The Tokyo Station Hotel, When History Becomes an Art of Living

A Strategic Location in the Heart of the Capital

Ideally located in Marunouchi, at the heart of Tokyo's business district, The Tokyo Station Hotel enjoys a central setting animated by urban energy, equally appreciated by business travelers and leisure visitors. In immediate proximity to Tokyo Station and its many train and subway lines, it offers quick and convenient access to the city's main sites. Just a few minutes' walk away, you can reach both the peaceful gardens of the Imperial Palace and the iconic Ginza district, renowned for its luxury boutiques, nightlife, and elegance. Surrounded by shops, restaurants, and shopping centers—including a vast underground complex directly accessible—the hotel also allows easy access to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza in just a few stops, for a complete immersion in Tokyo's dynamism.

A Jewel of Japanese Heritage

The Tokyo Station Hotel embodies a rare timeless elegance in Tokyo, subtly blending early 20th-century European refinement with contemporary comfort. Set within the iconic red-brick building of Tokyo Station, designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, the hotel captivates with its historic architecture, crowned by domes restored to their original form. Inside, the design pays tribute to the original aesthetic: vaulted ceilings, polished floors, majestic volumes, and carefully preserved period details create a hushed and elegant atmosphere, remarkably calm despite the bustle of the station. This subtle alliance between heritage and modernity reflects the spirit of Omotenashi, Japanese hospitality, enhanced by discreet and contemporary luxury.

Opened in 1915, one year after the inauguration of Tokyo Station, The Tokyo Station Hotel has witnessed more than a century of history, welcoming writers, notable figures, and travelers from around the world. Marked by the Great Kantō Earthquake, the destruction of World War II, and a long period of reconstruction, the hotel experienced a major renaissance following nearly six years of restoration, completed in 2012. This ambitious renovation restored the original appearance of the Marunouchi building while completely reimagining the interiors in a classical European style. Today, The Tokyo Station Hotel remains a living symbol of Tokyo: a place steeped in memory, where history, design, and the art of hospitality meet in rare harmony.

When Contemporary Comfort Meets Historic Heritage

The rooms and suites offer a setting that is both elegant and deeply soothing, conceived as a true pause outside of time. Fully renovated during the hotel's reopening in 2012, the 150 accommodations combine the charm of classical European style with high-end modern amenities. High ceilings, muted tones, refined furnishings, and exceptionally comfortable beds create a luxurious and serene atmosphere, while the spacious bathrooms, equipped with generous rainfall showers, enhance the sense of well-being. Along the corridors, an impressive collection of photographs and historical works constantly recalls the unique heritage of the place.

We stayed in a 65 m² Maisonette room, an ideal choice for those seeking more space and privacy without opting for a traditional suite. Spread over two levels, it charms with its elegant double-height living room, bathed in light thanks to large windows overlooking the lively urban landscape of Marunouchi, and enhanced by high ceilings, classic furniture with elegant lines, and soft tones accented by warm fabrics. A staircase then leads to the mezzanine bedroom, a true cocoon conducive to rest, featuring an exceptionally comfortable king-size bed set beneath delicate moldings and a glass ceiling providing soothing natural light. This duplex layout offers a perfect balance between sophistication, functionality, and a sense of discreet luxury, making the Maisonette an experience in itself, true to the unique spirit of The Tokyo Station Hotel.

A Gourmet Awakening Between European and Japanese Traditions

Breakfast is served in The Atrium lounge, in an elegant and bright setting. Offered as a buffet, it impresses with the richness and diversity of its selection, featuring nearly 100 dishes and beverages combining European and Japanese traditions. Guests will find organic juices and freshly squeezed orange juice, as well as pastries, breads, cereals, muesli, and yogurts accompanied by carefully selected fresh fruits. Lovers of hot dishes will appreciate the signature omelets prepared to order by the chef. For a more local experience, the Japanese “ASA-GOHAN” breakfast offers freshly cooked rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and seasonal side dishes, providing a delightful immersion into Japanese gastronomy from the very morning.

A Refined and Renowned Culinary Scene

Gastronomy occupies a central place at The Tokyo Station Hotel, whose collection of restaurants enjoys an excellent reputation among locals and travelers alike. With ten restaurants, bars, and cafés, the hotel offers a particularly rich culinary selection, designed to suit business lunches, refined dinners, and more relaxed moments alike. French, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines coexist elegantly, consistently highlighting product quality and attention to detail.

Fans of Japanese gastronomy will find several exceptional addresses. Sushi Asanogawa showcases the traditions of Edomae sushi, elevated by seasonal ingredients and influences from Kanazawa. The restaurant Shichi Jyu Ni Kou offers a high-end kaiseki and teppanyaki experience centered on the finest seasonal ingredients and authentic Japanese hospitality, with private rooms for exclusive dining. Yakitori Seo, for its part, offers yakitori tasting menus prepared with uncompromising standards regarding poultry quality.

International cuisine is also expressed with refinement. Blanc Rouge, the hotel's French fine-dining restaurant, reinterprets French cuisine through the lens of the finest Japanese ingredients, in an elegant setting complemented by a wine cellar of nearly 1,000 bottles. We had the pleasure of discovering this beautiful restaurant during a lunch the previous year ((Read the review here: Heritage and Refinement at The Tokyo Station Hotel with Blanc Rouge). Ristorante & Bar Enoteca Norio offers a clean and contemporary interpretation of northern Italian cuisine, accompanied by a carefully curated wine selection. Cantonese En stands out with healthy and flavorful Cantonese cuisine, inspired by Chinese wellness traditions while incorporating modern touches.

Finally, the bars and more informal spaces complete this culinary experience with flair. Bar Oak charms with its classic and subdued atmosphere, ideal for enjoying renowned Japanese whiskies or the signature “Tokyo Station” cocktail. Bar & Café Camellia evolves throughout the day, transforming from an elegant café serving light dishes and pastries into a lively bar with creative cocktails. The Lobby Lounge, with its high ceilings and contemporary European style, invites guests to enjoy a refined break with coffee, tea, or dessert, while Café & Shop Toraya Tokyo celebrates the art of Japanese wagashi through artisanal sweets from a house founded in the 16th century.

The Art of Urban Well-Being

Well-being plays an essential role at The Tokyo Station Hotel thanks to high-end facilities designed as a calm retreat in the heart of the city. THE JEXER TOKYO fitness club, conceived around the “Urban Cave” concept, offers an exclusive space equipped with the latest technologies, reserved for members and hotel guests, with the possibility of receiving personalized training advice from specialists. In addition, AN SPA invites guests to a deeply Japanese relaxation experience, rooted in the spirit of omotenashi, through a selection of refined treatments using high-quality products and exclusive cosmetics. The wellness area also includes an artificial onsen, a carbonated hot bath, a cold bath, as well as a dry sauna, a steam sauna, and showers, offering a true haven of relaxation to revitalize the body and soothe the mind.

My Opinion

The Tokyo Station Hotel stands out above all for its deeply historical character and its absolute uniqueness within Tokyo's hotel landscape. Staying here means inhabiting a place imbued with more than a century of memory, bearing witness to the major transformations of the Japanese capital and its modern history. Every space, every architectural detail recalls the passage of time, while harmoniously dialoguing with perfectly mastered contemporary comfort. This rare heritage dimension is accompanied by a complete art of living: renowned restaurants and bars, wellness spaces, and a finely tuned sense of service. It is a living place of memory, where history, elegance, and Japanese hospitality come together in a truly singular experience.

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Practical Information

A big thank you to The Tokyo Station Hotel for the invitation to discover their establishment. Of course, I remain free in my opinions in this article!