimes it might be difficult, but, in general, I do not think that foreigners have many difficulties. The most important thing to remember is that they are in a foreign country and they should try to respect Japanese culture. They cannot expect things to be done like they are in their own country. Aside from that, common courtesy and a nice, warm smile will go a long way.

For travelers who wish to take day trips outside of Tokyo, what places do you recommend?
I recommend Kamakura, which is only about one hour by local train. It is called the “Little Kyoto” of eastern Japan. It is also located near the sea side. It is also nice to visit Hakone, which is also about a one-hour train ride. From Hakone you can see Mount Fuji, especially during the winter when the air is crisp and clear. The sight of Mount Fuji is beautiful.

Where do you like to go when you’re not working at the hotel?
An ideal day would be spent visiting an out-of-the-way area in central Tokyo and exploring the backstreets for small cafes, restaurants, galleries, etc. In Tokyo, just by going down a small alleyway, sometimes you find a whole new world.

The Peninsula Tokyo
81-33-270-2888
www.peninsula.com