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Insider Journeys: Tokyo Station Hotel, Japan
Read our insider review of Tokyo Station Hotel, an elegant European-style hotel in the centre of Tokyo, a stone's throw from the Imperial Palace
By Walk into Luxury
Property Overview
Arrival into the metropolis of Tokyo after a long-haul flight can be overwhelming for even the well-travelled visitor. Starting with a stay at the Tokyo Station Hotel eased my initial culture shock, with the hotel offering a mix of Japanese dining and hospitality mixed with a few Western comforts. The hotel is located next to Tokyo Station, within the unique Western style Marunouchi building dating back to the early 1900s. It is a European classic-style hotel, overlooking the Imperial Palace with easy access to Tokyo's best attractions via the rail network. There are several dining options onsite, along with spa, fitness area and small swimming pool; everything you could need to ease into a Japan journey.
The hotel offers no less than ten impressive dining options, from Japanese, Cantonese to Italian - the Yakitori comes highly recommended.
What we loved
Greeted by at least five staff in the lobby on arrival, I immediately felt a sense of calm compared to the hustle outside. The hotel excels at making guests feel welcome and looked after. I arrived in the morning before my room was ready, and was welcomed to store my luggage and have a refreshment in the lounge, enjoying coffee and a pastry in The Lobby Lounge. Refreshed and ready to explore Tokyo, the concierge also helped me with directions to find a great spot for a sushi lunch.
Later on settling into my room, I instantly loved the space and the view of the Imperial Palace. I stayed in a Palace-view suite, which had two double Western-style beds and ensuite with a bath tub. The sweeping outlook over the Marunouchi main square and Imperial Palace in the distance gave me that pinch-me moment, leaving me in no doubt that I was really in Japan. I also loved the small touches at Tokyo Station Hotel like the welcome chocolates from the hotel’s patisserie, which were very much enjoyed whilst sitting on the sofa enjoying that view.
What surprised us?
Breakfast in the morning was served in the top-floor atrium, which had an extensive mix of Western and Japanese-style options, such as truffle-salt omelets, sautéed scallops and baked goods. This was my first introduction to Japanese breakfast, and I was surprised at the extensiveness of the selection. I found myself trying the miso soup for breakfast which smelt particularly appealing.
Another thing that surprised me was the excellent concierge service at the hotel. I was personally led by the hotel staff from the hotel directly to my bullet train platform at Tokyo Station. This was highly welcomed, as the station is bustling and can be hard to navigate. I was impressed the staff took the time to ensure I made my train on time, and left feeling comfortably eased-in to my time in Japan. There is also a Meet and Greet service at Tokyo Station offered by the hotel for Walk into Luxury guests - this is highly recommended if you are arriving by train into Tokyo and would like help navigating the Station to the hotel.
Recommended experiences
Just a ten minute walk from the hotel is the Imperial Palace, the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family. It is located on the former site of the ancient Edo Castle, and has a park with moats and massive stone walls.
A trip to the Meiji Jingu Shrine is highly recommended. This ancient Shinto shrine is located in the Yoyogi Park, a large, forested area with beautiful Japanese architecture, providing an air of tranquillity in contrast to the dense and bustling city. The Meiji Jingu Museum showcases personal belongings from the Emperor and Empress from the 1800s.
The park entrance is just next to Harajuku station, so provides a great opportunity to walk down the famous Takeshita Dori street, which showcases the Harajuku teenage culture with trendy boutiques, piglet cafes and fast food. Also nearby is the Omotesando, a broad, tree-lined avenue with more upmarket shops and restaurants for the fashion conscious. Slightly further South, a highly-visited landmark is the famous Shibuya crossing - the world's busiest pedestrian crossing, and featured in many international films. There are plenty of sushi bars and shops in this area if you feel like jumping straight into the bustling Tokyo centre.
