Since its introduction as a feature of Chinzanso Garden in October 2020, the Tokyo Sea of Clouds has become a standout attraction, elevating the experience of a stay at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. Our garden has garnered acclaim as an urban oasis, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy seven distinct seasons, with the sea of clouds adding a captivating dimension to the beauty of seasonal transitions. Learn about all of the spectacular features of the Tokyo Sea of Clouds. 

In this article, we introduce five aspects of the Tokyo Sea of Clouds that have received high praise from international guests for their unique charm. These insights are based on guest feedback and the perspectives of potential visitors who would consider a stay at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo after learning about our garden.

1. Experience Seven Seasons and Japan’s Nature in the Heart of Tokyo

As previously emphasized, Japan’s intricate tapestry of micro-seasons extends far beyond the traditional four. At Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, guests are treated to seven distinct seasons, each bringing fresh hues and a unique ambiance to our garden, complemented by special events and seasonal culinary delights at our restaurants. The Tokyo Sea of Clouds undergoes its own metamorphosis with each seasonal shift, compelling visitors to witness its ever-changing allure firsthand.

Mid-February to April is cherry blossom season. Guests and visitors are treated to the enchanting spectacle of various types of delicate cherry blossoms that fill the garden. As night falls, the Tokyo Sea of Clouds is illuminated in soft pink hues, casting a mesmerizing aura that evokes the arrival of spring. 

The season of fresh greenery follows in May. This is when the garden bursts into life with vibrant colors and bird song, with the sea of clouds accentuating the freshness of the foliage. 

From late May to late June, fireflies grace the garden; visitors can see them in the evening as they hover around the streams in the garden. 

In July and August, guests can enjoy the cool summer season at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. The sea of clouds is released up to 20% longer, making the outdoor temperature feel up to 10℃ cooler than in the city. 

The autumn season is from September to November. As the foliage transitions into hues of gold and crimson and the garden resonates with the chirping of crickets, guests are treated to an olfactory experience with the scented iteration of the sea of clouds. In the evenings, visitors can see Tokyo Moon, a large projection of the moon, one of the most beloved symbols of autumn in Japanese culture.

The holiday season at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo starts from mid-November, marked by the addition of the Forest Aurora to the Tokyo Sea of Clouds – a combination that creates a festive winter ambiance within the garden. 

Lastly, from January to mid-February, camellia season unfolds — this period showcases an array of camellia varieties bursting into bloom, infusing the otherwise arid winter landscape with vibrant color. It is one of the best times to relish the tranquility of the surroundings while admiring the camellias and moss enveloped in the mist of the Tokyo Sea of Clouds.

With each stay at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, guests are treated to a subtly evolving garden landscape, providing an opportunity to experience Japan’s seasons and the rich cultural heritage they embody.

2. An Immersive Experience Through the Fusion of Nature and Technology

One of the aspects that captivates international visitors about Japan is the reverence for both nature and technology. Images of Tokyo featuring Japanese gardens nestled amidst skyscrapers show a harmonious coexistence between tradition and innovation. They provide a vision of a future where cutting-edge technology facilitates a lifestyle that integrates urban living with a deep connection to nature.

An extremely rare phenomenon in nature, a sea of clouds is made available for viewing at any time of the day in the heart of the Tokyo metropolis through the use of advanced technology. This fusion of human ingenuity and nature draws attention to the natural world and its subtle seasonal changes. The sea of clouds transports our mind to faraway, hidden lands, making us realize how much beauty there is in nature and how much we need it in order to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

Combined with nighttime light-ups, the sea of clouds in Chinzanso Garden provides a truly magical experience that enhances a visit or stay at the hotel. Moreover, staying guests can exclusively see The Great Sea of Clouds late at night and early in the morning; this is a special version with increased mist that completely envelops the garden in a surreal atmosphere.  

It’s worth noting that Japanese gardens, in their essence, are meticulously crafted to convey meaning in harmony with nature. When Chinzanso Garden was established back in the Meiji period (1868-1912), Prince Yamagata Aritomo decided to incorporate a lawn, which was an innovative concept inspired by European garden design. This is an example of how Japanese garden art evolves by embracing novel concepts and technologies to allow visitors to experience nature in a unique way.

3. Healing and Wellness Inspired by Nature

As therapeutic practices like forest bathing demonstrate, spending time in the heart of nature can have profound healing effects on the human body. We feel revitalized after breathing in fresh air, seeing lush greenery and flowers, and listening to the chirping of birds or to the gentle rush of a stream.

Chinzanso Garden offers an escape from the city within the city, allowing visitors to replenish their spirits with a leisurely walk through its serene grounds, find respite from summer’s heat after a day of exploration, and relax with spa treatments designed to nurture both body and mind.

Visitors who have witnessed or seen the Tokyo Sea of Clouds praise it for its soothing quality and how it enhances the effects of the wellness and spa treatments provided at the hotel.

At YU, THE SPA, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s official wellness spa, guests can recover their physical and inner balance through exercise, relaxing hot spring baths and holistic treatments using premium cosmetic products and essential oils. 

We highly recommend complementing a visit to YU, THE SPA with a leisurely stroll through the garden for profound relaxation. The crisp air, verdant foliage, and seasonal blooms, along with the sounds of flowing water and chirping birds collectively enhance the sense of rejuvenation. The unexpected delight of encountering the sea of clouds while exploring the garden invigorates the senses, evoking a profound sense of joy at being in the heart of nature.

４. Using Natural Groundwater

The Tokyo Sea of Clouds is created using groundwater sourced from Chinzanso Garden. Its primary well draws water from a spring originating in the Chichibu Mountains, situated to the west of Tokyo. 

The wells, streams, and ponds in Chinzanso Garden combine to create a landscape centered around the elemental force of water – this was the fundamental concept envisioned by the garden’s founder, Prince Yamagata Aritomo. 

The Tokyo Sea of Clouds seamlessly integrates into this natural water cycle and provides a rejuvenating experience for visitors exploring the garden’s tranquil environs.

Another feature that makes this well water special is that following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 1923, Chinzanso made this pure well water available to those impacted by the disaster. Today, the mist generated for the sea of clouds utilizes this same well water, filtered to be potable. With a commitment to hygiene, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo upholds the tradition of utilizing this fresh-running water, making it available to guests and local residents in times of emergency.

５．A Tribute to the History of the Garden

The garden of Hotel Chinzanso has earned renown as an oasis in the heart of Japan’s largest metropolis. Visitors choose our hotel to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while staying close to Tokyo’s main attractions and tourist destinations.

This was precisely the vision Prince Yamagata Aritomo held during the Meiji era when he acquired this land and transformed the former Tsubakiyama, renowned as the Camellia Hill since medieval times, into an exquisite Japanese garden.

Maintaining a steadfast commitment to its founding principles, present-day Chinzanso Garden is meticulously tended, honoring Prince Yamagata’s original vision and connecting it to Tokyo’s future.

We are delighted that many of our visitors perceive the Tokyo Sea of Clouds as a place that harmoniously aligns with the garden’s rich history and initial concept.

Visit Chinzanso Garden and Enjoy the Tokyo Sea of Clouds

A rare and mesmerizing phenomenon, the sea of clouds has captivated guests with its beauty. It is a great joy for Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo to be able to provide the Tokyo Sea of Clouds to all who visit. Our aspiration is for this feature of Chinzanso Garden to not only provide refreshment and delight but also to offer deeper insights into Japan’s seasons and natural splendor.

Updated on April 09, 2024