A Century of Elegance: Tokyo Station Hotel’s Enduring Charm

Imagine stepping into a hotel that’s not just a place to rest your head, but a portal to history. The Tokyo Station Hotel is more than just a convenient pit stop for weary travelers – it’s a monument to Japan’s rich past and a testament to enduring elegance.

A Historic Legacy in the Heart of Tokyo

Established in 1915, the Tokyo Station Hotel is one of Tokyo’s oldest continuously operating hotels. In a city frequently reshaped by earthquakes and wartime devastation, its longevity is remarkable. This small, luxurious hotel occupies a special place within the Marunouchi Building, a designated Important Cultural Property and a 101-year-old architectural gem.

The hotel’s unique location provides guests with exclusive access to the historic train station’s private corners, offering a rare glimpse into one of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks. The hotel’s rich history, including surviving World War II and the Great Kanto earthquake, remains a cherished part of its identity.

A Timeless Elegance with Modern Touches

In 2012, after a five-year restoration, the hotel reopened with renewed splendor. While honoring its past, the hotel embraces modern comforts. Guests can still spot original red brickwork, a deliberate nod to the hotel’s heritage, woven into the hotel’s fabric.

Drawing inspiration from grand historic hotels like the Waldorf Astoria in New York, the Tokyo Station Hotel offers guests a unique experience. The hotel even offers a special history-themed accommodation package to celebrate its centennial.

Experience the Station’s Magic from Your Room

For a truly immersive experience, book a Dome Side Room and wake up to stunning views of the station’s magnificently ornate European-style domes. These preserved architectural wonders, with their intricate animal sculptures and reliefs, are a rare sight in modern Tokyo.

The Dome Side Rooms, according to General Manager Hitoshi Fujisaki, are the most popular. Imagine enjoying the peaceful tranquility of your room while the city awakens below, with thousands of commuters streaming through the station. Even rooms that don’t face the station interior offer exceptional views of the train tracks or the Imperial Palace.

A Feast for the Senses: From Breakfast to Cocktails

Start your day with a luxurious breakfast at The Atrium, a stunning space with nine-meter-high ceilings located on the hotel’s fourth floor. Enjoy a buffet featuring international and Japanese delicacies, from French pastries and Japanese porridge to made-to-order omelets.

For an evening treat, head to Bar Oak and savor the Tokyo Station cocktail, a masterful blend of Tanqueray gin and Suze liqueur, created by the legendary bartender Hisashi Sugimoto.

A Gateway to Japan’s Railway Network

The Tokyo Station Hotel’s prime location provides unparalleled access to Japan’s extensive high-speed rail network. The hotel offers special rates for Japan Rail Pass holders and even provides a meet-and-greet service, where hotel porters handle your luggage directly on the train platform. This eliminates the stress of navigating Tokyo’s intricate rail system.

Celebrate a Century of Excellence

Although the hotel’s 100th birthday banquet has already passed, you can still catch the anniversary light show beamed from the Marunouchi Building’s north and south domes on November 2nd from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Tokyo Station Hotel is a captivating blend of history, elegance, and convenience. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, this hotel offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

Tokyo Station is the busiest station in Japan in terms of number of trains per day (more than 3,000). About 350,000 passengers move through its turnstiles daily.

Reference photo

The swanky European-style building was a social hub after the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. Tokyo Station miraculously escaped damage.
Nominated in this year's World Luxury Spa Awards, the hotel's spa features a man-made hot spring, cold bath, a dry and steam sauna and shower facilities.
Guests in the Dome Side Rooms experience a unique contrast between (surprisingly) quiet bedrooms and views of thousands of Japanese commuters beginning the day at Tokyo Station.
Tokyo Station Hotel opened in 1915, a year after the station. After a five-year renovation, it reopened in 2012.
As Tokyo's second oldest operating hotel, the hotel's history remains an important part of its identity.
This glamorous hotel is anything but an ordinary train stop. Together with the station, it's been a Tokyo landmark for a century. This picture was taken in 1914, the year the station opened.
Blanc Rouge is the hotel's main restaurant. It serves classic French cuisine with a modern twist and stocks more than 1,000 bottles of wines from Japan and beyond.
In November, one of the great symbols of old Tokyo, the Tokyo Station Hotel, turns 100 years old. The famed hotel is located inside Tokyo Station's Marunouchi Building, designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government in 2003.
The hotel is a known afternoon hangout for the country's political elite.
Dome Side Rooms may not be the most luxurious rooms at Tokyo Station Hotel, but they're the most popular. The rooms offer views of the station's signature heavily ornamented European-style domes.
A Century of Elegance: Tokyo Station Hotel's Enduring Charm
A Century of Elegance: Tokyo Station Hotel's Enduring Charm
A Century of Elegance: Tokyo Station Hotel's Enduring Charm
Lily Suzuki
Lily Suzukihttps://tokyotouristpass.com/
Lily Suzuki is a Tokyo travel expert with a focus on family-friendly adventures. Her work provides practical tips and detailed guides for families visiting Tokyo, ensuring that travelers of all ages can enjoy the city's top attractions, parks, and kid-friendly activities.

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