Takamatsu Kokusai Hotel T-Lounge

Located about 3.5 kilometers from Takamatsu Station, Takamatsu Kokusai Hotel celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Across Japan, there are many hotels with 'Kokusai' (International) in their names, but they are not part of a nationwide chain. Instead, these hotels often reflect the trends of their time and are considered symbolic, high-class establishments with a rich history. Competitors include hotels like Grand and Kanko. Having stayed at over 400 hotels in Japan, I’ve gained some insights into these unique establishments. During my first visit to the Kawaramachi area, I found that city buses run to the hotel about once every 1–2 hours. While you can use the All Shikoku Rail Pass to get close, you’ll need to walk about 15 minutes, so taking the bus is more convenient. Takamatsu Kotoden city buses accept ICOCA cards. After getting off at the Kokusai Hotel bus stop and crossing the pedestrian crossing, you’ll arrive at the hotel. When heading back toward Takamatsu Station, the hotel entrance conveniently serves as the bus stop. The T-Lounge is located on the first floor next to the outdoor swimming pool. The lounge has an elegant atmosphere, though there was only one staff member present during my visit. In one corner, a group of executives appeared to be holding a meeting. Reservations for the lounge are only accepted by phone, so I made a reservation for my first visit and then scheduled a second visit with a time gap in between. My plan was as follows: first session from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM, and second session from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. The afternoon tea costs 3,000 yen, as confirmed during the phone reservation. It features a sweets-focused menu. The set includes a three-tier tray along with additional dessert plates, and drinks are offered as all-you-can-drink. During the first session, savory items were included, leaving me quite full, but the second session did not include them, which was actually a relief. The sweets selection is themed around the hotel’s 60th anniversary, with the top tier representing the Showa era, the middle tier the Heisei era, and the bottom tier the Reiwa era. The pound cake from 1964, 60 years ago, seems to symbolize the pride of this establishment. Thank you.