This article contains affiliate links.
A Garden Remains, a Hotel Was Built in 1964
The history of Hotel New Otani Tokyo begins in 1962. As the Tokyo Olympics approached, Japan faced the need for accommodation for international visitors. The government’s request reached Yonetaro Otani, the hotel’s founder. Otani, who owned land in Kioi-cho, began construction of the hotel. On September 1, 1964, the hotel opened its doors.
When the hotel was built, the Japanese garden on the property was preserved and incorporated as part of the hotel.
Today, the accommodation consists of two buildings—The Main and Garden Tower—and three guest areas: EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN, The Main, and Garden Tower. Since room counts vary across official sources, it’s essential to confirm not just the building name but also the room category when making a reservation.
Check availability and rates on Expedia →
This Garden Existed Long Before the Hotel
The garden’s history spans over four hundred years. The land once held a residential villa of the feudal lord Kiyomasa Kato, and passed through the Ii and Fushimi-no-miya families before being acquired by Yonetaro Otani after World War II. In other words, the garden was not built after the hotel opened—rather, the hotel was constructed on land that already possessed a rich historical landscape.
The garden, approximately 10,000 tsubo (about 10 acres according to English official sources), is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Roughly 350 carp, both red and black, swim in the Seisenike Pond, where a vermillion bridge arches. Red stones from Sado are placed throughout the grounds, and in the dry landscape garden, pine trees, rocks of various sizes, and white gravel represent mountains and water. The thirteen-storied stone pagoda is built in the style of the Nanboku-Cho period; the Inu-maki and Kaya trees are believed to have grown here since the 1780s.
The waterfall stands 6 meters high and is constructed from 82 stones weighing 3 to 5 tons each, along with 5 tons of river stones. Large-scale landscape features added over time blend seamlessly into the garden’s ancient history.
At the center of the garden stands NADAMAN MAIN BRANCH SAZANKA-SO, a Japanese house. Designed by architect Yoshio Murono, who remodeled what was once Yonetaro Otani’s residence in a sukiya style, it now serves kaiseki cuisine.
The garden is illuminated at night. This tradition began to commemorate the hotel’s 50th anniversary, with lighting design overseen by Motoko Ishii. While the garden is accessible for walks until 10 p.m., the lighting continues from approximately 30 minutes before sunset until 2 a.m. Guests in garden-facing rooms and from certain restaurants can enjoy the illuminated landscape after walking hours end.
However, not all guest rooms face the garden. To prioritize the view, select a room category listed as "rooms with Japanese garden views," and confirm your choice at the time of reservation.
A Hotel Within a Hotel on the 11th and 12th Floors
EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN occupies the 11th and 12th floors of The Main, centered around the ZEN Lounge. Standard check-in begins at 3 p.m. The ZEN front desk operates from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and guests can complete check-in at the dedicated lounge on the 11th floor.
During your stay, this lounge becomes your daily hub. Six food presentations are offered between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.: breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres, and nightcap with chocolate. Breakfast can also be selected from room service or any of four in-house restaurants.
Rooms range from 45–50 sqm Deluxe, 67–76 sqm Junior Suite, to 102–115 sqm Garden Suite options. There are also 54 sqm HINOKI Deluxe and 72 sqm HINOKI Suite rooms, where size, bathrooms, and views differ even within ZEN.
The lounge has a dedicated concierge on staff. The gym, indoor pool, and sauna at Golden Spa New Otani, a members-only sports club, are complimentary for all ZEN guests throughout their stay. Conference rooms at the business center are also free to use for up to two hours.
Hinoki Baths: Choose Shin-Edo Rooms at The Main
The Main stands 17 floors above ground. Rooms range from 26 sqm Quality Double to 36 sqm Standard, 45–50 sqm Deluxe, and a 150 sqm Presidential Suite.
