The Akasaka State Guest House is the most luxurious reception room in Japan! Perfect for Tokyo sightseeing!

[#259, approx. 4,300 characters, approx. 50 photos]
Akasaka State Guest House (Yotsuya, Tokyo). I visited for the first time. Here are my impressions.

▶︎ Conclusion

Contrary to my expectations, it was enjoyable! This is mainly because 1) the overly luxurious Main Building (National Treasure) is astonishing to anyone of any country or age, and 2) I was able to enjoy afternoon tea while looking at the State Guest House. I thought it was a spot that would satisfy not only those living near Tokyo but also those visiting from outside Tokyo!

▶︎ Reason for visiting

When relatives came from afar, they said, "I want to go to the Akasaka State Guest House!" They had seen a special feature on TV Tokyo's "Shin-Bi no Kyojin-tachi." The influence of television is terrifying. They were also looking forward to the afternoon tea available in the front garden.

▶︎ Access

The Akasaka State Guest House is about a 7-minute walk from Yotsuya Station. The route is not complicated, so you won't get lost.

Near the main gate (exit), there is the Akasaka State Guest House Front Rest Area. Inside, there is a cafe, shop, and restrooms. It opens at 9:00, so you might want to have a light breakfast here (the State Guest House opens at 10:00).

▶︎ What is the Akasaka State Guest House?

The Akasaka State Guest House is mainly composed of four parts (Main Building, Front Garden, Main Garden, and Japanese-style Annex). The main attraction is the Main Building, which is a National Treasure! Out of the 232 National Treasures in Japan, in the "Modern/Residential" category, the Akasaka State Guest House is the only one.

It was built in 1909, during the Meiji era, as the Togu Palace for the Crown Prince to live in temporarily. As you can see when you enter, it is so spacious and luxurious that I felt it would be difficult to live in😅

As a residence for the Emperor, the architecture could not be taken lightly. Under the total direction of architect Tokuma Katayama, a Neo-Baroque style (a Western-style palace incorporating unique Japanese craft techniques) was adopted.

After the war, the Emperor became a symbol and no longer held political power. Therefore, living in a luxurious palace that served as a symbol of authority no longer fit the atmosphere of the times. In addition, because there was a demand for closeness to the people, "European-style palace buildings" were avoided, and the residence became the Imperial Palace (the former site of Edo Castle).

After the war, since the Emperor no longer lived there, it came under government management. For a time, it even served as the National Diet Library and the office of the Olympic Committee (1964).

In 1974, it was renovated by Togo Murano as a facility to welcome state guests, known as the "Akasaka State Guest House." In 2009, the entire palace architecture was designated as a National Treasure. It has been open to the public year-round since 2016.

▶︎ Main Building

The Akasaka Palace State Guest House opens at 10:00 AM. Because you are walking through a National Treasure, the interior is under strict security. In addition to constant announcements reminding you not to step off the red carpet under your feet, security cameras are installed everywhere.

The interior is stark white with high ceilings, just like a castle! The gold and other decorations really stand out. You can barely find any scratches or mold on the walls. There are four main "rooms" inside the building, and you proceed in a one-way direction.

In each room, staff members provide kind and detailed explanations. They are also flexible in answering questions, so you can fully enjoy it without an audio guide. Explanations of the rooms were constantly playing from speakers inside. Additionally, there were many panel displays showing scenes from when past guests were welcomed.

Please note that photography is strictly prohibited inside the building. The luxurious interior is so photogenic everywhere that it would be fun to take pictures.

✔️ Kacho no Ma (State Banquet Room)

Kacho no Ma is approximately 330 square meters (about 200 tatami mats) in size. It features the Henri II style (the transitional period between Gothic and Renaissance). Since this room is primarily a grand dining hall for state banquets, it has a brown-based color scheme with minimal lighting, giving it an overall dim atmosphere. It can seat up to about 130 people.

The ceiling is decorated with animals such as deer. In 16th-century France, there was no livestock, and deer hunting was the trend. Therefore, being able to eat the meat after a hunt was considered a luxury at the time. By depicting this on the ceiling, it conveys the message, "You are a very important guest!".

The massive chandeliers weigh 1,125 kg each! In terms of weight, it's like having a compact car hanging from the ceiling. Also, the walls are decorated with 30 cloisonné enamel pieces. While the designs are Western-style, the technique is Japanese. Overseas guests would likely be delighted by this modern arrangement.

✔️ Sairan no Ma (Lounge)

Sairan no Ma is 160 square meters (about 100 tatami mats) in size. It is mainly used as a lounge, serving as a waiting room where guests are first welcomed, as well as for signing ceremonies and interviews.

The interior adopts the Empire style (popular in France during the early 19th century, the era of Napoleon I's empire). Because the walls are white, I got the impression that the magnificent chandeliers stand out beautifully.

The walls and ceilings feature luxurious relief decorations made with gold leaf. Among them, there were also designs of armor and helmets that evoke a sense of Japan. I felt that this concept of combining Japanese spirit with Western learning has an appeal similar to modern art.

