Enjoy sophisticated, ever-evolving neighborhoods and experience another level of quality in the areas around the hotel on this trip to Marunouchi

Tour this retro station building, restored thanks to state-of-the-art engineering

The Marunouchi Station Building is symbolic portion of Tokyo Station, the largest terminal station in Japan. Retaining the architectural style of the Taisho era, the building is a nationally designated important cultural property and a popular tourist attraction.

The Marunouchi Station Building, located on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station, was designed by Kingo Tatsuno, the father of modern Japanese architecture. It opened in 1914. Damage from the war caused the roof and interior to be lost; the station was later reconstructed as a two-story building. Preservation and restoration work was carried out over a five-year period starting in 2007. The completion of this work restored the original Taisho era design.

The first and second floors preserve the original building when it was built, while the third floor and roof have been restored. Repeated trial and error was needed with the decorative brickwork on the exterior walls of the third floor, as it was necessary to match the color of the existing bricks.

The domed roof at the south entrance was restored by master artisans. The former copper shingle roof was transformed into a natural slate roof.

Make sure to gaze up at the interior of the south dome. Eight eagles, each approximately two meters wide, are attached to the octagonal corners, spreading their wings as if to protect something. Other original ornamental details can be seen throughout the building, including carvings of eight of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac. Enjoy seeking out the playful designs reproduced based on history from a century ago.

The historic site of the former Edo Castle is also a must-see; enjoy a refreshing walk in the Kokyo Gaien National Garden!

The Kokyo Gaien National Garden harmonizes expansive plazas dotted with black pines, moats reminiscent of Edo Castle, and remnants of historical structures. Just a short walk from a business district, you will be surrounded by a sense of openness that makes it hard to believe that you are in the heart of the city. This makes it a great spot for visiting historical sites as well as a route for walks.

Wadakura Fountain Park, which features a large fountain as well as a waterfall, is located in the Kokyo Gaien National Garden. This is a relaxing spot offering visitors a chance to take a break by the water. The large fountain in the center was built in 1961 to commemorate the marriage of the former emperor. It was then renovated in June 1993 on the occasion of the marriage of the present emperor.

Take a walk along the water and step across the glass bridge known as “Kibo,” or “hope” in Japanese. Benches are found around the large fountain, providing a resting spot for runners who circle the Imperial Palace.

Take in this monument featuring a waterfall and a spherical fountain.

Located a 10-minute walk from Wadakura Fountain Park is the striking bronze Statue of Masashige Kusunoki. The depicted figure was a military commander at the end of the Kamakura period. The statue faces Nijubashi Bridge.

Another 10 minutes' walk finds us at Nijubashi Bridge, which connects to the main gate of the Imperial Palace.

Sakuradamon Gate is a nationally designated important cultural property. The stone walls and square-shaped (masugata) defense gate were completed around 1620 by assigned daimyo feudal lords in Eastern Japan. They were later damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake. The present gate is said to have been relocated as a result of a major reinforcement project.

Looking up at the roof of the Sakuradamon Gate, there are shachihoko on the roof, which act as fire-prevention talismans.

This is a special place where you can experience nature and history within an open atmosphere that makes it hard to believe that you are in the heart of the city. We also recommend early morning walks to enjoy the clear air.

*There are restrictions on use due to special security for state events, etc.

Taking you sightseeing in Tokyo, this double-decker open-top bus tour is full of eye-opening information

Enjoy a guided tour of the city on a double-decker open-top bus! There is a ticket counter on the first floor of the Mitsubishi Building, and the bus departs from the bus stop located out front.

The Imperial Palace, Ginza, and Marunouchi Course (approximately 50 minutes) will take you around central Tokyo to see sights that include the National Diet Building, Ginza, and Marunouchi.
There are also a variety of other courses available, such as the Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge Course and the Oedo Tokyo Course. Be sure to check the schedule available on the website and make your reservation in advance.

There was a pleasant breeze on the open-top bus when this photo was taken in September! From Tokyo Station, we head towards Kasumigaseki while taking in the views of the Kokyo Gaien National Garden and Kitanomaru Garden. A tour guide provides guests with detailed explanations of the sights in the area.

The National Diet Building is visible in front of us! You are not allowed to get up from your seat, so be sure to remain seated. Keep your camera on hand; no ceiling means you have plenty of opportunities to take the perfect shot.

