～ Creating Cherished Memories with Families Visiting Japan,
Celebrating Christmas and the New Year with Global Guests. ～
Cosmos Hotel Management, the company behind MIMARU—apartment hotels with spacious,
kitchen-equipped rooms designed for families and friends to stay together—hosted a special holiday event to make the year-end and New Year season in Japan truly unforgettable for visiting families from around the
world. Here’s a look at how we celebrated.
At MIMARU—where nearly 90% of our guests are families visiting Japan with children—the holiday season
is filled with magical moments and cultural connections. In our Tokyo hotels,
Christmas brought a heartwarming surprise as Santas from around the world visited guest rooms to deliver
presents to delighted children.
As the New Year began, we invited our overseas guests to join in uniquely MIMARU experiences—breaking
open a sake barrel (a tradition called Kagami Biraki)reimagined for families, and visiting a local shrine for
Hatsumode, the traditional first prayer of the year. These celebrations became more than just events;
they were moments of genuine cultural exchange, laughter, and memories to treasure.
At Cosmos Hotel Management, our vibrant team of professionals from 37 countries and regions shares one
passion: making Japan even more fascinating for every guest. Guided by this vision, we design and host
engaging experiences that bring our guests closer to Japan’s heart—from connecting families with local
hidden gems to offering hands-on cultural adventures. Whether it’s helping you discover a charming
neighborhood café, joining in on seasonal festivities, or curating activities that delight both kids and
adults, we’re here to make your stay in Japan truly unforgettable. And we’ll keep finding new ways to share
the magic of Japan with families from around the world.
Official Homepage – Experience Guide: https://mimaruhotels.com/experience/
A Christmas Like No Other – When Santas from Around the World Deliver to Your Room
On December 24th, MIMARU guests experienced a magical Christmas surprise. Santa Claus himself visited
each room to deliver presents that had been entrusted to us in advance—turning a holiday stay in Japan into a warm, home-like celebration. The joy in the children’s eyes said it all, as dreams came true in a moment
they’ll remember forever.
The festive spirit filled the lobby too, where Santa handed out sweets and posed for cheerful photos in a cozy mini-event. Laughter, smiles, and shared memories made this Christmas Eve truly special for our
guests—reminding us all that no matter where you are in the world, the magic of the holidays feels just like
home.
Family Fun with a Japanese New Year Tradition: “KagamiBiraki” for Kids
At MIMARU, we love sharing Japan’s rich traditions in ways that families can enjoy together. Kagami Biraki is a centuries-old celebration where the lid of a sake barrel is broken open with a wooden mallet, and the sake is shared as a wish for good fortune.
We re-imagined this festive ritual just for our younger guests. Instead of sake, a bright red tub was filled with sweets and little gifts. Children took turns lifting a small mallet, breaking open the lid, and scooping out
treasures into miniature wooden sake cups.
The lobby came alive with the sound of our staff rallying the crowd in high spirits, as laughter and excitement filled the air. For seven days from New Year’s Day, families gathered to take part—creating joyful memories and experiencing the warmth of Japanese New Year culture, right here at MIMARU.
Welcoming the New Year Together – Guided “Hatsumode” Shrine Visits
At select MIMARU Tokyo locations, we invited our guests to join a special Hatsumode experience—the
traditional Japanese New Year’s shrine visit. Before the tour, our staff spoke with local shrine representatives to learn about the history and meaning behind this cherished custom.
On New Year’s Day, they shared these stories with our guests while guiding them through the serene shrine
grounds, pausing to make wishes for health, happiness, and good fortune in the year ahead. It was a heartfelt way to start the year, bringing travelers and locals together through Japan’s timeless traditions.
<Memories from Our Guests: Treasured Moments at MIMARU>
・“The moment Santa Claus appeared at our door, our children’s eyes lit up with pure joy. It was such a heartwarming surprise—not only for them, but for us as parents too. A memory we’ll cherish forever.”
・“It was so moving to take part in a traditional Japanese New Year event as a family. Experiences like this
make Japan’s traditions feel truly close and personal.”
・“Inside the Kagami Biraki barrel, we found little treasures like Daruma dolls and sushi-shaped erasers.
The staff explained, ‘You paint in the Daruma’s eyes,’ and we loved learning about this piece of Japanese
culture.”
・“Our children couldn’t get enough of the Kagami Biraki—they’d been looking forward to it all day.
It was a wonderful way to spend time together.”
・At MIMARU, we’re proud to create moments that blend the magic of Japanese traditions with
the joy of shared family travel—memories that last long after your journey ends.
<Behind the Scenes – What Our Team Loved About These Events>
・“Today’s Santa event was such a joy to host! The heartfelt messages from parents truly moved us.”
・“We had so much fun practicing our best Santa voices together as a team—laughing the whole way.
Seeing our guests so delighted made it the perfect Christmas Eve!”
・“When guests asked about the meaning of Kagami Biraki, I was glad I’d done my research in advance—it felt great to share the tradition in a way they could really appreciate.”
・“The children were so excited to try Kagami Biraki, and one mother even joked, ‘I wish it were sake for me!’ The laughter and smiles made the moment unforgettable.”
・At MIMARU, our events are as memorable for our team as they are for our guests—each one filled with
laughter, learning, and the joy of bringing cultures together.