If you’re like me, you had no idea Torrance is bustling with vibrant Japanese culture. Home to the U.S. headquarters of two of the three largest Japanese automakers, Toyota and Honda, as well as Panasonic, All Nippon Airways and the videogame company, Tecmo, among others, it’s only natural that Los Angeles County’s eighth largest city is chock full of Japanese restaurants, markets and more.

Last month, the Miyako Hybrid Hotel (21381 S. Western Ave.; miyakohybridhotel.com) opened its doors, meeting the need for an elegant, service-oriented property in Torrance catering to businessmen and tourists.

The word “miyako” refers to a flourishing center of business and entertainment and “hybrid” describes the sort of establishment it is: eco-friendly. The seven-story, 208-room stopover boasts a solar-powered electrical system and environmentally responsible construction materials. When you walk into your room, you insert a card into a slot next to the front door that activates all of the electricity in your room.

Not only is Miyako Hybrid fabulous because it’s new, but some of the standout amenities are the Japanese-style oversized tub that’s as relaxing and comfortable as a Jacuzzi, the flat screen TV positioned so you can watch it from said tub and separate shower, the fitness center, where you can sneak away for a late-night session of “Wii Tennis” and their restaurant, Gonpachi.

The sister to Gonpachi Beverly Hills, one meal here is like two lifetimes in Heaven. Executive Chef Alex Cabrera, calm yet confident, doesn’t compromise quality considering he has so many mouths to feed.

Our dinner consisted of several courses, each surpassing the exquisiteness of the last. For starters, we dined on king crab with cucumber salad in a vinegar and Ponzu sauce and seared tuna with giant clam. Both were small plates and gave us just a glimpse of the culinary precision and expertise wielded by Cabrera and his staff.

Next we sampled sashimi: blue fin toro, halibut and yellowtail. Elegantly presented, the fresh taste of the fish is what I remember most. Then we enjoyed a sushi platter: sea urchin, red snapper, albacore, seared tuna and sweet shrimp. No soy sauce was allowed because each order was bathed in its own special sauce. At this point, we thought we would be moving on to the main, but instead, another appetizer arrived: chopped shrimp mixed with spicy mayonnaise flash-fried in a wonton.

Rarely have I experienced what followed: a sorbet to cleanse the palate. We were also served up Fuji Apple Sake, which is a sweet, fruity take on sake.

All this to prep us for the entrées: Barbecued Wild Boar (which happens to be a popular request) and steak with wasabi mustard, pumpkin puree, sautéed veggies and spinach.

Our last course consisted of freshly made hot udon and cold soba noodles. And for dessert, we nibbled on pumpkin ice cream with mochi and the Chef’s bread pudding with fruit.

In the morning, the Gonpachi breakfast buffet lies before you, featuring miso soup, steamed rice, natto, nori, dasimaki, tsukemono and yakizakana. It’s a slightly different way to start your day, but one I liked very much.

Starting in February, the hotel will open their spaRelaken. It will be the only spa in the U.S. to feature the ganban-yoku (or bedrock bath) treatment. The guest lies on a large stone of ore mined from the mountains of Kyushu, Japan. When heated, the stones emit infrared rays and negative ions that help heat the body inside, restoring cells and detoxifing through perspiration.

If you’ve never been to Torrance or you’re dying to see their supersized version of the Japanese marketplace Mitsuwa (21515 S. Western Ave.; mitsuwa.com), the Miyako Hybrid is offering some specials: The “Experience Japan” package combines the hotel’s amenities – accommodations and dining – and a sake tasting for $149 per person; their Romance Package includes champagne, chocolates and a buffet breakfast (both run through March 31).

Other things to see while you’re in Torrance are the Redondo Beach Pier and the Del Amo Fashion Mall, both just a quick car ride away.