Over a decade later, Aman Tokyo remains the city’s benchmark for urban tranquillity

Best known for its tropical retreats across Southeast Asia, Aman took somewhat of a leap of faith when it launched a property in Tokyo in 2014, marking both the brand’s debut in Japan and its first city hotel. More than a decade later, it remains a benchmark for tranquillity; it has just 84 suites, a vast two-level spa, a 30-metre pool, several destination dining venues and one of the most recognisable hotel lobbies in the Japanese capital.

Wallpaper* checks into Aman Tokyo

What’s on your doorstep?

Ōtemachi may not have the instant romance of Aoyama or the buzz of Shibuya, but it is hard to argue with the convenience. Tokyo Station is close by, Ginza is within easy reach, and Ōtemachi Station connects directly to the building, giving guests access to five subway lines. The real drama comes from the height. From the hotel, Tokyo appears in layers: the Imperial Palace Gardens below, Shinjuku’s towers beyond and, on clear days, Mount Fuji sitting on the horizon. It is central, but never feels swallowed by the city.

Who is behind the design?

Interiors by international firm Kerry Hill Architects pay homage to the local setting with a serene natural palette of camphor wood and stone, complemented by contemporary Japanese textiles. In the centre of the hotel, a 4,500 sq ft paper lantern diffuses natural daylight over the lobby and the elegant internal garden, which features traditional rock arrangements and sculptural ikebana floral art. Design touches include the hotel’s own signature sake, a resident’s library with books on Japanese art and culture, and authentic furo baths in all 84 rooms.

The room to book

Occupying floors 35 to 38, the 84 suites vary in layout yet share the same pared-back material palette of timber, stone and washi paper, alongside impressive views across Tokyo. Tokyo Suites face east towards the sunrise, while Deluxe Suites look out over the Imperial Palace Gardens and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. Garden View Suites occupy the uppermost floor, City Suites introduce separate living and working areas, and the larger Grand, Panorama and Aman Suites offer increasingly expansive dual-aspect vistas.

The design draws on the spirit of a traditional ryokan, reinterpreted for the modern city. Sliding shoji screens separate sleeping and bathing spaces, while deep soaking tubs are positioned beside floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the skyline. Despite the scale of the city below, the atmosphere is one of complete calm. Generous living areas invite lingering over Japanese tea and seasonal sweets.

Staying for drinks and dinner?

Arva is the hotel’s main restaurant – Italian in structure, Japanese in sensibility. Seasonal local produce runs throughout the menu, with signature dishes such as pappardelle with Hokkaido Tankaku Wagyu ragù and Tokushima hamo pike conger fritter with edamame and cucumber. A two-storey, glass-fronted wine cellar adds a touch of theatre to the room.

Musashi by Aman is a more intimate affair: an eight-seat Edomae sushi counter crafted from hinoki wood. Meanwhile, the Lounge by Aman follows a gentler rhythm, serving everything from afternoon tea to late-night cocktails against a backdrop of floor-to-ceiling views across Tokyo.

At the base of the tower, The Café by Aman sits alongside the 3,600 sq m Ōtemachi Forest, using the surrounding greenery as its defining design gesture. The menu leans Mediterranean while showcasing Japanese ingredients, including yuzu, Yamato pork and Hokkaido cheese. The hotel’s own Junmai Ginjo Aman Sake, produced by Masumi Brewery in Nagano, is worth seeking out here or upstairs at the bar.

Where to switch off

Aman Tokyo’s spa is unusually substantial for a city hotel. Spread across the 33rd and 34th floors, it spans almost 2,500 sq m and includes eight treatment rooms, a fitness centre, yoga and Pilates studios, Japanese baths, steam rooms and a 30-metre heated indoor pool lined in dark basalt and suspended high above the city. Treatments draw on the principles of traditional Kampo medicine, while every experience begins with Misogi, a Shinto purification ritual. The Kuromoji Journey showcases one of Japan’s most revered botanicals: a kuromoji clay body wrap followed by a deeply restorative massage using the hotel’s bespoke oil.

The verdict

Aman Tokyo might not be the newest luxury hotel in the city, but it remains one of the most complete (with service to match). The location is practical, the views are exceptional, and the design has aged with real grace. It is a hotel that gives you space, silence and an even better-looking version of Tokyo than the one waiting at street level.

Aman Tokyo is located at The Otemachi Tower, 1 Chome-5-6 Ōtemachi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan. Rates: from ¥250,000-¥300,000 per night (£1,250-£1,500)