The Imperial Hotel, at number 22, first opened it’s doors in 1890 and was the was the only fully European style hotel in Tokyo for decades. This legendary Tokyo landmark has welcomed royalty, heads of state, celebrities and international business leaders for over 115 years and is located within walking distance of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station. With design elements remaining from a 1923 addition designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Imperial Hotel is definitely worth a visit – and you can stay there too if you don’t mind spending upwards of Y37,800 ($378 US) per night.

The Park Hyatt Tokyo, ranked at number 16, is located in the heart of Shinjuku and offers spectacular views of Tokyo’s unique skyline. The hotel has 173 rooms including 23 suites that are all located above the 41st floor with room rates starting around US $525 a night. The Park Hyatt Tokyo’s New York Bar, located on the 52nd floor, was prominently featured in the movie Lost in Translation starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Everyone is welcome to visit the New York Bar, but if you go after 8PM (7PM on Sundays) expect to pay a Y2,000 (US $20) cover charge to enjoy some live Jazz and cocktails overlooking the city at night.

Photo Credit: Flickr, Park Tower from Shinjuku

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

The Imperial Palace East Garden is located on the former site of Edo Castle. None of the original buildings remain but the moats, walls, entrance gates and several guardhouses that protected the former castle still stand within the confines of the garden. The castle, once the largest in Japan standing 58 meters (190 feet) high, was destroyed by fire in 1657 but the base remains and can be used as a vantage point to oversee portions of this vast garden.

The Tide view, or Shiomi-zaka, slope once commanded a view of the ocean but now leads you downs to the Ninomaru Garden which is beautifully laid out around a central pond that features many stunning bridges and stone lanterns on the surrounding path. Also on the grounds is the Suwano-chaya Tea House, originally built in 1912 and the Sannomaru Shozokan (The Museum of the Imperial Collections) that holds a collection of approximately 9,500 art pieces owned and inherited by the Imperial family.

The Imperial Palace East Garden can be accessed through one of three gates (map) within close proximity to either the Takebashi or Otemachi Stations on Tokyo Metro. Use the garden map to identify points of interest in the garden and their locations.

After spending a few hours at the Imperial Palace East Garden, why not pop across the street to the Imperial Hotel and and rest your feet while enjoying a cocktail at the Old Imperial Bar? It’s a perfect way to end the day.

Photo Credit: Flickr, In the Tokyo Imperial Palace East Garden

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

If you are a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright or just want to see some of the decor from the 1923 hotel be sure to stop by the Old Imperial Bar for a drink or just wander through the lobby of this Tokyo landmark.

Standard room rates start at Y37,800 ($378 US) and run up to Y1,050,000 ($1,050 US) for a suite on one of the Imperial Floors.

IMPERIAL HOTEL TOKYO (map)
1-1, Uchisaiwai-cho 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8558
TEL: +81-3-3504-1111
FAX: +81-3-3581-9146

Photo Credit: Flickr, imperial hotel & Wikipedia, Imperial Hotel Wright House

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler