A Tea-Scented Retreat in the Heart of Tokyo
Tokyo is a city of energy—neon lights, train stations overflowing with people, and hotels where staff rush tirelessly to keep up with the flow.
But last week, I discovered a hidden sanctuary within this city: HOTEL 1899 TOKYO.
Here, the world seemed to slow down. Instead of bustle, there was silence. Instead of the smell of concrete and exhaust, there was the calming fragrance of tea leaves.
This is not just a hotel. It is a place for:
🌿 Travelers who want to stay in Tokyo but still feel calm, embraced by stillness.
🍵 Lovers of Japanese tea who want to experience it with all five senses.
The First Welcome: Tea as Hospitality
The hotel is a short walk from Shimbashi. At first, the streets are lively with office workers and izakaya signs, but once I stepped inside, the mood changed completely.
On the second floor, a tea counter awaited me. The atmosphere was serene—soft music, measured movements, and a sense of care in every detail.
A tea expert prepared drinks for us one by one:
Matcha with its rich, smooth froth
Rokusen-cha, a deeply fragrant green tea
Cold-brew genmaicha, a refreshing blend of green tea and roasted rice, served as part of their “seasonal tea” selection, which changes throughout the year
I watched as the staff whisked, poured, and presented each cup. The preparation itself was like a performance—quiet, focused, beautiful. Unlike a bustling café filled with chatter, here there was calm sincerity. It felt like entering a chashitsu (traditional tea room), but in a way that was approachable, welcoming, and modern.
The Room: A Modern Iori Retreat
Our room took inspiration from an iori—a small hut or retreat where one can rest in simplicity. The design carried subtle echoes of Japanese tradition, woven seamlessly into modern comfort.
It was a perfect harmony of Japanese tradition and Western comfort—a modern wafū-yōsai (fusion of Japanese and Western styles) that made the room feel both grounding and luxurious.
Dining Around 1899
After enjoying our room, we went down stairs to the reception, and there, the staff recommended several local restaurants, and I couldn’t resist exploring them. Here were some of the recommendations:
Yukimura Tempura (之村) – Just 1 minute from the hotel, this place served tempura that was perfectly crisp and delicate. Each bite felt so traditionally Japanese, highlighting the natural flavor of the ingredients.
Torihara (愛宕 酉はら) – A unique restaurant specializing in fresh chicken, grilled over charcoal to bring out subtle flavors.
While strolling around, we actually ended up at Kitakata Shokudo(きたかた食堂), a cozy spot where the ramen was light, not oily, and incredibly satisfying—a hidden gem that perfectly capped off the evening.
We also walked around the place, and went to Tokyo Tower too.
Coming Next: Night at the hotel, Breakfast & Special Giveaways
The ramen were amazing, but the real surprises came the next morning—the breakfast far exceeded anything I expected, and the infusion of Japanese tea into so many dishes was inspiring. In tomorrow’s post, I’ll share about:
The night at the hotel
The incredible breakfast buffet infused with tea culture
Why I came to truly love this hotel
Plus—an exclusive giveaway & subscriber-only discount!
If you haven’t subscribed yet, now’s the perfect time. And if you’re a free subscriber, consider upgrading to paid—you’ll get the special discount code.
Stay tuned, because tomorrow is where the real flavors of 1899 shine.
Super cool thank you for sharing this !!
This looks like a place that I would absolutely fall in love with Dr. Miki!