

Celebrated in the movie Lost in Translation, the hotel is probably Tokyo’s most beloved—in Americans’ imaginations, at least. It’s on floors 39 to 52 of the Shinjuku Park Tower in Shinjuku, which has good shopping and a late-late-night scene. The hotel opened in 1994, and we’d be lying if we said it doesn’t feel its age (it’s such a twisty, complicated hotel), but service is warm, welcoming, and top-notch. The decor in standard rooms feels somewhat dusty with creams and muted colors. On the 52nd floor, the New York Bar, made famous by the Coppola movie, is smaller than expected and, with nightly jazz, louder too. It is packed with tourists and expats but does have great views. On the same floor and in keeping with the theme is the New York Grill steak house. Also, the pool on the 47th floor is cool. (Rooms, from $600)