Stories that go bump in the night
In the Edo Period (1603-1867), getting together and telling ghost stories (kaidan) at night was a popular summer pastime. As a hotel located in the middle of Nihonbashi, the historical town that preserves the culture of Edo (Tokyo), the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo is reviving this seasonal tradition at its Banquet Room on Aug. 10.
The stories will be told by Teisui Ichiryusai, who is designated a Ningen Kokuho (living national treasure) as a professional traditional kodan storyteller. He is particularly famous for his ghost stories, which use stage sets, and lighting and sound effects to really make spines tingle.
After the event, there's a buffet dinner at the hotel's Italian Ventaglio eatery.