Next, we head toward the government office district of Kasumigaseki. Buildings often seen on TV such as courthouses, the Ministry of Justice, and the Metropolitan Police Department line the streets.

Road signs are also visible right above you on the tour.

At the Ginza 4-Chome intersection, look up at the clock found on the SEIKO HOUSE GINZA building as the bus takes you down the bustling Ginza Odori street. The bus offers a familiar yet different view of the Ginza streetscape, which we had only ever seen from the sidewalk.

Finally, we came to the most thrilling point on the tour, the Kajibashi underpass! The hotel staff couldn’t help but scream out as the Sky Bus just barely fits under the elevated bridge, which has a height restriction of 3.8 meters.

After passing under the Kajibashi underpass, the bus takes us toward the Marunouchi office district. The Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum towers on the right.

After the 50-minute ride to see the sights in Tokyo, we returned to the Mitsubishi Building from which we departed at the start. Many new discoveries await you on this tour. Take in never-before-seen views from the double-decker bus as you listen to the tour guide's explanations. There are also seasonal courses available, including the Golden Ginkgo Avenue Course and the Christmas Illumination Course, allowing visitors to enjoy different aspects of Tokyo.

The best spot to look out on the Marunouchi Station Building (Tokyo Station) and the surrounding skyscrapers

KITTE is a complex created by partially preserving and restoring the former Tokyo Central Post Office building built in 1931. The seven floors—from the basement to the sixth floor—are filled with restaurants and shops selling specialty items from all over Japan. Be sure to check out the rooftop KITTE Garden on the top floor when you visit.

Covering an area of approximately 1500 m2, the KITTE Garden features a vibrant green grass plaza and wooden deck walkways. The view out over the Marunouchi Station Building (Tokyo Station) makes the cityscape look like beautifully manicured miniatures.

From the east side of the rooftop garden, Shinkansen bullet trains and conventional trains alike are visible arriving at and departing from Tokyo Station. With luck, you may see Hayabusa or Komachi bullet trains, which is why some train fans also visit this spot.

The benches found around the garden make this a great place to take a break while enjoying the view of Marunouchi. And at night, the Marunouchi Station building is lit up, giving it an atmosphere of romance completely different from that during the day.

Experience a new type of curry that draws on the traditions of a long-established restaurant, to be enjoyed casually inside a station shopping complex

This specialty curry restaurant, found in a station shopping complex, is produced by Shinjuku Nakamuraya, the first to sell authentic Indian curry in Japan. Located in a corner of Gransta Tokyo within Tokyo Station, visitors can enjoy authentic curry in a casual setting.
The most popular Chicken Curry Special Toppings (1,500 yen) is made with a curry roux featuring more than 20 spices, topped with papadam (bean flour crackers), sautéed spinach, a fried egg, fried onions from Awaji Island, and cilantro.

Papadam is a thinly baked cracker that is a popular snack in India. Enjoy the crispy texture and wonderful flavor.

The Chicken Curry & Keema Curry (1,450 yen) offers you a chance to enjoy two types of curry roux. This sumptuous dish lets you enjoy a spicy chicken curry and a rich, European-style keema curry together on one plate.

One of the hotel staff members says curry was a regular meal in her home country. With toppings that allow the flavors to vary, it seems that curry in Japan is also quite good.

Curry at this restaurant is served with special spices for adding heat and spice oil; add these in small quantities to increase the spiciness and add flavor. All curries are also topped with a Sri Lankan garnish called pol sambol made with coconut and red chili pepper.

The Indian and European-style curries at this restaurant—continuing the tradition of a veteran establishment—are made from carefully selected spices and quality ingredients. Enjoy authentic curry in this stylish space, an unexpected treat in a station shopping complex.

Rediscover the delicious flavor of rice and experience the wonder of Enbu-Daki cooking!

Zojirushi Gohan Restaurant (Tokyo Store), operated by Zojirushi Corporation—known for being a leading manufacturer of rice cookers—is a restaurant that puts rice front and center. Creative dishes are served that pair well with the rice, which is blended by a rice meister and cooked in Zojirushi's Enbu-Daki rice cookers.
The Zojirushi Gozen lunch is 2,200 yen. There are two main dishes to choose from, including this cold shabu salad with lots of condiments. Served alongside are red sea bream chazuke and a variety of side dishes. (*Some menu items and prices may differ from those at the time of the interview.)

