Elite Traveler Summer 2019

Kiku HOSHINOYA TOKYO

One glance at Hoshinoya Tokyo is met with intrigue — its monolithic, black exterior in the heart of Tokyo’s financial district dramatically differs from its contemporary urban surroundings and from any other hotel in the city. Access this urban ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn mostly found within Japan’s lush and quiet countryside) through an enormous cypress door, and you’ll immediately be transported to Japan’s yesteryear. The entrance is a narrow, tall hallway lined with woven bamboo squares as decoration and tatami flooring (a traditional rice mat with sandalwood woven within for a pleasant- smelling aroma). You must take your shoes off upon entry, an indication that this ryokan experience is about as authentic as you can get. Each floor is comprised of six ryokans connected to a lounge area with books, couches and views across the city, called an ochanoma , only accessible by guests on your floor — it has seasonal sake and confectionary available throughout the day. We love the largest accommodation, the Kiku guest room, which can host up to three. Each room has chestnut wood flooring, a simplistic color palette (white, light wood, black tabletops and gray futons) and traditional Japanese architecture. All windows have paper window screens and gentle lighting to induce relaxation. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a kimono and skincare products — Japanese tradition and etiquette are taken seriously and enforced throughout your stay, making this like none other you can experience in Tokyo. There’s one dining location in the hotel serving Nippon cuisine curated by executive chef Noriyuki Hamada, which centers around Japan’s seasonal bounty provided by local farmers and fishermen, though you can opt for in-room dining if you prefer. Japanese journeys Hoshinoya Tokyo’s hot spring can’t be missed. On the top floor of the hotel, the indoor/outdoor hot spring has thick, salinated water sourced from 5,000 ft below the earth’s surface. Enter the hot spring from your bath hall (separated by gender) and emerge through a cave-like tunnel to the outdoor part of the bath. From outside, take in the dramatic cityscape and by night, gaze at the starlit sky.

Rate from $1,000 per night Contact info_tokyo@hoshinoya.com, +81 503 786 1144, hoshinoya.com

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