Showa nostalgia is big in Japan. Symbolizing a time of prosperity celebrated with bold, coloured retro-kitsch and a chance to escape.
The Hoshino Resort’s 1955 Tokyo Bay hotel opened in 2024 to bring back the “good old days”. Only 30 minutes away by free shuttle from Disneyland, it’s a fun paradise for all the family.
Designed with a nod to 1955 America, the year Disneyland was born, the hotel on the edge of the country’s capital is full of character overlooking the port.
The idea is to relax and enjoy after a long day at the surrounding theme park and entertainment districts. The welcoming lobby is all calm colours and vintage chairs, books and toys which hark back to the 1960s.
Music from the era adds to the buzz with country and western rubbing shoulders with jazz and rock n roll to kickstart an entertaining stay.
Key cards feature old-fashioned Cadillacs, beach scenes and an area full of complimentary bathroom luxuries including toothbrushes and shaving kits. Young children are well catered for too with a special section for nappies.
Close by is the 2nd room, a public space, furnished with mid-century design tables and chairs which were popular in America in the 50’s and allowing families to chill out with an eye-catching slide and vintage rocking horse to keep the children happy.
Food is fast and filling with the cafeteria offering à la carte dishes and a deli station up to 11:00pm with a mixture of old meets new with beef hot dogs, macaroni cheese, chicken soy sauce ramen and chocolate brownies.
The restaurant boasts a Japanese and Western buffet for breakfast from 6:00am, with guests encouraged to try out the infamous “Reuben Sandwich” made from pastrami beef, sautéed cabbage and cheddar cheese in butter soaked bread and baked on an iron plate.
And for people in a rush, there’s a grab and go option at the food and drink station which is open 24 hours a day and features a host of quick eats from soup to snacks.
The 638 bedrooms are stylish too with 13 different types to cater for everyone’s needs. The superior has a Gorogoro (which means relaxing) bed, along with two regulars beds, all the mod cons and memorabilia including records on the walls which can be used as tables. The bathroom and toilet are separate and spacious and the deluxe corner rooms can cater for up to six people.
There’s two breathtaking 50s stardom rooms modelled on a Hollywood actor’s dressing room and featuring an all singing, all dancing mirror and stage costumes to wear, an onstage motif area where a mirror ball spins and neon signs shine, allowing guests to embrace the nostalgia with glee.
Handily there is a free shuttle to the Tokyo Disney Resort, and the hotel organises seasonal events including:
- Road Trip in the USA, 1955, from April to mid-June where people can feel like they are driving across America with photo spots capturing scenes from a road trip, while enjoying two types of burgers and shakes themed after the East and West Coasts.
- California Summer Vacation, 1955, from late June to early September themed on the 50s California surf culture, photo spots inspired by the beachside of the era and a chance to enjoy a free and cheerful summer moment taking in the ocean view.
- Oldies Halloween Night from mid-September to October in the 2nd room, jack-o’lanterns dressed up in 50s fashion welcome, with an autumn festival of pumpkins and apple treats as well as trick or treat.
- Oldies Cola Holiday, 1955, from mid-November to December themed on cola, a classic drink during the American holiday season, a Christmas tree inspired by fizzy carbonation decorates the hotel and limited menus featuring cola appear.
- American Candy Party, 1955, from mid-January to March featuring colourful American candy with a photo spot starring an old style car full of sweets.
1955 Tokyo Bay is a real roller coaster of a hotel which is guaranteed to spark some real, live nostalgia!
The Details
1955 Tokyo Bay by Hoshino Resorts, 7-2-3 Hinode, Urayasu-City, Chiba 279-0013, Japan.
Tel: 050-3134-8097
Website: www.hoshinoresorts.com
Email: hoshinoresorts.com/contact
The resort is 10 minutes from Shin-Urayasu Station on the JR Keiyo line and 30 minutes away from the Tokyo Disney Resort, both by free shuttle bus. Transport can be booked before arriving in Japan and an excellent planner app is www.omio.co.uk, which helps organise multi-modal trips. Free Wi-Fi is available in most places, but an international eSIM for travel is a must especially if you need to book transport. Check out an easy to buy and work before you go aid via www.esim.holafly.com.
Flights to Japan are available from all over the UK and I travelled via Frankfurt from Edinburgh Airport where Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) offers a wide range of parking and overnight hotel stays at all major UK airports. For more information visit: www.aph.com/edinburgh-airport. Comfort before the flight is available at the Turkish Airlines Lounge operated by Plaza Premium Group Edinburgh.
Lonely Planet has brought out new guides including the 15th version of the Tokyo book, third edition of Experience Japan, 19th version of the Japan guide, 11th edition of Pocket Tokyo and a fabulous Love Japan coffee table book. For more details, check out www.shop.lonelyplanet.com.
Type of Hotel: 4-Star Retro-Themed Hotel
Number of Rooms: 638 rooms over 18 floors.
Price Band: Rates start from 9,000 JPY (£40.50) per person per night for two sharing on a room only basis.
Insider Tip: Keeping in with Japanese style, the breakfast tables include an occupant/non occupant sign to stop table bagging in busy periods.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs courtesy of 1955 Tokyo Bay by Hoshino Resorts
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