Hyakudan Stairs

Prepared to be awed by this protected cultural heritage

Hyakudan literally means 100 steps and that is exactly how many steps there are at this protected cultural heritage part of the Gajoen hotel Tokyo. The whole of Gajoen just awes, but these stairs and the rooms that branch of them literally took my breath away. The rooms of the 100 stairs are frankly some of the most impressive I have ever seen, with the most intricately carved pillars and ceilings. To think once upon a time people could stay in these rooms; how lucky they were. Furthermore that it once housed patients; the building was protected during world war II as it was turned into a hospital. A strategic move I am personally grateful they had the foresight to do. The stairs and rooms are widely believed to have been the inspiration for the bath house in Spirited Away. The area hosts a lot of events. Currently (February 2018) they are hosting a Hina Matsuri doll display. During this time you cannot take photos in all but two of the rooms. For other events though you can take photos in the rooms.