Tokyo’s Most Spectacular Japanese Garden is 400 Years Old and Free to Visit: Hotel New Otani Tokyo Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-Date: Sep 8, 2025

Author: Sydney Seekford

Tokyo’s Most Spectacular Japanese Garden is 400 Years Old and Free to Visit: Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Hotel New Otani Tokyo is much more than a hotel – it’s an event center, shopping and dining complex, and high-end accommodations all rolled into one, historical space. But did you know that it’s also home to one of Tokyo’s best kept secrets? The Japanese garden at the hotel, with grounds spread over 10 acres (approximately 4 hectares) of land, has a history of over 400 years and is free and open to the general public.

Sydney Seekford

Gourmet Creator

American living in Japan since 2022. Food writer and gourmet content creator for Japan’s most well known food media. Founder of menu translation and language support service MENUWIZ. Work history includes copywriting for booking platforms, video and media production and appearances, and consulting in F&B for household brands. Passionate about regional revitalization and slow tourism with a focus on local food culture.

Access to Hotel New Otani Tokyo Garden

©Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Hotel New Otani Tokyo is located about 30 minutes by car or taxi from nearly anywhere in Tokyo’s 23 wards. When coming by train, Yotsuya, Akasaka-mitsuke/Nagatacho, and Kojimachi are the closest train stations, all under 10 minutes from the hotel on foot.

The garden is accessible from The Main building on the banquet floor, or from the Garden Tower Lobby via the stairs. The Main lobby floor and taxi stand is located one floor up from the garden on 2F, so visitors may need to refer to the map or check with staff to find the garden easily.

The garden opens at 6:00 a.m. every morning and closes at 10:00 p.m. While lovely for a morning walk, the night-time lighting that lasts from sunset until midnight is especially charming.

Why is Hotel New Otani Tokyo’s Japanese Garden Unique?

The hotel is located near the imperial palace, on grounds that were once used as a second home by samurai lord Kato Kiyomasa. Kiyomasa is also credited for creating the garden. Eventually, the estate was turned over to the Ii Shogunate, after which it changed hands several times, mostly to be used for personal residence of powerful individuals.

In 1962, then owner, Yonetaro Otani, promised to build the country’s greatest hotel in time for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. As part of this mission, he renovated and preserved the beauty of the ancient garden for the guests of the hotel.

This Japanese garden has existed for about 400 years. It features fossilized wood that has remained in its place since the 16th century, and evergreen trees planted over 200 years ago. A stone lantern dating back to the Kamakura period (1183-1333), and sacred Akadama stones, the largest of which weighs 22 tons, are also notable artifacts seen while walking through the garden. Being able to enjoy these historical relics for free, any time of day, is a special treat.

How to Enjoy the Garden

©Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Hotel New Otani Tokyo’s Japanese Garden is open year round, with seasonal flowers, including sakura, and evening light-up events. The garden is recognised for its seasonal illuminations, turning even muggy summer nights into unforgettable slips through time to old Japan – bring your own yukata for the best photos. During the autumn, fiery red and yellow create a beautiful frame around the central pond.

Visitors cross the pond, dotted with clumps of plants and rocks, by crossing two stunning red bridges built in Japan’s traditional architectural style. It’s not uncommon to see koi lazing around beneath its shade or looking for food. This bridge is a popular photo-op and an eye-catching centerpiece.

After crossing the bridge, a left turn down some earthen stairs leads guests to a stunning vista. Hotel New Otani Tokyo’s garden features its own waterfall, backed with clear views of the sunset. The surrounding path is decorated with flowers and plenty of benches to take in the view. Like the bridge, the waterfall is a popular spot for photos. During summer months, the warm weather encourages mosquitos, so be sure to pack some bug spray if you’ll be lingering for more than a few minutes.

Small courtyards within and on the outer-edge of the garden create pockets of the popular Japanese “zen garden (Karesansui).” Stones and small architectural features are surrounded in pebbles and groomed into appealing designs. The treatment of the pebbles, which are frequently raked into patterns of concentric rings, is meant to look like ripples on water and evoke a sense of calm.

