TAKANAWA HANAKOHRO, an SLH Hotel 高輪 花香路、SLHホテル 斯全球奢華精品酒店塔納瓦哈納克諾

Takanawa Hanakohro is an intimate, ryokan-style retreat with just 16 rooms, located within Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in the Takanawa area of Minato Ward. It offers an authentic Japanese inn experience in the heart of Tokyo. Facing a tranquil 20,000-square-meter Japanese garden, it combines a peaceful setting with excellent accessibility, just about a five-minute walk from Shinagawa Station. It is also easy to reach from Haneda Airport and Tokyo Station, making it a convenient choice for both domestic and international guests.

Guided by the concept of an “urban ryokan,” the interior blends traditional Japanese architectural elements with modern comfort. All guest rooms are suite-style, featuring tatami-mat flooring with a generous layout that separates the living area and bedroom. Room types include Japanese-style Suites, Japanese-style Deluxe Suites, Japanese-style Garden Suites, Japanese-style Garden Premier Suites, and the flagship Hanakohro Suite. Most rooms are approximately 50 square meters or more, with the largest exceeding 100 square meters. In the Hanakohro Suite, the bathroom features a cypress-wood and Towada stone bathtub, allowing guests to enjoy a soaking experience reminiscent of a hot spring ryokan in the privacy of their own room.

In-room design harmonizes the scent of tatami and soft light filtered through shoji screens with Western-style furnishings such as sofas and beds. All rooms are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, a minibar, coffee and tea-making facilities, and a humidifying air purifier, ensuring the functionality expected of an upscale city hotel. Embracing the ryokan atmosphere, rooms are also stocked with yukata, tabi socks, and zori sandals for relaxing in-room or strolling through the Japanese garden in traditional attire.

One of Takanawa Hanakohro’s signature features is the guests-only lounge “Ousai.” Throughout the day it serves light bites, sweets, and drinks themed around Japanese cuisine, with offerings that change by time of day. Mornings bring a light Japanese and Western-style breakfast, afternoons feature tea time with wagashi and other sweets, and evenings transition into a cocktail hour with small bites and alcoholic beverages. The space is designed so guests can drop in casually at any time. In addition, a “lounge hopping” program invites guests to enjoy other lounges within the Takanawa and Shinagawa Prince Hotel complex, making it possible to experience different atmospheres during a single stay.

Shared facilities include a spa and large bathing area overlooking the Japanese garden, as well as a spa lounge reserved for Hanakohro guests. The garden itself invites leisurely strolls past koi-filled ponds and traditional structures such as a Kannon Hall and bell tower. Seasonal scenery is a major highlight: in spring, more than 200 cherry trees from 17 varieties come into bloom, and in autumn the foliage turns vibrant shades of red and gold. The garden was designed by the late landscape architect Teiji Nukui, who also worked on the new Imperial Palace residence, and serves as a symbolic centerpiece for the entire hotel complex. Walking through the garden in the quiet hours of early morning or late evening, it is easy to forget you are in the middle of Tokyo.

Takanawa Hanakohro is a member of the global luxury hotel collection Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) and is recognized as one of Japan’s leading small luxury properties. It has also been awarded the highest five-star rating for several consecutive years in the hotel category of Forbes Travel Guide. Official announcements highlight that it is the only ryokan in the world to receive this five-star designation, underscoring its philosophy of providing exceptionally high-quality, personalized service to a limited number of guests.

In terms of access, the property is within walking distance of the Takanawa Exit of Shinagawa Station on JR and Keikyu lines, with smooth connections from Haneda Airport via train or limousine bus. As part of Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa, the complex offers parking for around 1,000 vehicles, with complimentary or discounted parking provided depending on the nature of your stay or restaurant use. Details such as vehicle height limits and specific conditions are available on the official website. Whether you arrive by taxi, private car, or public transportation, the location is easy to reach.

In summary, Takanawa Hanakohro is a 16-room ryokan surrounded by a Japanese garden in central Tokyo, combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with the facilities and service standards of a luxury hotel, and backed by international recognition through its SLH membership and Forbes five-star rating. It is an appealing choice for travelers seeking a genuine Japanese-style stay with excellent access to Shinkansen and airports in the Shinagawa area, for those wishing to step away from the city’s hustle and unwind in calm surroundings, and for guests celebrating special occasions who want to spend truly memorable, high-quality time in the city.