Awarded for its “Garden Cultural Revitalization and Communication Model,” redefining its Japanese garden as a hub for research, community, and skill development.
TOKYO, October 30, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo has received the Good Design Award 2025 for its pioneering Garden Cultural Revitalization and Communication Model, which redefines the role of Japanese gardens within contemporary hotel management. Recognized as one of Japan’s most prestigious design awards, the accolade highlights the hotel’s long-term commitment to preserving cultural heritage while connecting people, nature, and tradition.
Created in the Meiji era by statesman Aritomo Yamagata and later inherited by the Fujita family, the garden remains a symbol of living heritage. Through this award-winning model, the hotel has positioned the garden as a space for research, community, and training-an approach that stood out among this year’s entries.
The initiative began in 2020, when the hotel chose to expand, rather than reduce, investment in its garden, introducing experiential programs such as Tokyo Sea of Clouds. The creation of a dedicated Garden Management Department provides training for emerging gardeners, while collaborations with Ueyakato Landscape and Yushien Garden support specialized education and cultural continuity.
“At a time when many historic gardens in Japan struggle to survive financially, this project is pioneering in placing the garden itself at the center of its vision,” the judges noted.
“During COVID, when the hospitality industry was driven toward efficiency, the decision to invest in a non-revenue-generating garden-and to reform organizational awareness-was bold and forward-looking.
Rather than treating the garden as a backdrop, the project positions it as a foundation for experience and research, recognizing that a garden is a living, ever-evolving entity and finding cultural value in that dynamism.
Furthermore, in addressing the contemporary challenges facing Japanese gardens, such as the shortage of skilled gardeners and successors, the project redefines the garden not merely as a tourism asset, but as a place for training and the preservation of traditional techniques, which makes it all the more valuable.”
Earlier this year, the garden was also certified by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as a Natural Symbiosis Site under the Regional Biodiversity Enhancement Act, recognizing its efforts in biodiversity and eco-conscious management.
About Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with over 70 years of history. The property includes 265 guest rooms/suites, eight restaurants, an executive lounge, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden has a wide variety of botanicals, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the ‘Tokyo Sea of Clouds,’ a recreation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be found in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
Guests can now choose to wear traditional kimono during the ceremony, held in the historic Zangetsu tea house in the heart of Tokyo.
TOKYO, September 30, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, known for its heritage-rich setting and immersive cultural offerings, invites guests to experience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony. Set within a 150-year-old garden and guided by trained tea masters, the program offers access to the centuries-old ritual of chanoyu (tea ceremony). As a recent enhancement, participants can also choose an optional kimono dressing service.
Guests are greeted by a tea master in the hotel lobby and guided through the property’s historic garden to the Zangetsu tea house, a registered tangible cultural property. Once inside, they are welcomed as shokyaku – the principal guests in a formal tea ceremony.
In addition to receiving traditional sweets and freshly prepared matcha, participants are invited to take on the role of the host by learning how to prepare tea themselves. This dual perspective allows for a deeper understanding of the ritual and its principles of respect, purity, tranquility, and harmony.
What sets this experience apart from others offered in Tokyo is the setting. The tea ceremony takes place within the hotel’s expansive garden, which has a history spanning more than 150 years. It is home to several cultural landmarks including a three-story pagoda, a shrine, and a sacred tree.
“This offering reflects our ongoing mission to preserve and share Japan’s cultural heritage in meaningful ways,” says Tomohiko Chihiro, General Manager of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. “Through our tea ceremony experience, we invite guests to experience Japanese tradition hands-on, not only as observers, but also as active participants.”
The experience is open to both overnight guests and day visitors. English-speaking support is available, and advance reservations are required. The optional kimono dressing service is offered on-site, allowing visitors to arrive in everyday clothing and change into traditional wear before the ceremony.