Near the fireplace, there is a sculpture of a Luan (a legendary bird from Chinese mythology). Also, 10 large mirrors are installed in the room. These are set up as facing mirrors, which apparently has the effect of making the room look larger.

✔️ The Asahi-no-Ma (Morning Room)

The Asahi-no-Ma is about 200 square meters (about 120 tatami mats) in size. It is used as the primary guest room or salon for courtesy calls and summit meetings. The interior adopts the Classicism style.

The floor is covered with a "Dantsu" carpet. This is a special carpet woven by hand by artisans. It features cherry blossoms woven using 47 types of thread on a purple base. It is truly impressive to see such attention to detail even on the floor.

The walls of this room also feature armor, helmets, and lions, as well as ship bows and laurel wreaths. Additionally, a painting of a goddess with the morning sun behind her was depicted on the ceiling.

✔️ The Hagoromo-no-Ma (Ballroom)

The Hagoromo-no-Ma is about 330 square meters (about 200 tatami mats) and is in the Rococo style. Although it is a "room" for holding balls, it seems that balls have never actually been held there. In reality, it is a place for welcome events on rainy days, concerts, and enjoying pre-dinner or post-dinner drinks at banquets.

The piano here is made by the French company Erard and is a custom-made piece with special decorations. There is also a space on the mezzanine of the room for an orchestra to perform.

On the ceiling, a French painter has depicted a scene from the Japanese Noh play "Hagoromo" in fresco. Also, the chandelier in this room is the largest and most luxurious. It uses about 7,000 pieces of crystal glass and other materials.

◾️ A hospitality space that delights everyone

Motifs from not only Japan but also China, the West, and more are scattered throughout, and they are beautifully fused together. Because of this, no matter what country you are from or what your age is, you can tell that it is "simply amazing!", "a lot of money was spent here", or "I am being treated extremely well...".

Rooms other than the "Ma" (halls) had room numbers like "225". I truly thought it was the most luxurious hotel in Japan.

◾️ Chandeliers are a symbol of luxury

If you look closely at the chandeliers, each part is extremely decorative. This is the first time I have looked at chandeliers so closely. I realized that chandeliers are important for emphasizing the luxury of a room.

◾️ The meaning of Living National Treasure

The furnishings are, of course, top-tier items. Among them, I noticed works by Living National Treasures (holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties) who have been officially recognized by the government. Paradoxically, I thought that perhaps the system of Living National Treasures is necessary precisely to place items in important locations like those of the Imperial Family.

▼ Exhibition featuring Living National Treasures at the Hakone Museum of Art

▶︎ Main Garden

There are mainly two gardens (the front garden and the main garden). They are French formal gardens (Le Nôtre style) and feature a geometric and symmetrical layout. They were apparently designed following the garden style of the Palace of Versailles from the era of Louis XIV.

Furthermore, on the day of my visit, the "State Guest House 50th Anniversary × Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Special Collaboration" was being held. They were hosting photo spots and a quiz rally where you could receive commemorative gifts. Kitty-chan collaborating even with the State Guest House is truly impressive.

▼ Kitty exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary at the Tokyo National Museum

▶︎ Front Garden (+ Afternoon Tea)

In the front garden, there is a cafe and a souvenir shop. At the cafe, you can enjoy afternoon tea, which is very popular!

Afternoon tea requires a reservation. Reservations open at 7:00 AM on the 1st of every month and can only be made for the following month.

I visited in February, but it was far too cold! There were no heaters at the venue, just hand warmers provided (is this really acceptable for a State Guest House facility?). It was not the right place to have afternoon tea 😅🥶

Everything was delicious and went well with the tea, but I wondered about the 6,000 yen price tag (I suppose the price includes the cost of the memory). Almost all the customers were ordering the afternoon tea. The group of three women next to me spent about 40 minutes taking photos before they even ate (lol).

After spending about two and a half hours at the State Guest House, I headed home.

▶︎ Japanese-style Annex

Additionally (though I did not visit on the day), next to the main garden is the Japanese-style Annex (Yushintei) (requires an admission fee). It was newly built in 1974, designed by Yoshiro Taniguchi as a facility for "providing Japanese-style hospitality." Inside, there is a 47-tatami mat main Japanese-style room and more.

The Taniguchi Yoshiro and Yoshiro Memorial Museum of Architecture, Kanazawa (Kanazawa City) has an exhibit that recreates the large room and tea room of Yushintei. Actually, in July, I visited that facility, so I thought, "If I had gone to Yushintei back then (in February), I might have felt a different kind of emotion."

▶︎ Summary

What did you think? I was able to truly feel that the National Treasure Akasaka Palace Main Building is "the most luxurious facility in Japan!" The furnishings that fuse Japanese and foreign cultures were all breathtaking. Beyond the main building, you can fully enjoy the entire building, the gardens, and the afternoon tea. I thought it was an ideal spot for sightseeing in Tokyo!