Return to the Tokyo Prince Hotel 東京プリンスホテルへの帰国

In April-May of 1965, my grandfather, Colin Vectis Gray, stayed at the Tokyo Prince Hotel in Minato. He was on a work tour of Japan as the Chairman of the Australian Shipbuilding Board. He took various photographs in and around the hotel. As part of a superheroic geolocation project, I have attempted to identify and re-create the pictures, The re-enactments were done on 29th May 2014.

Approaching on Hibiya Dori, the hotel is now hidden by trees. The Tokyo Tower sits behind it, and a shrine is still present at left. There has been several changes. The tram tracks are gone, the route having been replaced under the road by the Toei Mita subway line. An entrance to Onarimon station is visible in the newer picture. Onarimon station opened in 1972.

A pedestrian bridge has been built, and the vehicles are somewhat more modern.

Front view of Tokyo Prince Hotel. I didn't get the position quite right, I should have been standing in the carpark, over to the left of that hedge row.

Standing on the main driveway of the hotel, looking back towards the small shrine on Hibiya Dori. The landmark Liu Yuan Chinese Restaurant, whose tower pokes above the small shrine, was demolished in the 1980's and replaced with the Liu Yuan Building. (Thank you Zoe Ward for this information).

Lauren helping me here with the re-enactment at a fountain outside Tokyo Prince Hotel. The location of the original photo baffled me for a long time, but the key clue was the Philips advertising sign at the far right, which I noticed in another picture from the hotel. The sign is gone now. The road has been re-modelled since 1965, consuming the grass triangle at left. At the background-right, the low-rise buildings have been replaced by Shiba Park and Minato Library.

This picture of a city Japanese garden had me flummoxed for a long time. I tried and failed to identify the buildings in the reflections in the glass. The colour and pattern of the bricks, and window style led me to think that the Tokyo Prince Hotel was the most likely spot. I was thrilled to find it when snooping around in the hotel in 2014. My second picture was taken from the restaurant inside -- apologies to the young waiter who told me he'd get in trouble with his boss because I didn't order anything to eat. I just wanted the photo!

View from an upper level of the Tokyo Prince Hotel, looking north-east. The Liu Yuan Chinese Restaurant (centre) has been replaced, and Shiba Park now replaces the low-rise buildings in the foreground. The skyline has risen significantly. The Philips advertising sign is in the first of the 1965 pictures, which was the clue to the earlier fountain picture (see the fountain at the bottom of my newer picture. A diagonal line in the concrete road belies the former grass triangle next to the fountain, see above).

South-east-looking view from an upper level of the hotel. The gate to the nearby Zojoji Temple can be seen to the right. The raised Inner Circular Route (Shuto Expressway) is visible in the original picture, top right. it is concealed by trees now.

A picture of Zojoji Temple from the hotel in 1965 (facing South). A new incarnation of Zojoji Temple is on the site now (see a future blog post). The Inner Circular Route (Shuto Expressway) is visible in the distance. I failed to re-enact this photo.

North-west-looking view from the hotel. All the buildings appear to have changed since 1965. The clearing behind the trees, part of Shiba Park, is still present, It is used for school sports. The light brown building is Shiba Junior and Senior High School, with an artificial turf sports ground.

This is a similar view to the previous one, but looking north. I failed to re-enact this picture. The National Diet (parliament) building is on the horizon. Next time, Gadget.

Environs

Hibiya Dori looking south. Tram tracks are removed, subway train underground.

Hibiya Dori looking north showing the Liu Yuan Chinese Restaurant.

A kindergarten or children's playground, now subdivided into a carpark and religious building. Where do the children play now?

I never held much hope of geolocating this picture but the clue was the big red building in the background, the  Liu Yuan Chinese restaurant.

Bonus Pictures

Hotel lobby.

Bathroom decor.

Stairs down to Lawson and other shops.

Lift area.

Room interiors.

Views to the Tokyo Tower.

 Umbrella racks. It can rain a lot.

I'm not sure if this picture is from the Prince. It might be.

My grandfather's 1965 diary indicating stays at the Tokyo Prince Hotel and travel in Japan. 

Now explore for yourself!

See also my related blog post about Tokyo's Hotel Okura.

Thank you to Yuuri-chan, a member of the hotel staff for the warm welcome. Thanks to Lauren for patiently coming with me on this jaunt.