Now that I just came back from a fulfilling few days of all-you-can-eat seafood, I’m ready to head back to Japan for more. I’d say in Japanese that’s hoitobo, but apparently hoitobo is a Hiroshima dialect word from way back when that’s not used anymore except here in Hawaii, where in Pidgin English it means someone who is a glutton or a piggy.
Although the seafood buffet I went to in February 2025 will end mid-March, I was sure that other Seibu Prince hotels must offer similar packages. I was right, but it took me all day to figure out which hotel is offering what.
Quickly, here are the basics:
- https://www.seibuprince.com/ – overall site
- https://www.seibuprince.com/find-a-hotel – hotels
- https://www.seibuprince.com/service/restaurants – restaurants
Then, there is also their booking system, which is separate from all of the above. Clicking the reservation link will take you to this loosely attached reservation site. It’s confusing. My recommendation for navigating their site is to go to the second link above for hotels, then filter and view hotels by right clicking and “open link in new tab” or new window. The hotel site (and they are largely separate entities from the overall site), will have special deals and offers you can pick to find out what is available.
Even here, it’s not 100% certain these are going to be available on the reservation site. Sometimes, the deals are limited time only, expired, and does not show up on the booking side. Sometimes, there are current deals that are not on the hotel website but are on the reservation site.
Alternatively, you can also check the Japanese site, and use translate to get the most current information. The Japan link is: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/. The Japanese site often uncovers deals not displayed on the English language site. Thanks to translate, you can easily read the details. For instance, the Tokyo Prince is also offering a dinner and breakfast buffet package.
When you are ready to book, click the reservation site link. Be sure to remove filters, then sort by least expensive to most expensive. The price of the base room is what is being sorted. To see plans with meals or other add-ons, be sure to click VIEW MORE RATES at the bottom right of the room you are interested in. (see example below)
Clicking VIEW MORE RATES will bring up additional options. Here’s a sample of what’s under the 2 single room option above:
Generally speaking, most Prince hotels have a basic with breakfast option ongoing. The dinner buffet option seems to be a specially designed event that occurs intermittently. In this above case, it’s for the Grand Prince Osaka Bay and it’s going on now. I asked for prices for double occupancy. The difference between adding dinner or just having breakfast is ¥4,158. At current rates, that’s $28.08 for adding two buffet dinners, clearly a great deal for buffet lovers (and here in Hawaii, aren’t we all at some level, buffet lovers?).
As far as becoming a “member,” membership is free. Even though I only booked once so far, they immediately gave me a late check-in on my first stay. They also give you points which effectively amount to money returned.
Here’s the link to more details about the Grand Prince Osaka Bay World Buffet: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/osakabay/plan/the_cafe/world-buffet/
(In Japanese, use translate to read)
I haven’t checked out all of the Prince offerings, but they specialize in local getaways, so you’ll find them in places like ski towns and seaside getaways. They also have about a dozen hotels in and around the Tokyo area.