Lodgings in Japan

a few recommendations for budget travelers, part 1

During our 2023 trip to Japan, Hiro and I splurged and spent one night at the incredible Hotel New Otani in central Tōkyō.

The sitting room and the bedroom were incomparable, but it was the New Otani bathroom that took my breath away.

Rooms start at roughly USD700 per night (including breakfast), and because we were in Tōkyō that trip for a total of ten nights, there was no way in perdition’s flames we would drop seven grand for lodgings alone. Even $700 was a big stretch for us.

But the café Satsuki at the New Otani includes a sumptuous buffet breakfast, which includes pastries made by the adjacent Pierre Hermès shop. Sadly, Pierre Hermès in Tōkyō has stopped making their Ispahan treats—two large pink macarons sandwiching a confection of cream, lychees, raspberries, and rose petals. Despite that disappointment, breakfast was fantastic.

The Ispahan treats we last had in 2016. Yes, we each had two. They’re that good.

The Satsuki buffet goods. Dim sum, viennoises from Pierre Hermès, a beautifully poached egg, some charcuterie, and glorious fruit. I think I donated most of my pastries to Hiro so I could go back and sample the congee, too.

If you can afford to stay at the New Otani, excellent! It’s a wonderful hotel with excellent service. Perhaps someday, Hiro and I will have the chance to stay there longer.