Now home to THE KITANO HOTEL TOKYO, Hirakawacho in the Chiyoda district was once the residence of the Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan, and played a key role in the foundation of Edo (now known as Tokyo). With a history spanning over 400 years, the area exudes its pedigree as a pillar of Japanese politics and economy. Furthermore, Hirakawacho has long been steeped in Japanese “wa” and rich cultural traditions. Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, brought master artisans to Edo from Kyoto along with their cutting-edge techniques, and the magnificent Hie Shrine emanates the classic elegance of Kyoto through its Sanno Festival. Hirakawacho was the site of Japan's first serviced apartment hotel, the Kitano Arms, long beloved by academics, artists, and business people. After over 50 years, the Kitano Arms closed its doors to be reborn as THE KITANO HOTEL TOKYO. Together with THE KITANO HOTEL NEW YORK, opened in 1973 as the first Japanese-owned hotel in New York, THE KITANO HOTEL TOKYO inherits the timeless spirit of “wa” while offering a new Japanese elegance.