Encountering Books and Reflecting on Tokyo’s History. The Journey Starts from the Shiba Park Hotel
The Shiba Park Hotel and Park Hotel Tokyo in Tokyo’s Minato City joined the RIHGA Royal Hotel Group in fall 2024. In this article, editor Kei Ishigaki—who launched the publishing company Beacon in 2025—will guide us through the Shiba Park Hotel and nearby tourist spots. The hotel has a history dating back to its founding in 1948 and in recent years has become a “library hotel” offering a one-of-a-kind stay experience.
Experiencing the fun of reading in a hotel steeped in history
The Shiba Park Hotel is conveniently located about a 2-minute walk from Onarimon Station on the Mita subway line, and less than a 10-minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station on the JR and Monorail lines. Historically, it was established as a hotel for foreign trade delegations, and has supported the prosperity of Tokyo’s Minato City alongside landmarks like Shiba Park, Zojo-ji Temple, and Tokyo Tower. Now reborn as a library hotel, it is garnering attention for a new type of accommodation experience based on the theme of being “surrounded by books.”
When you arrive at the hotel, first head from the entrance to the Library Lounge. Here you’ll find a diverse collection of books—from art books to picture books and rare foreign volumes—all carefully curated by Tsutaya Books in Ginza. The reception room in the back is a renovated bar that was beloved at the hotel for many years. Coffee and soft drinks, as well as select wines and domestic craft beers (for a fee) are served at an elegant counter that exudes tradition, so you can immerse yourself in reading in the lounge with a drink in hand.
Next, head to the Grand Staircase where a magnificent fountain will catch your eye. The bookshelves along the walls showcase Japanese art books and great books relating to the past, present, and future. This spot is very popular as a location for photos. The second-floor foyer at the top of the Grand Staircase is also popular due to its bookshelf with selections by the concierge. Each floor of guest rooms has small, cozy relaxation spaces called “inglenooks”—a term derived from Scottish—with bookshelves and couches. You can take any book that catches your fancy to the lounge or your room to read freely, which explains the hotel’s reputation as a “hotel like a library.” Every stay promises the possibility of discovering an unexpected book.
An exquisite afternoon tea experience
Once you find a book you like, treat yourself to the popular Blissful Afternoon Tea at The Dining restaurant. Here, you can enjoy to the fullest a luxurious afternoon tea time with exquisite sweets showcasing the finest techniques of Japanese, Western, and Chinese chefs, all beautifully arranged in a tiered stand.
Once seated, you’ll first receive a seasonal welcome drink. Then when you open the old-fashioned book-shaped box provided on your table, you’ll discover charming tea leaf containers and sugar stars inside. One delightful surprise is that you can sample different aromas when choosing your drink. The selection includes 12 varieties of tea leaves—ranging from classic black teas like Darjeeling and Earl Grey to blended teas, Japanese black tea, and osmanthus oolong tea, as well as coffee and café au lait.
Furthermore, The Dining offers an impressive array of carefully-selected teacups from both East and West. These can be freely chosen from the tea trolley provided for you. The comprehensive service includes unlimited drink refills within the time limit, which is an exciting point.
It’s a blissful moment when you slowly steep tea leaves while waiting with a special hourglass timer. You feel a wave of happiness as you savor scones served with freshly brewed tea, homemade jam, and clotted cream. A seasonal variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese sweets and savories offers once-in-a-lifetime surprises and delights. Enjoy the fragrance and flavor of premium tea leaves, together with delicious sweets, while reading the book they’ve brought for you… it’s the perfect treat for yourself. You should definitely enjoy this experience!
Exploring the Shiba area, where Tokyo and Edo intersect
The Shiba Park Hotel is located near the main gate of Zojo-ji Temple, the family temple of the Tokugawa shoguns, and Tokyo Tower is within walking distance. This is a place where modern Tokyo’s remarkable development meets the atmosphere of old Edo. The following are some spots worth visiting when strolling through this unique Shiba area.
A famous temple linked with the Tokugawa shogun family, garnering attention due to its UNESCO registration【Zojo-ji Temple】
Zojo-ji Temple is one of the head temples of the Jodo sect of Buddhism and a renowned temple with about 600 years of history as the family temple of the Tokugawa family. When you enter the quiet temple grounds, away from the city’s hustle and bustle, you can see Tokyo Tower rising behind the majestic main hall. The sight of the vestiges of Edo intersecting with a symbol of modernity is truly stunning. History enthusiasts should visit the Treasures Gallery on the temple grounds. There are displays of cultural properties and treasures handed down by the temple, including a model of the Taitokuin Mausoleum from the British Royal Collection. Experience a peaceful side trip to this place of silence and dignity, while reflecting on the passage of time.