The tea ceremony is part of a series of other cultural programming at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, which includes kaiseki dining and the Tokyo Sea of Clouds garden attraction.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with over 70 years of history. The property includes 265 guest rooms/suites, eight restaurants, an executive lounge, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden has a wide variety of botanicals, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the ‘Tokyo Sea of Clouds,’ a recreation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be found in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
The Collaboration Offers a Fusion of Seasonal Washoku, Sake and the British Afternoon Tea Tradition
TOKYO, June 30, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, renowned for its cultural heritage and hospitality, is delighted to announce a limited-time collaboration with Asahi Shuzo’s Kubota sake. This exclusive experience, available from September to November 2025 at the hotel’s traditional Ryotei Kinsui restaurant, commemorates two milestone anniversaries: the 40th anniversary of Kubota sake and the 100th anniversary of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s iconic three-story pagoda.
Guests can look forward to a seasonal menu that features 13 varieties of Kubota sake, showcased through both sake-infused creations and expertly curated pairings. Suite room guests can also enjoy an exclusive sake pairing event in the hotel’s Executive Lounge, Le Ciel.
This immersive dining experience highlights the harmony of Japanese flavors and aesthetics. The selection of autumnal dishes features ingredients such as chestnuts, figs, apples, persimmons, and matsutake mushrooms, which pair wonderfully with Kubota sake varieties. Notable menu items include chestnut-fig seasonal vegetable pairings and an apple compote tart infused with Kubota Hyakujyu sake.
A standout feature is the Kubota sake tasting set, offering some of the brand’s most celebrated sake varieties, including Kubota Manjyu, Kubota Senjyu Akiagari, and the limited-edition Kubota Manjyu Original Yeast. Guests will also enjoy a Kubota Sparkling Sake welcome drink and leave with an ochoko sake cup.
“Our afternoon tea offers international guests a singular way to experience Japanese culture,” remarks Tomohiko Chihiro, General Manager of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. “By reimagining afternoon tea with seasonal washoku and premium sake, we hope to delight those who are curious about Japanese hospitality and culture.”
During the event period, guests staying in suite rooms will have access to the hotel’s Executive Lounge where they can enjoy a light meal paired with a three-sake tasting flight of Kubota sake varieties.
KUBOTA Afternoon Tea Information:
Dates: Sept. 9 through Nov.13, 2025 (select weekdays)
Time: 12:00 / 13:00 (2-hour seating)
Location: Ryotei Kinsui
Price: ¥10,000 per person (tax included, service charge additional)
Prior reservation through the following page is required to attend
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with over 70 years of history. The property includes 265 guest rooms/suites, eight restaurants, an executive lounge, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden has a wide variety of botanicals, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the “Tokyo Sea of Clouds,” a recreation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be found in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo. For more information, please visit https://hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.com/.
The historic garden expands its 70-year firefly viewing tradition with a new scenic walkway.
TOKYO, March 13, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, a luxury urban resort known for its historic Japanese garden, has announced the opening of its Firefly Path. Designed to enhance the hotel’s renowned firefly viewing experience, which begins mid-May, the new promenade offers guests an immersive way to enjoy the fireflies while preserving the garden’s serene landscape.
Firefly viewing has been a signature experience at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo since 1954, making it one of Tokyo’s premier locations for enjoying this seasonal tradition. The garden, which is carefully maintained to support the delicate firefly ecosystem, sees approximately 10,000 fireflies lighting up the evening during peak season.
In Japan, fireflies represent fleeting nature, much like cherry blossoms in spring. They have become increasingly scarce in cities, making Chinzanso Garden a rare urban sanctuary for the species. The hotel’s sustainable practices have been key to preserving the insect’s population for more than seven decades.
The Firefly Path has been designed to elevate the viewing experience without compromising the garden’s aesthetics. Winding through the most frequented firefly habitats, the path offers multiple vantage points for guests to observe their glow.
The project reflects the hotel’s commitment to balancing heritage with innovation. “Firefly viewing has been a cherished tradition at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo for over 70 years,” said Tomohiko Chihiro, General Manager of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. “We are excited to welcome guests to the Firefly Path, where they can experience this tradition in an enhanced way.”
