Takanawa Hanakohro, a Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World

The Japanese garden is open to the public, which gives it a welcoming feel and makes it a lovely place to walk at any time of day. I also appreciated access to the adjacent Prince Hotel’s full bath and fitness facilities. Inside, the thoughtful design creates a serene, beautiful space, and the hotel blends Japanese culture with modern luxury in a way that works for international visitors and local guests alike. The bedding deserves a mention too: soft sheets and a mattress with just the right mix of comfort and support made it the best hotel bed I’ve slept in. One small thing that could make the experience even more immersive would be the option of traditional futons on tatami in the Japanese-style suites. I loved my stay at Takana-wa Hanakohro and look forward to coming back.

I’m still so sad that I missed the ryokan-style stay I’d dreamed about since I was a little girl. We arrived at 9 PM after a long travel day, showed our Hanakohro confirmation from my credit card travel site, and were told it was sold out. They said they had “upgraded” us, but the room had the same bed size and listed price as the first one they gave us. I’d been excited about the included amenities like matcha and tea cakes, but they wouldn’t honor the Hanakohro perks. Downstairs, they offered only one sake tasting at a reserved time, with no access to anything else. Because of my tattoos, I couldn’t use the bath house, and they still wouldn’t let me use the lounge for a day or two. There was a language barrier, though I used translate and knew some formal phrases. The male employees were rude, and it seemed like the men at The Prince Takanawa disliked foreigners. I saw other guests struggling too. I understand tourists can be difficult, but hotels rely on them. The grounds were beautiful and the hotel was right by a station. The female employees were sweet and kind, made me feel heard, and appreciated my effort to speak the little Japanese I knew.

We spent one night in early Feb 2026, my sister and I in a base Japanese suite. We were out sightseeing most of the time, so missed some of the Hanakohro amenities, including the lounge and sake tasting. For a taxi, it’s best to enter Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa for navigation. The room was beautifully decorated and incredibly spacious, with complimentary snacks and drinks in the minibar, and the beds were very comfortable. Check-in came with Japanese sweets and green tea, and the staff we met were professional and courteous, dressed elegantly in kimonos. Oh-sai lounge has snacks, drinks, and Japanese cultural activities. Breakfast was Japanese style and served in our room, though you can choose the lounge; you need to reserve a time slot. The toilet door opens inward, making that area cramped and awkward. The walk from Shinagawa station is uphill and can be tiring after a long day. Follow the signs up the stairs or go through Prince Sakura Tower hotel instead of taking the winding road. There’s also a free shuttle between Prince hotels, but it stops around 9 pm. Spa TAYUTA was closed for construction during our stay.

We spent five nights here, with access to the lounges at Sakura and Grand Prince hotels. The room was bright and spacious, and the service was outstanding. They brought fresh slippers each day, and the match making activity was a highlight for my 13-year-old son. We ground matcha with a stone mill for dessert. Restaurant choices were incredible, but some need to be booked five days ahead, so research and reserve early. After all the walking, the relaxation lounge’s massage chairs were a blessing, and we also had massages at the spa. The gym was well equipped, and the garden looked beautiful in the evening. For my son’s 13th birthday trip, they gave us a non-alcoholic sparkling apple juice. They also sent our luggage to our next hotel in Kyoto at 4 pm the day before we arrived. Just outstanding, thank you!