[ Tokyo Tourism ] A Japanese garden you must see at least once! Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, where you can enjoy the seven seasons in a historical atmosphere

Last Updated on 12/30/2022 by てんしょく飯

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is celebrating its 70th anniversary. With its vast Japanese garden overflowing with nature, it is one of Tokyo’s representative hotels suitable for weddings and special dinners.

In this issue, we look back on the history of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo and introduce its guest rooms, Japanese garden, restaurants, stores, and seasonal events.

History of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo celebrates its 70th anniversary in November 2022. It was originally not a hotel but the residence of politician Aritomo Yamagata. Mr. Yamagata, who was both a politician and a cultural figure, purchased the land, which was called “Tsubakiyama,” a scenic spot where camellias grow wild, with his private fortune in 1878, and built a garden and a residence, which he named “Chinzanso.

In 1952, Chinzan-so opened as a garden restaurant and quickly became known as a prestigious wedding venue overflowing with greenery. 1992 saw the opening of the Four Seasons Hotel Chinzan-so Tokyo on the premises, and the hotel has since become one of the most prestigious wedding hotels in Japan. Guests from Japan and abroad have been attracted by the natural beauty of the Japanese garden and the high quality of service, and the hotel has received prestigious awards from around the world, including a four-star rating in the Forbes Traverl Guide hotel category.

The charm of the “Japanese Garden” that symbolizes Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

The Japanese garden is the symbol of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. 100 years ago, most gardens were artificially created with plants and other elements, but Mr. Yamagata insisted on a “naturalistic garden” that resembles a full-size cutout of nature.

The Hotel Chinzan-so Tokyo, where a river flows through the elevated terrain and seasonal flowers and trees can be admired, is so full of natural beauty that one may forget that one is in the heart of the city.

There are many highlights, such as the Entsukaku, a three-story pagoda designated as a national tangible cultural property, and the 500-year-old Goshinoki tree. Thanks to the topography of the area, which varies in elevation, visitors will feel refreshed as if they are strolling through a canyon.

The garden at Hotel Chinzan-so Tokyo has seven seasons: winter, camellia, cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, fireflies, summer, and autumn. Camellias (February), as the name suggests, are in full bloom; cherry blossoms (late March to early April), with 100 cherry trees of about 20 varieties, are in full bloom; and fireflies (early summer) can be seen at “Hotarusawa” (Firefly Sawa). You will surely feel the beautiful seasonal changes in Japan.

Japanese garden is shrouded in fog at “Tokyo Sea of Clouds

Tokyo Unkai,” one of the largest foggy garden productions in Japan, started in 2020. At certain times of the day, the Japanese Garden will be covered in fog, creating a fantastic sea of clouds. The event is held from morning to night, starting as early as 7:00 a.m. and ending as late as 10:00 p.m. The production differs depending on the season and time of day, giving visitors a different impression each time they visit.

In the winter of 2022, a program titled “Northern Lights in the Forest and Praying Stars: Anniversary Flash” will be held at night. The “Aurora of the Forest,” which creates a pale green and blue world with laser light, can be seen a total of seven times from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the “Praying Star – Anniversary Flash,” which reproduces a star-like twinkle with dazzling light, can be seen once an hour between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., so please visit the museum after dinner.

Hotel Chinzan-so Tokyo, winner of prestigious international awards

Hotel Chinzan-so Tokyo has hosted many guests, including state guests from around the world. The hotel has a reputation not only for its gardens, but also for its comfortable atmosphere.

All 267 guest rooms have either a garden view or a city view. The garden view rooms overlook the garden in all four seasons. They also overlook the Tokyo Sea of Clouds, making your stay as comfortable as if you were above the clouds. City View rooms offer a distant view of Tokyo’s skyscrapers.

In 2022, the hotel won the Grand Prix in the category “The Best Hotel Ambience in the World” at the Prix Villégiature Awards, an international award for hotels selected by renowned journalists from around the world. The hotel was awarded the Grand Prix in the category of “The Best Hotel Ambience in the World. The hotel offers a relaxing environment where you can feel nature in the city and relax your body and mind.

Hotel Chinzan-so Tokyo’s Distinctive Restaurants and Shops

One of the reasons to visit Hotel Chinzan-so Tokyo is the charming restaurants and hotel stores. There are nine restaurants on the premises, including a Japanese ryotei restaurant, an Italian restaurant, and a main bar, from which you can choose according to the occasion.

Among them, the Lobby Lounge “Le Jardin” is packed every day. The most popular items to look forward to are the seasonal afternoon tea and evening high tea. Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is said to be the first hotel in Tokyo to offer afternoon tea, and the menu for the 2022-2023 winter evening high tea is the “Aurora Evening High Tea” (from 6,500 yen), named after the Tokyo Unkai winter garden production “Northern Lights in the Forest. Guests can enjoy an elegant moment with fine hors d’oeuvres, roast beef, and desserts while enjoying a view of the garden.

The hotel store “Selections” sells cakes richly infused with seasonal flavors and other sweets associated with the Tokyo Sea of Clouds. Shortcake (700 yen) and Gateau Opera (750 yen), which are sold year-round, are also popular.

The “Tokyo Sea of Clouds Sweets Biscuit Roll Cake – Aurora” (700 yen), which will be on sale during the winter of 2022-2023, is a delight to the eye with its rich butterfly pea cream and pistachio cream to recreate the Northern Lights.

Foreign Language Services at Hotel Chinzan-so Tokyo

Hotel Chinzan-so Tokyo has staff who speak English, Chinese, and Korean. You can feel free to ask questions about any problems you may have at the hotel.

In addition, we offer free guided tours of the Japanese garden in English exclusively to hotel guests. The official website introduces the Japanese garden in detail in foreign languages so that those who cannot participate in the tour can deepen their understanding of the garden.

Weekdays only/Excluded days apply.

Hotel Chinzan-so Tokyo offers seven different seasons and a variety of fascinating experiences such as Tokyo Sea of Clouds and afternoon tea, giving you a new experience every time you stay at the hotel. On your next trip to Japan, visit this hotel that is recognized around the world.