The 2025 firefly season will run from May 16 to June 30, accompanied by experiences for guests to enjoy alongside their garden visit. The hotel will offer a package that comes with an after-hours firefly tour, providing a more intimate experience. Seasonal dining options, including a buffet featuring the flavors of early summer, will also be available. Children under 12 dining at the buffet will receive a complimentary firefly guidebook as a souvenir.
The Firefly Path will be accessible to hotel guests and restaurant patrons, with reservations recommended for those interested in dining experiences. Further details about the garden and experiences can be found on the hotel’s website.
About Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with over 70 years of history. The property includes 265 guest rooms/suites, eight restaurants, an executive lounge, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden has a wide variety of botanicals, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the ‘Tokyo Sea of Clouds,’ a recreation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be found in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
Special anniversary offerings include a stay in their luxury suite and signature dishes crafted with sake from the pagoda’s original location.
TOKYO, November 29, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the relocation of its three-story pagoda, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is launching a series of exclusive offerings honoring the Tangible Cultural Property. The award-winning luxury hotel’s limited-time dining and stay experiences are available from January 8, 2025.
The commemorative 100th Anniversary of the Three-Story Pagoda Luxury Stay package includes two nights in the lavish Ambassador Suite, complete with views of the pagoda, private dining at the hotel’s Japanese restaurant Ryotei Kinsui and Italian restaurant Il Treatro, and a private garden tour highlighting the historical significance of the pagoda. Also included is a martini of choice from the “Hundred Martinis Selection” at the hotel’s signature bar, Le Marquis. Bookings for the package, priced at a special rate of 1,000,000 JPY, are available exclusively by phone from December 9, 2024.
In tribute to the pagoda’s origins in Higashi-Hiroshima, the hotel’s culinary team has partnered with Kamotsuru Sake Brewing, established over 100 years ago in the same town. This collaboration will be showcased through special menus at Japanese restaurant Miyuki and Italian restaurant Il Teatro. Miyuki’s menu features a traditional “Bishu-nabe” hot pot, a dish beloved by local sake brewers, while Il Teatro will prepare a risotto made with sake lees and a dessert featuring umeshu (plum wine).
Originally built in the Muromachi period over 600 years ago, the pagoda is a rare sight in Tokyo, being one of just three ancient pagodas in the city. It was relocated from Hiroshima to Chinzanso Garden in 1925 by Baron Heitaro Fujita. Surviving the 1945 Tokyo air raids, the pagoda has since become an official Tangible Cultural Property and underwent a major renovation in 2010. The pagoda celebrates its 100th anniversary at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo in 2025, symbolizing a century of cultural heritage and resilience.
For more information on bookings and details, please call +81-3-3943-1111 or visit the website.
About Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with 70 years of history. The property includes 265 guest rooms/suites, nine restaurants, an executive lounge, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden has a wide variety of botanicals, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the ‘Tokyo Sea of Clouds,’ a recreation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be found in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
Guests can see the “Forest Aurora” and two other brand-new light installations in Chinzanso Garden from November 12
TOKYO, October 30, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo has announced the launch of this year’s winter events, including the annual “Forest Aurora”, beginning on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. These enchanting displays will transform the hotel’s garden into a magical space with breathtaking light installations and two new highlights – the “Christmas Tree on the Water” and the “Crystal Snow Path”.
Featuring a mesmerizing light show that mimics the northern lights, the Forest Aurora has delighted visitors since it first started in 2021. This year, guests can experience the debut of the Christmas Tree on the Water and the Crystal Snow Path, two brand new illuminations that add extra holiday charm to the winter season. The Christmas Tree on the Water will be projected onto the mist above Yusuichi Pond while the artificial aurora borealis fills the sky with multi-colored lights, turning every evening into a winter fantasy.
