Wake refreshed at the Pan Pacific

The cold, dry winter can be utterly exhausting, so the Pan Pacific Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu is offering special accommodation packages for women to have a relaxing time, through March 15.

The one-night accommodation plan offers some special features for women: A complimentary amenity kit complete with skin-care products from French cosmetics brand Ella Bache's, while breakfast consists of a special menu for women — which includes steamed seasonal vegetables, fruits, bread from French bakery Maison Kayser and fresh orange juice, served in the guest's room.

Also, from Monday to Thursday, guests will receive 10 percent discounts at four of the hotel's restaurants: Cafe Tosca, Turandot, Somerhouse and Jack's.

Late checkout is allowed until 12 p.m. so that guests can take their time in the morning.

The plan is available from ¥11,000 per person including tax and a service charge.

Rihga Osaka 77th anniversary deals

This year, the Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka in the Nakanoshima district marks the 77th anniversary of its opening. In celebration of the milestone as well as in gratitude to its customers, the hotel is holding special events throughout the year.

One of the events is called the Thank You 77th 3977 Fair (the numbers 3 and 9 in Japanese sound like "thank you"), being held at the following hotel restaurants: Remone, Bella Costa, Naniwa, Kobe Kitcho, Nadaman, Sushiman and Nakata. At each restaurant, a special menu is offered at ¥3,977.

For example, at the Italian restaurant Bella Costa, a special course including spaghetti carbonara, roast pork from Kagoshima Prefecture and tiramisu with seasonal fruits, is available for lunch and weekday dinner through March 31. New seasonal menus will be offered throughout the fair.

Another event is the 7700 Fair, where guests can order a special menu at ¥7,700 at the hotel's restaurants.

All prices include tax and a service charge.

Home cooking in the heart of Tokyo

In the midst of the busy metropolis, a new restaurant called Mother's Shokudo has been open since December, and it offers Japanese home-style cooking.

The concept during lunchtime is that of a company cafeteria, while during dinnertime it becomes a place for people to casually drop in for a bite and a drink.

The menu consists of dishes that aim to bring the taste of a Japanese mother's home cooking to those working in the business and entertainment district of Roppongi. For example, at lunchtime, a range of set menus featuring fish, meat or curry will be available from ¥780. Each set comes with rice, miso soup, pickles, two side dishes and a drink. Some sets come with a salad as well.

At dinnertime, a variety of dishes including bowls of noodles, sushi, tempura and shabu-shabu are available.