In December 2022, I checked into the Studio Terrace at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon. Occupying the upper levels of the Tokyo World Gate mixed-use skyscraper, the 206-room property is a short walk away from the Kamiyacho, Roppongi-Itchome and Toranomon subway stations. The hotel is the first of two Japan EDITIONs to open in collaboration with owners Mori Trust, with The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza scheduled to launch sometime in 2023.
Other notable hotels nearby include Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, The Okura Tokyo and ANA InterContinental Tokyo.
The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): Chic, sky-high urban jungle sanctuary in upscale Toranomon.
Must Dos: Enjoy breakfast at The Blue Room, have a soak in the indoor jacuzzi, have spirit-forward tipples at Gold Bar at EDITION.
THE TOKYO EDITION, TORANOMON
Set within the revitalised and upscale Toranomon business district, the buzzy hotel is designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma (who also designed The Opposite House and Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium) and Ian Schrager, the pioneer behind the EDITION hotel concept.
Past the glossy black marble hallway on the ground floor with the visually intriguing luminous artwork ‘Two Birds’ by Mariko Mori, elevators transport you to the 31st floor where, after possibly doing a double-take as you pass the ethereal ‘How High The Moon’ mesh armchair artwork by Shiro Kuramata outside the lift area, you will be mesmerised by the lofty and jungle-like setting that greets you. Inspired by Buddhist temples, the double-height sky lobby pairs Japanese-style wood textures and louver eaves with accent lighting and more than 500 plants which skilfully partition the lobby level’s various zones, lending to the space a sense of mystery and playfulness. (At times, you feel like you are in a music video or adventure movie having to brush past the leafy foliage to see what’s beyond). Looming in the distance, the red and white Tokyo Tower is a focal point, especially at night, with the most prized rooms and dining tables within the property being those which offer the most direct views.
In terms of wellness, the hotel offers a spa with 6 treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness centre as well as an indoor swimming pool with jacuzzi facilities.
An important point to note for those who are new to the brand: EDITION properties does not offer the full suite of benefits typically made available under the Marriott Bonvoy programme. While you can still earn points for your stays and redeem free nights, key benefits for members who are Platinum Elite and above such as free breakfast, lounge access (because they do not have lounges) and Suite Night Awards upgrades are unfortunately not available.
STUDIO TERRACE
In contrast to the buzzy happenings of the social areas, the 54-68sqm Studio Terrace is a decidedly more zen and minimalist affair with light woods, gold leaf artworks and a fluffy faux fur throw on the low platform bed, with a slated oak screen partitioning the bedroom area from the bathroom and kitchen area. Notably, the Studio Terrace is one of the rare rooms within the hotel (and in Tokyo, really) which offers an expansive private outdoor sky terrace. (I had balcony rooms at The Okura Tokyo and mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection, but those are located on much lower levels.) My spacious terrace was fitted with potted plants and teak patio furniture, with slatted wood wall dividers and green wall features separating me and my lucky fellow balcony buddies.
The kitchen comes with an induction stove, an oven and a deep sink, while Nespresso coffee and both traditional Japanese as well as Harney & Sons tea-making facilities are available. The minibar is stocked with various local snacks and beverages, including premium beers, wines and spirits (there is a small bottle of Champagne Krug if you’re feeling particularly celebratory).
The bathroom area has double vanities, a rainfall shower as well as an attached bathtub, with EDITION bespoke black tea-scented Le Labo amenities dispensed from large pump bottles.
DINING
Breakfast is served at The Blue Room, the hotel’s all-day dining concept on the 31st level. The restaurant’s sapphire-blue upholstered seating pops dramatically amidst all the green leafy action, including two statement fig trees which accentuate the lobby level’s soaring ceiling. Two different breakfast sets are available: The Blue Room Breakfast, which comes with a beverage, pastries, cold cuts, a green salad, seasonal fruits as well as one Western-style main dish such as Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, Green Omelet, Avocado Toast and Egg & Bacon Sandwich; and the Japanese Breakfast, which comes with a beverage, grilled fish fillet, simmered vegetables, miso soup, a side dish, steamed/brown rice, pickled vegetables and seasonal fruits.
As EDITION hotels do not typically offer breakfast as part of Marriott Bonvoy elite member privileges, I decided to order the a la carte specials instead of full-on breakfast sets. The Pancakes (caramelised apple, cinnamon, toasted almonds) were soft and fluffy with the sweet apple chunks being particularly luscious and crunchy, while the brilliant Brioche French Toast (Hokkaido pumpkin, miso, caramel, strawberry compote) was all sorts of savoury, with an unexpected interplay of flavours that made my mouth go “huh” before it requested for second and third bites out of tantalised intrigue.
Next to The Blue Room is the Lobby Bar, the afternoon tea destination with a beautiful white marble island bar counter which offers both bar and window-side seats with unobstructed panoramas of the Tokyo skyline. The Negroily played like a herbaceous Aperol Spritz without the fizz, while the refreshing and tart Sansho & Zakuro teased with flashes of sansho pepper. On Instagram, I posted a picture of the bar’s wolverine, Takeshi Kaneshiro-esque bartender whose arm veins resembled baby komodo dragons, and the responses I got in my inbox certainly taught me that both men and women are capable of the same levels of unadulterated, lusty desire.
Rounding up the dining concepts on the 31st level is the The Jade Room + Garden Terrace. Helmed by British Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens, the restaurant presents course-based menus featuring an experimental fusion of contemporary Japanese and Western-influenced dishes. The indoor space pairs green velvet upholstering with sleek wooden textures, while the outdoor terrace (seasonally open) offers more casual fare in a lush al fresco setting overlooking the Tokyo Tower.
Located on the ground level behind a discreet entrance, the Gold Bar at EDITION is seriously glamorous. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of classic cocktails in the pre-Prohibition era, the space sports black interiors with white and gold accents as well as a soaring scalloped ceiling. The marble bar is dramatically gorgeous, resembling a glowing jewel box at the far end of the space, while elsewhere a luxurious and residential-style section has its own fireplace made of Nero Marquina marble as well as a gold-leaf artwork by Los Angeles artist Guerin Swing on the wall. From the cocktails I had, the spirit-forward Brooklyn #2 was Manhattan-esque while the Mugi and Shoga was critrusy with an urgent touch of ginger.
CONCLUSION
Despite the limited Marriott Bonvoy benefits offered at the property, there is plenty to recommend about the hotel, from the comfortable and luxurious guest room experience (even if your room is not one with a terrace) to the confident F&B and cocktail offerings. Worth a stay if you’re celebrating a special occasion.
The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon
4-1-1 Toranomon
Minato City
Tokyo, Japan 105-0001
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