Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park offers rare green Tokyo views for ‘urban recharge’
Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park opens this week by a parkland oasis in Tokyo’s Shibuya district
'We created Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park around this view,' says Japanese designer Keiji Ashizawa – and it’s easy to see why. Beneath blue skies, the sun-glinting waters of a contemporary infinity pool, lined with taupe sun loungers, give way to a vivid stretch of forested parkland, a scattering of skyscrapers in the distance.
This is not a typical scene for Shibuya, a Tokyo district better known for its nocturnal neon lights and packed crossings than its hovering pools, serene vistas and minimalist architecture designs. Yet this is the view that guests can now soak up from the sixth floor rooftop pool club at its newest hospitality offering.
Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park: a haven of serenity in central Tokyo
The hotel – the third in a hat-trick of Trunk spaces in Tokyo – opens this week in a seven-storey new-build in Shibuya’s Tomigaya neighbourhood, with interiors and architecture led by Tokyo-based Keiji Ashizawa Design, alongside Copenhagen’s Norm Architects.
Inspired by the concept of 'urban recharge', the hotel’s creative DNA taps deeply into its location, overlooking the treetop canopies of Yoyogi Park. Inside, soft modern minimalism connects the spaces – curved architectural lines, abstract artwork, raw concrete, copper accents, crafted furniture, a nature-inspired palette, washi lighting and woven textiles.
'This hotel has its own unique identity,' says Ashizawa. 'We wanted to create a space that has lots of soft edges and handcrafted textures. There is nothing sharp, but it still feels clean. While the building structure determines the space’s architectural expression, the hospitable quality is achieved through the tone of the surfaces.'
This starts with the textured façade – roughly hewn aggregate concrete and balconies tempered by an abundance of wild foliage – a natural modern mirroring of the Yoyogi Park’s treetops just opposite.
Ashizawa’s attention to detail is embodied in the steel balcony railings that line the façade, which consist of simple black vertical strokes, without any horizontal ornaments – creating a soft but clean boundary between inside and out.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
A discreet copper-lined entrance leads to a smoothly intimate reception, with a curved wooden front desk, clean-lined chairs (from Carl Hansen & Søn pieces to the Norm Architects-designed ‘Ariake’ collection), chic cream-clad staff in Tomorrowland uniforms and a curation of sculptural objects and books.
A similarly light, soft atmosphere infuses the 20 guest rooms and five suites, facing either the park or local rooftops – with Norm Architects’ ‘Ariake’ paper-cord chairs and conical washi lights for Karimoku by Kyoto’s Kojima Shoten; abstract artworks, many by Shiga-based Atelier Yamanami; rattan space dividers with curved copper-wrapped edges; minimalist 2016 / Arita ceramics made with Netherlands-based Kirstie van Noort; and crafted textiles by Osaka's Hotta Carpet.
At the apex is the spacious Owner’s Suite, with the softly curved lines of the ‘Eave’ modular sofa in a peachy woven Kvadrat textile, Yuri Suzuki’s ‘Ambient Machine’ for E&Y providing an abstract soundtrack; and a white standalone bathtub overlooking a private terrace.
The ground floor Pizzeria e Trattoria L’Ombelico taps into the hotel’s community philosophy – a welcoming space with hand-hammered copper lighting by artist Eiko Miki, Norm Architects-designed oak chairs for Karimoku, Audo bar counter chairs and custom-made wooden table tops, plus a clay pizza oven wrapped in copper.
But the scene-stealer is the sixth-floor rooftop pool club and lounge. The intimate space, open only to guests, has green-blue design accents reflecting the infinity pool waters and the forested treetops just beyond – with added textures provided by sand-blasted concrete panels, green plants, ocean-like tiles and a curved copper display for iced oysters and seafood.
The sunlit space flows smoothly onto the main protagonist: the infinity pool, with its taupe sun loungers and forest green-striped beach towels, plus just next to it, a bubbling open-air Jacuzzi and a sunken fire-pit. Karimoku sofas are also upholstered in a durable waterproof green-blue textile, alongside geometric oak tables.
Not to forget the playful Trunk touches scattered among the soft minimalism, tapping into the brand’s Tokyo hipster heritage – including the perfectly timed blast of musician Nerd’s 'All-the-girls-standing-in-the-line-for-the-bathroom' the moment the ladies’ toilet door closes.
'This hotel is well suited to the wonderful neighbourhood of Tomigaya and was designed thoughtfully to match the hospitality, uniqueness and surrounding environment that is distinctively Trunk,' says Ashizawa. 'I believe it will create an opportunity for more cultures to mix together in a good sense.'
Danielle Demetriou is a British writer and editor who moved from London to Japan in 2007. She writes about design, architecture and culture (for newspapers, magazines and books) and lives in an old machiya townhouse in Kyoto.
Instagram - @danielleinjapan
-
Apple’s new Mac mini is a pocket-sized powerhouse thanks to the M4 processor
With the new Mac mini, Apple has squeezed its M4 and M4 Pro processors into the smallest conceivable footprint, physically and environmentally. Apple insiders tell us how
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
One to Watch: EJM Studio’s stool is inspired by the humble church pew
EJM Studio’s ‘Pew’ stool reimagines the traditional British church seating with a modern, eco-conscious twist
By Smilian Cibic Published
-
Hong Kong brutalism explored: tour the island with this new architectural map
Hong Kong brutalism is brought into sharp focus through the launch of Brutalist Hong Kong Map, the latest of its kind in publisher Blue Crow Media’s 20th-century architecture series
By Yoko Choy Published
-
First look: Noma Kyoto returns and aims to ‘double-wow’ diners
Noma Kyoto opens on 8 October for a ten-week pop-up inside Ace Kyoto. Thomas Lykke, co-founder of OEO Studio, tells us of the interiors’ autumn-forest inspiration
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Kengo Kuma’s new Kyoto hotel is ‘a sanctuary of ethereal beauty’
A former ryokan inn, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto offers onsen rooms equipped with natural hot spring water, and a contemporary take on a Noh theatre
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
A minimalist teahouse makes a serene addition to a Tadao Ando-designed Kyoto hotel
Ogata at The Shinmonzen is a contemporary reinterpretation of a Japanese teahouse that sells traditional blends, confectionery, crafts and fragrances
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Tour the new Four Seasons Osaka, where time stands still
Set within a 49-storey tower, Four Seasons Osaka takes the traditional ryokan experience to new heights
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Aman Residences Tokyo float high above the Japanese capital
Aman Residences Tokyo, Aman Group’s first standalone branded residences, feature dramatic yet serene interiors by Yabu Pushelberg
By Dan Howarth Published
-
Step inside this rare Shiro Kuramata-designed cocktail bar in Japan
Shiro Kuramata designed hundreds of bars in his lifetime, but few remain intact. Now fans are making a pilgrimage to Comblé Bar in Shizuoka
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Find yourself at Six Senses Kyoto, the brand's breathtaking Japan debut
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors boasting tranquil, luxurious interiors by Blink Design Group
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Dip into Janu Tokyo hotel, Aman’s sociable new sibling brand
Step inside the Jean-Michel Gathy-designed Janu Tokyo and discover its state-of-the-art wellness facilities
By Jens H Jensen Published