The rice cooked in Zojirushi's Enbu-Daki rice cookers is wonderfully glossy. The rice is cooked differently each day, with either a chewy or firm texture. Customers can choose from a choice of regular white rice or a healthy blended rice, with rice refills free of charge.

Here is the Zojirushi Gozen with the second main dish, a fried chicken with salted rice malt and shiso Genovese sauce. The fresh acidity of the ume plum and the refreshing shiso complement the juicy fried chicken well.

The Zojirushi Gozen changes based on seasonal ingredients. At dinner time, customers can enjoy luxurious dishes and rice such as the Sea Bream Chazuke Gozen for 3,100 yen and the Japanese Black Wagyu Cutlet Gozen for 3,300 yen.

The Rice Station is lined with Enbu-Daki IH pressure rice cookers, and the aroma of freshly cooked rice wafts through the air.

Located on the 5th floor of KITTE Marunouchi, the restaurant offers a view of the red-brick Marunouchi Station Building (Tokyo Station) through the windows. The blue chairs are a vibrant sight in the wood-grain interior.

This restaurant will make you realize how different the aroma and texture of rice can be depending on how it is cooked. The restaurant is so popular that it is generally fully booked for both lunch and dinner, so we recommend making a reservation in advance.

Familiar Western-style dishes born from the traditions of French cuisine

Grill Mantenboshi is a well-known Western-style restaurant with seven locations in Tokyo. Chef Yoshinao Kubota, who serves as executive chef, has trained under Tokuzo Akiyama, known for being the Emperor’s chef. His cuisine featuring a demi-glace sauce simmered for a week using traditional methods is well-regarded.
The photo shows the Omelette Rice With Demi-Glace (weekday lunch), a restaurant specialty available for 1,580 yen. A rice pilaf made with mushrooms and eight kinds of vegetables cooked in broth is topped with soft, fluffy eggs containing shrimps and scallops. This is also a perfect match for the rich demi-glace sauce.

The Hamburger Steak With Demi-Glace (weekday lunch) for 1,780 yen features a substantial, meaty patty made with ground Japanese beef and pork (7:3), with a particularly high lean meat content. Juices spill out when this hamburger steak is pierced with a knife.

Hamburger steaks and fried items are served with bread or rice. Fragrant and chewy, you will want to savor it with the demi-glace sauce down to the last drop.

If you wish to try a variety of flavors, we recommend the One Plate Mix for 2,750 yen. This menu item allows you to enjoy two Western-style dishes of your choice. On this visit, we chose the Seafood Pilaf and Fried Shrimp. You can choose from a total of eight menu items, including Rice Omelette, Menchikatsu, Crab Cream Croquette, and Cabbage Rolls.

The restaurant offers both table and sofa seating, as well as seats with a view of the skyscrapers through the windows. Come and enjoy Western-style cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

The restaurant is located on the 5th floor of the Marunouchi Building, which is directly connected to Tokyo Station. Course meals featuring mini Western-style dishes at dinner time start at 7,000 yen and include unlimited drinks for two hours. These are a popular choice for parties and girls' nights out.

Fruit in the morning is the best—wake your body up at this fruit paradise!

Located in Gransta Tokyo's Yaekita Shokudo, Fruit Parlor Kajitsuen Liber is a trendy spot where customers can enjoy parfaits and cakes made with fresh fruit that is sourced direct from the market every morning. The Fruit Parfait (1,740 yen, left) is a work of art that has remained the same for 52 years. Each fruit is cut differently, creating the perfect balance.

The Mango Parfait (2,180 yen) is full of sweet, ripe, melt-in-your-mouth mango. The shop uses carefully selected mangoes, so limited numbers are available.

Fruit Parlor Kajitsuen Liber also offers gorgeous pancakes! The Mixed Pancakes (1,600 yen) are fluffy pancakes served with a mountain of strawberries, mango, pineapple, and other fruits.

All fruit is cut to order so that customers can enjoy the fresh sweetness and acidity. Naturally, fruit is also served alongside food menu options such as hamburg steaks, pasta, and omurice. Enjoy all the fruit options at this cafe inside Tokyo Station; your body is sure to thank you for it!

To this hotel in the sky, where guests can enjoy a panoramic night view of the city center from more than 120 meters above ground!

This urban hotel is located on the 27th to 34th floors of Sapia Tower, which connects directly to the Nihombashi exit of JR Tokyo Station. Upon arriving on the 27th floor lobby via the dedicated elevator, you will enter into a spacious atrium that offers an outstanding sense of openness! Light pours in through the skylights above.

