Global hospitality company Hilton has announced the upcoming debut of its first LXR Hotels & Resorts properties in Tokyo and Hakone, further expanding the company’s luxury presence in Japan.
In Tokyo, the iconic Hotel Gajoen will join LXR Hotels & Resorts by 2027 through a rebrand in partnership with Brookfield. The storied property will enter a new chapter that brings together nearly 100 years of history, extraordinary Japanese artistry, and LXR’s deeply personalised approach to luxury hospitality.
The hotel is set to resume operations for its rooms and restaurants in mid-2026, ahead of its official debut, following a phased programme of enhancements to its facilities and guest rooms. Hotel Gajoen will become the second LXR Hotels & Resorts hotel in Japan, following ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts. The signing reflects Hilton’s growing luxury presence in Japan, with additional properties slated for Hiroshima and Niseko, Hokkaido.
Long revered as a symbol of Tokyo culture and hospitality, Hotel Gajoen is celebrated for interiors shaped by extraordinary art, craftsmanship, and design, carrying forward nearly 100 years of history and tradition. The property is also home to Hyakudan Kaidan, or the Hundred-Step Staircase, the only remaining wooden structure within the hotel and a designated Tangible Cultural Property by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. With its singular sense of place and deeply rooted identity, Hotel Gajoen is a natural fit for the brand, where each property is defined by its own cultural resonance, intriguing design, and highly personalised approach to luxury.
The hotel is moments from Meguro Station and within easy reach of the city’s most vibrant cultural and commercial districts. In spring, guests will be immersed in one of Tokyo’s most evocative seasonal spectacles, with approximately 800 cherry trees lining the nearby Meguro River. The property will feature 60 guestrooms, including spacious suites of more than 100 square metres, along with five dining destinations, a spa, fitness centre, and approximately 5,700 square metres of meeting and event space.
“As demand for luxury brands continues to grow in Japan, the introduction of LXR Hotels & Resorts to Tokyo offers a new and distinctive option to both domestic and international travellers. Drawing on more than 60 years of experience operating hotels in Japan, we are committed to preserving the rich heritage of this iconic property while catering to the evolving expectations of curious, experience-seeking travellers that define the LXR Hotels & Resorts brand,” said Hirohisa Fujimoto, vice president, Development, Japan & Micronesia, Hilton.
The brand will also make its debut in Hakone Gora, Kanagawa, with an agreement with THE SANKEI BUILDING CO., LTD. and HASEKO Real Estate Development, Inc., scheduled to open in summer 2028.
Hakone Gora, located at the heart of one of Japan’s most renowned hot spring destinations, is known for its breathtaking natural scenery through the seasons and abundant natural hot springs. The resort faces a lush forest within Momijidani, one of Hakone’s most beautiful autumn foliage spots, and is envisioned to be a sanctuary where guests transition from the pace of everyday life into a slower rhythm shaped by mountain air, thermal waters, and the enduring beauty of nature.
“Hakone Gora represents a natural fit for LXR Hotels & Resorts, where a strong sense of place and locally inspired experiences define the brand’s approach to luxury. The introduction of LXR to Hakone Gora reflects the continued evolution of Hilton’s luxury portfolio in Japan. This signing reinforces Hilton’s commitment to accelerating growth in high-demand luxury markets, responding to the evolving expectations of experience-led travellers,” said Hirohisa Fujimoto, vice president, Development, Japan & Micronesia, Hilton.
Numerous cultural and artistic landmarks are within walking distance of the hotel, including the Hakone Open-Air Museum, the Hakone Museum of Art, and Gora Park, offering guests opportunities to enjoy nature and the arts. The hotel is roughly 90 minutes by train from central Tokyo and just a three-minute walk from Koen-Kami Station on the Hakone Tozan Cable Car line.
The LXR Hotels & Resorts hotels will participate in Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty programme for Hilton’s 27 distinct hotel brands.
