It offers a swimming pool, recreational facilities, a Navy Exchange, and other services designed for military travelers.

[2][3] In addition to active duty and retired U.S. military personnel eligible to use other Armed Forces Recreation Centers, DoD civilian employees duty stationing in Japan, contractors on DoD orders to execute contracts for the U.S. armed forces stationed in Japan, U.S. Embassy Tokyo personnel and individuals administratively attached to U.S. Embassy Tokyo are eligible to use the hotel.

[4] The original Sanno Hotel opened in 1932 on the southern side of Hie Shrine in Nagatachō, Tokyo, neighboring Akasaka, near the Imperial Palace and National Diet Building.

During this time, the property remained under the ownership of Anzen Motor Car Co., its original owner, from whom the government of Japan leased the facility for use by the U.S.

After a prolonged legal battle, the Japanese government acquiesced with a promise to the U.S. military of providing an alternative location for a lodging facility in central Tokyo.