2026/01/15

Onigiri Connecting the World – International New Year Moments at Sakura Hotel Nippori

Today, we’d love to share a heartwarming story about a family who stayed with us in December 2025.
They traveled from Spain — a family with a Dutch husband, Jo, and a Swedish wife, Jennis, along with their two daughters.

Staying at Sakura Hotel Nippori as a Family in Tokyo

After arriving in Japan via Narita Airport and passing through Nippori Station on the Skyliner, they chose Sakura Hotel Nippori for its convenient location and stayed in our Japanese-style family room for four.

Our staff quickly became close friends with their two curious and energetic daughters.
They somehow matched perfectly — maybe even their mental ages were about the same! 😄
Before we knew it, they had become best friends.

The family then continued their journey to Okinawa, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and Nagano, enjoying precious time together as the year turned.
But when they returned to Tokyo for the final stop of their trip, something unexpected happened.

They canceled the hotel they had originally booked…
and came back to Sakura Hotel Nippori!

When we asked why, of course they mentioned the staff member who had bonded so well with their daughters.
But Jennis also shared something that truly touched our hearts.

Why an International Café Creates Special Cultural Encounters

She said our hotel felt home-like, not business-like.
She loved that travelers from all over the world naturally gather and connect in the café on the first floor.
And most of all, she felt it was a wonderful environment for children — a place where they can learn by meeting people from different cultures.

(Yes… we cried. 😭)

Spending time with people from different cultures — complete strangers at first — is something you rarely experience in everyday life.

Then came the perfect moment to bring that idea to life.

Making Onigiri Together – Japanese Food Connecting Different Cultures

As a small thank-you, and because they had shown interest, we decided to treat them to onigiri (Japanese rice balls).
But instead of just serving them, we turned it into a small hands-on workshop, where everyone could make their own.

Kagami Biraki and Mochi – Learning Japanese New Year Traditions Through Food

On that day, another family from Hong Kong, who were enjoying breakfast nearby, joined in — and the children quickly became friends.
Just like that, an international onigiri-making class began!

It also happened to be Kagami Biraki, the traditional Japanese occasion for eating mochi.
So we grilled some mochi and served it with kinako and sugar.

Children Making Friends Beyond Language and Nationality

Jennis, trying kinako for the very first time, was absolutely delighted.
Soon, families from Spain and Hong Kong were stretching mochi together — bi~yooon! — laughing and enjoying Japanese food culture side by side.

At first, the children were a little shy, carefully watching each other.
But once they shared delicious mochi, that hesitation disappeared instantly.
Food has a magical way of turning strangers into friends.

It was a heartwarming way to begin 2026, and a reminder that sometimes,
an onigiri is all it takes to connect the world. 🍙🌏