From July 1 to August 31, 2026, the Hanamusashi Japanese restaurant at Hotel Metropolitan presents the “Hanamusashi Kaiseki,” a multi-course experience designed to celebrate the height of summer. The centerpiece of the menu is a choice between two premium mains: Ise Ebi (spiny lobster) grilled in its shell with a sea urchin sauce, or stone-grilled domestic beef sirloin served with a garlic and grated ponzu dipping sauce. The meal also includes a selection of three types of nigiri sushi and thin rolls, blending traditional techniques with seasonal ingredients.
A Choice of Mains: Ise Ebi or Domestic Wagyu
The *kaiseki* (traditional multi-course) experience centers on the guest’s preference for the primary dish. The spiny lobster is prepared with a rich sea urchin coating, while the domestic Wagyu beef is presented on a heated stone to be seared to the diner’s liking. These are accompanied by a trio of nigiri sushi, featuring seasonal seafood prepared by the restaurant’s dedicated chefs.
July: Pike Conger and Seasonal Artistry
The July menu focuses on cooling aesthetics and the natural sweetness of summer produce. It begins with a chilled white corn *surinagashi* (vegetable puree) and an appetizer plate presented in a vessel shaped like a morning glory, featuring seasonal bites like grilled eggplant and conger eel. A highlight of the month is the Hamo (pike conger) *shabu-shabu*, where the delicately sliced fish is lightly poached in a dashi broth. To finish, guests are served a *wagashi* (traditional sweet) modeled after a *kayari-buta*, the pig-shaped incense burner that serves as a classic symbol of the Japanese summer.
August: Eel Specialties and Summer Motifs
In August, the menu shifts to offer ingredients traditionally consumed to combat the summer heat. The meal opens with a sea urchin mousse topped with consommé jelly, followed by “Botan-hamo”—pike conger cut to resemble a blooming peony flower in a clear soup. The featured seasonal dish is *Unagi* (eel) Yanagawa-nabe, a savory hot pot seasoned with aromatic Arima sansho pepper. The experience concludes with a chilled sweet designed to look like goldfish swimming in water, capturing the poetic atmosphere of the late summer season.
Authentic Dining in the Heart of Ikebukuro
Located on the second floor of Hotel Metropolitan, Hanamusashi offers a refined atmosphere for experiencing *washoku* (traditional Japanese cuisine). The restaurant features six types of private dining rooms, including traditional *horigotatsu* (sunken hearth) seating and glass-walled rooms that provide views of the surrounding greenery. Situated a three-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station, the venue provides an accessible setting for international travelers seeking seasonal *omotenashi* hospitality.
Property details
- Property
- Hotel Metropolitan
- Address
- 1-6-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
- Access
- 3-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station
- Official site
- https://ikebukuro.metropolitan.jp/
