Royal Park Hotel, in Nihonbashi Kakigaracho, Chuo-ku, will begin taking reservations for its Christmas cakes and Christmas party dishes on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the 1F Sweets & Bakery Iki.
New Christmas Cakes Born From an In-House Sweets Contest
This year, the hotel once again held its annual Christmas Sweets Contest in July. From 12 entries, a panel selected a 1st-place winner, a 2nd-place winner, and a Judges' Special Award chosen with outside judges active as food journalists and more. Reservations open October 1 for these three new cakes, along with a lineup of solo-size cakes and classic Christmas staples.
Leading the collection is "White Christmas," the 1st-place winner, with its endearing reindeer Santa design. It's joined by the Judges' Special Award-winning "Sphère Magique," whose ornament-inspired design evokes a wrapped Christmas gift, and the 2nd-place "Éclat d'hiver," finished with an elegant, glossy glaçage. Each is limited to 80 cakes.
The lineup also includes an expanded selection of six solo-size cakes for the season, plus a Christmas shortcake, a Hexenhaus (a gingerbread-style candy house), and home party dishes featuring hearty roasted dishes and colorful hors d'oeuvres.
White Christmas — 1st Place
- Price: ¥7,560 (limited to 80, reservation required)
- Size: approximately 16 cm diameter x 14 cm height, serves 4–5
- Created by: Pâtissière Nae Kaneda
A delicate white chocolate mousse wraps around a tangy-sweet berry gelée and a fragrant orange mousse. An adorable reindeer Santa filled with caramel nuts tops this Christmas cake, adding a sweet touch to family time.
Sphère Magique — Judges' Special Award
- Price: ¥7,560 (limited to 80, reservation required)
- Size: approximately 12.5 cm diameter x 16 cm height, serves 4–5
- Created by: Pâtissière Risa Yamashita
The gentle sweetness of banana harmonizes with a fragrant coffee-and-caramel mousse and a smooth crème brûlée for a comforting flavor, with a light, melting texture that unfolds into deep richness and aroma.
Éclat d'hiver — 2nd Place
- Price: ¥7,020 (limited to 80, reservation required)
- Size: approximately 14.5 cm diameter x 14 cm height, serves 4–5
- Created by: Pâtissière Hiroka Kuki
A vivid red glaçage sets off a chocolate Christmas tree decoration for a striking, festive cake. Strawberry mousse is layered with Earl Grey rare cheesecake mousse and mascarpone mousse for a flavor with real depth.
Solo-Size Petit Gâteaux and Classic Holiday Favorites
Six kinds of solo-size petit gâteaux, at ¥918 each, will be sold in-store from December 19 (Saturday) to 25 (Friday):
- Moment de Rose — A rich chocolate cake set off by a glossy red-and-black rose design, fragrant with lychee and raspberry.
- Citrus Neige — The refreshing tartness of mandarin orange and yuzu meets the rich aroma of tonka bean in a light citrus harmony for winter.
- Noël Blanc — A cheese mousse with a silvery shine, layered with orange gelée and salted caramel and finished with a hint of cinnamon for a grown-up flavor.
- Round Reindeer — A petit gâteau shaped like an adorable, round reindeer, with rich chocolate and salted caramel gently wrapped in a fragrant coffee mousse.
- Shortcake — Made with a raspberry syrup-soaked sponge, sandwiching lightly sweetened fresh cream and strawberries.
- Mont Blanc — Layers of elegant chestnut cream conceal mascarpone, chestnuts, and cassis jam inside, with crisp meringue adding a textural accent.
Beyond these, the hotel is also offering perennial favorites such as Christmas shortcake, Bûche de Noël, and Hexenhaus (a gingerbread-style candy house), six kinds of home party dishes including roast beef and roast chicken, and classic holiday breads such as Stollen and Brioche de Noël.
Full details are available on the hotel's Christmas 2026 special page: https://www.rph.co.jp/sp/christmas2026/christmascake-partydishes/
About the Christmas Sweets Contest
Every July, Royal Park Hotel holds its Christmas Sweets Contest to decide which new creations will go on sale as the year's Christmas cakes. Veteran staff who have placed in past contests act as mentors, supporting younger pastry chefs so that high-standard entries can come from across generations as one team. Executives, staff representing each department, and outside judges are invited to score entries on design, flavor, and thematic concept. Through this process, the hotel aims to keep building the knowledge, sensibility, and skill behind the products its guests love.
External Judges (pictured left to right):
- Food & Beauty Journalist Takami Iwaya — https://www.instagram.com/takamiiwaya/
- Food Journalist Mayumi Satoi (center) — https://www.instagram.com/mayumi.satoi/
- Sweets Concierge Hitomi Sato — https://www.instagram.com/himmi27/
Christmas Product Sales Overview
- Reservation period: October 1 (Thursday) to December 15 (Tuesday), 2026, until 6:00 PM
- Store: 1F Sweets & Bakery Iki (reservation required for all items except those sold in-store)
- Hours: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
- Pickup period: December 19 (Saturday) and 20 (Sunday), 2026, at the 4F banquet hall "Ruri"; December 24 (Thursday) and 25 (Friday), 2026, at the 2F banquet hall "Harumi"
- Reservations/Inquiries: 03-5641-3600 (Restaurant Reservations Line, 9:00 AM–7:00 PM)
- Details: https://www.rph.co.jp/sp/christmas2026/christmascake-partydishes/
Prices include 8% consumption tax. Images are for illustration purposes. Details are subject to change.
