Hotel New Otani Japanese Garden

This Japanese garden in the Hotel New Otani has a history of more than 400 years. It was recorded as part of the residence of Kato Kiyomasa, a samurai general during early Edo Period and as a garden of the Ii Family who was influential in the Edo Shogunate. Today, it belongs to the Hotel, opened to the guests and to the public for free.

A half of the hotel’s premises, nearly 8 acres, is the Japanese garden in the strolling style around a big pond with a bridge and boulders that depict a scenery. As you walk around the pond, you will get to see a divine scenery unbelievable that it is in the middle of a city - Seisen Pond where migrating herons and ducks are said to fly in, Taikobashi bridges bright in vermilion against rich greenery, the 6m-tall “Big Waterfall,” etc.

After sunset, the garden is lit up into different effects from the day time throughout the year. The illumination was designed by the lighting artist Motoko Ishii who designed the lighting of Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge.