Tropicana Sep-Oct 2019 #126 The Wellbeing Issue

Known for its amalgamation
of ancient traditions and
culture juxtaposed with
modernity and technology,
Japan’s old and new
elements coexist in
harmony, drawing in crowds of visitors every
year. The business district of Marunouchi
in Tokyo is no different, as sleek office
skyscrapers tower over the scenic stone moats
and lush greenery of the Imperial Palace East
Gardens.
Embodying this vast contrast of old and
new is the Palace Hotel Tokyo, which sits
comfortably in the heart of the Marunouchi
district next to the Imperial Palace, its moatside
setting cleverly ensconced away from
the hustle of the city. A classic hotel with
impeccable service and magnificent views
right over the Imperial Palace.
The Palace’s modern façade belies its
deep-rooted history, as the building is an
iconic fixture in the luxury hotel scene ever
since it made its official debut to the public in
1961. After a three-year facelift in 2009, the
Palace Hotel Tokyo emerged as a new luxury
hotel icon in 2012, revered for its practice of
omotenashi (Japanese hospitality).
Today, the hotel’s historic roots remains
deeply entrenched throughout the building
such as the 1.6 million Shigaraki tiles which
originally shielded its outer walls have been
repurposed. Relics from the hotel’s longstanding
history that have survived the
modern times include a restored bar counter
from the original Royal Bar which served as a
hidden alcove for gentlemen accompanied by
the finest cigars and top-shelf liquors.
Though the business district of
Marunouchi may boast a more serious façade
housing numerous top corporations, the
area turns into a peaceful sanctuary come
79 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | TM