Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa
by the TopOfHotel team
Grand Prince Takanawa is a piece of iconic Kenzo Tange architecture — a classic-style 5-star at a price you can actually reach.
Grand Prince Takanawa is a piece of iconic Kenzo Tange architecture — a classic-style 5-star at a price you can actually reach.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa was built in 1982 and designed by Kenzo Tange, the world-renowned Japanese architect. The building has the distinctive curves you'd expect from him, and the tall, open lobby pulls in natural light through a big curved glass wall. Rooms start at 33 sqm and lean classic — thick soft carpet and 1980s-era furniture that still looks good and works fine. Rooms facing the garden out back get a calm green outlook. Real guests score the hotel 8.6/10 on average.
Food and amenities
There are 4 restaurants in the building, covering Japanese, Chinese and Western food. The breakfast buffet is laid out in the main dining room, with both Japanese options like congee and freshly baked bread. There's a full fitness center, and the meeting rooms handle business gatherings.
Location and getting there
It's a 7-minute walk (550m) from Shinagawa Station, on a signposted route that passes the Takanawa Prince Hotel before you reach it. The Shinkansen is an easy connection from Shinagawa, and Haneda Airport is 15 minutes away on the Keikyu Line. This area sits quieter than the East side of the station, which suits anyone after a calmer base.
Things to know before booking
The room design is genuinely dated — a classic 1980s look, with some parts still not renovated, so set your expectations toward heritage rather than modern. The 7-minute walk is the longest in this neighborhood lineup. If you want a sleek contemporary room, this isn't your hotel. The garden is at its best during the autumn foliage in October and November, so timing matters if that's a draw.
Our take
Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa is the pick if you want a Tokyo 5-star from $134 that still holds a high standard. It suits travelers who appreciate the architecture and a pretty garden in a quiet setting, and who'd rather not pay top-tier prices for a classic stay near the Shinkansen.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Rates start at $134 a night — the best value in Shinagawa's 5-star group, so you get the full-service experience without the top-tier price.
- The building was designed by Kenzo Tange, the Japanese architect who won the Pritzker Prize in 1987, which gives the place real architectural and historical weight.
- Rooms run wider than the typical Tokyo hotel, starting at 33 sqm, with plenty of space to spread out.
- The on-site garden is genuinely pretty and shady, planted with pines, sakura and maple — at its best during the autumn foliage in October and November.
- There are 4 restaurants in the building covering Japanese, Chinese and Western, so you can eat in without heading out.
- The room design is fairly old, in a classic 1980s style, and some parts still haven't been renovated.
- It's a 7-minute walk (550m) from Shinagawa Station — the least convenient distance for the area, though the route is signposted.
- It leans classic rather than modern, so if you want a sleek contemporary room this isn't the one.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Ask for a higher floor in the Tower building — the views are better than the Garden building.
- The lobby is the spot to photograph Kenzo Tange's architecture, so allow a few minutes for it.
- Time your stay for October or November to catch the garden's pines, sakura and maple at peak autumn color.