- Served 800 dishes of beef stew on National Children's Day (May 5th) -

On Children's Day, May 5th , a Japanese national holiday, chefs from Okura Hotels & Resorts and JAL Hotels served beef stew at three locations in the disaster-affected areas: Fureai Park in Miyako, Iwate (220 dishes); Watanoha Japan Railway station in Ishinomaki, Miyagi (420 dishes); and Minami-no-Mori sports park in Iwaki, Fukushima (160 dishes).
The chefs served a hearty lunch - beef stew that simmered for eight hours, saffron rice, raisin bread, and cake and other baked goods for dessert, which the delighted children proclaimed "delicious!" at every bite. A compliment that was heard often: "The beef is really tender and very tasty."

Points redeemed for donations

With the aim of allowing customers to redeem Okura Club International points they earned for donations for those victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Okura Club International received donations through earned points. A large number of customers showed support for this campaign; as a result, OCI received 353 applications, totaling 176,500 yen, by the August-end deadline. In addition, Hotel Okura donated the same amount of money for those disaster victims. A total of 353,000 yen was donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

The 2nd Finest Collections of Prestigious Japanese Families charity event From Mother to Daughter

February 21st through February 27th, “Finest Collections of Prestigious Japanese Families,” an exhibition presenting the thoughtfulness and values that the Japanese people have long held important through the display of fine pieces and treasures belonging to prominent Japanese families, was held. Proceeds from the exhibition totaling 905,374 yen were donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

“Let’s encourage people in the earthquake-affected areas with songs!” Heart to heart harmony from Tokyo’s Minato Ward” Utagoe Kissa (coffee shop where customers can sing in chorus) at Hotel Okura Tokyo

On April 16th, under the theme “Let’s join together and send our voices in song to the disaster- stricken region! Let’s encourage all of Japan!”, the Utagoe Kissa event was held with 663 participants. Proceeds from entrance fees and drinks totaling 1,642,420 yen were donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Charity Lobby Concert, Marche de Fleur

During the Golden Week holidays (April 29th – May 1st, May 3rd – May 5th), a “Charity Lobby Concert” series was held featuring past recipients of the Hotel Okura Music Award and other talented musicians with donations collected for the earthquake and tsunami victims. From May 3rd to May 5th, the “Marche de Fleur” (Flower Market) event was held for customers with an appreciation of flowers and nature. With 1,870 visitors to the event, proceeds totaling 1,155,098 yen are to be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

A Portion of Proceeds from Room Packages and Purchases of Restaurant & Bar Standards to go to Recovery Efforts

April 1st through June 30th, 10% of proceeds earned from the four special room packages offered in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the hotel’s grand opening, as well as purchases of any of “The Ultimate Dish” menu items, the pride of each hotel restaurant, were donated.

Japanese Sake Fair at Yamazato

Seven select brands of premium Japanese sake brewed in Eastern Japan hold the Japanese Sake Fair until June 30th and donated 10% of profits earned from purchases of them.

A charity event to give reconstruction assistance to the disaster-stricken areas: The 17th Art Collection of Treasured Masterpieces - Building Bonds through Art organized

The annual art collection of treasured masterpieces, which marks the 17th installment, was organized at Hotel Okura Tokyo from August 6 through 28, 2011. The event drew a total of 29,422 visitors, ending on a high note. This year's event featured the works of 58 artists, of both Western and Japanese painting disciplines, who had received Japan's esteemed Order of Culture (Bunka Kunsho) until last year. The hotel put together and showcased a total of 90 masterpieces spanning from World War II to the Heisei era, filling the art event with points worth seeing. Proceeds from the exhibition totaling 8,031,841 yen were donated as relief funds for those victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami to the Japanese Red Cross Society and the NHK Public Welfare Organization through the Corporate Cultural Exchange Committee. Besides this, public donations amounting to 7,105,007 yen were raised through various events and campaigns held at the lobby with a view to extending reconstruction assistance to the disaster-stricken areas. This was also donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Long-stay Accommodation Plan

Hotel Okura Sapporo offered a room plan with half board normally priced at 8,000 JPY or more per person for 4,650 yen until April 30 so that those victims of the earthquake and tsunami may be bale to stay for several days in a row.

