Stay · Akasaka / Kioicho

Hotel New Otani Tokyo ホテルニューオータニ

A 1964 Olympic-era landmark built around a free, 10-acre Japanese garden with a history of over 400 years. Expect koi ponds, a 6 m waterfall, scarlet bridges and centuries-old stone lanterns, once the grounds of Kato Kiyomasa and the Ii clan.

About

The Hotel New Otani was built in a frantic 17 months for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It was Japan's tallest building when it opened, and its rooftop restaurant was the country's first revolving one. The real treasure is the land beneath it. The garden dates back more than 400 years, to when samurai lord Kato Kiyomasa had a residence here. It later passed to the Ii family, whose Ii Naosuke signed Japan's first trade treaty with the United States, and then to the imperial Fushimi-no-miya family before Yonetaro Otani bought it after the war. Today about 40,000 m² of garden is open free to anyone from early morning to late evening. Its paths lead past a 6 m waterfall into Seisen Pond, red bridges, a stone garden, centuries-old lanterns and a tea house. It is also one of Tokyo's best quiet spots for azaleas in spring and maples in autumn. The hotel's many restaurants look onto it, and the Garden Lounge serves afternoon tea and the famous Super Melon Shortcake from the hotel's Pâtisserie SATSUKI.

Highlights

• About 10 acres of Japanese garden with a 6 m 'Big Waterfall' into Seisen Pond
• Grounds owned in turn by Kato Kiyomasa, the Ii clan and the Fushimi-no-miya family
• Scarlet bridges, koi ponds and stone lanterns centuries old
• 1964 Olympic-era hotel building that once held Japan's first revolving restaurant
• Pâtisserie SATSUKI's lavish Super Melon Shortcake and garden-view afternoon tea

Tips

• The garden is free and open to non-guests, roughly 6:00–22:00; enter through the lobby of The Main
• Early morning is almost empty and best for photos
• Visit in November for maples or April for azaleas; the waterfall is lit up at night
• Akasaka-mitsuke and Nagatacho stations are both about 3 minutes away

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Bar Capri (Hotel New Otani)Bars & Nightlife · 60 m away
• Shimizudani ParkPark · 180 m away
• Benkei BridgeBridge · 310 m away
• The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection HotelStay · 310 m away
• State Guest House, Akasaka PalaceCastle & Palace · 440 m away
• Coin Lockers · Akasaka-mitsuke StationLuggage Storage · 470 m away
• St. Ignatius Catholic ChurchLandmark & Tower · 480 m away
• Bic Camera Akasaka-mitsuke StationCamera Store · 480 m away