This Tokyo Hotel Envelops You in Japanese Heritage

The Dinogo Perspective

Part of the esteemed Hoshino Resorts group established in 1914, Hoshinoya Tokyo draws inspiration from the traditional ryokan, typically found in Japan's rural landscapes. Renowned architect Rie Azuma designed this hotel, which opened its doors in 2016, along with all eight Hoshinoya locations and Hoshino's OMO7 Osaka hotel. The building’s exterior showcases a latticed metal design reminiscent of a hemp leaf, reflecting the intricate Edo Komon patterns often seen on kimonos from the Edo era.

Upon entering, guests are greeted by a spacious foyer with lofty ceilings adorned with a wall of woven baskets, designated for your shoes. This practice invites visitors to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city, allowing them to fully engage their senses in a tranquil setting. The hotel features soothing tatami flooring throughout. An elevator transports you to the lobby on the second floor. I arrived in the afternoon, where a musician clad in a kimono played the koto on a stage in the reception area, while I savored hojicha (roasted green tea) and kinako-dusted mochi.

Who is it for?

Travelers eager to immerse themselves in Japanese history and culture right in the city center and seeking ryokan-style hospitality. Wellness enthusiasts looking for a spa area dedicated to rejuvenating treatments, including an on-site onsen. While families with young kids are welcome, energetic little ones might find the tranquil environment a bit confining.

The location

Hoshinoya Tokyo offers a serene escape within the bustling Otemachi financial district. Though surrounded by modern skyscrapers, this area has a rich history, having been home to samurai from the powerful Tokugawa shogunate during the 1600s to 1800s. The hotel is conveniently located next to the expansive Tokyo Station subway hub, just a 10-minute walk from the Imperial Palace.

Room Features

The hotel boasts 84 rooms, with six accommodations on each floor. The Kiku Room stands out as the most spacious, accommodating up to three guests. Each floor is designed to evoke the feeling of a private ryokan, complete with a communal tea area known as the ochanoma lounge. Here, guests can enjoy complimentary Japanese teas and snacks like handmade mochi and sesame crackers. Although it's a shared space, I often had the lounge entirely to myself during my stay.

In my room, everything was set at a slightly lower height, including the chairs and bedframes. For those who prefer a more Western-style seating option, staff are happy to provide additional cushions for the chairs. The mattresses—custom-crafted by Nihon Bed, a bedding company established in 1926 for the hotel—are exceptional, blending the finest elements of Western mattresses with traditional Japanese futons. During the day, the room is filled with natural light that filters through the latticed screens, creating intricate patterns on the tatami flooring.

Culinary Offerings

Dining at the hotel is exclusively for guests. In the subterranean restaurant named after the hotel, executive chef Ryosuke Oka skillfully blends French culinary techniques with Japanese flavors to create multicourse meals that celebrate the seasonal changes, incorporating traditional Japanese fermentation methods, including pickles and salted fish. For a more private dining experience, guests can order dinner boxes featuring items like beef chirashi-zushi, paired with the vinegar-seasoned white rice typically used in sushi. Each morning, a staff member visits your room to serve a fish-based Japanese breakfast, with ingredients that vary daily to reflect Japan's many micro seasons.

Service Excellence

The staff are intuitive, compassionate, and welcoming. When a team member brought my in-room Japanese breakfast, she took the time to patiently address all my questions about the beautifully arranged dishes presented before me.

A Cultural Dive in the City

Though the Otemachi neighborhood offers plenty to explore, the hotel places a strong emphasis on providing experiences that highlight Japanese cultural heritage—many of which are complimentary. Guests can participate in workshops on incense making or join a tea ceremony session. A morning kenjutsu practice pays tribute to the samurais who once inhabited this area during the Edo period; it occurs on the helipad of a nearby building. This class emphasizes breath control and fundamental sword techniques, but the panoramic views of Tokyo SkyTree and Tokyo Tower are truly stunning. A lesson on Japanese tea ceremonies reveals the meticulous thought put into every aspect of the practice.

The onsen is among the most sought-after amenities at this hotel. Hoshinoya Tokyo is the only hotel in the city with an onsen that draws its water directly from hot springs nearly 5,000 feet below. The onsen facilities are gender-segregated, and guests are required to cleanse themselves thoroughly before entering. The baths lead to an outdoor area on the rooftop, where walls frame the sky above, allowing for refreshing breezes at night.