Check out the diorama set up in one corner of the lobby before checking in.

You will find realistic reproductions of Tokyo Station, Sapia Tower, Tokyo Tower, and other tourist attractions. The diorama was created by a professional diorama creator. Even the trains passing by the platform and the cars on the road have been reproduced in great detail.

The elegantly designed hotel key cards feature the Morning Scene in Nihombashi from Utagawa Hiroshige's Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Road and Red Fuji from Katsushika Hokusai's Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.

Stay in a peaceful and relaxing space; guest rooms offering a bath with views are also available

Starting in April 2024, the newly renovated 33rd and 34th floors became available. Guest rooms on the two floors have been transformed into a new space bearing the name -UTSUROI-. Including a bath, this Station Side Queen guest room features rooms all facing south, offering guests great views of the trains below. (*other floors are scheduled to be renovated in stages).

The subdued colors of the wallpaper, which features a design based on a map of the Marunouchi area, and the Japanese washi paper-like bed throws are just a few of the details that incorporate Japanese aesthetics.

The 160 x 200 cm Simmons bed is large enough for two guests. Two types of pillows are available—down and two-way pillows. Enjoy a good night’s rest with the pillow of your choice.

The bathrooms are bright and refreshing. The night and morning views of Tokyo Station invigorate and will help make your stay an exquisite experience.

This -UTSUROI- Executive Corner Twin Room is a corner guest room facing northwest (toward Kanda and Akihabara). It offers approximately 30 m2 of space. Windows on two sides provide a unique view of the city center. Bathrooms with windows also come equipped with washing areas.

Enjoy the luxury of having breakfast while looking out on the skyscrapers in the heart of the city

Dining & Bar TENQOO offers a panoramic view of the city center from 120 meters above ground. The open space with a ceiling height of three meters serves as the breakfast space for the hotel. Enjoy a rich variety of dishes from a buffet offering Japanese and Western-style items.

A wide variety of breads such as croissant aux amandes, Danish French toast, and Danishes are also available.

The chef's recommendation is My Chazuke. Choose from the roughly 15 different ingredients and 5 different toppings sourced from all over Japan.

Add your favorite toppings such as iburigakko (smoked pickled daikon), chirimen sansho (baby sardines and Japanese pepper), ami tsukudani (simmered shrimp), and pour hojicha tea or Japanese soup stock over the rice and toppings. Enjoy customizing your dish to your heart’s content!

The breakfast buffet also offers a wide selection of Japanese foods, including natto in straw, salmon roe, Japanese omelettes, simmered dishes, tofu, and inari sushi. Because Tokyo is the center of Japan, the restaurant sources seasonal ingredients representative of different regions.

Normally, TENQOO is well-known for its French course cuisine. The restaurant offers a variety of sauces that make use of French techniques, such as a fragrant truffle mushroom cream sauce and a botanical curry sauce to go with hot dishes, scrambled eggs, and fried eggs en cocotte.

After a relaxed meals, including dessert, take a break with the restaurant's specialty coffee or tea sourced from TWG Tea in Singapore. Get your body in rhythm with refreshing views looking out over Tokyo Station.

Savor original offerings from famous manufacturers of snacks and confections!

First Avenue Tokyo Station is located just outside the Yaesu Underground Central Exit at Tokyo Station. With shops based on various themes such as Tokyo Character Street and Tokyo Ramen Street, the area is always bustling with visitors. On our trip, we visited Tokyo Okashi Land.

Morinaga Okashina-okashiyasan is a specialty shop from Morinaga ＆ Co., Ltd. The shop offers a wide variety of products exclusive to Tokyo Station such as Chocoball and Hi-Chew. There is a kitchen space in one area of the store where visitors can enjoy freshly made soft serve ice cream and beverages. We also recommend the big Koeda Churros for 360 yen.

The Milk Caramel Chocolate Florentine Biscuits are 1,200 yen for 7 pieces. Almond slices coated in caramel sauce are placed on cookie dough and baked, giving this confection a rich Florentine-like flavor.

The Amazingly Huge Tokyo Festival Hi-Chew Box is exclusive to Tokyo Okashi Land and available for 1,080 yen. Six packs of candy apple and cotton candy-flavored Hi-Chew will make you feel like you are at a Japanese festival.

