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Downtown Torrance Meets Tokyo

by Nicole Dorsey Straff

The West Coast meets the Far East in an all-inclusive package, offering overnight deluxe accommodations, a signature three-course tasting menu, sake tasting, and a Japanese-English breakfast. Miyako Hybrid Hotel invites guests to wholly experience Japan in the epicenter of the burgeoning Japanese business and tourist market in Southern California.

Nestled between Toyota Headquarters and a Japanese marketplace, you step through the elegant lobby of the 208-room boutique hotel, and you might as well be in downtown Ginza. Japanese hospitality (Omotenashi) here involves an elevated politeness that makes you feel valued and respected. “We want guests to be relaxed and taken care of,” says General Manager Cherie Davis. “In Japanese, the term ‘miyako’ refers to a flourishing center of business and entertainment.”

The first of its kind in the U.S., Spa Relaken debuts a “stone spa” where guests lie on large, smooth heated ore (brought from Japan) in a sauna-like community room. The stones emit infrared rays and negative ions to help detox and restore your skin. After a Shiatsu massage or facial, Executive Chef Alex Cabrera prepares a three-course tasting menu featuring Ebi Shinjo, a crispy shrimp dumpling with sweet chili sauce; Asari Miso Shiru, organic Japanese miso broth with manila clams and tofu; Gindara Saikyo, grilled black cod in miso served on hijiki brown rice; and the Gonpachi Temptation, tuna, salmon, yellowtail, halibut, and shrimp tempura cut rolls. Delectable desserts include sticky rice balls in a roasted kabocha pumpkin custard sauce.

As the word “hybrid” suggests, the property boasts a solar-powered electrical system, bountiful hybrid and carpool parking, lots of natural light, recycled construction materials, and Japanese artifacts. (Even the bell staff uniforms are made from recycled materials!) The “Experience Japan” package starts at $149 per person based on double occupancy. www.miyakohybridhotel.com

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