Guest Room Bath and Shower Facilities Offered for Use at an Hourly Rate

Hotel guest room bath and shower facilities were offered for use by City of Urayasu residents who were unable to bathe in their own home due to earthquake damage in the city during the period the hotel suspended its operations. Free parking, as well as a special restaurant discount, was extended to those who used this service.

A Special 5,000 yen Rate (1 night/1 room / 2 people) to Urayasu Residents Offered

A very special rate of 5,000 yen (tax and service charge included) was also offered for overnight stays. This rate was effective through checkouts on April 15th.

“Ganbaro (hang in there) Japan! Ganbaro Eastern Japan!” Campaign

April 1st through June 30th, 5% of proceeds from eligible room accommodations, restaurants, weddings, and banquet services were donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Okura Akademia Park Hotel has participated in the “Ganbaro! Chiba Ouentai (cheering squad)”

On top of damage and liquefaction in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, people have held off purchasing agricultural produce from the disaster-stricken areas due to radiation rumors or refrained voluntarily from going on a sightseeing trip or organizing an event, which has in turn affected the prefecture’s economic activities. With the aim of cheering up Chiba Prefecture and invigorating Japan from Chiba, people, companies and the administration of Chiba have joined hands in launching the “Ganbaro! Chiba” initiative.

“A Hearty Concert with Art and Songs by Aki Yashiro”

The hotel also held a charity concert for victims of the earthquake and tsunami titled “A Hearty Concert with Art and Songs by Aki Yashiro” on May 21, 2011. Ingredients of dishes served at a buffet dinner during the concert were entirely from Chiba Prefecture. In addition, with the same amount of money as the proceeds from the concert added, the funds were donated to victims of the disaster-hit areas as relief money through the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Golden Week Family Buffet/Japanese Fan Supporting Recovery Efforts

On May 4th and May 5th, the “Golden Week Family Buffet” hotel event was held, with approximately 650 customers taking part over the course of the 2 days. A portion of the proceeds made from the buffet was donated to Great East Japan Earthquake recovery efforts via the Japanese Red Cross Society. Additionally, production of a “Support the Recovery Effort” Japanese fan was commissioned to a factory in the Tohoku Region, and will hopefully be a help in easing customer frustration over the course of the hot summer months as electricity must be conserved.

Charity Campaign

Forest Inn Showakan held a charity event titled “Reconstruction Support Campaign ~ Cheers from Showa No Mori,” which was until June 30. Sales of several dishes on the menu went to support funds while a reconstruction support party plan had been added to the hotel’s banqueting plans. We worked these activities together with Showa-no-Mori Golf Course and Showa no Mori Tennis Center (Showa no Mori Sports Center). Donation was delivered through Japan Red Cross.

Various Charity Events Organized

Hotel Okura Niigata donated a part of proceeds from the “New Half Revue Show” held on March 29, 2011 along with cash contributions from the audience totaling 500 thousand yen. In addition, we have donated 100 yen per adult who visited our rooftop beer garden, which has operated since June 22, while contributing a part of proceeds from “The 1st Okura yose (a vaudeville show),” where rakugo storyteller Shuncho Katsura performed, on July 18 as well.

- Ganbaro Eastern Japan! Fujinokuni Go Go! Campaign -

A campaign to offer a special room rate of which a portion is to be donated to recovery efforts is currently being developed with the Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Organization. For each adult 500 yen, and for each child 300 yen, per night will be donated from the room rate to victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake through the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Let’s Enjoy Tohoku’s Sake!
Campaign to cheer up breweries in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures

Kyoto Hotel Okura organized a campaign to cheer up breweries in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures by drinking tasty locally-brewed sake nurtured by the climate of the Tohoku region, known for its rice and sake production, from May 14 through June 30, 2011. A part of our restaurants served sake brewed in Tohoku during this time period.

Lit up the hotel tower with the letters “ファイト＝FIGHT” “日本＝NIPPON”

Hotel Okura Kobe lit up the hotel tower with the letters “ファイト＝FIGHT” using room lights on April 11 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 p.m. When the Great Hanshin and Awaji Earthquake hit the area on January 17, 1995, Hotel Okura Kobe was forced to shut down temporarily. Hotel Okura Kobe lit the windows of the hotel up with the letter “FIGHT” in a bid to cheer up the citizens of Kobe from February 21 through 28, 1995 right before resuming operations. The affected areas will move on to the phase of reconstruction.
Hotel Okura Kobe carried this out as it wanted to give encouragement and hope, albeit slightly, to those victims in the disaster-stricken areas by showing that Kobe is in good shape after successfully recovering from the earthquake and sending cheers from Kobe.

Charity Lobby Concert

A charity lobby concert was held on May 8th to benefit the victims and support recovery efforts in the disaster-stricken region. Many guests gathered for the concert, making 76,601yen in donations to the cause. Sharing performers’ feeling of wanting children in the affected areas to regain their vitality through music, the hotel donated instruments, including castanets hand bells, and others, to Takekoma Elementary School located in the City of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake and tsunami.

“Dinner by Grand Chefs” organized by Hotel Okura Fukuoka, Kyoto Hotel Okura and Hotel Okura Kobe

The hotel hold a “Dinner by Grand Chefs” on July 6, 2011. Grand Chefs were invited from Hotel Okura Fukuoka, Kyoto Hotel Okura and Hotel Okura Kobe to Kobe to extend support for those victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, on July 6, 2011. They prepared a French full-course dinner by using foodstuffs from the Tohoku region.
In addition, Tsugaru samisen artist Hiroyuki Kurosawa performed a concert as well. Proceeds from this event entirely were donated to elementary schools in Wakabayashi ward, Sendai city as relief goods through the Kobe City Council of Social Welfare.

The Gold Ribbon Fund special event, “Special Kabuki Performance by Kamejiro Ichikawa and Sankyokai - Traditional Performance Art of Today 2011 - ”

The dinner show was held on August 5, 2011. A portion of performance fees and production cost was donated to victims of the earthquake and tsunami through the Japanese Red Cross Society and to children in developing countries around the world through the Japan Committee for “Vaccine for the World’s Children” (JCV).

Sendai Tanabata decorations put up at the lobby

In hopes that the Tohoku region hard hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami will be reconstructed quickly, Sendai tanabata (star festival) decorations were put up at the main lobby and in front of the restaurants on the 1st and 3rd floors from June 20 through July 7, 2011. Though the hotel puts up tanabata decorations every year, in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Sendai's famous "Sendai tanabata" decorations in particular were picked this year. Along with these decorations, it set up a donation box and prepared stripes of papers on which people write their wishes. The hotel invited messages of support from customers and sent donations and messages to the disaster-stricken area through the Kobe Citizens' Welfare Promotion Association.

Charity Dinner

Executive Chef Yoshiichi Watanabe at Hotel Okura Fukuoka and Mr. Hiroyuki Sakai, Owner Chef of “La Rochelle” organized charity dinner “Send Love through French Cuisine” on May 10.　The total of 190 guests attended the event, and the total of 358,500 consists of revenue from the event and donation from guests are donated to Japan Red Cross through Nishi-Nippon Minsei Jigyodan (Western Japan livelihood activities)

Support the Recovery Efforts Plan - Ganbaro! Japan -

With the goal of assisting those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, along with corporations that hold banquets at the hotel, the “Support the Recovery” banquet plan has been created and will be offered through March 31, 2012. A portion of the proceeds from the banquets will be donated, officially recognizing the company that held the banquet at the hotel when the donation is made.

Hula Dance Show

On May 5th, the award-winning Halau Ka Lico Pua O Kalaniakea hula dance group was invited to the hotel to perform an authentic hula dance show. A portion of the show proceeds was donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society. On August 21st, the third installment in the hula dance show series was held. As with the last performance, this time as well, a portion of the show proceeds was donated to the Japanese Red Cross.

Charity coupon program Organized

From April 21 to May 8, 2011 Okura Chiba Hotel co-sponsored a charity coupon program titled “Power to the Chiba” aimed at extending support to those victims of the earthquake and tsunami in the disaster-afflicted areas in Chiba Prefecture. This program was planned by CMM advertising agency based in Chiba’s Chuo Ward. The hotel accepted this coupon as well. One hundred yen per coupon collected from all the participating shops and restaurants was donated through CMM to victims in Chiba Prefecture as relief funds.