Shin-Edo (New Edo) rooms form a distinct category. Options include 26 sqm Single, 36 sqm Standard, 45 sqm Deluxe, and suites 76 sqm and above—all with hinoki (Japanese cypress) baths. From the bathroom of a Shin-Edo Deluxe, you can glimpse the Japanese garden or the greenery of the Akasaka Palace across the bedroom. However, not all Shin-Edo rooms face the same direction.
Separate from Shin-Edo rooms, Japanese Suites range from 52–80 sqm, feature tatami mat flooring and futon bedding, and accommodate up to five guests. The Shin-Edo rooms with hinoki baths and Japanese Suites with traditional flooring form distinct categories—a helpful distinction when choosing.
Garden Tower Offers More Options for Families and Groups
Garden Tower rises 40 floors and houses a variety of room sizes. Standard Double and Twin are 27.3 sqm, Triple is 39.7 sqm, Connecting rooms are 54.6 sqm, Deluxe ranges from 50.2–60.9 sqm, and Suites span 74.7–116.6 sqm.
As group size increases, so do your room category options. Three guests might choose Triple; for adjoining rooms, Connecting rooms work well; for separated living and sleeping areas, Garden Tower Suite is a candidate.
Garden Tower Suite is 74.7 sqm and accommodates up to four guests. Promoted as a room with views of the Japanese garden or the Shinjuku skyline, it’s worth confirming your exact room category and direction when prioritizing a specific view.
Confirm the Room Category, Not Just the Building Name
New Otani’s three guest areas are split between two buildings: The Main and Garden Tower. The property is expansive, so it helps to check the floor plan before booking to understand the relationship between your accommodation and the restaurants, breakfast venues, pool, and gym you wish to use.
ZEN Lounge check-in, the dedicated lounge, and Golden Spa complimentary access are benefits exclusively for EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN guests—they are not shared with general rooms at The Main or Garden Tower guests. Even when selecting by view preference, confirming the room category alongside the building name is essential.
Check availability and rates on Expedia →
Breakfast: Choose from Four Restaurants Plus Your Room
The hotel offers breakfast at four venues—SATSUKI, Garden Lounge, Kioi NADAMAN, and Tower Restaurant—as well as room service. Whether breakfast is included in your rate and which venue you can access depends on your meal plan, so review your reservation details.
SATSUKI, located on the lobby floor of The Main, operates from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Redesigned in April 2026 with themes of "health" and "fermentation," this breakfast buffet features brown rice omelets, roasted beef, and Pierre Hermé Paris viennoiserie. Offerings change seasonally.
Garden Lounge, on the Garden Tower’s lobby floor, runs from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Through large windows, diners can admire the approximately 10,000-tsubo Japanese garden while choosing from Japanese-Western buffet, American breakfast, and other options.
Kioi NADAMAN, also on the Garden Tower lobby floor, serves from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. It’s an ideal choice for a calm Japanese breakfast experience.
Tower Restaurant on the 40th floor of Garden Tower offers a Japanese-Western buffet from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. From 144 meters above ground, you can see across Tokyo and, on clear days, view Mount Fuji.
For a morning in your room, room service is available from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Reservation methods and operating conditions vary by venue, so confirm the official breakfast guide once your stay dates are set.
EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN guests may also choose the ZEN Lounge alongside these four venues and room service. The ideal breakfast spot depends on your priorities—whether you prefer more selections, the garden, a city view, or time in your room.
A Circular Lounge from 1964 Still Serves as a Dining Venue
New Otani operates 36 restaurants and bars—19 directly managed and 17 operated by tenants. What distinguishes them most are those that have remained since opening and those situated within the Japanese garden itself.
On the 17th floor of The Main is VIEW & DINING THE SKY. The dining area seats 190 guests. When the hotel opened in 1964, the circular "Blue SKY Lounge" at the top floor was a signature feature. Today’s VIEW & DINING THE SKY inherits both the location and legacy of that original lounge.
The view stretches across Tokyo, the menu spans Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisines, and craftsmen finish sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki at the counter. Dining hours and reservation requirements change, so check the official reservation page once your visit date is confirmed.
