【Nagatacho】THE KITANO HOTEL TOKYO – A small luxury hotel that soothes the body and soul

In 1973, the Hotel Kitano (which became The Kitano Hotel New York and is now known as The Prince Kitano New York) opened in New York City as the first Japanese hotel. It became a bridge to build a new era between Japan and the United States.

The Kitano Hotel Tokyo was established in April 2019 as a counterpart to The Prince Kitano New York. The Kitano Arms was once an apartment hotel loved by many political, financial, and cultural figures. Taking over its DNA, the hotel has been reborn to offer a new level of Japanese elegance based on the concept of “staying as if you were living in the hotel.

Room

The Kitano Hotel Tokyo has 70 guest rooms. As is typical of small luxury hotels, the number of rooms is not large, but there are 14 different room categories, including premium floors and suites.

Each room has its own “spring, summer, fall, and winter” color scheme, and is furnished and decorated in warm tones.

Now, let us introduce the rooms that we were actually shown.

Corner Deluxe Room (49sqm)

The first room we were shown was a “Corner Deluxe Room” located on the corner. It is a bright room with natural light from two sides, which is unique to corner rooms, and more natural light than expected.

The theme of this room is “summer,” and the carpet is decorated with a pattern reminiscent of the sparkling sun shining on the sea and the waves. The colors of summer are not necessarily vitamins, but rather calm and serene, creating a sense of serenity.

The 49-square-meter space is large enough to be seen from the numbers alone, but it seemed even more spacious and roomy when I actually visited the building.

The island-shaped washstand that divides the bathroom from the bedroom is equipped with a stool, which is a nice feature. This is very helpful, especially for women, when getting ready in the morning!

Bath amenities are by Miller Harris, a British maison fragrance.

In addition to the usual amenity items, face masks and toe separators are also provided, showing The Kitano Hotel Tokyo’s concern for the well-being of its guests.

The kitchen sink is installed in all guest rooms as a remnant of the former “Kitano Arms” serviced apartments. The sink adds a sense of everyday life to the luxurious hotel atmosphere, making you feel as if you are living in the apartment.

Nespresso on the counter and drinks in the fridge are all available free of charge.

Incidentally, this room can be outer-connected to the entry category 36 square meter “Superior Room (King)”.

Junior Suite (60sqm)

Next, we were shown the “Junior Suite,” a 60-square-meter space with a functional bed area and living area.

The rooms are functional and comfortable for a long stay, with a sense of luxury, but with a good sense of home. Even if you stay with a couple, I could see them spending their time together, each taking care of their own time.

Although not pictured, the abundance of storage space is also a great feature for mid- to long-term residents. There is also plenty of room for golf bags! The hotel is also equipped with a coin-operated laundry in the basement, so you can easily wash your clothes.

The bathroom has a double sink. It is very helpful to have separate sinks in the morning and at night because of the messy time.

Bathtubs and rain showers are provided in all rooms.

Kitano Seasonal Suite Autumn (78sqm)

Guest rooms are located from the 3rd to 8th floors. The 8th floor, the top floor of guest rooms, is the Premier Floor. In addition to the “Premier Rooms,” which have the same structure as the standard rooms on the regular floors (except for the furnishings and interior), the “Kitano Seasonal Suites” are arranged in “spring, summer, fall, and winter” color schemes.

The theme of this room is “Autumn,” and it is characterized by the use of colors typical of autumn foliage. The Premier Rooms use different wood and stone materials than the standard rooms. The rooms are equipped with microwave ovens, induction cooktops, large refrigerators, and washing machines with drying functions, making it possible to “stay as if you were living in the room.”

This room faces Route 246 and there are many cars passing by, but with the double-glazed door closed, the sound of cars driving by did not bother me at all.

Signature Suite Spring (80sqm)

Located on the corner of the Premier floor, this is the largest room at The Kitano Hotel Tokyo with a large window overlooking the Imperial Palace. Like the Kitano Seasonal Suite Autumn, this room is so fully equipped that you may feel as if you are living in this room. The walk-through circular closet is very easy to use.

Facilities

Restaurants & Bar

Breakfast is served in the main dining room, L’Orangerie Kouan, which opened in July 2024 with the theme of “health-friendly French cuisine” to soothe the stomachs of travelers. Breakfast is available only for hotel guests, but lunch and dinner can be enjoyed by anyone. Lunch is a course only, but dinner is also available a la carte, which is great if you want to have a light meal during your stay at the hotel.

There is also “Tea Lounge Kafu” for all-day dining where you can enjoy coffee and light meals, “Sushi Ohmi” for Edomae sushi (reservation required), and the rooftop bar “Kitano Arms Lounge” on the roof top.

I honestly did not expect a great view of the city since it is a low-rise hotel in Tokyo with 9 floors above ground, but to my surprise, it was a great spot to enjoy the panoramic view of Tokyo! I heard that weeping cherry trees will be in bloom in the spring, so I would like to enjoy a relaxing hanami while enjoying the night view of Tokyo.

Laundry & Fitness

The basement floor is equipped with a coin-operated laundry for long-term stays and a fitness room available 24 hours a day.

Access & Location

Access by train is about a 1-minute walk from Exit 4 of Nagatacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Hanzomon Line, and Nanboku Line. It is within walking distance from “Akasaka-mitsuke Station” on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Marunouchi Line, although it takes about 7 minutes to walk there.

The Kitano Hotel Tokyo is located along Route 246 in the Nagatacho area, the political center of Japan. The Kitano Hotel Tokyo is located along Route 246 in Nagatacho, the heart of Japan’s political district. Although there are not many stores and restaurants around the hotel, it is an easy location for sightseeing with good access to metro lines. If you are looking for a small luxury hotel from Japan, this is the perfect hotel for you.

The Kitano Hotel Tokyo offers a luxurious yet “ordinary” stay that will soothe your body and soul.

Last but not least…The Kitano Hotel Tokyo incorporates the “Takeda Bishi” as part of its design. This is because Hirakawacho, where the hotel stands, used to be within the outer gates of Edo Castle, where many samurai residences were located. This was just an aside.