The Peninsula Tokyo introduces two new Peninsula Academy programs - The Art of Hospitality and The Imperial Palace Jogging Course.

The Art of Hospitality program is a new initiative where hotel guests are chauffeured-driven in a Peninsula customized Rolls-Royce a short distance from the hotel to the Kyu Asakura House and the Art Front Gallery where they will be greeted by an English-speaking tour guide. This unique tour of two of Tokyo’s best kept art secrets is exclusively available to guests staying at The Peninsula Tokyo.

Built in 1919 and reminiscent of the Taisho era, participants will be offered a personalized tour of the Kyu Asakura House, a historic and cultural landmark recognized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. With its traditional Japanese architecture, interior design and gardens, participants will feel as if they stepped back in time in the heart of Tokyo. Upon completing the tour, participants will enjoy an exclusive viewing of the Art Front Gallery’s Japanese contemporary art collection where they are welcome to make purchases. Located next to the Kyu Asakura House, the Art Front Gallery is one of Tokyo’s leading art consultancies and is credited for assembling The Peninsula Tokyo’s art collection comprising of approximately 1,000 pieces and created by more than 85 artists, mostly Japanese. More can be learned about the hotel’s art collection in the hotel’s 38-page design and art collection brochure, which is provided to each participant or through The Peninsula Art Walk, a 45-minute virtual walking tour offered on iPods®. Both English and Japanese versions of this complimentary tour are available at the hotel’s Concierge Desk.

The Art of Hospitality program is available daily, excluding Mondays to staying guests between 9:30 am to 12:00 pm or from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm for a maximum of two people. The program is 2.5 hours and requires seven-days’ advance reservation. Cancellations must be made at least 24-hours ahead of the scheduled date, or the full charge will apply. The price is JPY 28,888 for one, JPY 38,888 for two, and includes consumption tax and service charge.

The Imperial Palace Jogging Course program is conducted by a Peninsula Tokyo personal trainer and begins with a 10-minute warm up and stretching session at the starting point of the Imperial Palace jogging course prior to setting out on a 5 km / 3.1 m jog around one of Tokyo’s most historical sites. Upon completing the course, participants return to the hotel’s swimming pool area accompanied by the personal trainer for a private 30-minute cool down stretching session. Guests may then choose to use the 20 m / 65.6 ft swimming pool with terrace overlooking the Imperial Palace Gardens before enjoying a Naturally Peninsula Post-Workout Runners Lunch Plate at The Spa dining area or in the privacy of their guestroom. This low fat and high protein lunch plate includes a fruit salad with natural yogurt, granola bar with stewed apricots and prunes, minced chicken and tofu burger with teriyaki sauce, red onions, lettuce and cottage cheese, and a low fat banana energy smoothie.

The Imperial Palace Jogging Course program is available daily to staying and non-staying guests from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm for a maximum of two people per session. The program requires 48-hours’ advance reservation and cancellations must be made at least 24-hours ahead of the scheduled date, or the full charge will apply. The price is JPY 20,000 per person, and includes consumption tax and service charge. The price does not include jogging gear and the minimum required age is 16.

A list of complete activities offered is as follows:

• The Imperial Palace Tour
• The Imperial Palace Jogging Course Program
• The Art of Hospitality Program
• Contemporary Ikebana Flower Arranging Class
• Champagne Breakfast at Armani / Ginza Tower
• A Culinary Journey
• Tempura and Sushi Cooking Class
• European-inspired Cooking Class with Peter's Chef de Cuisine Patrice Martineau
• Hei Fung Terrace Dim Sum Making Class
• Peninsula Kid's Academy: Nojima's Chocolate Factory
• Peninsula Kid's Academy: Toyshop Wonderland

Please click on  The Peninsula Academy Programme  for detailed information.