The redesigned tour is a must-see! A landmark packed with new attractions【Tokyo Tower】
Tokyo Tower, boasting a height of 333 meters, is an iconic Tokyo landmark known to everyone. While simply gazing at the tower is captivating enough, it’s also packed with special experiences that can only be enjoyed by going up. The Top Deck Tour, redesigned in October 2024, features geometric mirrors, LED lighting, and “hikari tatami” (illuminated straw mats) at the 250-meter-high Top Deck, creating a fantastical presentation of the glittering skyscraper view. The 360-degree panorama stretching to Tokyo Bay looks completely different during day and night. The exhilaration of ascending in the elevator under the guidance of staff attendants is truly one-of-a-kind. Inside the tower, there are well-stocked shops brimming with Tokyo souvenirs and a food court of unique restaurants. Taking time to view Tokyo from above will surely captivate you with an extraordinary experience during your hotel stay.
Innovative Tokyo sweets that capture the delicious flavors of vegetables【Azabu Yasaigashi】
Intrigued by the concept of slightly luxurious sweets made with vegetables, I visited Azabu Yasaigashi, located right by Azabu-juban Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line and Toei Subway Oedo Line. I sampled their signature Vegetable Financiers, baked with generous amounts of Hidaka butter from Hokkaido. They offer six colorful flavors including tomato, spinach, pumpkin, purple sweet potato, burdock root, and ginger. The burdock root flavor made with Horikawa burdock was particularly memorable, with cocoa and rum raisin toppings that complement the gentle sweetness of the burdock in a delicious combination you won’t find anywhere else. Shop owner Toshihide Hanasaki explains that he repeatedly refines ingredient combinations to fully highlight each vegetable’s flavor. His personal touch extends to the interior design and packaging, creating a space alive with his confident passion and aesthetic sensibility.
Exquisite shaved ice from a famous Tokyo kappo restaurant【Kurogi Japanese Sweets Lab】
Seeking a special feeling of coolness, I visited the Kurogi Japanese Sweets Lab, opened in 2024 by the renowned Japanese restaurant Kurogi. This shop specializes in the shaved ice popular at Kurogi’s main restaurant and always boasts a line of eager customers. I ordered the classic matcha green tea flavor. The generous portion of shaved ice uses carefully filtered pure ice in a very satisfying three-layer structure featuring rich matcha, cream, and toasted brown rice. When you take a bite, you’re first amazed by the snow-like texture that melts gently in your mouth, and as you continue eating, new flavors emerge, layer upon layer. The carefully staged flavors that keep you engaged until the last bite are truly impressive. For the matcha and black sesame flavored vegan options, the Japanese Sweets Lab draws on a long tradition of Buddhist temple cuisine. You can relax at the counter with the atmosphere of a first-class establishment (reservations recommended), or enjoy casual takeout while strolling, and eat your order outdoors in Shiba Park. This is a spot I want to visit again and again for premium sweets.
Photos by: Yukino Nakanishi, photo office moonlit (Shiba Park Hotel),
Mizuki Matsumoto (Tokyo Tower, Azabu Yasaigashi, KUROGI JAPANESE SWEETS LAB)
Shiba Park Hotel
TEL +81(0)3-3433-4141
1-5-10 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
【DATA】
Zojo-ji Temple
TEL +81(0)3-3432-1431
4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
About a 3-minute walk from Shiba Park Hotel
Tokyo Tower
TEL +81(0)3-3433-5111
4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
About a 10-minute walk from Shiba Park Hotel
Azabu Yasaigashi
TEL +81(0)3-5439-6499
3-1-5 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
From Shiba Park Hotel, it’s about an 8-minute walk to Akabanebashi Station on the Toei Oedo Subway Line.
From Akabanebashi Station on the Toei Oedo Subway Line, it’s one stop to Azabujuban Station. From Exit 1, it’s about a 1-minute walk.
Kurogi Japanese Sweets Lab
TEL +81(0)3-6381-5721
GRANDLUXE Shibadaimon 1st Floor 1-7-16 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
About a 3-minute walk from Shiba Park Hotel
Our Guide
Kei Ishigaki
Born in Shizuoka City in 1991. After graduating from the Graduate School of Osaka Prefecture University, Kei worked at a social welfare corporation and in magazine editing before founding the publishing company Beacon in 2025. He is currently active across a broad range of editing, proofreading, and writing work. His editing credits include Anthology: My Survival Strategies (Seikatsu Tsuzurikata Shuppanbu) and The Traveler’s Tabloid series (DriveD Inc.). Proofreading credits include Spiral Days (Bokumin Shuppankai). He currently lives in Myorenji, Yokohama, and is active as a guitarist in an improvisational band.
*Unless otherwise noted, prices include tax and service charges.
*Operating hours at each facility are subject to change.
