I’ve just stepped off a humid, tree-lined street in Tokyo and into what can only be described as a luxurious and calming sanctuary. But I’m not talking about an onsen – this is The Tokyo Edition, a stylish five-star hotel in the heart of fashionable Ginza. I’m welcomed by at least five staff. Within seconds, I hear a “pop” and a flute of Champagne is offered to me; my bags are whisked away to my room. It’s perhaps the most dazzling lobby I’ve ever stepped into – all plush white couches, a dramatic staircase and warm, shimmering light – and the warmest welcome. This will do me just fine.
Why stay at The Tokyo Edition?
Sleek, chic and fit for the Japanese Imperial Family, The Tokyo Edition ticks all three boxes: location, comfort and aesthetics – making it the perfect base for your next Tokyo stay. Spearheaded by visionary hotelier Ian Schrager and renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, it’s the second Edition hotel to open in Tokyo, joining The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon. This five-star hotel blends minimalist Japanese design with fresh, cool New York flair – and looks like it could’ve been plucked straight from the world of Gossip Girl – Tokyo Edition.
The Tokyo Edition, Ginza is located just off Chuo Street, right in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s fashion district and seconds from luxury boutiques (hello, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Chanel), galleries and Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as cracking ramen spots (Tsujita is my pick).
Adventuring around one of the world’s coolest cities – wandering down antique- and izakaya-dotted laneways, slurping bowls of ramen, navigating maze-like train stations, eating your body weight in sashimi – can be tiring stuff. Walking into The Tokyo Edition, Ginza felt like stepping into a calming, elegant retreat. Warning: it’s hard to leave in the morning.
What are the rooms like at The Tokyo Edition?
You know how most hotel rooms in Japan are small and compact? The ones at The Tokyo Edition, Ginza are anything but – not only are they serene and sophisticated, they’re spacious. Spread over 14 floors, the hotel features 86 guest rooms, spanning deluxe king rooms to superior and premier rooms, as well as 10 luxe suites with separate living areas.
I stayed in the deluxe king, and it felt like my own zen space, with walnut wood accents, cream-coloured furnishings and a faux fur blanket. Windows overlooked Ginza’s leafy streets, and the soft bed – made with quality linens – was so comfy it could convert a professional insomniac. The bathroom features splashes of black marble, toiletries from Le Labo and a deep tub – the ideal place to unwind after a big day.
Where can you eat at The Tokyo Edition, Ginza?
Begin your day (or wind it down) at Sophie at Edition, the hotel’s all-day restaurant which marries the flavours of Japan with a French twist. Lime-green furniture and pops of florals give the space a playful edge, while service is friendly and professional. The buffet breakfast has everything you could want, from seasonal fruits to fresh pastries and cheese and charcuterie. There’s also a separate menu if you’d like to order – I went with organic poached eggs with pork sausage, golden potatoes, roast tomato and bacon. At night, Sophie transforms into a classy brasserie serving French classics made with local Japanese produce. My pick is the bouillabaisse with a saffron-spiked broth. Personally, I’d love to see an elevated Japanese restaurant here, but if you’re craving the flavours of home or need a break from soy, Sophie delivers. Plus, the drinks list is just as polished – think French and Japanese wines, Champagne and top-notch cocktails.
Before sunset, be sure to head to the sky and enjoy a drink at The Roof, a colourful rooftop bar with lounges, lots of greenery, city views and cool vibes. Enjoy cleverly balanced cocktails like the Sakura and Lychee alongside bar bites like the chef’s selection of cheese – or if you’re hungry, a Wagyu burger with fries.
Feel like a quick frosty Martini or a glass of bubbles? Pull up a seat at the golden Lobby Bar and the team will look after you. Or head up the staircase and you’ll find the Punch Room – a punch-focused cocktail bar serving nostalgic tipples with a Japanese edge. After lunch, The Punch Room is the place to go for afternoon tea – where green tea yuzu Palomas and a matcha-infused clarified milk punch come served with sweets and savoury delights.
What is the service like at The Tokyo Edition?
You get what you pay for at The Tokyo Edition, Ginza – and what you get is some of the most excellent service I’ve ever experienced. All staff greeted me by name (including ones I was yet to meet), rooms were serviced daily – complete with a nighttime turndown service – and the team were polished, professional and always warm. They gave me directions, chatted with me, and even helped me make a reservation at Narukiyo (one of the coolest and most delicious izakayas in Tokyo, tucked away in Shibuya).
I felt like nothing was a hassle here. If I could give six stars for service, I would.
What is the gym like at The Tokyo Edition?
If you’ve been to Tokyo before, I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say it’s near-impossible to have a bad meal here. I ate more in Tokyo than I ate in Rome – think jewel-coloured sashimi, savoury bowls of hearty ramen, chewy udon noodles, buttery Wagyu and excellent pizza (did you know Tokyo has some of the best pizza joints in the world?). So, if you’re like me, you’ll also want to work out to keep the body and mind feeling good.
The gym at The Tokyo Edition, Ginza isn’t huge, but it’s well-equipped with free weights, a bike, a rower and more (I would’ve loved a treadmill though). There’s also space for stretching and yoga – and the room was filled with lots of natural sunlight.
What’s the area like around The Tokyo Edition?
Think of Ginza as the height of Tokyo luxe – flagship fashion stores, clean leafy streets lined with art galleries and dining that spans casual ramen joints to award-winning restaurants. In fact, Ginza has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan. Hidden in the streets, you’ll also find sake bars, cool cafés and late-night izakayas. It was always easy to catch an Uber around, and Ginza Station is just a two-minute walk from the hotel – how good is that?
Why should you book a stay at The Tokyo Edition?
Cosmopolitan and fast-paced, the neon-lit streets of Ginza hum day and night with an energy that’s both invigorating and intoxicating. This calming, elegant hotel provides a serene space to relax, rest and unwind. If you’re looking for a beautiful place to stay with a central location, a cracking rooftop bar and outstanding rooms, The Tokyo Edition, Ginza is your spot.
Address: 2 Chome-8-13 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Price per night: Prices start at around $1500 per night for a deluxe king room
Closest transport link: Ginza Station is a two-minute walk from the hotel.
Book now: You can book a stay at The Tokyo Edition here