Stay here: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

What’s the deal? 

Step into the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo and you’re immediately immersed in a sanctuary of luxury high above the city in Nihonbashi. The lobby’s soaring floor-to-ceiling windows frame panoramic views of Tokyo’s skyline, Tokyo Bay and even Mount Fuji on clear days – an awe-inspiring welcome to this urban retreat.

The hotel features 157 guest rooms and 22 suites, each designed with a harmonious blend of contemporary elegance and traditional Japanese aesthetics by textile designer Reiko Sudo. Her work incorporates natural materials and artisanal techniques, reflecting Japan’s rich cultural heritage through texture, pattern and colour.

Conveniently located, the hotel offers direct access to the Ginza and Hanzomon subway lines, with Tokyo Station just an eight-minute walk away, making it an ideal base for exploring the city.

This December marks the hotel’s 20th anniversary, a milestone celebrated with a year-long campaign inspired by Japan’s Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi), which symbolises maturity and renewal. A number of special treats for the occasion include exclusive offers, such as 20 per cent off rooms and dining, in-room champagne and complimentary spa treatments.

Why stay?

For culturally curious travellers, the hotel offers bespoke cultural experiences – from private rickshaw tours through Nihonbashi’s historic streets to traditional washi papermaking workshops, offering immersive insights into Japan’s time-honoured crafts.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo , located on the 37th floor, is one of the hotel’s crowning achievements. Whether you’re indulging in treatments or relaxing in the sauna and vitality pool, the panoramic skyline views provide a soothing escape amid the city’s bustle. As part of its birthday festivities, the hotel is offering limited-time fitness classes in collaboration with Lululemon – a contemporary addition to the spa’s tranquil atmosphere. 

Even in a city whose standards for food are as high as Tokyo’s, the dining at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo stands out. With Michelin-starred French cuisine at Signature and refined Cantonese dishes at Sense to the avant-garde Tapas Molecular Bar and Sushi Shin by Miyakawa – a Tokyo outpost of the Hokkaido-based three-starred sushi restaurant – the hotel presents one of the city’s most comprehensive fine dining experiences. Each meal is a celebration of flavour and Japanese craftsmanship.

Cathay editors say…

“I particularly recommend the pizza omakase experience at The Pizza Bar on 38th, recently named Asia’s best pizzeria by 50 Top Pizza. This intimate, high-demand spot requires advance reservations to secure one of its few seats. The chef crafts each pizza with precision, using seasonal Japanese ingredients in unexpected combinations – think mentaiko, marinated octopus and the most remarkable vegetarian creations featuring ultra-fresh local produce. Watching the chef work at the marble counter while enjoying piping hot pizzas straight from the brick oven is an unforgettable masterclass in culinary fusion: Italian craftsmanship meets Japanese spirit.”