Tokyo Tourism has invited travellers to immerse themselves in the heart of Japan’s capital through five unique hotels that engage all five senses.
Shukuba Hotel – a look into Edo history
In Shinagawa, once a bustling post town along the Tokaido route that connected Edo and Kyoto, Shukuba Hotel offers guests the chance to experience traditional Japanese living. Operated by Shukuba Japanf, the properties are renovated townhouses and apartments, with full-time concierges who deliver personalised hospitality.
Guests can enjoy local guided tours, take part in workshops such as lacquerware or Japanese sweets making, or join a cruise aboard a traditional “yakatabune” boat. A convenient delivery system allows meals and goods to be brought in from nearby restaurants and shops, creating a seamless connection to the surrounding community.
The brand also offers a dormitory-style guesthouse to encourage interaction among fellow travellers.
Shukuba Hotel.
Manga Art Hotel, Tokyo – a manga and anime fan’s dream
With 5,000 manga volumes lining the shelves and staff recommendations that offer fresh discoveries, guests can read through the night surrounded by their favourite stories. Additional affiliated properties include a private room hotel in Jimbocho with its own sauna, and a one-room apartment in Bakurocho available for exclusive rental.
All locations are near Akihabara, Tokyo’s hub of subculture, perfect for further exploration after a good read.
Manga Art Hotel.
Omatsuri Base Nakanoshimbashi – year-round Japanese festival celebrations
The newly opened Omatsuri Base property in Nakan – Shimbashi brings the excitement of Japanese festivals to life every day of the year. Opened on 1 July, the hotel features mikoshi-inspired beds, lantern-lit interiors and the sounds of matsuri music throughout.
On the rooftop, guests can enjoy festival stalls with traditional games like yo-yo fishing and ring toss. Designed to accommodate up to eight guests per room, the hotel is ideal for families or groups of friends. With easy access to both Shinjuku and Tokyo Station, it is a festive base for any Tokyo adventure.
Omatsuri Base.
Hotel 1899 – the centre of Japanese tea culture
Located in Shimbashi, Hotel 1899 Tokyo is a boutique hotel centred around Japanese tea culture. At the tea counter near reception, a “cha-barrié” or tea sommelier is always on hand to serve complimentary sencha and matcha. Guest rooms are fitted with teapots, a selection of teas, and amenities infused with green tea. The hotel cafe offers sweets and craft drinks made with Japanese tea, and a retail corner sells original blends. Guests can experience Japanese tea culture with all five senses while staying in one of central Tokyo’s busiest districts.
Hotel 1899.
Fujikura Schoolhouse Lodge – discover Japanese rural charm
In Hinohara Village, about 60 km west of central Tokyo, the Fujikura Schoolhouse Lodge is a former school turned into a peaceful mountain retreat. Surrounded by forest, the area offers a window into Japan’s “satoyama” countryside lifestyle. Through hands-on experiences such as seasonal farming workshops and cooking with local ingredients, guests can learn about the region’s sustainable way of life and the traditions of rural Japan.
Tokyo’s accommodation scene goes beyond the ordinary, from historic neighbourhoods to modern pop culture, these five Tokyo hotels offer a sensory journey into Japan’s rich cultural landscape.
Fujikura Schoolhouse Lodge.
AloJapan.com