Discover Tranquility and Luxury at The Kitano Hotel Tokyo: A Modern Japanese Sanctuary in Nagatacho

Nestled in the heart of Nagatacho, a district in Tokyo’s ward Chiyoda City that is the epicenter of Japan’s political and economic pulse, The Kitano Hotel Tokyo beckons discerning travelers seeking a refuge where luxury meets Japanese tradition.

As the editor-in-chief, allow me, Marei, to take a peek at the insides of this gorgeous hotel! From rooms that evoke the subtle nuances of each season to a rooftop terrace with cherry trees, from Japanese wagyu beef curry paired with whiskey (!) to the finest anmitsu Japanese dessert in Tokyo – your journey begins here!

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A Hotel with Real Bamboo!
Rooms Representing the Four Japanese Seasons
Tea Lounge KAFU: A Culinary Journey through Japanese Elegance
The Rooftop Lounge with Cherry Trees

A Hotel with Real Bamboo!

The Kitano Hotel Tokyo is a relaxing space designed in contemporary Japanese style. It opened its doors in April 2019, steeped in the legacy of its locale within the historic precincts of Edo Castle. Entering the main entrance, you will find the front desk and a gorgeous staircase leading to the second floor on your left. The design space has a graceful design that could be described as “miyabi” (= elegance) in Japanese based on a champagne gold color scheme.
What surprised me the most is that the staircase leads to an atrium space where real bamboo is planted! It’s a testament to the hotel’s commitment to blending nature with modernity.

Atrium with real bamboo plants, which can be viewed from every floor

Rooms Representing the Four Japanese Seasons

The Kitano Hotel Tokyo has 70 exquisite rooms. In 2023, the hotel joined RELAIS & CHATEAUX in 2023, a testament to its dedication to excellence.

Each room is a canvas painted with the hues of Japan’s four seasons – spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Some guests opt for a different “seasonal experience” with each visit. The guest rooms of all seasons are simple and elegant, and I especially loved the Japanese details found throughout the rooms.

Signature Suite “Spring”. The large cherry blossom painting was impressive.

This is the “Premier Junior Suite” in cool “summer” colors; there is no IH kitchen, but there is a small kitchen counter with a sink.

I adored the “Kitano Seasonal Suite Autumn,” with its wide windows and the room color scheme with warm hues of red and orange. The whimsical “Autumn Moon” artwork next to the bedroom window adds a touch of charm to an already enchanting setting.

The circular guest room layout is like home, and it is wonderful to feel as if you are living in Tokyo, even if you are visiting for sightseeing.

Designed with the ethos of “For Comfort,” even the most modest room offers a generous expanse of 36 square meters (387 square feet). Crafted from premium non-allergenic materials and featuring “airweave” mattresses that are extremely popular here in Japan, and stain-resistant pillowcases, every detail is curated to ensure unparalleled comfort and cleanliness.

“airweave” mattresses are used in all guest rooms.

I loved the fact that the windows could be opened – which is not always possible when staying at a Japanese hotel.

The Miller Harris toiletries and Imabari towels are very popular.

Carrying on the legacy from the days of Kitano Arms, Japan’s first serviced apartment for long-term residents, the suites are equipped with a kitchen with an induction cooktop, a large refrigerated freezer, a washer/dryer, and a microwave oven. (Pots and pans and dishes are also available!)

Tea Lounge KAFU: A Culinary Journey through Japanese Elegance

Located on the second floor of the hotel, adjacent to the serene bamboo-filled atrium, Tea Lounge KAFU beckons with its quintessential Japanese charm and a mouthwatering array of gourmet delights. I had the lunch set “Kitano Original Wagyu Beef Curry Rice (with Soup, Salad & Dessert)”. I was treated to a culinary revelation! The mild yet flavorful Japanese wagyu beef curry tantalized my taste buds, and when I poured the special New York whiskey atop it to change the taste, it was a moment of pure gastronomic bliss! So nice!!

Lunch set comes with soup, salad, and dessert. So good!

My culinary voyage continued with the exquisite “An-mitsu Agar with Shiratama, Fruits & Ice Cream” paired with fragrant matcha green tea. The harmonious blend of fresh fruits and delicately sweet molasses was simply divine, undoubtedly earning its place as the finest anmitsu in Tokyo. For all lovers of Japanese confectionery, this is an absolute must-try.

The Rooftop Lounge with Cherry Trees

Venturing to the rooftop, the ninth-floor Kitano Arms Lounge offers a panoramic vista of Tokyo’s beautiful cityscape. During cherry blossom season, guests are treated to a special experience as they partake in hanami (= cherry blossom viewing) amidst the blooming weeping cherry trees.

Weeping cherry trees in bloom at the Kitano Arms Lounge

Guests can also enjoy a panoramic view of the Tokyo’s nightscape while enjoying original cocktails and bar menu items.

(left) “Balmy Day,” a slightly sweet and thickened mix of chamomile, gin, and pineapple juice (right) “Bamboo Forest,” made with Kyoto gin and matcha green tea, is inspired by the hotel’s bamboo. It tastes very refreshing and invigorating.

Among the culinary treasures, the “Marinated Salmon Backbones & Pickles” stood out for its innovative sustainability approach. By skillfully tenderizing the typically overlooked (and too hard to eat) middle bone, guests can enjoy every aspect of this exquisite dish, a testament to the culinary artistry at The Kitano Hotel Tokyo.

At The Kitano Hotel Tokyo, you can fully enjoy Japanese tranquil elegance during your hotel stay. I would love to visit this hotel again with my family one on a special occasion.
Before I forget, there are many wonderful sightseeing spots around the hotel for you to explore! If you are considering a stay in Tokyo, don’t forget to visit “The Kitano Hotel Tokyo”!

(from top left) Hie Shrine, National Diet Building, East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Imperial Palace Run, Sanno Inari Shrine, Imperial Palace, Ruins of Edo Castle in East Gardens

The Kitano Hotel Tokyo

https://www.kitanohotel.co.jp/tokyo/
Address: 2-16-15 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UQoEqs7amsBqvvHs8
Nearest Stations: Nagatacho Station, Akasaka-mitsuke Station