Do you spend hours inside an art museum, analyzing every single detail of a painting? Have you ever dreamt of sleeping inside an art museum?
If yes, Park Hotel Tokyo is the perfect place for you! Located in the Shiodome area, Minato-ku in central Tokyo, this is perhaps the most interesting hotel I ever stayed at. It is not only a hotel but an art museum inside a hotel. But let me tell you more about my art staycation, my first one ever. First, here is the hotel’s info!
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Shiodome Media Tower 1-7-1 Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku 1057227 Tokyo
〒105-7227 東京都港区東新橋1丁目7番1号
汐留メディアタワー（フロント25F）
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The art immersion starts as soon as you get off the subway at the B2F entrance, where there is a space designed by artist OZ -Yamaguchi Keisuke, who also created one of the Artist Rooms on the 31st floor (Kabuki). The concept of this space is based on the theme of 露地 “Roji” in the tea ceremony, a garden through which one passes before the 茶室 chashitsu (the main room for the tea ceremony). It is meant as a place where you will be transported from the 日常 nichijo – ordinary, daily, usual, to the 非日常 hinichijo – the extraordinary, the unusual, the unexpected.
As soon as you arrive on the 25th floor, where the main lobby and the reception are located, two bronze statues representing Japanese gods 風神 Fujin (Wind God) and 雷神 Raijin (Thunder God) by artist Mikuo Konoki will greet you. These two representations of the two gods can be found throughout Japan. However, they are usually represented scarily. Here, they are represented cutely. They are said to be protectors of guests who visit this hotel.
Also, on the 25th floor, the first exhibition, the ART Colours exhibition, takes place. The exhibition changes according to the season and can be visited even if you do not stay at the hotel for the night. From Jun 7 – Nov 14, they will have this exhibition called “Precious Time.” I could see some exciting artworks by Nohara Kunihiko, such as this Omurice Man! Some cute animal figures reminded me of Harajuku’s decora style by Osamu Watanabe.
The check-in process was smooth, and the lovely staff there kindly answered all my questions. I had three options of artist rooms where I wanted to stay, and the final decision was made upon check-in. So, when you reserve a room at this hotel, you can mention which room you prefer in a comment on Booking.com or their official website. However, which room you get depends on the availability of that day. All Artist Rooms are gorgeous, so no need to worry!
The Artist in Hotel project started at Park Hotel Tokyo in 2012. Several Japanese artists were invited to stay at the hotel to feel the atmosphere and paint a room within the “Beauty of Japan” theme. Thirty-one rooms were completed on the 31st floor of the hotel (coincidence?) between 2012 and 2017. The newest room was completed this year, and it is the 32nd artist room, but not on the 31st floor of the hotel (Artist Room Ryuketsu−an ～The tea house where the Dragon Gods entertain guests～ by Asuka Tsutsumi). Each room is unique and represents either a motif from traditional Japanese culture or popular culture.
Artist Rooms
Samurai – Kenyu Mitsuhashi
Cherry Blossoms – Hiroko Otake
Ryuketsu−an ～The tea house where the Dragon Gods entertain guests～
Asuka Tsutsumi
Geisha Goldfish – Aki Narita (my room)
If you would like to watch a detailed video review of my experience there, check out my YouTube video below! (Video in Romanian with subtitles in English and Japanese). I hope you will stay at this beautiful hotel someday! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you stay here and share your experience with me.
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Happy travels!