Fundraiser Organized

The hotel organized a fundraiser and handshake meeting after a dinner show on May 29, 2011. With the help of RYOTA, DaiGo and Shinya Uchida, it organized a fundraiser after they performed a live concert at the foyer. It racked up 41,916 yen in proceeds, which were donated by the hotel to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
It also called for donations through giving a discount at an Utagoe Kissa event at a discounted price of 3,200 yen over the regular price of 3,500 yen on June 25, 2011. It was set up a donation box at the venue to ask guests for donation. 33,996 yen in total were donated through the Japanese Red Cross Society.

"Gambaro Chiba! - Support through Locally-Brewed Sake" campaign held

In hopes that areas in Chiba that were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami will recover from damage as quickly as possible, the hotel organized a campaign titled "Gambaro (hang in there) Chiba! - Support through Locally-Brewed Sake," where sake brewed in parts of the disaster-stricken areas was offered. Besides sake brewed in Chiba's Choshi and Katori cities, sake called "Kinoene junmaishu" (pure sake that is made with only rice and without added alcohol or sugar) was also put on sale. It was specifically brewed to give reconstruction assistance to Asahi City that suffered immense damage caused by the tsunami. Sales of the Kinoene junmaishu are donated to Asahi City as relief money.

Various Accommodation Plans and Menus Offered

For those who stay with us for a long time, Okura Frontier Hotel Ebina offered a less expensive room plan than usual until June 10, 2011. In addition, we offered a plan to “Help Reconstruction” targeting those banqueting customers from April to June, in which 5 percent of charges were donated for those earthquake and tsunami victims through the Japanese Red Cross Society.
We also prepared menus specifically designed to help the victims. A special kaiseki meal was offered at the Shiki (four seasons) Japanese restaurant and a special course called “Katano Specialite” was offered at the Alouette café & wine restaurant and a part of proceeds were donated.

Charity Dinner Show and Local Farmers’ Market (fresh from the farm) Organized

We held a charity dinner show by opera singer Sai Soho, who lives in Ebina City. This event was sponsored by the Ebina City and the Ebina Rotary Club, proceeds from which were donated through the Ebina City.
We also held a farmers’ market to allow farmers and consumers in the Kanagawa Prefecture to get together with an eye toward making a contribution to the local community on May 8. Five percent of the proceeds were donated as relief funds.

Charity Package

Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai offered a special room plan to support Japanese companies, which was lower-priced than usual (a standard single room priced 800 CNY and up with breakfast per person, including 15% service fees). This plan was available until August 31.

Special Prix Fixe Menu Offered

The Kahala Hotel & Resort offered a special prix fixe menu to show respect to Japanese hotel guests at the Hoku’s restaurant during the Golden Week holidays. A portion of proceeds was donated for the victims.

Part of Room Charges Donated

We will donate 10 dollars from the room charge per person who booked a guestroom through the OHR Reservation Center to the Japanese Red Cross Society until September 30, 2011.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort participates "Rainbow for Japan Kids", which focus on inviting children who are suffering from the disaster to Hawaii.

"Rainbow for Japan Kids" is the new charity project launched by Hawaii local volunteer group. This program aims to be a healing and educational curriculum that includes the exploration of the natural beauty of Hawaii, participation in group activities such as tropical farming and Hawaiian cultural programs, and the opportunity to interact with local children and schools. In order to maximize the experience and promote togetherness throughout the program, the number of participants will be limited to 20 each period.

Charity Event

With the cooperation of “The Holland Helps Japan Foundation of the Red Cross,” Hotel Okura Amsterdam held a charity event on April 8. A total of 480 guests enjoyed special dinner prepared by five chefs, an auction and other programs, which resulted in racking up proceeds of 202,062 euros. These were donated through the foundation as relief fund.
The unparalleled disaster that hit Japan on March 11 was a huge shock to staff of the hotel as well. They thought through what they can do for Japan and a large number of Hotel Okura Amsterdam staff members cooperated in organizing this charity event as volunteers.