Visitors can also explore the Crystal Snow Path, where snowfall is projected onto Chinzanso Garden’s walkway. A snowman and footprints will appear in the snow, adding a playful touch to an evening walk through the traditional Japanese garden.
The Forest Aurora will be on display every evening throughout the event and uses advanced light projection technology to shine vibrant colors from six different directions onto the mist created by the Tokyo Sea of Clouds.
Additionally, visitors can enjoy Christmas decorations in the hotel lobby, Christmas and Holiday afternoon tea at Le Jardin, and a Year-End Buffet in the hotel’s banquet hall. Guests who would like a more private experience can also reserve a special accommodation plan that includes breakfast and private night viewings of the Forest Aurora.
The winter garden displays run from November 12, 2024, to February 6, 2025. More information about the accommodation plan and other event details can be found on the official webpage.
About Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with 70 years of history. The property includes 265 guest rooms/suites, nine restaurants, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden has a wide variety of botanicals, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the ‘Tokyo Sea of Clouds,’ a recreation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be found in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
Inspired by Its ‘New Heritage’ Concept, Le Ciel Will Open at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo This Summer With a Rare Outdoor Terrace on July 26
TOKYO, June 27, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo announces the grand opening of its new executive lounge, Le Ciel, this summer. This luxurious private lounge will be open to guests staying in the hotel’s suites.
Le Ciel will boast a spacious outdoor terrace with views of Chinzanso Garden and the Tokyo Sea of Clouds that fills it with mist. Guests will be able to watch the garden transform with the seasons at one of the few executive lounges in Tokyo with an outdoor balcony.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s concept of “New Heritage” is at the core of Le Ciel’s design. Known as “Camellia Hill” since the 1300s, the hill where the hotel sits was depicted by Utagawa Hiroshige, one of Japan’s great artists of the Ukiyo-e movement. Prime Minister Yamagata Aritomo first designed and built Chinzanso Garden in 1878, inviting visitors to come and enjoy the location’s natural beauty. Over 140 years later, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo still carries out that tradition. With a deep respect for its history and an eye for the future, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo built a space where new history can be born.
Guests can enjoy seasonal foods at any of three meal services throughout the day. Le Ciel will offer a morning meal from 8:30-10:30 a.m., an early afternoon selection of sweet and savory dishes from 2:30-5 p.m., and a light evening meal from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The breakfast service will feature honey produced by bees that pollinate Chinzanso Garden, the taste changing with the seasons as different flowers bloom.
There is also a gallery space with 10 displays showcasing traditional Japanese lacquerware and other traditional art forms like pottery, metalwork, wood and bamboo work, glasswork, and more. These artworks will blend tradition and innovation, further embodying the hotel’s principle of “New Heritage.” These displays will rotate seasonally.
The lounge is also child-friendly, making it the perfect place for private relaxation with your family.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with 70 years of history. The property includes 266 guest rooms/suites, nine restaurants, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden has a wide variety of botanicals, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the “Tokyo Sea of Clouds,” a recreation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be found in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
Firefly viewing is a beloved Japanese tradition; this event is perfect for those looking to experience the spectacle during their stay in Tokyo.
TOKYO, April 23, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, a luxury resort in the heart of the city, hosts its 70th annual firefly viewing event. The festivities include its yearly firefly-themed buffet and the opportunity to reserve a private firefly viewing. This year, guests can enjoy evenings illuminated by fireflies from May 17 until June 30.
Since 1954, Chinzanso Garden, a traditional Japanese garden, has been an important location for firefly viewing in Tokyo. Originally organized to give children the opportunity to see fireflies, the event has evolved into a yearly celebration. Viewing fireflies in early summer is one of Japan’s most significant traditions each year, similar to viewing camellias in winter and cherry blossoms in spring.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s dedication to protecting its garden’s ecosystem means that approximately 500 fireflies take flight every day during peak season. By hosting events emphasizing the importance of environmental protection and prioritizing sustainability year-round, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is able to preserve the fireflies’ delicate habitat. Learn more about how the hotel is implementing sustainable practices on its website.
