At a Glance
Hoshinoya Tokyo offers a Japanese ryokan experience in the city. From the hotel’s traditional tatami flooring to its onsen (Japanese hot springs), the property is a peaceful retreat in the bustling metropolis.
Indagare Loves
- The lounge and tea room on each floor that offers complimentary snacks and tea throughout the day.
- The attentive service and Japanese hospitality
- That the hotel is the only property in the city with an onsen.
Review
The discreet entrance to the Hoshinoya Tokyo is marked only by a subtle logo in the side of a financial building. Centrally located in Tokyo’s business district of Otemachi and in close proximity to the bustling Tokyo Station, the hotel is a calm oasis, where Japanese traditionalism remains present amid an increasingly cosmopolitan city. Upon arrival, guests are asked to remove their shoes at the door (as at all ryokans) and embrace the serene atmosphere one would find in a traditional Japanese home.
The Hoshinoya Tokyo has 84 rooms spread over 14 floors and each one has a traditional Japanese aesthetic, with tatami floors, low futon beds and sliding shoji doors. Each floor also has its own ochanoma (tea room), which is stocked with beverages and snacks throughout the day (don’t miss the miso soup and onigiri in the morning and matcha tea in the afternoon).
While the Hoshinoya Tokyo doesn’t offer a gym or a pool, it does have a small spa and Tokyo’s only true onsen. The hot springs begin indoors and extend outside, offering guests an experience similar to that at a traditional countryside inn, despite being in the center of the city. The hotel has a number of special activities, including a complimentary sake tastings in the lobby, as well as a Japanese tea ceremonies and rickshaw tours of Tokyo (for an additional cost).
Hoshinoya Tokyo has a fine-dining restaurant that is open for dinner, when it serves Nippon cuisine, which utilizes Japanese ingredients and French culinary styles. Unlike some ryokans, meals are not included in the hotel rate. One of the best features of the Hoshinoya Tokyo is its in-room breakfast: the elaborate Japanese-style meal comes with several dishes, including grilled fish, rice, seaweed salad, picked vegetables and miso soup (there is a Western option for the less adventurous).
Who Should Stay
Sophisticated city visitors seeking a ryokan-style experience in Tokyo.
Written by Emma Pierce