Tokyo, February 2026 – Palace Hotel Tokyo has become the first Japanese-owned and managed hotel to achieve certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), marking a milestone in the country’s hospitality industry. The MICHELIN Three-Key property now joins a select group of hotels worldwide recognized for their verified commitment to sustainability.

The GSTC certification is awarded following a rigorous third-party assessment against 167 benchmarks across four key areas: sustainable management, community benefits, cultural heritage, and environmental protection.

Commitment to Sustainable Management

Led by General Manager Masaru Watanabe, the hotel’s Sustainability Liaison Group meets monthly to review initiatives, while all staff undergo training to ensure alignment with GSTC standards and the hotel’s sustainability policy.

Supporting Local Communities

Palace Hotel Tokyo partners with Food Bank Net, donating excess baked goods to support families and children’s cafeterias. In 2025, the hotel sourced 61% of its ingredients domestically, with 73% of fresh produce grown locally.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

The hotel integrates traditional craftsmanship and locally sourced materials into its design, while staff actively participate in cultural events such as the Kanda Myojin festival, a centuries-old Shinto tradition.

Protecting the Environment

Situated beside the Wadakura moat, the hotel collaborates with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment to conserve the surrounding landscape, including aquatic plant management. Its long-standing “Eco-Palace” initiative also repurposes kitchen waste into fertilizer, supporting local farms.

“To us, the GSTC certification is as meaningful as our Five Stars from Forbes Travel Guide and our Three Keys from MICHELIN,” said Watanabe. “We are wholeheartedly committed to sustainability as we extend our distinctive omotenashi to guests, our community, and society in harmony with nature.”

This recognition strengthens traveler trust, combats greenwashing, and positions Palace Hotel Tokyo as a leader in attracting eco-conscious guests. The hotel has also been named a “Sustainability Leader” by The Leading Hotels of the World, further affirming its comprehensive sustainability management plan.

For more details, visit: Palace Hotel Tokyo Sustainability Concept (en.palacehoteltokyo.com in Bing).