From Kaiseki in the Garden to French Dining from Paris
Beyond the trees in the Japanese garden lies NADAMAN MAIN BRANCH SAZANKA-SO. Situated in the garden’s center—the former residence where Yonetaro Otani once lived—it now offers kaiseki cuisine. Rather than a restaurant overlooking the garden, it’s a destination you approach through the garden to a house within it. That proximity defines the restaurant’s character.
On the lobby floor of The Main is TOUR D’ARGENT TOKYO. It is the world’s only branch of the Paris restaurant with over 400 years of history. This 80-seat French restaurant requires guests to be 16 and older; men must wear a jacket. Operating days are limited, so verify the official guide before planning to dine there.
On the 4th floor of Garden Tower is TRADER VIC’S TOKYO. Founded in 1934, this venue is filled with crafts from Papua New Guinea and Polynesia, where guests enjoy international cuisine and original cocktails. The dining area has 120 seats; the bar, 100. Guests must generally be 6 years old and older, though weekend and holiday lunch service is an exception to this age restriction. Casual attire such as shorts or beach sandals should be avoided.
For a more relaxed meal, SATSUKI on The Main lobby floor is also an option. Since dining hours, age restrictions, dress codes, and reservation requirements vary by restaurant, it’s reassuring to confirm your dinner reservation when you confirm your room.
Check availability and rates on Expedia →
Summer Means the Garden Pool—and Other Places to Swim
Two venues within the hotel allow swimming; a free workout room is also available for guests who wish only to exercise. The outdoor summer pool, Golden Spa’s indoor pool, and the complimentary workout room each differ in season, age requirements, and fees.
GARDEN POOL is a seasonal outdoor pool located in the Japanese garden. A children’s pool is also available, and guests enjoy free access during their stay.
In 2026, special operations run from June 1 to July 7, with main summer operations from July 10 to September 23. From July 10 to September 6, hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., though Night Pool closed days reduce this to 6 p.m. From September 7 to 23, hours shift to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Midnight Pool operates from 9:30 p.m. to midnight on August 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 28. After 10 p.m., access is limited to guests 18 and older. Including weather-related closures, confirm the operational status for your travel dates on the official website.
Golden Spa New Otani is located on the 3rd floor of Garden Tower. This members-only sports club features a gym, indoor pool, and sauna. EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN guests enjoy free access throughout their stay. General rooms at The Main and Garden Tower guests require a visitor fee.
Access is limited to ages 18 and above; guests with tattoos or body art cannot use the facility. Workout clothing, swimsuit, towel, and bathrobe are provided. Operating hours and regular maintenance closure dates should be confirmed before visiting.
For light movement, a complimentary guest-exclusive workout room is available. The Main’s 3rd floor is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Garden Tower’s 21st floor operates 24 hours. For swimming, choose GARDEN POOL or Golden Spa; for exercise alone, the workout room. Organizing by purpose makes selection simpler.
Four Nearby Stations—Choose Akasaka-Mitsuke to Avoid Stairs
Four train stations serve the hotel. From Tokyo Metro’s Ginza and Marunouchi Lines’ Akasaka-Mitsuke, Exit D is a 3-minute walk; from the Hanzomon and Namboku Lines’ Nagatacho, exit 7 is also 3 minutes on foot. The Yurakucho Line’s Kojimachi is 6 minutes from exit 2; and Yotsuya, served by JR Chuo/Sobu, Marunouchi, and Nanboku Lines, is 8 minutes from the Kojimachi or Akasaka exit.
If using a stroller or wheelchair, the official site recommends Akasaka-Mitsuke—the route from Nagatacho involves many stairs. A large suitcase may also factor into your choice of route.
By taxi from Tokyo Station, travel time is approximately 20 minutes. From Haneda Airport, plan for 40–50 minutes. From Narita Airport, you can take the Narita Express through Tokyo Station or the Keisei Skyliner via Ueno. Both routes are outlined on the site.
