HOTEL NIWA TOKYO

A Hidden Haven in the Heart of the City

Tucked quietly into the historic Jimbocho neighbourhood, Hotel Niwa Tokyo is the kind of place that doesn’t announce itself with flash. Instead, it whispers calm — and invites you to exhale. For travellers seeking Japanese hospitality, minimalist beauty, and a surprisingly central location, it’s a hidden gem with plenty of soul.

Words by Adam Chan.

Located between the Imperial Palace and Akihabara, Hotel Niwa sits in a culturally rich pocket of the city known for its second-hand bookshops, traditional cafés, and hidden galleries. Jimbocho’s streets are lined with tiny literary haunts —  a collector’s dream for vintage photography and art books. The neighbourhood offers a more reflective side of Tokyo, and Hotel Niwa mirrors that tone perfectly.

In Japanese, niwa means “garden.” True to its name, Hotel Niwa Tokyo features four beautiful small gardens. The hotel itself rises 15 floors, but its roots trace back to a traditional ryokan inn established in 1935. From the entrance, where lattice screens and slate pathways set the tone, you’re immersed in a harmonious blend of modern design and traditional Japanese aesthetics. All 229 rooms feature wooden accents, washi-paper lanterns, and shoji screen-inspired windows, with soft, neutral palettes that bring a sense of serenity.

Dining is equally balanced. The ground-floor Japanese restaurant, Yukuri, offers traditional kaiseki-style dinners (multi-course Japanese meals) in a setting that opens onto a tranquil garden — an unexpected treat in the heart of  Tokyo. The service is warm, discreet, and quietly efficient, reflecting the hotel’s overall ethos. 

A hidden highlight is Niwa’s rooftop farm, where vegetables and honey are harvested for use in the hotel’s  restaurant. They even brew their own rooftop honey and herb-infused beer, available to enjoy with your meal. On the ground floor, Dining Lieu — Niwa’s French-inspired restaurant —  also serves as the breakfast venue, offering both Japanese and Western options.

Wellness here is understated but thoughtful. Guests can unwind in a small fitness room or stretch out in the Refresh Lounge, a calming space complete with a library and tatami mats  — perfect for relaxing between meetings or city explorations. After a day immersed in Tokyo’s lively streets, retreat to the relaxation room and let the massage chairs restore your body and mind for another day’s adventure. While there’s no onsen, the pervasive sense of calm cultivated throughout the hotel  makes you forget you’re in one of the world’s busiest cities.

Hotel Niwa Tokyo doesn’t need to shout for attention — and that’s precisely its charm. It offers peace without pretence, design without distraction, and a deeply rooted sense of place. For those seeking a slower, more considered Tokyo, this is a retreat worth immersing yourself in.

For more information, visit Hotel Niwa Tokyo's website