Check into the parkland oasis where Tokyo slows down

‘An urban recharge of solace but stimulus’ is the philosophy inspiring Trunk’s third Tokyo property, following Trunk(House) and Trunk(Hotel). Known for taking a broad, thoughtful view of hospitality, each Trunk property is shaped around its location and cultural context. The result is something that feels easy, grounded and genuinely connected to its surroundings. Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park follows suit: a place to slow down, but never to disengage from Tokyo.

Wallpaper* checks in at Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park, Tokyo

What’s on your doorstep?

That Shibuya (all neon glare and relentless crossings) sits just ten minutes away feels almost implausible. Instead, the hotel faces Inokashira Street, directly opposite Yoyogi Park, with its vast canopy of green offering a rare sense of spatial release. A short walk further brings you to Meiji Jingu shrine. This pocket of Oku-Shibu (Inner Shibuya) is where residential calm collides with a vibrant café culture. Fuglen Tokyo hums just behind the hotel, shifting seamlessly from morning brews to evening cocktails. Café Rostro is essential for its omakase-style coffee ritual, best followed by a slow drift through SO Books or a stop at Lost and Found for exquisite homeware. Somewhere along the way, you’ll likely encounter the queue for Nata de Cristiano: the Portuguese bakery supplying Trunk’s welcome pastéis de nata.

Who is behind the design?

Rising seven storeys, Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park is a new-build shaped by a measured collaboration between Tokyo-based Keiji Ashizawa Design and Copenhagen’s Norm Architects. The pairing is a natural one: Japanese restraint tempered by Nordic calm, executed with an emphasis on tactility. It all begins on the exterior: a textured façade of roughly hewn aggregate concrete, softened by balconies thick with wild planting. The effect mirrors the treetops across the street.

Inside, a soft modern minimalism runs through the building. Curved architectural lines replace hard angles; raw concrete is warmed by copper accents, crafted furniture and a palette drawn from nature. Washi paper lighting diffuses the spaces, while woven textiles and abstract artworks add depth without distraction. A discreet, copper-lined entrance gives way to an intimate reception space. A gently curved wooden desk anchors the room, surrounded by clean-lined seating: Carl Hansen & Søn classics alongside Norm Architects’ own Ariake collection.

‘This hotel has its own unique identity,’ says Japanese designer Keiji 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.’

The room to book

A sense of lightness carries through the 20 guest rooms and five suites. The standout is the Owner’s Suite: a 65 sq m penthouse crowning the top floor, with an uninterrupted 8.5-metre sweep of windows framing the city’s green edge. Two balconies, a generous living area, a separate bedroom, a dressing space and an oversized bathroom make it feel more apartment than hotel.

Interiors are gently expressive: the curved ‘Eave’ modular sofa upholstered in a peach-toned Kvadrat weave; Yuri Suzuki’s Ambient Machine providing a subtle soundtrack; and a freestanding white bathtub positioned to overlook a private terrace. Look closely, and you’ll spot Mitsuyasu Hatakeda’s delicate wire artwork, repurposed from vineyard materials. Amenities feel genuinely considered. Hair and body products come from Caring Japan; bathrobes are produced by Senshu Towel, with loungewear by Steteco.

Minibar high?

In the owner’s suite, the minibar is replenished daily and stocked with a sharp edit of local producers: North Farm Stock’s Cube Potato Rich Truffle, Sensei Brothers’ Rice Crackers Extreme Wasabi, and many others. Drinks are equally considered: Trunk Beer from Ishikawa Brewery, brewed within the city, alongside herbal teas rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. These are served in Arita-ware ceramics by Netherlands-based Kirstie van Noort.

Staying for drinks and dinner?

On the ground floor, Pizzeria e Trattoria L’Ombelico embodies Trunk’s community-first ethos. The space is warm: hand-hammered copper lighting by artist Eiko Miki, Norm Architects’ oak chairs for Karimoku, Audo bar stools, and custom timber tabletops. At the centre, a copper-wrapped clay oven turns out quietly excellent Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizzas that have already drawn a loyal neighbourhood crowd. Under the supervision of chef Yu Ino, the menu leans into Italian classics, filtered through local produce and a light, assured hand.

Where to switch off

A first for the Trunk group, the sixth-floor Trunk(Pool Club) is a compelling reason to stay in. A contemporary infinity pool and jacuzzi look out over a sweep of forested parkland, with Tokyo’s skyline punctuating the horizon. Taupe loungers and a fire pit extend the space into cooler evenings, while the pool bar serves an à la carte menu, ranging from fresh seafood to energising juices and low-alcohol cocktails. A portion of every oyster sold supports marine conservation initiatives.

The verdict

What lingers is the precision of the details and how naturally they’re integrated. Environmental thinking is embedded rather than advertised: coffee grounds are composted by partner farms and returned as produce, completing a neat local loop. Service is warm, unforced and genuinely attentive. The location seals it. Tomigaya’s balance of calm and energy makes it one of Tokyo’s most desirable pockets, and Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park sits comfortably within that rhythm. Pause for a moment to register the house scent: a layered composition of juniper berry, budo sansho pepper, vetiver and sixteen notes in total.

Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park is located at 1 Chome-15-2 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan.