Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, which opened in 1952, has a long and storied history. Its signature Japanese garden is celebrated for its breathtaking seasonal beauty and has drawn generations of admirers. It’s also known as a peaceful sanctuary tucked away in the heart of the city.
The garden’s Three-Story Pagoda marks its 100th year since relocation. A sea of clouds adds a touch of magic, creating a dreamlike view from the lounge terrace.
The Mejiro neighborhood, where the hotel stands, was known as Tsubakiyama, or Camellia Mountain, in the late 14th century. Its scenic charm was so admired that it was captured in the ukiyo-e prints of Utagawa Hiroshige, the renowned Edo era artist famous for his poetic depictions of landscapes and everyday life. In the Meiji era, Aritomo Yamagata, one of the most influential political figures of his time and a driving force behind the modernization of Japan, built a private residence on this land, transforming its naturally varied terrain into an elegant and atmospheric garden.
Drawing on its rich history, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo has unveiled a new lounge called Le Ciel, which opened in July 2024. Designed around the concept of New Heritage, this elegant space is reserved exclusively for suite guests and offers a refined setting to relax and take in the garden’s timeless atmosphere.
1st image: The executive lounge Le Ciel exudes a timeless sense of classical elegance.
2nd image: Step out onto the private terrace to feel an even deeper connection between the garden and the sky.
“Le Ciel” means “the sky” in French and was chosen to reflect the idea of a sky that connects people across the world. At the center of the lounge, a nearly four-meter-high window offers sweeping views of the sky and garden that change with the seasons. The exclusive terrace seating, embraced by the greenery, feels far removed from the city.
Indoors, the space blends Japanese and Western elegance with a folding screen by the Kano school depicting birds and flowers through the seasons. Inspired by the hotel’s own seven seasons including camellia, cherry blossom, fresh greenery, fireflies, cool summer, autumn, and winter, handwoven Yamagata carpets crafted with exceptional skill add richness underfoot and complete a truly luxurious setting.
The folding screen titled Four Seasons Birds and Flowers decorates the wall.
The light meal menu changes with the seven seasons and three different time periods. For example, the morning light meal served from 8:30 to 10:30 includes fragrant cube croissants made with fermented butter, egg dishes prepared live by the chef, and original honey sourced from the hotel’s own garden. From 14:30 to 17:00, the sweets and savory selection features seasonal danishes, canapés, and petit gateaux. Then, from 17:30 to 20:30, the evening light meal offers lounge-exclusive truffle-flavored cube croissants and soups inspired by the seven seasons, providing a perfect way to satisfy your appetite as evening sets in.
A morning light meal featuring a rich and satisfying menu.
Guests with access to the executive lounge Le Ciel can choose from 10 types of exquisite suites, including serene garden-view rooms, traditional Japanese-style rooms, and the impressive 280-square-meter Imperial Suite. Each promises a refined and truly luxurious experience to savor every moment of your stay.
The entrance radiates the timeless elegance of the well-established hotel.
Photo credit: All photos courtesy of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Address: 2-10-8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3943-1111
Website: https://www.hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.com/