Other Notable Features

In addition to the waterfall, which was added in the 1970s, and a number of ancient stone structures, the garden contains a tea house and a classical pottery kiln. Tucked away, Otani’s former personal residence has now become a kaiseki restaurant that maintains its sukiya architecture appeal. Multiple teppanyaki restaurants, all with incredible views of the garden, sit in the center. While overlooking a garden while dining isn’t unheard of, dining in a garden is quite a unique opportunity.

©Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Hotel New Otani Tokyo Japanese Garden
Visit hours　6:00 am to 10:00 pm　* Evening lights visible from sunset to midnight
Address　4-1, Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8578, JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-3265-1111

Dining options in and around Hotel New Otani Tokyo

The hotel has over 40 dining and beverage options, including bars, bakeries, and full-service restaurants. Nearby administrative and business districts mean that even more fantastic meals wait just around the block from the hotel.

VIEW & DINING THE SKY

It wouldn’t be a hotel without a buffet. View and Dining the Sky is Hotel New Otani Tokyo’s high end buffet. Offerings include an opulent menu of the best ingredients available and enticing signature items.

View and Dining the Sky is a perfect destination to take in the view of Tokyo after seeing the garden up close. Especially stunning at sunset, 360-windows offer views of the Tokyo skyline and Mt.Fuji on clear days. The menu features Western, Japanese, Chinese cuisine and more, meaning anyone can find something that suits their tastes.

Dinners are a special treat, where cooked-to-order teppanyaki joins the gourmet lineup of premium edo-mae nigiri sushi, peking duck, and more. Yaki-shabu and domestic wagyu steak can be prepared as you like, as much as you like, by seasoned chefs. This is no basic all-you-can eat, so it’s worth a visit while in the area.

VIEW & DINING THE SKY

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm / Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 22,000 JPY / [Lunch] 17,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Akasaka-mitsuke Station via Exit D Kioicho
Address: 17F, The Main bldg., Hotel New Otani Tokyo, 4-1, Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Map
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Buffet Dining Tower Restaurant

The hotel also has a buffet dining experience that caters to a wide range of dietary preferences. In addition to classic dishes like roast beef, the Tower Restaurant also provides an array of vegan and lifestyle-friendly menu items. Notable options include gluten-free pasta and soy-milk Basque cheesecake.

Grilled to order steaks, satisfying sides, and comfort food are all available, served with a side of scenery. Like The Sky, the Tower Restaurant features views of the Tokyo Skyline and Mt. Fuji.

Lunch is offered from 11:30 to 3 pm and dinner runs from 5:30 to nine. Those enjoying the garden early in the day will be pleased to know breakfast is also served here from 6:30 am.

Buffet Dining Tower Restaurant

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm / Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 11,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Akasaka-mitsuke Station via Exit D Kioicho
Address: 40F, Garden Tower, Hotel New Otani Tokyo, 4-1, Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Map
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Kioicho Fukudaya

Those who were moved by the historical art and architecture in the garden will be equally thrilled by a meal at near-by Koicho Fukudaya. The restaurant, founded in 1939, is based on the life work of artist and gastronome Rosanjin. Rosanjin was an incredible ceramicist who deeply studied the relationship between food and its servingware. He even established a restaurant, earning credibility within foreign circles and eventually being invited to exhibitions where he would meet the likes of Pablo Picasso and others.

Like Rosanjin’s own restaurant, Kioicho Fukudaya is located in Nagatacho, just a short walk from Hotel New Otani Tokyo. Kioicho Fukudaya serves classical kaiseki cuisine, often considered the pinnacle of food-as-art. The restaurant has an extensive collection of Rosanjin’s work, making it an equally excellent place to dine for art lovers or epicures.

The signature dish is a morikomi, assorted seafood served on a large plate. Many of the recipes used at Koicho Fukudaya recreate Rosanjin’s original menu items, offering visitors a chance to slip back in time.

Kioicho Fukudaya

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm) Saturday (10 people or more) [Friday, Saturday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm Last Entry (1:00 pm) Temporarily closed until May 31. Reopened on June 1 *In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 38,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Exit D of Akasaka-Mitsuke Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
Address: 1-13, Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.

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