1 Hotel Tokyo opens as brand’s first hotel in Japan

The first 1 Hotel in Japan has opened in Tokyo’s Akasaka district, bringing the brand’s biophilic design, sustainability-led hospitality and Bamford spa concept to the upper floors of Akasaka Trust Tower.

The hotel

Sustainability-focused luxury brand 1 Hotels has opened its first property in Japan with the launch of 1 Hotel Tokyo, a 211-room hotel occupying floors 38 to 43 of Akasaka Trust Tower.

The hotel forms part of Tokyo World Gate Akasaka, a mixed-use precinct developed by Mori Trust that combines offices, retail and public spaces in the central Akasaka district. From here, neighbourhoods including Ginza, Roppongi and Shibuya are within easy reach, while views extend across the Imperial Palace gardens and Tokyo Tower.

Founded by hotelier Barry Sternlicht, 1 Hotels was one of the first luxury hotel brands to place sustainability at the centre of its concept, combining nature-led design with environmentally conscious operations. The Tokyo opening marks the brand’s debut in Japan and its continued expansion across major global cities, following the opening of 1 Hotel Melbourne in 2025.

Design

The interiors were designed by global architecture and design studio CRÈME, blending the brand’s biophilic design philosophy with Japanese craftsmanship and materials.

Guests arrive at street level through a wall of greenery before ascending to the 38th-floor lobby, where expansive views across the city skyline set the tone for the property’s “sanctuary in the sky” concept.

Organic materials and textures appear throughout the hotel, from wood ceiling panels inspired by tree bark to stone and plaster finishes designed to evoke natural landscapes. A feature wall of Oya stone references the stonework surrounding the Imperial Palace moat.

True to the 1 Hotels design DNA, greenery is woven throughout the hotel’s public spaces, while the 211 guestrooms combine Japanese minimalism with natural materials, preserved moss artwork and locally crafted furnishings. The accommodation includes 24 suites and three penthouses, with several rooms framing views of the Imperial Palace gardens.

Dining

Dining at the hotel centres around three venues designed to attract both travellers and local residents.

The signature restaurant, NiNi, is led by Head Chef Nikko Policarpio and blends Mediterranean and Japanese influences, drawing inspiration from the French Riviera while incorporating Japanese seasonal ingredients.

The menu features seafood, citrus and herb-led dishes prepared using a Josper charcoal grill oven, with highlights including maguro tartare and Riviera-inspired desserts such as a baba infused with Japanese black tea syrup.

Spotted Stone is a cocktail bar dedicated to Japanese craft gin, offering a collection of nearly 100 labels organised by botanical style and distillation method. At street level, Neighbors Café serves coffee, teas and light meals, including matcha from the Tokyo-based brand The Matcha Tokyo.

Wellness

Wellness is central to the guest experience, anchored by the ever-expanding Bamford Wellness Spa, created in partnership with British wellness pioneer Carole Bamford.

Treatments draw on both traditional and modern therapies, incorporating techniques such as shiatsu, reflexology, acupressure and breathwork.

Signature rituals include the 1 Hotel Tokyo Experience, which combines a foot ritual, massage and facial using Bamford skincare products, alongside treatments inspired by Japanese wellness traditions such as bamboo massage using Kyoto bamboo tools.

Additional facilities include The Field House, a 24-hour fitness space equipped with Technogym equipment, and a light-filled indoor swimming pool with an outdoor deck planted to support urban pollinators.

Sustainability

Sustainability has been integrated into the hotel’s design and operations from the outset. The building has achieved CASBEE S certification, Japan’s highest environmental rating. Water conservation systems, refill stations to reduce single-use plastics and the use of reclaimed and locally sourced materials form part of the hotel’s environmental strategy.

Guests can also explore the city through the hotel’s Audi Electric Vehicle Experience, which provides access to a fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron for zero-emission transport around Tokyo.

1hotels.com