Orsay Impressionist Exhibition Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

This autumn, the Impressionists come to Tokyo – and to Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi. Starting September 1, 2025, THE LOUNGE presents a limited-time afternoon tea in collaboration with the upcoming Impressionist Interiors: Intimacy, Decoration, Modernity exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo.

Orsay Impressionist Exhibition Afternoon Tea

Featuring nearly 70 masterpieces on loan from the Musée d’Orsay, the exhibition marks the first time in a decade that the museum’s Impressionist collection will be presented on such a scale in Japan. Bringing together works by Renoir, Monet, Cézanne, Degas and other masters, the showcase will focus on their depictions of interiors, as well as their production of decorative artworks specifically destined for interiors. The exhibition opens its doors on October 25, 2025 at the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo.

In celebration of the highly anticipated event, THE LOUNGE at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi presents a seasonal afternoon tea inspired by the exhibited works and artists. Expressing the essence of Impressionism through autumn’s abundance, the menu incorporates ingredients such as figs, Shine Muscat grapes and purple sweet potatoes to evoke the seasonal shift.

Blending art with gastronomy, this is a journey not just of flavour but also of colour and aroma, history and legend. The sweets, delicately infused with the fragrance of flowers depicted in Impressionist paintings, offer a modern take on French confections beloved by artists and aristocrats of the time. Think madeleines, macarons, charlottes and more. The savouries tell their own stories, including a chicken and chestnut pie with Calvados sauce crafted from Normandy apples – long associated with Claude Monet, one of the highlighted artists at the exhibition.

The Culinary Artists

The Impressionist-themed ensemble is brought to life by two Four Seasons chefs, both masters of French culinary traditions. The sweets are crafted by Michele Abbatemarco, Pastry Chef at est, the Hotel’s Michelin-starred French restaurant, and recipient of the Best Pastry Chef Award 2024 from Gault & Millau Japan. The savouries are created by Executive Sous Chef Kensuke Kuze, who has honed his skills at renowned establishments such as Le Jules Verne, the Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Eiffel Tower, and under legendary chefs such as Alain Ducasse.

The backdrop is equally picturesque. Arriving at THE LOUNGE, guests are welcomed by sweeping views of the Imperial Palace gardens, with soft autumn sunshine unveiling a play of light and shadow – straight out of an Impressionist scene. Guests will also receive an exclusive gift coaster, uniting Impressionist art with an original Four Seasons design.

Menu Highlights

Each exquisite creation pays homage to a selected artwork featured at the Impressionist exhibition in Tokyo. Guests can look forward to standouts such as:

Young Girls at the Piano by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Gentle smiles and warm, glowing colours paint an elegant picture of leisure and relaxation. Two original creations capture the tranquil mood, inviting time to slow down.

• Sweet: Vanilla Mousse, Creme Bergamot, Almond Dacquoise - This dessert features bergamot, which became widely known among late 18th-century aristocrats thanks to the popularity of eau de cologne. The era’s refined tastes are represented through linden honey and vanilla – ingredients symbolic of sophistication at the time – unfurling a sensual fragrance.
• Savoury: Smoked Salmon Dill Rillettes with Bell Pepper Puree - This silky rillettes combines the richness of smoked salmon with the refreshing aroma of dill. A bright purée merges the sweetness and acidity of two types of bell pepper, providing the perfect complement.

In the Conservatory by Albert Bartholomé, Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Dressed in purple and white, a woman stands at the centre of a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. Inspired by the attire of bourgeois women of the time, Chef Michele and Chef Kensuke bring a graceful flair to the table.

• Sweet: Fig Tart, Mascarpone Cream, Walnut - This tart pairs the luscious sweetness of figs – at their peak in autumn – with velvety mascarpone cream and fragrant candied walnuts. Each bite reveals new depth and evolving flavours.
• Savoury: Purple Sweet Potato and Semi-Dried Apple Tartlet, Bacon Cream Cheese, Soymilk Whip - The bounty of autumn takes centre stage. The concentrated flavours of purple sweet potato and apple are rounded out with a rich bacon cream cheese, all finished with a light soymilk whip.

Roses in a Bowl by Henri Fantin-Latour, Musée d’Orsay, Paris

A meticulous depiction of roses, brought to life through a serene colour palette and a skilful play of light. Expressing these very qualities, Chef Michele’s sweet creation evokes both the vitality and transience of flowers.

• Sweet: Vanilla Bavarois, Crème Brûlée, Fig Confiture - Crafted with the same intricacy and devotion as the painting that inspired it, this dessert captures the joy of gentle discovery. As the delicate white chocolate melts, smooth bavarois and crème brûlée unfold quietly on the palate, with rose notes lingering in the aftertaste.

Bed of Daisies by Gustave Caillebotte, Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny

Delicate white and yellow daisies fill the canvas, their charming blooms contrasting beautifully with fresh green leaves – a sense of breezy vibrancy reflected in the afternoon tea menu.

• Sweet: Chamomile Bavarois, Biscuit Pistachio, Banana Confiture - Inspired by the traditional French madeleines beloved by 19th-century artists, this creation reimagines the classic with unique flavours of pistachio, chamomile and banana compote.
• Savoury: Pork Ham Sandwich, Grain Mustard Mayonnaise with Burdock Cream, Spinach Jelly and Saffron –Toasty, earthy burdock meets fresh, fragrant spinach in this petite sandwich, threaded together with luxurious saffron to deliver a harmonious ensemble of flavours and textures.

The Orsay Impressionist Exhibition Afternoon Tea is available at THE LOUNGE from September 1 to November 16, 2025.

Pricing

• Weekdays: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm / 1:30 to 3:30 pm, JPY 8,800 per person | 4:00 to 6:00 pm JPY 7,800 per person
• Weekends and public holidays: JPY 9,800 per person (paired with a curation of premium Japanese teas)

For reservations, book online or call +81 3 6810 0655.

Impressionist Interiors: Intimacy, Decoration, Modernity: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay

This exhibition features approximately 100 works, including around 70 masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay – known as the “sanctuary of Impressionism” – as well as important loans from collections in Japan and abroad. The showcase will focus on their depictions of interiors, as well as their production of decorative artworks specifically destined for interiors.

It has been about a decade since the Musée d'Orsay’s Impressionist collection has been presented in Japan on this scale. Notably, this exhibition marks the first time that Edgar Degas’s iconic early masterpiece, The Bellelli Family, will be shown in Japan. Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to view works by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne and other masters, all gathered under the theme of interiors. Discover a new dimension of Impressionism through this unique perspective.

• Exhibition Title: Impressionist Interiors: Intimacy, Decoration, Modernity
• Dates: October 25, 2025 (Saturday) – February 15, 2026 (Sunday) *closed on select days
• Venue: The National Museum of Western Art, Ueno Park, Tokyo
• Official Website: https://www.orsay2025.jp/en/

Featured Works

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Young Girls at the Piano, 1892, oil on canvas, Musée d'Orsay, Paris
🄫 GrandPalaisRmn (musée d'Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski / distributed by AMF

Albert Bartholomé, In the Conservatory, c. 1881, oil on canvas, Musée d'Orsay, Paris
🄫 GrandPalaisRmn (musée d'Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski / distributed by AMF

Gustave Caillebotte, Bed of Daisies, c. 1893, oil on canvas, Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny
© Giverny, musée des impressionnismes / photo: François Doury

Henri Fantin-Latour, Roses in a bowl, 1882, oil on canvas, Musée d'Orsay, Paris
🄫 GrandPalaisRmn (musée d'Orsay) / Rcené-Gabriel Ojeda / distributed by AMF