The hotel is hosting its yearly Firefly Evening Dinner Buffet with a selection of modern and traditional dishes inspired by the early summer season. A special menu featuring two types of tuna sushi and a themed children’s meal is also available. The hotel also provides a complimentary firefly guidebook for children under 12 years old. More details about the buffet can be found on the firefly buffet webpage.
Customers who want a more intimate viewing experience can reserve a special package featuring dinner at Japanese restaurant Miyuki, an after-hours private tour of the garden, and breakfast the following morning. Those interested in this exclusive evening can book their place over the phone, and more information can be found on the event page.
The garden is open to guests staying at the hotel or visiting the hotel’s restaurants. Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo has 10 dining venues to choose from, offering a wide selection of cuisines including Italian, Japanese, and casual dining options. Visit the hotel’s website for further event details.
About Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with 70 years of history. The property includes 266 guest rooms/suites, nine restaurants, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its garden has a wide variety of botanical species, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the “Tokyo sea of clouds,” a recreation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be spotted in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
The Hotel in the Clouds returns for the 4th year with their revamped ‘Tokyo Camellia’ event.
TOKYO, February 5, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– Luxury urban resort Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is proud to announce the opening of their annual ‘Tokyo Camellia’ event, this year featuring an additional highlight. The updated event will be open to hotel guests for three weeks, from February 8 to 29.
Since 2021, the hotel has been host to the annual event celebrating the winter flower. Guests can stroll through the scenic ‘Camellia Mountain’ and view camellia blossoms softly descending from the trees and extending like a red carpet across the garden floor. Hotel guests will be able to enjoy the scenery while surrounded by the Tokyo Sea of Clouds, a recreation of the natural phenomenon only seen in the mountainous regions of Japan. This year, an art piece called the ‘Camellia Stainless Steel Flower,’ created in collaboration with THE BLOSSO, can be seen scattered in the moss beneath the flowering trees. The Japanese accessory brand produced these stainless steel flowers using the same cutting-edge technologies used by car manufacturers for thin sheet metal.
“We’re delighted to be hosting this one-of-a-kind event combining the beauty of both nature and art. We have over 100 varieties of camellia in full bloom and we hope visitors will enjoy them all,” says Tomohiko Chihiro, General Manager of the hotel.
The name Chinzanso means “villa on the hill of camellias,” and was given to the hotel by Gensui Prince Aritomo Yamagata (1838-1922) who served as Japan’s third and ninth prime minister. The location is cherished for the abundant wild camellia trees that have bloomed there for hundreds of years, and currently boasts 2,300 trees in its hilltop garden. For more information, please visit their website.
Guests who book their stay on the hotel’s official website from February 8 to 17 will receive complimentary welcome fruit to celebrate the Lunar New Year. To redeem this offer, please select the option on the Add-Ons page during booking.
About Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with 70 years of history. The property includes 266 guest rooms/suites, nine restaurants, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden has a wide variety of botanicals, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the ‘Tokyo Sea of Clouds,’ a recreation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be found in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
Featuring two gardens, history, and art, the special offer is replete with unique Japanese experiences.
TOKYO, August 22, 2023 (Newswire.com)
– Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, a premier luxury hotel renowned for its picturesque garden, announces the launch of its newest offering, the “Heritage Hideaway.” This distinctive experience is offered as a free add-on to those who book through the hotel’s official website. Specially designed for foreign visitors to Japan, it provides exclusive access to cultural experiences not normally found in tourism guides.
Running from October 2023 to April 2024, visitors have the chance to explore the hotel’s next-door neighbor, which happens to be of high significance. The Eisei Bunko Museum is situated within the former residence of the Hosokawa family, who ruled over the Higo clan in present day Kumamoto. Visitors are also encouraged to stop by Sekiguchi Bashoan, the former home of renowned haiku poet Matsuo Basho, which is between the museum and the Japanese garden.
