Japan 2023 - when in the area

Review: Conrad Tokyo (2023)

2023-11-262025-04-02

Towards the end of our trip, we moved from Yokohama to Tokyo and came to Conrad Tokyo to spend our last few days there. We boarded the Tokaido Line at Yokohama Station and arrived at Shinbashi Station in no time. Since I stayed there last year (2022), I was looking forward to staying there again this year. As a Diamond member, I was able to enter the lounge for the first time. It was around noon, and I hadn’t checked in yet, but I was able to see a clear view of Tokyo Bay from my seaside seat. During cocktail hour, this view becomes a beautiful night scene that spreads…

Review: Hilton Yokohama

2023-11-242025-03-28

I came to Hilton Yokohama, which just opened in September 2023. I was surprised that it was completely different from the Yokohama Station area that I remembered. The building itself has just been completed, and everything is brand new, making it feel like you’re visiting the city for the first time. The interior has a black and white palette, with gold decorative metal accents, creating a calm atmosphere with a sense of luxury. The interior of the hotel is unified in an Art Deco style, and the patterns on the carpets and the elegance of the lighting are captivating. Our guest room was upgraded and we were given a river…

Review: Hilton Nagoya

2023-11-222025-03-28

After leaving Kyoto, our next destination was Nagoya. It only takes 40 minutes on the Shinkansen. Japan has many cities with millions of people, and they are all well connected by high-speed railways. Furthermore, the frequency of Shinkansen departures is unbelievable. I thought it was normal when I lived in Japan, but coming from England, it seems completely surprising. Contents AccessCheck-in and Tea TimeRoomExecutive Lounge and SpaBreakfast Access I took a taxi from Nagoya Station because I had a lot of baggage, but if you’re travelling light, you can easily get there on foot. Check-in and tea time After checking in at the hotel and waiting for a friend to…

Review: Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma

2023-11-192025-03-31

I wasn’t able to visit Kyoto during my visit to Japan last year, but I really wanted to go this year, and I was able to make a reservation at the Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, which opened in 2022. The hotel faces Karasuma Dori, which runs straight from Kyoto Station, so I was able to find it without getting lost. If you’re using the subway, it’s right between Shijo Station and Gojo Station, so if you’re coming from Kyoto Station, it’s probably a shorter journey from Gojo Station. The ground floor has a high ceiling, giving it an open feel. The open-plan lobby and restaurant is a spacious…

Review: Hilton Tokyo Odaiba (2023)

2023-11-172025-03-31

After booking my flight to Japan, I decided to make the Hilton Tokyo Odaiba my first stay in Tokyo as usual (here is the link of our 2022 stay). Contents AccessCheck-in and executive loungeRainbow Bridge View RoomSpa and pool Access The limousine bus from Haneda Airport was back in operation, and we arrived at the hotel before check-in time. You can have a look a the timetable here. If you arrive later after the bus service has ended, I recommend taking a taxi rather than trains, as the hotel isn’t too far from the airport. Note that taxi drivers usually take the highway, which adds a surcharge. You can ask…