Introducing unusual ways to eat familiar snacks and confections

We visited Calbee+, a specialty store where you can experience Calbee's delicious, fun, and delightful products. Here, visitors can enjoy hot snacks made in the kitchen.

The most popular Poterico Salad (390 yen, right) is freshly fried and has an irresistible crunchy texture. The BIG Poteriko Selected Salad (490 yen, left), available exclusively at Tokyo Station, is a heartier version of Poteriko. Even longer and thicker, it has an addictive onion flavor.

There are also various items available exclusively at the Tokyo Station shop. The Kamaage Chips Salt & Broth from Nihombashi Bonito Flakes (932 yen) are made with powdered bonito flakes from Nimben, a specialty shop located in Nihombashi, Tokyo. These crunchy potato chips are more flavorful the more you chew.

The Tokyo Moon Potato Sea Salt & Butter Flavor (1,188 yen) snack are made from Japanese potatoes cut and cooked in a crescent shape, giving them a delightful crunchy, crumbly texture. The Umi no Sei salt, made from seawater near Oshima-machi, Tokyo, and the buttery flavor complement the potatoes.

There are a total of four shops, including Glico ALMOND Days and Kamedaseika, each offering snacks and confections only available here. We hope you will try the unique options thought up by each shop.

A fascinating world of playful handkerchiefs made from quality fabrics awaits

Since we visited KITTE, we went in search of appropriate KITTE (meaning “postage stamp” in Japanese) souvenirs. Located on the third floor, H TOKYO is a specialty handkerchief store with over 200 designs sewn in Japan. Items available only at the Marunouchi shop, such as the Towel Handkerchief embroidered with a mailbox design for 1,100 yen, are also popular as gifts.

The KITTE Exclusive Mailbox Embroidery Brooch, a three-dimensional brooch with an embroidered mailbox design, is available for 880 yen.

The Koyomi-chief, an organic cotton gauze handkerchief, is available for 1,650 yen. You can order an embroidered design with your choice of date, making this a great way to casually include an anniversary date on a gift.

This is the Manga-chief series, which conveys the appeal of manga to the world. The work of Junji Ito, a master of Japanese horror manga, is now available on 100% cotton handkerchiefs. The Manga-chief Junji Ito (3080 yen) features a luminous print that glows mysteriously in the dark.

Handkerchief Fabric Pinback Buttons made from handkerchief scraps are 660 yen. With so many different patterns, it is a delight just to think about how they could be used.

The shop offers a wide range of items, including unique KITTE items and handkerchiefs designed by domestic and international creators. It is precisely because it is something to be used every day that you will want to choose a special handkerchief.

Here, the hotel staff is holding a copy of Tokyo Route Map 2 for 2,200 yen, which depicts the subway system in central Tokyo. The cotton twill handkerchief’s design features a map of train routes as well as sights to see in Tokyo. Embroidered initials can also be added, making this a great gift for someone special.

Exclusive Tokyo Station bites available as takeout are perfect for when you want a little snack

The Square Zero area on the first basement floor of Gransta Tokyo is home to a wide variety of bento box shops, delicatessens, and confectioneries. There is also a wide range of takeout options. Here, we will introduce some exclusive items perfect for when staying at your hotel and you want a little snack.

Izasa-Chaya Gransta Tokyo sells bento boxes, including onigiri and kakinoha sushi. Our top recommendation is the Tokyo Station Exclusive Colorful Sushi Bento Box for 1180 yen. It includes a sushi roll featuring salmon and cream cheese, as well as roast beef, salmon, and salmon roe temari sushi. Each of these, as well as the fried chicken tender and fried egg, are bite-sized and easy to eat!

We next head to Sandwich House Meruhen Gransta Tokyo, where colorful sandwiches line the showcase. The Gransta Tokyo Exclusive Sandwich Pack for 972 yen is a set of tomato and ham, egg salad, shrimp cutlet, and fruit special sandwiches. The fruit special sandwich features three kinds of fruit.

Sandwich House Meruhen also sells lovely fruit sandwiches with beautifully cross-sectioned fruit. Including a whole slice of juicy pineapple, the Pineapple Whipped Cream sandwich (584 yen) is a sight to see! This may not be a station exclusive, but it is a guilt-free pleasure you are sure to enjoy.

*Open until 22:00 if the following day is a holiday

*Open until 22:00 if the following day is a holiday