It’s hard not to feel relaxed and downright hip while staying at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon. Centrally located within the Toranomon business district and occupying the top floors of a soaring skyscraper, this cloud-piercing urban oasis was designed by architect Kengo Kuma and envisioned as a “jungle in the sky” by hotelier Ian Schrager. Vision majorly accomplished: The psychotically picturesque property, which opened in 2020 and is Japan’s first EDITION outpost, manages to strike the perfect balance between serene and playful, and it’s the go-to, buzzy staycation for those yearning to enter a whole world hidden way up high above the dizzying megalopolis.
From the moment you arrive at the sleek, black marble-bedecked passageway on the ground floor of the hotel tower, it feels as if you have stumbled upon a severely stylish, top-secret lair. When you catch a whiff of the EDITION’s bespoke black tea-scented Le Labo fragrance permeating the air, you’ll realize Google Maps hasn’t let you down.
Elevators whisk guests to the 31st floor in a flash for check-in, but once those doors open to reveal the two-story, sun-drenched, and extra-leafy lobby, you’ll be hoping that your room isn’t ready just yet. Inspired by the layout of Buddhist temples, the atrium offers unbeatable views of the glittering Tokyo skyline at every turn via floor-to-ceiling windows. Just tap on the #TokyoEDITIONToranomon tag on Instagram, and you’ll see that the majestic Tokyo Tower is just about everyone’s favorite photobomber. Then there’s the jungly maze of 500+ perfectly placed, lofty plants and Kuma’s staggered arrangement of wooden slats adorning the ceiling that will also leave you endlessly captivated.
Mingle with globetrotting creatives and designer-clad Tokyoites around the palm-fringed lobby’s floating white marble bar where the TikTok-friendly triple-tiered afternoon tea stands packed with colorful goodies and the sophisti-casual vibes are aplenty. That vibe stretches to the delightful The Blue Room, a pretty-as-a-Yves-Klein-painting all-day dining restaurant located behind the Lobby Bar where foliage delicately spills into plush sapphire-colored seats. Make sure to set your alarms for a fantastic breakfast, where you can order everything from a traditional Japanese Breakfast Set with grilled fish, miso soup, and simmered vegetables to avocado toast and smoothies. (Tip: Don’t sleep on the potentially life-changing Brioche French Toast with Hokkaido pumpkin, miso, caramel, and strawberry compote.)
For dinner, switch things up, put on your fancy pants, and get to The Jade Room, a beyond chic and intimate emerald-accented restaurant that’s tucked away off the lobby, where guests can expect a contemporary Japanese and Western-influenced, seasonally changing menu from Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens. On warm nights, enjoy cocktails and small plates on the heavenly The Jade Room + Garden Terrace, a floating urban jungle that, of course, boasts cinematic skyline views.
You’ll experience more heavenliness while getting a massage at the exquisite spa or taking a dip in the dramatic, iridescent pool. But there’s no Zen-luxe showstopper quite like the 206 bright and luxurious guestrooms, some of which have private terraces, and all have postcard-worthy views of the Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Bay. Spanning the 31st to 36th floors, these spacious, soul-soothing stunners are elegantly outfitted in neutrals with light wood paneling and furnishings, gold leaf artworks, sheer and blackout drapes, and an impressively stocked minibar. The sublime low-slung beds with fun faux fur throws make a strong case for stay-in-bed days, and the spa-like bathrooms complete with deep soaking tubs, oversized rainforest showers, Le Labo amenities, bamboo toothbrushes, and fancy toilets (bidet + heated seats!) are additional heavenly highlights.
For a nightcap alongside in-vogue Tokyoites and the occasional celebrity-in-town, get out of bed and head on down to Gold Bar. Once you’ve made it into the intimate, atmospheric haunt, which is curtained off on the ground floor, grab a seat at the fluted black marble bar or sink into a black leather couch by the black-veined marble fireplace. The shadowy and sexy drinking den looks like a posse of posh vampires just left a few minutes ago—it’s mostly decked out in all black, albeit bewitchingly juxtaposed with a white barrel-vaulted ceiling and gilded artwork. Here, tattooed bartenders, who look picture-perfect for a Dazed & Confused fashion editorial, pour crazily creative cocktails that incorporate Japanese spirits and seasonal ingredients. Try Sweet & Rose, a floral and sweet drink made with Haku vodka, rose water, and almond caramel, and garnished with a lollipop with edible flowers. For something with a caffeinated kick, opt for the Golden Gai at 5 a.m., a smoky (mezcal) and sweet (toasted coconut) coffee shochu tipple. Izakaya-style dishes, such as a Wagyu beef cutlet sandwich, are just as exciting and flavor-packed. With seating for up to 87 guests, it’s best to get to this hip hideaway early or make a reservation. Weekends are especially spirited when a rotating roster of DJs spins while Tokyo’s creative and fashion sets party the night away.
After partying, it’s all about crawling back into that perfect bed – but not before Instagramming just one more #roomwithaview post, complete with the obligatory Tokyo Tower emoji.
Top Takeaways
Location: The Toranomon district of Minato, Tokyo. The Kamiyacho, Roppongi-Itchome, and Toranomon subway stations are nearby.
Rating: Five stars all the way.
The Vibe: Sleek and tranquil, but with a hip and playful edge. (This makes a lot of sense when considering it’s the first Japanese venture for Ian Schrager aka the co-owner of the legendary Studio 54.)
Food + Drink: For on-site restaurants, there’s the glamorous The Jade Room and the all-day dining venue The Blue Room, both helmed by Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens. For cocktails and smaller bites, stop by the sexy speakeasy Gold Bar, the casual-chic The Lobby Bar, and the scenic The Jade Room + Terrace.
Our favorite thing about the hotel: The hotel just might house the best, buzziest lobby in town. The vibe is chill and it’s flooded with light by day, and it’s electric and moodily lit by night. Oh, and the people-watching and skyline views are spectacular 24/7. (Also, we love the moody beauty that is Gold Bar and we’re craving one of their killer cocktails right about now.)
Amenities: Swimming pool, spa, jacuzzi, fitness center, room service, restaurants, bars.
What’s Nearby? Suntory Museum of Art, Musée Tomo, Billboard Live Tokyo, Dover Street Market Ginza, Toranomon Yokocho, and, of course, Tokyo Tower.
Any neighborhood recs? Take a fifteen-minute walk to Shiba Park, which is built around the Zojoji Temple and offers spectacular views of the Tokyo Tower. If you’re in town during cherry blossom season, get ready to really be blown away.
Rooms: All 206 guestrooms and suites are airy Zen-luxe stunners with goosebump-inducing views, but if you’re in the mood to splurge, go for a suite with a private, greenery-flooded balcony, and thank us later.
Closest Airport: Haneda Airport (HND); Narita Airport (NRT)
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