HOME Tokyo and Surroundings Tokyo Ginza Inside Ginza's Newest Hotel: The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome (Review)
Inside Ginza's Newest Hotel: The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome (Review)

Inside Ginza's Newest Hotel: The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome (Review)

Date published: 12 June 2024

Ginza isn’t just about the shopping! Staying in the area for a few nights allows you to explore the district’s culture on a deeper level. And you can do just that at the new The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome, which opened on May 30, 2024. We were invited to the opening, so let’s take a look at what the swanky new hotel has to offer!

(*Ed. Note: The hotel provided a complimentary stay to facilitate this review. However, the opinions expressed in this article are entirely those of the author.)

Table of Contents
  1. Why Stay in Ginza?
  2. Getting to The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome
  3. What to Expect at The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome
  4. The Snack Bar - KOBIKICHŌ-CLUB
  5. Restaurant: Dinner and Breakfast at YŌSHOKU-YA GINZA LAMP-TEI
  6. A Comfortable Stay at a Friendly Hotel
  7. Access

Why Stay in Ginza?

Why Stay in Ginza?

Ginza is a district in Tokyo known for its glamorous shopping streets filled with lux fashion brands like Chanel and Gucci. The main street is lined with glass buildings glinting in the sun, and signature perfumes wafting through the air any time someone opens a door.

But that’s not where Ginza culture ends.

This lively Tokyo district is also home to art galleries, smaller local temples and shrines, nightlife, and even performances of Kabuki – a tradition where drama meets dance, and is performed in elaborate costumes.

Walk a little further and you’ll also find yourself at the famous Tsukiji Outer Market for delicious food, as well as the impressive Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple.

If you want to experience all of this, you’re going to need more than a few hours for some window shopping. It’s worth staying in Ginza a night or two to see it all!

Getting to The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome

Getting to The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome

It might seem daunting to stay in this glittering district, but The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome was created to be a warm and welcoming place, no matter what type of travel you’re looking for.

The hotel is located a little further out of central Ginza to give you a little peace and quiet, and encourage you to explore nearby. “6-Chome” (pronounced roku-cho-meh) is the name of the neighborhood within the district.

There’s a clear contrast between the main shopping street and the area around the hotel. The hotel is about a 5-minute taxi ride from Tokyo Station. If you walk from Ginza Station (around 6 minutes), you’ll start off strolling through crowds of residents and tourists alike. But eventually you’ll suddenly find yourself in calmer surroundings, and you’ll wonder if you’re still in the same district!

You can easily skip the busy streets and come straight to Higashi-ginza Station for a closer option, too – it’s about a 3-minute walk from exit 4. (Definitely the better option if you have big bags!) It’s worth noting that Higashi-ginza Station is located on the Toei Asakusa Line, which has access to both Haneda Airport (direct) and Narita Airport (with Skyliner access via Aoto Station).

What to Expect at The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome

The new Ginza hotel has taken inspiration from local culture to create a bright and friendly space with a modern take on retro themes. Here’s what to look out for during your stay.

Design Features and Reception Area

Design Features and Reception Area

The first thing you’ll notice as you walk in is the bright and airy lobby space. It is decorated with refreshing yet tasteful greens and yellows, which are said to represent the colors of the picturesque line of ginkgo trees nearby.

Walk straight ahead through the archway and take the lift to the lobby on Floor 2, or walk up the stairs to your right to check in at the reception.

The mini hotel convenience store, complete with microwave
The mini hotel convenience store, complete with microwave

On that same reception floor, there is also a lounge space, a mini convenience store, and a “Snack” bar for evening drinks (more on that later). The lounge area has comfy seating as well as desk space for getting some work done, and even retro board games like Backgammon and Connect Four.

Outside of the reception floor, you’ll also find the hotel’s restaurant on Floor 1, and the stylish shared baths on the Basement floor.

All throughout the hotel, you’ll see different nods to the Showa period (1926-1989), but with an energetic modern aesthetic. The decorations by the elevators have retro telephones and tasteful art on the walls.

The Rooms

The Rooms

There are a few different types of rooms at The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome, starting with the Standard Twin Room at 22m2, all the way up to the top-floor Suite, which is an impressive 67m2. In between, there are also different double bed rooms and corner rooms to choose from.

During my stay, I was in a Standard Twin. The Simmons beds were comfy and just the right hardness, and there was a small table and chair by the window. I was very thankful for the double set of blinds, with one semi-opaque and the other close to black-out for a good night’s sleep.

There was a large TV complete with connected video services like Netflix and YouTube (requires sign-in), as well as standard amenities like tea bags, coffee, and slippers. If you’re not feeling up to the challenge of the shared baths, not to worry, because all rooms have their own rain shower, or in the larger rooms, a bath of their own.

The Corner Deluxe Twin room opens onto a corridor before you get to your cozy space
The Corner Deluxe Twin room opens onto a corridor before you get to your cozy space

As for the other rooms, the main difference is in the amount of space and the size of the TV and bathrooms. Personally, I really liked the Corner Deluxe Twin Room, which had a little hallway leading into the room, making it feel even more like your own space.

The Suite and its night view
The Suite and its night view

But it’s undeniable that the view from the Suite on the top floor is great for that Tokyo vibe.

Green is all about business in comfort
Green is all about business in comfort

There is one other difference you might notice during your stay. Walking through the hallway, you’ll find that the carpet and walls change from a persimmon red to a muted green. These colors come from the signature colors of Kabuki theater, and the lively red is designed for those here for fun, while the green is for serious business. The only other difference between the rooms in each color scheme is that rooms in green have desks more suited for getting some work done.

