Jeepney Press / Lala Lopez De Leon

Walk with me: Hotel New Otani and Garden

By Lala Lopez de Leon

Photo by Lala Lopez de Leon

January 17, 2022

A rare occasion, Monday in Akasaka-Mitsuke basking in the glorious sun couldn’t have been more perfect for a short, quiet stroll, after running some personal errands.

Lala Lopez de Leon

Lala Lopez de Leon

It’s been ages since I last stepped foot on Hotel New Otani, and I couldn’t hide my excitement at the thought of seeing their famous garden once again.

Lala Lopez de Leon

Lala Lopez de Leon

Formerly a residence of a well-known samurai Lord in the period 1562-1611, the garden was first landscaped for his use during the early Edo period (1603-1868). It passed hands and when the late Yonetaro Otani, the hotel’s founder, acquired the land, he insisted that the garden in its current state be preserved and maintained. So, some of the trees, ponds, and stone lanterns date back to centuries ago, the Kamakura and Edo periods.

Lala Lopez de Leon

Lala Lopez de Leon

Jeepney Press