The Eisei Bunko Museum boasts an unparalleled collection of 94,000 items, including eight national treasures and 35 important cultural properties.
The exhibits are thoughtfully curated around captivating themes – museum-goers can look forward to a special picture scroll exhibition and a Chinese ceramics exhibition.
In addition to Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s own award-winning Japanese garden, visitors can take a stroll around the resplendent Higo Hosokawa Garden, an enchanting oasis of tranquility just next to the museum.
The cultural journey continues at the Shoseikaku, a historic building that once served as a study institute and residence of the Hosokawa family. Within its storied walls lies the Tsubaki lounge, a Japanese cafe. Surrounded by lush greenery, guests can indulge in a moment of relaxation while savoring a delightful dessert set with matcha and kaseita, the Hosokawa family’s secret traditional treat.
To make a reservation or inquire further about the special Heritage Hideaway offer, please visit our website.
About Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with 70 years of history. The property includes 267 guest rooms/suites, nine restaurants, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden has a wide variety of botanicals, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the ‘Tokyo Sea of Clouds,’ a recreation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be found in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
Japan, high on the bucket list for many travelers due to its popular culture, food, history and art, but often unaffordable for many or overcrowded for others, is now in a “sweet spot” to visit.
Japan was among the countries that took longer to reopen to foreign travelers after COVID pandemic closures, finally welcoming visa-free tourism in October 2022. And the first foreign tourists to return to historically expensive Japan have found a much more affordable country to visit.
The Japanese yen has weakened against all major currencies: In March 2020, as the pandemic began to spread, the yen averaged 107.54 verses the U.S. dollar. But since then, due in large part to the difference in interest rates between Japan (near zero) and the rest of the world (rising rates), the yen is now sitting around 134 to the U.S. dollar, meaning you can essentially think of it as a “25% off” sale on Japan compared with the prices before the pandemic. In a post-pandemic inflationary world, few things are cheaper these days, but travel in Japan is one of them.
Given the weakness in the yen, one would expect tourists to have returned in droves, but that hasn’t happened yet. The first three months since Japan’s reopening (October to December 2022) saw 2.8 million foreign visitors compared with just 55,000 in the same period of 2021, but in 2019, it was 7.5 million.
Though major cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto will continue to see the majority of visitors in 2023, many rural areas that had been popular destinations prior to the pandemic have used the time off to create more immersive initiatives and experiences for visitors, both domestic and foreign. For many of these tourism-dependent areas, adapting to the “new normal” was essential to their survival. The Japanese government also created incentive programs to encourage domestic residents to rediscover their homeland, and there has been a noticeable increase in Japanese tourists visiting areas that they had previously skipped.
Below are some of the most beautiful locations around Japan to see right now.
Gokayama
Gokayama is a cluster of farming villages deep in the mountains of Toyama in central Japan. Along with the more famous Shirakawa-go in neighboring Gifu, it is part of an UNESCO World Heritage site known for its traditional way of life and its A-frame houses with steeply pitched thatch roofs designed to survive heavy winter snows. Some of these houses have been converted into guesthouses.
The villages invested in adding COVID-19 preventive measures in the guesthouses as well as in reducing capacity. They also began to offer English lessons to residents in preparation for the return of English-speaking visitors.
A boy on his bicycle in the village of Ainokura, Gokayama. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its traditional thatched-roof farmhouses.
A woman in Gokayama works with boiled kozo (mulberry) to separate the bark from the fibers and remove impurities as a step in the traditional washi paper-making process.
According to Yukie Yamazaki, the spokesperson of the Gokayama Tourist Information Center, before the pandemic, 70% of visitors who stayed in the guesthouses were foreigners; in recent days, though the total number of visitors has returned to 70% of pre-pandemic levels, the villages have started to appeal to Japanese travelers as well, leading to a more authentic experience for all visitors.
A Kokiriko dancer performs a traditional dance native to this region in front of a house in Ainokura, Gokayama.
