Sponsored by Seibu Holdings Inc.
If you want to experience true Japanese culture and tradition only one hour away from Tokyo, there is no better place than Hakone. Passing the beautiful, natural background of Mount Fuji, you too can make your way to the Prince Hotel, providing a luxurious base whether in Tokyo or Hakone.
The Luxury of Prince Hotel Sakura Tower in Tokyo
Conveniently located in the Minato district just a 3-minute walk from JR Shinagawa Station, The Prince Hotel Sakura Tower Tokyo is the perfect haven for relaxation and enjoying the beautiful views of Tokyo. And, since the hotel’s complete renovation in 2013, you can now enjoy the lobby’s elegant decoration in a contemporary Japanese style.
This hotel has many impressive facilities: a relaxation area with Jacuzzi, a fitness room with a spa, and Japanese and Italian restaurants. However, the hotel’s “Executive Lounge” is restricted to Platinum members of the Seibu Prince Club, who own the Prince Hotels, as well as the Gold and Platinum members of the Marriott group. In the Executive Lounge, you can enjoy the bar and an all-you-can-eat buffet (which varies according to the schedule), all day long in a warm atmosphere with contemporary Japanese design.
You can also enjoy the hotel’s beautifully well-maintained and histroic Japanese garden, perfect for relaxing in after a long day of sightseeing in Tokyo. Stroll to the pond to greet beautiful koi carp of all colors or admire the many cherry blossoms in Spring.
All 288 rooms are very spacious with a surface area of about 46 square meters on average and our deluxe room had stunning views of Tokyo, including the famous Tokyo Tower! Our room came complete with a luxurious bathroom, with a shower and bubble bath! There was also a large desk and sitting area with armchairs next to the large bay window to admire the view.
The stay was superb! It was just too short!
The room with the Tokyo Tower view !
The bathroom.
Tokyo in the early morning.
Getting from Tokyo to Hakone
To get to Hakone from Tokyo, take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station. A short 30-minute ride takes you to Odawara Station (covered by the JR Pass). From there, take the Izu-Hakone bus to the Moto-Hakone stop (a 50-minute trip – fare ￥1,180) or to Hakone-en stop if you are staying at the Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko. Alternatively, from Hakone-Yumoto Station, take the Izu-Hakone Bus to Moto-Hakone Station (30-minute ride). For those staying in the luxurious Prince Hotel Sakura Tower Tokyo, you can also take the Prince Express bus at Shinagawa Prince Hotel, which connects directly from the hotel to the Moto-Hakone stop on Lake Ashi (duration 2 hours – fare ￥2,200 – one return trip per day) and the terminal stop is at Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko.
The Prince Express bus is incredibly convenient.
The View of Lake Ashi at Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko
Located along the shores of Lake Ashi (or Ashi-no-koto), the Prince Hotel offers the perfect environment for a relaxing get-away, as well as many attractions along the east side of the lake, just a short stroll away. Before discovering the rooms, you must stop by the majestic lobby for the timeless atmosphere and classical music played by a piano without a pianist. The architecture is perfectly integrated with the surrounding nature along the shores of Lake Ashi.
The impressive lobby at the Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko.
The hotel is well integrated in nature.
All rooms in the main building have a balcony for enjoying the views of the garden and the lake. A dozen rooms even have the privilege of having a direct view of the famous Mount Fuji! All the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and a large entrance and a living room area with armchairs arranged next to the bay window.
Such a perfect view of the nature!
You can also relax in the hotel’s onsen or the superb onsen Ryuguden‘s main building, next to the hotel. For all-day dining, there is plenty to choose from among the many restaurants in Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko (reservation required), such as:
- A French restaurant: Restaurant Le Trianon
- A Japanese restaurant: Nadaman Garden
- A fusion cuisine restaurant: Lake Side Grill
Restaurant Trianon.
We recommend you enjoy the classic breakfast in Trianon. The menu is comprised of vegetable salads, an assortment of pastries, bacon, vegetables, soup, and eggs benedict with the choice of lobster sauce! The restaurant boasts 5-star service with the added bonus of a view of Mount Fuji, if the weather is mild enough. Why don’t you have some coffee and sink into the relaxing atmosphere?
You can find the details of our stay at the Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko.
A colourful salad.
Preparing for my coffee.
The hotel also offers its guests a free shuttle from Odawara Station. Check their schedules and information here.
Useful information
You can book a room in one of the Prince Hotels Group hotels directly on their website:
- Prince Hotel Sakura Tower Tokyo (room charge from ￥25,000 per night)
- Prince Hotel Hakone Lake Ashinoko (room charge from ￥25,000 per night)
To see all of the Prince Hotels’ locations, check out this official website.
