Tokyo is a city of contradictions. It’s frenetic and serene, ancient and futuristic, overwhelming and intimate—often all at the same time. And finding a hotel that captures that balance? That’s rare.
Enter Aman Tokyo.
Perched on the top six floors of the Otemachi Tower in the heart of Tokyo’s financial district, Aman Tokyo manages to feel like a peaceful mountain retreat despite being surrounded by 14 million people. It’s minimalist Japanese design at its finest, with soaring ceilings, natural materials, and an almost meditative quiet that makes you forget you’re in one of the world’s busiest cities.
If you want to experience Tokyo from a place of calm rather than chaos, this is where you stay.
The Setting: Sky-High Serenity
Aman Tokyo occupies floors 33 through 38 of the Otemachi Tower, which means every single room has sweeping views over the city. On clear days, you can see Mount Fuji on the horizon. At night, Tokyo’s lights stretch out endlessly below you like a glowing circuit board.
The location is ideal—walking distance to the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, and the Marunouchi business district. But once you step into the elevator and rise above the city, all that noise just… disappears.
The vibe: Zen. Spacious. Sophisticated without being stuffy. Think less “look at how luxurious we are” and more “welcome to your personal sanctuary.”
The Design: Minimalism as Art
Aman Tokyo was designed by Kerry Hill, and if you know anything about Aman properties, you know they don’t do anything halfway. Every material, every texture, every sightline has been considered.
What you’ll notice:
- Soaring 30-foot ceilings in the lobby that make you feel like you’re in a contemporary art museum
- Natural materials everywhere: camphor wood, washi paper screens, stone, bamboo
- Shoji screens that filter light beautifully throughout the day
- Ikebana flower arrangements that change with the seasons
- That signature Aman quiet—even when the hotel is full, it never feels crowded
The design is distinctly Japanese but also unmistakably Aman. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to slow down, breathe deeply, and just be present.
The Rooms: Space to Breathe
Tokyo hotel rooms are notoriously small. Aman Tokyo laughs in the face of that convention.
The entry-level rooms start at 710 square feet. That’s bigger than most Tokyo apartments. And every single room has floor-to-ceiling windows with those spectacular city views.
What you get:
- King bed with luxurious linens that make you never want to leave
- Separate living area with traditional Japanese seating
- Deep soaking tub (ofuro-style) positioned by the window so you can bathe while staring at the Tokyo skyline
- Walk-in rain shower
- Traditional shoji screens you can close for privacy
- Nespresso machine and Japanese tea service
The aesthetic: Clean lines, natural wood, neutral tones. Nothing unnecessary. Everything perfect.
Upgrade worth considering: The Corner Suites offer even more space and wraparound views. If you’re celebrating something special or just want that extra level of wow, they’re worth it.
The Aman Spa: Urban Onsen
The spa at Aman Tokyo is 27,000 square feet of pure tranquility. It’s built around the concept of a traditional Japanese onsen (hot spring bath), but elevated to Aman standards.
What makes it special:
- 33-meter swimming pool with views over the city—one of the most beautiful hotel pools in Tokyo
- Traditional onsen experience with gender-separated bathing areas (hot pools, cold plunge, steam rooms)
- Eight treatment rooms offering everything from traditional Japanese therapies to Western-style massages
- Fitness center with Technogym equipment and panoramic views (if you must work out on vacation)
Signature treatment: The Aman Signature Massage uses a blend of techniques to release tension and restore balance. After a day of navigating Tokyo’s sensory overload, it’s exactly what you need.
Real talk: The onsen experience is clothing-optional and gender-separated (as is traditional in Japan). If you’re not comfortable with communal bathing, book a private treatment instead. But if you’re open to it, the onsen is one of the highlights.
The Restaurants: Elevated Japanese & Italian
Aman Tokyo has two main restaurants, and both are excellent.
The Restaurant by Aman
This is where breakfast happens (and it’s spectacular—Japanese or Western, both done beautifully). For lunch and dinner, the menu focuses on Italian cuisine with Japanese influences.
What to try:
- Breakfast: The Japanese breakfast is a full traditional spread—grilled fish, miso soup, rice, pickles, tamagoyaki. It’s an experience in itself.
- Dinner: The pasta is made fresh daily. The risotto changes with the seasons. The wine list is thoughtful and international.
The setting: Floor-to-ceiling windows, that signature Aman aesthetic, and impeccable service that feels attentive without ever being intrusive.
Arva
Arva serves contemporary Italian cuisine in a more intimate setting. Think handmade pasta, wood-fired dishes, and ingredients sourced from both Italy and Japan.
