Sustainable luxury brand 1 Hotels has officially opened its first property in Japan with the launch of 1 Hotel Tokyo, a 211-room urban retreat set high within the Akasaka Trust Tower overlooking the gardens of the Imperial Palace and the iconic Tokyo Tower.
Located in the Akasaka district, the hotel occupies floors 38 to 43 of the tower and anchors the mixed-use Tokyo World Gate Akasaka precinct. The development combines offices, retail and cultural spaces in a pedestrian-friendly setting and positions the hotel within easy reach of key Tokyo neighbourhoods including Ginza, Roppongi and Shibuya.
The opening marks a milestone for the nature-focused luxury brand founded by Barry Sternlicht, chairman of Starwood Hotels, and developed in partnership with leading Japanese real estate developer Mori Trust.
The property introduces the brand’s biophilic design philosophy, sustainability-led operations and wellness programming to one of the world’s most dynamic urban destinations.
“In my travels to Japan over the decades, I’ve been struck by the extraordinary beauty of its gardens, the serenity of its parks, and the enduring respect for nature,” Sternlicht said.
“Even amid the modern architecture and commotion, there’s a sense of peace. With the design of 1 Hotel Tokyo, our first property in this amazing city, we wanted to capture some of that harmonious tranquility.”
Nature-inspired design above the city
Spanning six floors of the Akasaka Trust Tower, the hotel has been designed as a tranquil sanctuary above Tokyo’s skyline, blending the brand’s sustainability ethos with Japan’s long tradition of craftsmanship and reverence for natural materials.
Interiors were created by global architecture and design studio CREME, with the arrival experience conceived as a journey from the bustle of the city to a calm, elevated refuge. A greenery-lined entrance leads guests upward through the building before they emerge into a plant-filled lobby on the 38th floor.
Natural materials and textures feature prominently throughout the property. Wood ceilings reference the bark of trees, while textured walls evoke wind and movement. A dramatic wall crafted from Oya stone pays homage to the stonework surrounding the Imperial Palace moat.
Greenery is central to the design, with lush plantings, living walls and expansive windows framing panoramic views across the city.
“Designing 1 Hotel Tokyo was about finding harmony between our brand philosophy and Japan’s extraordinary culture of materiality and craft,” Starwood Hotels CEO Raul Leal said.
“From the thoughtful use of reclaimed materials to the operational rigor that enabled us to achieve Japan’s highest environmental certification, this hotel demonstrates how design excellence and sustainability can elevate one another at the highest level of luxury.”
The hotel features 211 guestrooms, including 24 suites and three penthouses. Rooms blend Japanese minimalism with modern comfort and feature locally crafted décor, curated greenery and biophilic art created from preserved moss and recycled materials. Many rooms overlook the Imperial Palace gardens or Tokyo’s skyline.
Dining concepts blend global and Japanese influences
Dining plays a central role in the hotel experience, with three venues designed to appeal to both guests and local residents.
NiNi, led by head chef Nikko Policarpio, combines the flavours of the French Riviera with Japanese seasonality. The restaurant draws on Policarpio’s experience in Michelin-starred kitchens in Tokyo and with the Momofuku restaurant group in Toronto.
The menu features Provençal herbs, olive oil, fresh seafood and citrus interpreted through Japanese techniques. A key feature of the kitchen is the use of a Josper grill oven, which uses natural charcoal to enhance the flavour of meats, seafood and vegetables.
Signature dishes include maguro tartare inspired by French culinary traditions but accented with Japanese aromatics. Desserts reference southern France, including a reinterpretation of the classic baba made with Japanese black tea syrup and orange liqueur.
On weekends, NiNi shifts into a relaxed brunch setting with a Riviera-inspired seafood plateau, while a seasonal afternoon tea developed by executive pastry chef Fumitake Goji is served in a handcrafted wooden box.
Elsewhere, Spotted Stone is a cocktail bar dedicated to Japanese craft gin, showcasing a collection of nearly 100 varieties organised by botanical ingredients and distillation styles. The venue evolves from a relaxed lounge during the day to an evening bar with DJ sets and guest vinyl sessions.
The third venue, Neighbors Café, offers grab-and-go coffee, teas and light meals aimed at travellers, nearby office workers and residents. The café features organic matcha beverages from The Matcha Tokyo as well as snacks from local businesses.
Wellness and sustainable design
Wellness is a key pillar of the hotel experience, highlighted by the Bamford Wellness Spa created in partnership with Carole Bamford. The spa offers treatments inspired by both traditional Japanese practices and modern holistic therapies, including shiatsu, reflexology, acupressure and assisted stretching.
Signature treatments include the 1 Hotel Tokyo Experience, which combines a foot ritual, massage and facial, while the Japanese Bamboo Massage uses Kyoto bamboo tools and green tea–infused oils to promote circulation and relaxation.
Additional facilities include a 24-hour fitness space known as The Field House, equipped with Technogym equipment, and an indoor pool with access to an outdoor terrace designed to support pollinators and create a small urban ecosystem.
The property also offers more than 460 square metres of event space, including the Sakura and Camellia function rooms and three private dining areas overlooking Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Bay.
Commitment to sustainability
Sustainability has been embedded into the hotel’s design and operations, reflecting both the brand’s environmental focus and Japan’s culture of resource stewardship.
The hotel has achieved CASBEE S certification, the country’s highest environmental performance rating. Water conservation systems, smart energy management and refill stations to reduce single-use plastics are integrated throughout the property, while reclaimed and responsibly sourced materials have been used extensively in construction and interiors.
Guests can also access the Audi Electric Vehicle Experience, which provides complimentary use of a fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron to explore Tokyo with zero-emissions transport.
The opening of 1 Hotel Tokyo represents a significant expansion for the brand in Asia and reinforces Tokyo’s status as a leading global luxury destination, blending sustainability, design and wellness within one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
AloJapan.com