Now Open: 1 Hotel Tokyo Brings Nature and Sustainable Luxury to the Heart of the City
- Expats Lifestyle
- Mar 11
- 4 min read
Set high above Akasaka, the brand’s first hotel in Japan blends biophilic design, Japanese craftsmanship, and wellness-focused travel
Tokyo’s hotel scene has welcomed a striking new arrival with the opening of 1 Hotel Tokyo, the first Japanese property from the nature-led luxury brand founded by hospitality entrepreneur Barry Sternlicht. Rising within the Akasaka Trust Tower, the hotel introduces a tranquil, sustainability-focused retreat in one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods.
Occupying floors 38 through 43 of the tower, the 211-room hotel offers sweeping views across the Japanese capital, with sightlines stretching from the lush Imperial Palace gardens to the iconic Tokyo Tower and the surrounding skyline. Despite its lofty setting, the hotel’s design centers on bringing nature back into the urban experience.
Developed in collaboration with Mori Trust, one of Japan’s leading real estate developers, the property anchors Tokyo World Gate Akasaka, a new mixed-use district designed to blend offices, retail, culture, and pedestrian-friendly green spaces. From here, travelers can easily reach Tokyo’s most vibrant districts including Ginza, Roppongi, and Shibuya, while nearby parks, shrines, and embassies lend the area a unique international character.
Japan’s longstanding philosophy of living in harmony with nature forms the guiding spirit behind the hotel. The property reflects this ethos through biophilic design, natural materials, and thoughtful craftsmanship that quietly connects guests with the environment.
The interiors were created by global architecture and design studio CRÈME, which envisioned the hotel as a refuge within the skyline. Guests begin their journey at street level with a living wall of greenery before ascending through the tower as if moving along the trunk of a tree, eventually emerging into a canopy-like lobby on the 38th floor.
Throughout the property, organic textures and materials create a calming atmosphere. Wood ceilings evoke the layered bark of trees, while softly textured walls echo the movement of wind and air. A striking Oya stone wall references the stonework surrounding the Imperial Palace moat, subtly tying the hotel’s design to Tokyo’s landscape and history.
Guest rooms and suites continue this dialogue with nature. The hotel features 211 rooms, including 24 suites and three penthouses, each combining Japanese minimalism with contemporary comfort. Biophilic artwork crafted from preserved moss and recycled materials sits alongside locally made décor and curated greenery. Many rooms frame sweeping views of the Imperial Palace gardens and Tokyo’s skyline.
Dining is a central part of the experience, unfolding across three distinct venues that shift in energy throughout the day.
NiNi, led by Head Chef Nikko Policarpio, draws inspiration from both the French Riviera and Japan. Policarpio, whose career includes Michelin-starred kitchens in Tokyo and leadership roles within David Chang’s Momofuku group in Toronto, has created a menu that pairs Provençal flavors with Japanese seasonality.
The kitchen makes use of a Josper Grill Oven, still relatively rare in Japan, which uses natural charcoal to bring depth to meats, seafood, and vegetables. Signature dishes include Maguro Tartare that blends classic French techniques with Japanese aromatics, while desserts reference the flavors of southern France, such as a reinterpretation of the traditional French baba infused with Japanese black tea syrup and orange liqueur.
On weekends, the restaurant shifts into a relaxed brunch setting with highlights including a Riviera-style seafood plateau. Afternoon tea, created by Executive Pastry Chef Fumitake Goji together with Policarpio, is presented in an original wooden box that reflects the hotel’s craft-driven design language.
Cocktail lovers will likely gravitate toward Spotted Stone, a destination bar devoted to Japanese craft gin. The bar houses nearly 100 varieties, curated like a living library organized by botanicals, distillation styles, and regional philosophies. During the day it functions as a relaxed lounge for light bites, while evenings introduce a more atmospheric setting with cocktails, conversation, and occasional DJ sets.
For something more casual, Neighbors Café serves artisan coffee, premium teas, and wholesome snacks designed for travelers, nearby residents, and office workers alike. The café also features items from The Matcha Tokyo, the popular Harajuku-based organic matcha brand.
Wellness forms another cornerstone of the hotel experience. The Bamford Wellness Spa, created in partnership with organic wellness pioneer Carole Bamford, offers treatments that combine ancient traditions with modern therapies. Signature experiences incorporate techniques such as shiatsu, reflexology, acupressure, assisted stretching, and yogic breathing.
Guests can also access The Field House, a 24-hour fitness space equipped with Technogym equipment and wellness classes, as well as a light-filled indoor pool that opens onto an outdoor deck planted with greenery designed to support pollinators, creating a small urban ecosystem above the city.
Sustainability underpins nearly every aspect of the hotel. The property has achieved CASBEE S certification, Japan’s highest environmental performance rating. Water conservation systems, refill stations that reduce single-use plastics, and the use of reclaimed and locally sourced materials reinforce the brand’s planet-first philosophy.
Extending that commitment beyond the building, guests can also explore Tokyo through the hotel’s Audi Electric Vehicle Experience, which provides complimentary access to a fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron for zero-emission city travel.
[PHOTO: Courtesy of 1 Hotel Tokyo]
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