Twilight at Ainokura, Gokayama.
In addition to the appeal of disconnecting by staying in a quiet, historic village, activities include washi paper-making and attending traditional Kokiriko dance and music performances.
Karuizawa
Karuizawa is a mountain resort about 65 minutes northwest of Tokyo by bullet train that has long been the apple of affluent Japanese travelers’ eyes. Once a “rest stop” on the old Nakasendo Trail that linked Kyoto and Edo (present-day Tokyo), Karuizawa was relaunched in the late 1800s as a place for Canadian missionaries to get away from Tokyo’s summer heat, and it has held a great appeal to summer home owners, celebrities including John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and regional artists. Known primarily as a place to “get away,” the town has refocused on the remote worker, investing in designer co-working spaces and housing opportunities to cater to a new class of traveler who can work from anywhere while simultaneously creating art experiences, such as outdoor festivals, to appeal to visitors.
Late afternoon clouds shroud the peak of Mount Asama. Karuizawa is on the southern slopes of this volcano.
Visitors walk across a bridge at Kumoba Pond, an iconic reflecting pool in Karuizawa known for its vibrant autumn foliage.
Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa is known for its veil-like water and vibrant green moss.
A bullet train arrives in the fog at Karuizawa Station.
A white egret flies in to join its mates at Kumoba Pond, Karuizawa.
Naoshima, Shikoku and the Seto Inland Sea
On the subject of art experiences, few places have garnered as much attention as the “art islands” of the Seto Inland Sea, headlined by Naoshima and Teshima. Museums and art installations are interspersed through these walkable, ferry-networked islands between Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku and Okayama on the mainland. Although the museums and facilities themselves are not new, installations and updates are constant, and a triennial international art festival has further cemented its status as an art mecca.
A boy stands in front of Yayoi Kusama’s “Pumpkin” at Benesse House Museum. The sculpture was restored and placed here in October 2022 after the original was damaged by a typhoon.
This bicycle shelter art installation was created by SANAA, the Pritzker Prize-winning duo of architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa in Naoshima.
The cafe (foreground) and museum of the Teshima Art Museum, Benesse Foundation, designed by Ryue Nishizawa in Teshima.
When visiting after the triennial in late 2022, the islands still remained quiet compared with the days before the pandemic. On a warm and sunny afternoon in Naoshima, a drive past the freshly restored Yayoi Kusama pumpkin sculpture that had been destroyed by a 2021 typhoon, saw one lone visitor posing for a selfie. On a 2019 visit at the same time of year in a torrential downpour, there was a 20-minute wait for people in line to take pictures with the polka-dotted gourd.
Museum visitors walk by Bruce Nauman’s “100 Live and Die” at Benesse House Museum in Naoshima.
The “Oval” at Benesse House Museum in Naoshima by Tadao Ando, another Pritzker Prize-winning architect.
An overnight stay at the Benesse House Museum allows one to explore after hours ― one other lone visitor and I had the run of the museum to ourselves, which features artists including Bruce Nauman, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Jennifer Bartlett and David Hockney. “A night at the museum” in every sense of the word, it is an otherworldly experience.
A “top of the world” swing at the summit of the Unpenji Ropeway in Tokushima, Shikoku.
A golden ginkgo tree and some of the 500 rakan (Buddhist ascetics) statues at Unpenji, Temple No. 66 of the 88-temple Ohenro pilgrimage trail in Shikoku.
Four of the 500 rakan statues at Unpenji, Shikoku.
Shikoku is also home to the legendary pilgrimage route called the Ohenro, which consists of 88 Buddhist temples dispersed throughout the four prefectures that make up Japan’s smallest island. Each temple has its own distinct character, providing for a very different experience from the more unified Zen temple designs of areas like Kyoto. On one fall afternoon, at the mountaintop Unpenji Temple in Tokushima (No. 66 of 88), I found myself in an “amphitheater” of 500 “Arhat” statues (Buddha’s apprentices), watched over by a lone ginkgo in its spectacular golden glory.
