8 Ways To Spend A Special Mother’s Day In Tokyo

Go the extra mile for that special woman in your life.

There shouldn’t be only one day in the year to celebrate Mother’s Day, but since we have a designated date anyway, it’s worth making that day a tad more special than usual. While a typical Mother’s Day celebration in Japan extends to presenting carnations and sweets, if you want to go the extra mile for your mother, sister, friend, wife, partner, yourself, or any other woman that you’d like to celebrate on this day, we’ve put together some of Tokyo’s best specials and ideas for this year’s Mother’s Day — which falls on this Sunday, May 12.

1. Take her to a special afternoon tea date 

Tell mom you love her and care about her health so matcha by taking her to taste one of the currently most recommended afternoon tea plans in Tokyo, The Peninsula’s very first green tea-themed “Matcha Afternoon Tea.” Let her enjoy a number of carefully crafted sweet and savory bits and bites made with premium Uji green tea powder, paired with a good selection of over 20 teas and other drinks. Not only she will enjoy the Japanese spirit (and your lovely company) but will surely appreciate you caring about her health — green tea is, after all, known worldwide for its restorative health benefits. 

When: Daily, from May 1 until June 14, 2019. 1 p.m.-9 p.m.
Where: The Peninsula Tokyo, The Lobby, 1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
How much: ¥5,400 per person. Book here. 

2. Get a teppanyaki table for two at Keyakizaka 

For Mother’s Day, the chefs at The Grand Hyatt’s well-known teppanyaki restaurant Keyakizaka will prepare a premium tasting course featuring luxurious ingredients such as caviar, foie gras, abalone, Ise-ebi lobster and two types of wagyu beef grilled to perfection. If that’s not enough, stop by at the hotel’s pastry boutique Fiorentina and grab one of the exclusively crafted sweets, including the gorgeous Mother’s Day flower cake decorated with pink buttercream and rose-shaped candy sculptures. 

When: Until Fri, May 31, 2019. 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (weekends and national holidays until 3 p.m.)
Where: The Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Keyakizaka & Fiorentina Pastry Boutique, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How much: ¥12,000. Mother’s Day Flower Cake, ¥3,200. See more details here. 

3. Have a feast at Tokyo American Club’s Mother’s Day Grand Buffet

Lavish Mom this Mother’s Day. #mothersday2018 #grandbuffet #mom #heart #love

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Take mom out for a grand feast filled with joy and mouthwatering dishes. Featuring dishes such as spring salads, fresh seafood, roasted duck and lamb, crab cakes and vegetable curry, this buffet is something special. The day also includes raffle prizes and special giveaways for all attending moms! See more details here.

When: Sun, May 12, 2019, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 4:30-7 p.m.
Where: Tokyo American Club, New York Ballroom, 2-1-2 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How much: ¥6,430 (Adults, buffet only); ¥3,130 (Juniors); Free for children under 3. 

4. Get her a gift with a view at Tokyo Tower

Take mom to see the best of the city from the iconic Tokyo Tower’s observatory, and she’ll get more than just the prize of a great view. The Tower will be distributing 333 carnations to women going up the observatory between May 10 and May 12 to mark the special event and remind us how high the tower is!

When: Fri, May 10 through Sun, May 12, 2019, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Tokyo Tower, 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How much: ¥900 to go up the observatory.

5. Enjoy painting and wine together at ArtBar

 

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A post shared by Artbar Tokyo (@artbartokyo) on May 5, 2019 at 6:52am PDT

This one is for the two of you. Together. There’s no need to be an experienced painter (or a wine drinker), just drop by at this cool place in Daikanyama and let your creativity flow (under, of course, the guidance of experienced and bilingual instructors). The theme this year is “Mother’s Day Sakura Skytree” which will give mom the joy of everlasting blooming cherry trees at the backdrop of Tokyo’s iconic tower decorated in her room. The painting session is accompanied with a glass of champagne, chocolates and other delights. All materials are provided, too, so just drop by (after booking here). If you’re going with your little one, there is also a special Mommy & Me class earlier in the day. See details here. 

When: Sun, May 12, 2019, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Where: ArtBar Daikanyama, 7-2 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
How much: ¥5,000

6. Get her a box of delicious cupcakes

 

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Does mom love sharing her gifts? Bring her some of Lola’s Mother’s Day-limited handmade cupcakes home. Delicious, ultra pretty and oh-so-Instagrammable, this will be a great treat for the whole family if you choose to spend the holiday at home with some tea and Netflix.

When: Now until Sun, May 12, 2019.
Where: Lola’s Cupcakes Roppongi Store, Roppongi Hills B1F, 6-4-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How much: ¥600 apiece (add as many as you wish in a box)

7. Let her enjoy a day of full pampering 

Celebrate this Mother’s Day with the one you love by treating them (and yourself, too, if you wish) to a relaxing facial or massage. Organic beauty salon Elana Jade is offering three exclusive offers for the holiday. Choose from Conditioning Facial & 60min Oil Massage (¥19,000), Conditioning Facial & Shellac manicure (¥15,500) and a 60min Hot Stone Massage & Shellac Manicure (¥13,500). Other Elana Jade services include organic waxing and spray tanning, as well as nails, eyelash extensions and eyelash tinting. Why not go for a full body overhaul? Go on, your mom deserves it.

When: Now through Fri, May 31, 2019, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Mon-Fri), 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Sat, Sun).
Where: 3-6-2 Azabujuban, Minato City, Tokyo
How much: ¥13,500-¥19,000. Book online here.

8. Take her on a day trip to Hayama

Physical gifts are great but sometimes there’s no other way to show mom how much you love her but simply spend the entire day with her. This Sunday, make good use of the Hayama Excursion Ticket, take the train from Shinagawa all the way to Hayama and simply enjoy walking around the beach, having lunch and some donuts together while catching up about all the things you haven’t had the time to lately. This extremely reasonable day-trip discounted ticket costs just around ¥3,000 from Shinagawa station and includes round-trip transportation, a meal coupon and a souvenir voucher that can be used in local museums or stores. What mom will enjoy most, however, is the priceless gift of your very special company! Read more about how to buy and use the Hayama Excursion Ticket here.

Have a wonderful Mother’s Day however you choose to spend it!