Here are five culturally immersive and diverse properties that have opened in recent years.
MIMARU Tokyo Pokémon Room
Popular for its convenience, MIMARU offers apartment hotels, all with kitchens. There are 15 MIMARU locations in Tokyo’s main tourist spots.
One of the most in-demand room types is the Pokémon Room, filled with the popular characters.
With a giant stuffed Snorlax on the bed and Poké Ball designed tableware, this special space is irresistible for Pokémon fans.
Find Pokémon rooms in Tokyo at three locations: MIMARU Tokyo Ueno East, MIMARU Tokyo Ginza East and MIMARU Tokyo Hatchobori.
Stay SAKURA Tokyo Asakusa Yokozuna Hotel
This is a hotel that’s been inspired by the ancient Japanese martial art of sumo wrestling.
One sumo “stable” (training centre for wrestlers), the Kokonoe Stable has been renovated into a place where sumo wrestling culture can be felt everywhere, including room plates bearing the names of past grand champions, known as yokozuna.
You’ll find a wide range of accommodation, from twin rooms to suites, and some rooms are stocked with official goods from the Japan Sumo Association.
A convenient location for sightseeing, just five-minutes’ walk from Asakusa Station. All rooms have a kitchen with laundry facilities also on the premises, perfect for long-term stays.
ONSEN RYOKAN YUEN SHINJUKU
Sink into natural hot springs amid the atmosphere of ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn in the heart of the city, just a 20-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station or a seven-minute walk from Shinjuku-gyoemmae Subway Station.
The property fuses traditional Japanese and modern sensibilities and has a wide variety of room types.
The open-air bath on the top floor is only open to hotel guests. Take in the sweeping view of Shinjuku skyscrapers while soaking in hot spring waters brought from the source in Hakone.
Auberge TOKITO
Opened in April, this Japanese auberge (dining-focused inn) inherits part of the historic estate and garden of a famous classic restaurant.
Enjoy quality time relaxing in the outskirts of Tachikawa, about 30km from Shinjuku. All four guest rooms have open-air baths flowing with water directly from a 100 per cent natural hot spring.
The soul of the hotel is the dining room where Michelin-starred chefs are creating new styles of Japanese cuisine. Guests can enjoy a dining experience that conveys the depth and richness of Japan’s food culture.
Shubou-Tamajiman
A guesthouse offering hands-on experiences on the grounds of the Ishikawa Brewery, in operation since 1863. The lush green scenery unique to western Tokyo’s Tama area offers a great setting.
Amid the warm wood interior of the hotel are capsule bedrooms divided into men’s and women’s sections. The restaurant serves dishes made with ingredients from the Tama area and sake from Ishikawa Brewery.
Special options include stays with a sake brewery tour and tasting seminar, as well as workshops on how to make fresh toner from salted rice malt.
