During the three years of halted travel, a slew of luxury hotels have sprung up in Tokyo. Otemachi Four Seasons, Toranomon Edition, Shinjuku Kimpton… Of course, this boom is largely attributed to the Tokyo Olympics held the year before last.
Traveling to Tokyo now is a blessing, as there are so many new luxury hotels to explore, making it possible to stay at each one slowly over time.
However, visiting Tokyo now is also a misfortune, as hotel prices across almost all of Japan are falling, except in Tokyo where prices are rising—the more luxurious, the more expensive.
Both Aman Tokyo and Hoshinoya Tokyo have doubled their prices compared to pre-pandemic times; they are now beyond what I can afford.
Last time I was in Tokyo, I stayed at the Tokyo Mandarin Oriental (still owe a report on that), and this time I chose the Toranomon Edition.
There were a few reasons for this choice:
In 2020, I came across some photos on Instagram by the influencer forevervanny, capturing moments at the Tokyo Edition. I instantly fell in love; the windows in the rooms of the Toranomon Edition are just captivating.
This trip, I brought my child along during summer vacation, with Disney and Odaiba being must-visit spots.
Staying near Disney is a given to avoid too much hassle; thus, staying near Odaiba would mean the entire trip would be centered around Tokyo’s outskirts.
The Toranomon Edition is relatively convenient for trips to Odaiba. Hibiya Line Kamiya-cho Station is right below the hotel, making rail transit very accessible.
Additionally, during my last stay at the Tokyo Mandarin Oriental, I enjoyed an incredible view of the Skytree. This time, I wanted to fully soak in the view of Tokyo Tower. At the Toranomon Edition, Tokyo Tower truly is omnipresent.
I no longer have a high-tier Marriott membership, so I booked through Youxia to guarantee an upgrade. This time, our room featured a view of Tokyo Tower.
Toranomon Edition is quite generous overall; the room category just one level above the standard room already offers a tower view, making the upgrade via Youxia very easy.
Moreover, with the hotel floors spanning 31st to 36th, the unobstructed, expansive view of Tokyo’s skyline is simply breathtaking, with Tokyo Tower seemingly within reach.
We had a blast taking photos from our room.
My child would often sit by the window, gazing out at Tokyo; during the day, you could see Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Bay in the distance. Even Odaiba, where we planned to visit, was visible from afar.
At night, the city’s enchanting skyline is on full display, and Tokyo Tower is even more beautiful in the evening.
Toranomon Edition was designed by Kengo Kuma, renowned for his minimalist approach. This Edition hotel exudes a blend of Japanese style and Eastern Zen in its rooms.
When constructing Toranomon Edition, Ian Schrager, the founder of Edition Hotels, remarked, “We wanted to create something that reflects Japanese traditions, while also looking forward to new designs and visual effects, bringing a sense of the cutting edge and avant-garde.”
Personally, I think Kengo Kuma has accomplished this. This is a Japanese-style hotel, yet it doesn’t feel overtly Japanese.
The rooms feature light-colored natural wood tones, maintaining a consistent high-end simplicity, which is quintessentially Edition. The Edition brand is like this: those who love it, really love it, while others might think it’s just a “better-looking budget hotel.”
On the bed, you’ll find a classic fluffy brown blanket, a hallmark of Edition. At Edition, you don’t need to be too formal; a more casual approach is just fine.
The bathroom is also extremely minimalist.
The amenities are custom-designed by LE LABO for Edition, consistent across all Edition hotels.
The mini-bar is fully stocked, though it comes at a charge.
There are no welcome fruits (most Japanese hotels don’t offer them, probably because fruits are expensive), but the welcome treat is a small, rainbow-colored cake, adding a splash of liveliness to the neutral, minimalist room.
The public areas of Toranomon Edition are primarily located on the 31st floor, with their 31st-floor hotel lobby area dubiously nicknamed “Flower and Fruit Mountain Lobby.”
Featuring an almost 8-meter high ceiling, the space is like a jungle filled with more than 25 species and over 500 plants. This is said to be the largest sky garden in all of Tokyo.
Lush greenery brings a refreshing ambience.
The “Flower and Fruit Mountain Lobby” is divided into several areas. In the evening, you can have a drink at the Lobby Lounge. The Edition’s vibe at night and during the day feels like two different hotels, with a captivating atmosphere, a dreamy night-time allure.
Through the glass, you can also glimpse the Tokyo Tower, framed by the lush oasis.
I frequented the all-day dining restaurant, Blue Room, the most (I had my daily breakfast there).
Blue Room showcases a blend of Japanese elements and modern architecture, integrating wooden structures with exotic greenery.
Likewise, the Tokyo Tower stands prominent outside the window.
Breakfast is available in set menus, with Japanese and Western options. Of course, I opted for Japanese. When in Japan, who wants a Western breakfast?
The menu thoughtfully provided Chinese translations. Even though there were only two choices, at least I knew what I was eating.
Another restaurant named Jade Room has both indoor and outdoor terrace areas. The outdoor terrace is a prime spot for overlooking the Tokyo cityscape and Tokyo Tower.
Unfortunately, it rained for two consecutive nights, forcing me to miss the terrace experience. Therefore, I didn’t dine there, just took some casual photos.
The other public areas are the swimming pool and gym. I’ll post some photos of these too, they’re all quite impressive.
The service at The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon is excellent as well, and there are some details worth mentioning.
When we were checking in, their staff brought out a small cart full of toys and snacks, letting my child choose one.
As for the adults, they brought out wine and champagne right away.
Another great experience during check-in was when they proactively asked if a late checkout until 3 PM would be sufficient. You have no idea, many Japanese onsen hotels I’ve stayed at strictly require checkout by 11 AM.
This small gesture felt so heartwarming, though it might have been due to my reservation through YUYU, which included late checkout benefits.
Breakfast even has a dedicated children’s menu with more variety than the adult one.
So, what’s there to do around the hotel?
We climbed Tokyo Tower, visiting at night. From The Edition, Toranomon, it’s a walkable distance.
Tokyo Tower and Skytree—one is a nostalgic classic, and the other is a modern rising star. You can visit Skytree during the day and Tokyo Tower at night.
I recommend going up to the special observation deck at Tokyo Tower, 250 meters high. This way, you can learn more about its construction history and enjoy a better view of Tokyo’s night sky.
We also went to Odaiba, which is a top spot for family fun in Tokyo. It’s enough to keep the kids entertained for a whole day.
Gundam, Hello Kitty, Doraemon, Poop Museum—Odaiba is a place loved by both kids and adults.
Getting from The Edition, Toranomon to Ginza is convenient too, with just four stops on the subway. We didn’t go to Ginza for shopping, instead, we indulged in food.
I’d like to recommend a yakitori restaurant called 【鳥ぎん】 that the missus found. It’s delicious and reasonably priced.
Lastly, I’ll post some more photos of The Edition, Toranomon. If you’re planning to visit Tokyo and want a private view of Tokyo Tower, consider staying here.