Bonus: Arva has an outdoor terrace (rare in Tokyo hotel dining) that’s perfect for warm evenings.
The Lounge
The main lounge is where you’ll want to spend your afternoons. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Imperial Palace gardens, and the space is designed for lingering.
Come here for:
- Afternoon tea (beautifully presented, seasonally inspired)
- Pre-dinner cocktails at the bar
- Coffee and people-watching (or in this case, garden-watching)
What Else You Should Know
The Library
Aman Tokyo has a two-story library filled with art books, Japanese literature, and comfortable seating. It’s one of those spaces you stumble into and suddenly realize you’ve been sitting there for two hours.
The Cigar Lounge
For aficionados, there’s a dedicated cigar lounge with a curated selection and proper ventilation. It’s sophisticated without being pretentious.
The Event Space
If you’re planning a small wedding, corporate event, or celebration, Aman Tokyo has stunning event spaces with those iconic views and impeccable service.
The Experience: Why Aman Tokyo Is Different
Here’s the thing about Tokyo: it’s incredible, but it’s also exhausting. The crowds, the noise, the sheer energy of the city—it can be a lot.
Aman Tokyo gives you a home base that feels like the complete opposite of all that. It’s your calm in the storm. Your place to reset between adventures.
You’ll love it if:
- You appreciate minimalist Japanese design
- You want a hotel that feels like a retreat, not just a place to sleep
- You value space, quiet, and impeccable service
- You’re willing to pay for quality and experience
- You want to be centrally located but above the chaos
You might skip it if:
- You’re on a tight budget (Aman Tokyo is expensive, even by Tokyo luxury standards)
- You prefer hotels with lots of personality and quirks (Aman is refined and serene, not quirky)
- You want to be in a more neighborhood-y area (Otemachi is mostly business district)
When to Go
Best times for Tokyo:
- Spring (late March-April): Cherry blossom season. The city is magical, but also very crowded.
- Fall (October-November): Perfect weather, beautiful fall colors, and fewer crowds than spring.
- Winter (December-February): Cold but clear. Great for seeing Mount Fuji from your room on crisp days.
Summer (June-August): Hot and humid. If you can avoid it, do. But if you’re there in summer, you’ll appreciate Aman Tokyo’s spa and pool even more.
What It Costs (And Why It’s Worth It)
Rooms at Aman Tokyo start around $1,200-$1,500 per night, and that’s before meals, spa treatments, or minibar charges.
It’s not cheap. But here’s what you’re paying for:
- Location, space, and views that are unmatched in Tokyo
- Service that anticipates your needs before you even realize you have them
- A design experience that feels like staying in a contemporary art gallery
- An oasis of calm in one of the world’s most intense cities
- Access to one of the best hotel spas in Asia
Is it worth it? If you’re someone who values design, space, and service—and you’re in Tokyo for a special occasion or just want to treat yourself—absolutely. This is a hotel you’ll remember.
Budget-conscious alternative? Honestly, there aren’t really comparable alternatives at a lower price point in Tokyo. Aman is in its own category. But if you want luxury with more traditional Japanese aesthetics, consider the Hoshinoya Tokyo (still expensive, but slightly less so).
How to Make the Most of It
Book the Spa Early
Spa appointments fill up fast, especially on weekends. Book treatments when you make your hotel reservation, not when you arrive.
Have at Least One Breakfast
Even if you’re not usually a breakfast person, have at least one meal in The Restaurant. The Japanese breakfast is a cultural experience, and the Western breakfast is pitch-perfect.
Use the Hotel’s Car Service
Aman Tokyo offers car service for airport transfers and city exploration. The cars are immaculate, the drivers are professional, and it’s the easiest way to navigate Tokyo if you’re not comfortable with trains (though Tokyo’s subway system is actually amazing).
Spend Time in the Spa
Don’t just book a treatment and leave. Arrive early, use the onsen facilities, swim in the pool, relax in the lounges. The spa is one of the highlights of the property.
Ask for Restaurant Recommendations
The concierge team is exceptional. They can get you reservations at top Tokyo restaurants that would be nearly impossible to book on your own.
The Bottom Line
Aman Tokyo is what happens when Japanese minimalism meets Aman’s legendary attention to detail. It’s a hotel that understands the value of space, silence, and beauty in a city where all three are rare.
You don’t just stay here. You experience it. You slow down. You breathe. You remember what it feels like to be completely, luxuriously at peace—even in the middle of one of the world’s most electric cities.
If Tokyo is on your list and you want a hotel that’s as much a destination as the city itself, this is it.
Want help planning a Tokyo escape (or building it into a larger Japan itinerary)? Let’s talk.