With experiences like these, a weaker yen and investments in new experiences and infrastructure to cater to visitors, Japan is sure to be a popular destination for travelers in 2023.
See more photos of Japan by George Nobechi below.
A gate door of Kochi Castle in Kochi, Shikoku.
A couple poses for their wedding photographs at a temple garden in Shikoku.
Aboard a ferry on the Seto Inland Sea, near Takamatsu, Shikoku.
A view across the Seto Inland Sea to the Shimanami Highway in Ehime, Shikoku.
Persimmon trees in Shimanto, Shikoku.
A pharmacy, karaoke hall and hair salon at night in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo.
A woman strolls by a field of flowers on a late afternoon in Tokyo’s Hamarikyu Garden.
A piano, available for public performances, was painted by Yayoi Kusama at the Metropolitan Government Building in Tokyo.
Mount Fuji and a factory chimney seen from the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train).
High school students in Takayama, Gifu.
A rainy day in the Katamachi District in Kanazawa.
Rooftops of the historic district of Kurashiki, Okayama.
Putting out the garbage for collection in Takayama, Gifu.
Businessmen walk through the Higashi-chayagai historic teahouse district of Kanazawa.
A woman sells handmade cloth sandals at the Wajima Morning Market on Noto Peninsula.
A vendor closes up her stall and wheels it away for the day at the Wajima Morning Market on Noto Peninsula.
A Zen Buddhist monk at Soyuji Temple in Takayama, Gifu.
At the seashore on Noto Peninsula.
Fall colors at Senjogahara Marsh in Oku-Nikko, Tochigi.
Speciality eel restaurant of long-established ryotei, Kikusuiro, opens for the first time in Tokyo on March 15, 2023.
Press Release –
Feb 7, 2023 22:45 JST
TOKYO, February 7, 2023 (Newswire.com)
– Eel Restaurant Unakiku, a well-established restaurant in Nara Prefecture, will open its second location at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo on March 15, 2023. Just in time for cherry blossom season, the hotel will begin accepting reservations from March 6.
The restaurant’s original location is in Kikusuiro, a revered ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant), in Nara Prefecture. Opened in 1891, the venue has long been a favorite for many notable guests from Japan and abroad. In 2016, Kikusuiro opened Eel Restaurant Unakiku to bring exceptional, seasonal eel to more people.
Now, the renowned menu is coming to central Tokyo, providing guests the opportunity to taste the same recipes handed down for more than 130 years without having to travel to Nara. Guests can also dine while appreciating Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s iconic Japanese garden, abundant with nature.
Diners can enjoy kabayaki, a dish where the eel is grilled slowly over charcoal and dipped in marinade. Shirayaki is another beloved grilled eel dish, using kombu sake and served with wasabi soy sauce or salt. One of the most popular menu items is ‘Ainoseju,’ which offers diners the opportunity to try both kabayaki and shirayaki eel.
The restaurant will also offer a menu item only available at its Tokyo location. Served in an iron pot, the Unagi Tetsunabe Mabushi can be enjoyed three ways and is designed to be shared in a group. The Tokyo location will also feature an exclusive, newly arranged eel course.
The restaurant will be open every day from 11:00-15:00 (last order) and 17:00- 21:00 (last order). More information can be found on their website: https://www.kikusuiro.com/unakiku-tokyo
About Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels with 70 years of history. The property includes 267 guest rooms/suites, nine restaurants, 38 meeting/banquet rooms, and a full-service spa with a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden has a wide variety of botanicals, including more than 100 cherry trees and 1,000 camellia trees. The standout feature of the garden is the ‘Tokyo sea of clouds,’ a re-creation of the natural phenomenon that can usually only be found in the mountainous regions of Japan. The hotel is owned and managed by Fujita Kanko Inc., a publicly-traded tourism industry corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
