One of Japan's most beautiful hotels "disappears" after nearly a century

Gajoen Tokyo, one of the most beautiful hotels in Japan, with an overall architecture that harmoniously blends tradition and modernity, has had to close due to the expiration of its lease.

According to a VNA reporter in Tokyo, one of the most beautiful hotels in Japan, Gajoen Tokyo, had to close after nearly a century of operation due to the expiration of its lease contract.

Built in 1931, this hotel has been in operation for more than 90 years and is always rated among the most beautiful hotels in the "Land of the Rising Sun."

From humble beginnings as a fine dining restaurant in Meguro, Gajoen later became Japan's first integrated hotel and resort, offering wedding venues.

The hotel's architecture is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. The entire campus is imbued with a classic Japanese style.

The interior decoration with colorful lacquer paintings, inspired by the Edo period, makes Gajoen one of the top favorite hotels in the country.

From the mother-of-pearl or lacquered elevator doors, the large-scale paintings that decorate the hotel corridors, to the seasonal gardens, rock gardens, winding koi ponds, Edo-style houses and waterfalls, all have formed a luxurious, splendid and unique Gajoen.

What's more, with the legendary Hyakudan Kaidan (100-Step Staircase) being a designated Tangible Cultural Heritage, Hotel Gajoen is not only an ideal wedding venue, but also a living part of Tokyo's history.

The corridor is decorated with large reliefs and lacquer paintings. (Photo: Nguyen Tuyen/VNA)

Despite hosting more than 230,000 weddings, the Gajoen Hotel fell on hard times and declared bankruptcy.

In January 2025, a Canadian investment company took control of the hotel, and Gajoen then abruptly announced it would close at the end of September due to the expiration of its contract with the landlord, forcing it to cancel 180 weddings scheduled from October onwards.

The hotel management announced that it will refund 200,000 yen ($1,340) in registration fees and provide 100,000 yen ($670) in compensation to affected couples.

During its last days of operation, Gajoen welcomed thousands of visitors to check-in and take photos to preserve memories with one of Tokyo's famous architectural works.

There is currently no announcement of a reopening date, so Gajoen, along with the 100-step staircase, has officially closed since October 1, closing one of Tokyo's most precious cultural relics./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/mot-trong-nhung-khach-san-dep-nhat-nhat-ban-bien-mat-sau-gan-mot-the-ky-post1067894.vnp