Tattoo-Friendly Shared Baths

The yellow and green ginkgo theme continues here, too (*Bath footage taken with special permission from the establishment)
The yellow and green ginkgo theme continues here, too (*Bath footage taken with special permission from the establishment)

An important part of Ginza and Tokyo culture is shared baths!

If you’re ready to dip your toes into this part of Ginza culture, head down to the Basement floor for a moment of relaxation in the stylish green and yellow baths.

(*Bath footage taken with special permission from the establishment)
(*Bath footage taken with special permission from the establishment)

In the changing room area, you’ll find lockers to put your clothes in, as well as a water dispenser and an area to dry your hair and wash your face afterwards. Inside, there is a washing area (to use before entering the bath) complete with soap, shampoo, and conditioner.

You can visit the baths in the slippers and pajamas provided in the room, and don’t forget to bring your towel and a hair brush! When you enter the baths, go au natural, not with a towel or swimsuit on, and just relax.

A handy feature of the hotel is that you can check how crowded the baths are from the TV in your room!

The Snack Bar - KOBIKICHŌ-CLUB

The Snack Bar - KOBIKICHŌ-CLUB

We mentioned earlier that there is a “Snack” bar on the reception floor. It’s called KOBIKICHŌ-CLUB, but don’t be fooled – this is not a place to get chips and dip!

The friendly Mama-san will always greet you with a smile
The friendly Mama-san will always greet you with a smile

A Snack Bar is a type of Japanese bar that is an integral part of Ginza culture. They are usually hosted by a friendly female bartender known as “Mama-san,” who will chat with you and create a fun atmosphere among the guests.

Unlike a hostess bar, the Mama-san won’t come out from behind the bar, or be overly flirty, but she will do everything with a smile and
create a bubbly atmosphere!

Normally, Snack Bars are hard to enter for one-time visitors, because the idea is that you buy a bottle of alcohol, and come back regularly to make your way through it. This, along with the steep entry fees, can make them a challenge for tourists. But at KOBIKICHŌ-CLUB, if you’re staying at the hotel, you only need to pay for the seating charge and the 1-drink minimum (all together, starting at 3,000 yen).

KOBIKICHŌ-CLUB has a stylish atmosphere with up-market bottles of whiskeys and sakes lining the walls, but also has a friendly vibe complete with a karaoke machine. If you’d rather a more intimate experience, there is also a private room in the back with access to the bar.

Restaurant: Dinner and Breakfast at YŌSHOKU-YA GINZA LAMP-TEI

Restaurant: Dinner and Breakfast at YŌSHOKU-YA GINZA LAMP-TEI

Keeping in step with the retro theme of the hotel is YŌSHOKU-YA GINZA LAMP-TEI.

The restaurant as seen from the street
The restaurant as seen from the street

During the Showa Period, a style of cuisine known as Yoshoku became particularly popular. Directly translated, it means “Western food,” but in reality, Yoshoku is a casual take on fusion cuisine, with distinctly Japanese flavors coming through.

YŌSHOKU-YA GINZA LAMP-TEI serves modern takes on Yoshoku at both breakfast and dinner. You’ll find dishes like omurice (omelet over flavored white rice) and Japanese Hamburg steak (a juicy meat patty with a savory sauce).

My breakfast: Orange juice, salad, salted kombu onigiri, shrimp gratin, braised pork, meat sauce pasta, and sausages.
My breakfast: Orange juice, salad, salted kombu onigiri, shrimp gratin, braised pork, meat sauce pasta, and sausages.

During my stay, I was able to sample from the breakfast buffet, which had an array of different stations including: a salad bar, a hot food station, an onigiri (rice ball) station, a bread and pastry station, a dessert area, a mini yakitori stall, and a small drinks bar.

One of the highlights of the buffet was the onigiri station, which had eight different fillings to choose from and was made fresh on the spot!

As for the hot food, this is a good chance to sample a few different types of Yoshoku cuisine if you haven’t had it before. During my stay, there was spaghetti with meat sauce, shrimp gratin, braised pork, scrambled egg, sausages, and teriyaki yellowtail.

One of my favorites from the bread section was the mini melonpan cupcakes, which are like a sweet bread with a biscuity top layer – they tasted extra-good when I put them in the toaster oven for a couple of minutes!

A Comfortable Stay at a Friendly Hotel

A Comfortable Stay at a Friendly Hotel

Overall, my stay at The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome was very comfortable, and the Mama-san at KOBIKICHŌ-CLUB was so friendly it was a shame I couldn’t stay longer!

If you want to spend some time in Ginza to get to know what lies beyond the shopping streets, The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome is the place to go.

Access

Located in Tokyo’s Ginza district, the hotel is a three-minute walk from Higashi-Ginza Station, Exit 3/4/A1 (via the Tokyo Metro / Toei Asakusa Line / lifts are available at Exit 3 and A1). Alternatively, it is a six-minute walk from Ginza Station, Exit A3 (via Tokyo Metro lines / lift is available at A7). View directions from Tokyo Station here.

The hotel is easily accessible from Haneda and Narita international airports by train.

Written by:
Cassandra Lord
Cassandra Lord

Cassandra Lord is a British journalist specialising in food, travel, and culture, and has been in Japan for five years after studying Japanese at Edinburgh University for four. With a year of experience as co-editor for LIVE JAPAN, Cassandra has since transitioned to freelance writing, contributing to a variety of platforms including The Japan Times and Tokyo Weekender. During her time in Japan she has visited 25 prefectures, with a goal to eventually visit all 47. She also manages her own YouTube channel, "Cassandra Lord", which is dedicated to all things related to Japanese culinary culture. She also works as a translator and photographer.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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