Airport bus service varies by direction and stop patterns. As of July 2026, the Haneda limousine bus is currently suspended; the Narita service operates only in the airport-to-hotel direction. If using the bus, confirm current-date information before your trip.
When arriving by taxi, note that The Main and Garden Tower have different entrances. Inform your driver of your accommodation building for a smooth arrival. Parking accommodates 760 vehicles total, and guest parking is complimentary from check-in through check-out.
Traveling with Children: Choose Your Room and Dinner Restaurant Together
Child-accommodation policies vary by guest area. At The Main and Garden Tower, children in elementary school (up to 12 years old) may share a bed with their parent free of charge without an extra bed, up to the number of adults in the room. However, children sharing a bed do not receive breakfast and other stay benefits.
EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN has different terms. Children ages 3 and under stay free when sharing a bed; ages 4–12 are ¥9,000 per night. New Otani Club member rates are also available. Children sharing a bed are capped at the number of adults present, with a maximum of two per room. Children sharing a bed may use the lounge’s complimentary food presentations including breakfast, but guests under 15 cannot access the ZEN Lounge after 5:30 p.m. ZEN rooms cannot accommodate an extra bed, so confirm bed requirements and occupancy limits before booking.
Cribs are available for children up to 18 months; bed rails are provided for ages 18 months to 5 years. Quantities are limited. Child robes, 21-centimeter slippers, toothbrushes, diaper disposal bins, step stools, picture books, and other items are available for loan, though requesting them in advance ensures availability. Commercial baby food can be warmed by room service.
When selecting a dinner restaurant, note age policies. TOUR D’ARGENT TOKYO requires guests to be 16 and older; TRADER VIC’S TOKYO generally requires age 6 and above, though weekend and holiday lunch is an exception. Other restaurants vary in children’s amenities and menus, so confirm when reserving. During summer visits, GARDEN POOL’s children’s area is also an option.
Rates and terms are subject to revision. When considering restaurants with age restrictions, booking your table alongside your room reservation adds peace of mind.
The Garden, the Lounge, or Spacious Rooms—Choose One Priority First
New Otani is a large-scale hotel with two buildings and three guest areas including EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN. Simply "booking New Otani" doesn’t guarantee the stay you envisioned. You need to decide beforehand what takes priority.
If lounge snacks, a dedicated front desk, and a personal concierge matter most, EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN is worth considering. However, if traveling with children, verify the lounge access terms after evening hours and fees for children sharing a bed.
To prioritize a hinoki bath, choose Shin-Edo rooms at The Main. For a traditional tatami room where the family sleeps on futon, the Japanese Suite accommodates up to five. For Triple, Connecting, or a four-person Suite, Garden Tower offers options.
If the garden view is your priority, building name alone won’t suffice. Select a room category listed as "rooms with Japanese garden views," and confirm your preference. Whether you use the children’s pool in summer or the adult-only Golden Spa at 18+ also shapes what you need.
Travelers seeking a small, efficient property may find this scale impractical. For those who value choosing among room types, dining venues, the garden, and pool facilities within one complex, size becomes an asset.
Check room categories and current rates on Expedia →
A 400-Year-Old Garden and a Large Hotel—Both in One Place
Next to a garden spanning over four hundred years stands a hotel with two buildings and three guest areas. This contrast defines New Otani’s character. The presence of a garden does not make this a small, quiet inn. It’s a large hotel where you walk the halls and select your building and restaurant according to your purpose.
That’s why your reservation should specify more than just the hotel name. Decide whether you want a garden view, access to a ZEN Lounge, or a Garden Tower suited to your group. Once that’s determined, your breakfast, dinner, and pool choices become clear.
In the morning, walk the garden and return to your chosen room. In the evening, head to your reserved restaurant. The garden’s tranquility and the hotel’s scale are not opposites—they converge into a unified stay when you select your accommodation thoughtfully.
Check availability and rates on Expedia →
Planning a wider luxury journey through Japan?
Explore all of our curated hotel guides here → Luxury Hotel Guides in Japan
