Why book?
To stay in one of Tokyo’s swishest hotels, right on the edge of buzzy Ginzan – the city’s shopping mecca – and to enjoy the Peninsula’s long-established premium hospitality.
Set the scene
The Peninsula is steeped in heritage and there’s something wonderfully familiar about stepping through its hotel doors, even if it is for the first time. As our signature forest-green Rolls Royce (one of an entire fleet) pulls up outside the revolving doors, we’re greeted warmly, surrounded by smiling staff and equally happy guests who tuck into towers of perfectly pretty afternoon tea at tables in the lobby. The Peninsula’s Asian roots run threadlike through every one of its properties but here in Tokyo, connotations feel utterly relevant and especially… well… special. Clean-lined design, sculptural artwork and staff in sharp uniforms set the tone. This is a place where service is paramount and attention to detail is second to none.
The backstory
The Peninsula Tokyo was 20 years old when I visited in 2026, but you’d never know it. This is an establishment that has aged well, and there’s nothing dated about its form or function. When it was built, the 24-storey building was the first free-standing hotel in the city, and designed to look like a traditional Japanese lantern when illuminated orange at night. Inside too, creativity is celebrated. There are over 1,000 pieces of artwork, one of which is a particularly memorable bamboo sculpture in the entrance hall – it represents a dragon lying on top of the universe to ward off evil spirits.
The rooms
Every one of the 302 rooms, from entry level doubles to deluxe suites with panoramic views that span Tokyo’s Imperial Palace Gardens and Hibiya Park, is designed in ryokan style – a traditional Japanese layout that specifies an area for sleep, an area for eating, an area for rest and an area for work. Local influences are recognisable everywhere you look. The ceiling is handwoven using cedarwood, the space-saving sliding door that divides the entryway with the main bedroom is made from rich horse chestnut wood, and the pyjamas laid neatly in wardrobe drawers are yukata style (a soft and comfy robe with a wrap belt). Thoughtful details don’t stop there. There’s a valet box that guests can use to drop off laundry (which magically reappears almost immediately) or request a morning paper delivery, and a nail dryer built into every dressing table.
Food and drink
It’s rare that you’d visit a city as vibrant as Tokyo and choose to eat in the hotel, but Peninsula makes it really hard to leave. There are no less than eight places to dine here, starting in the lobby. This is where breakfast is served, and it brings a buzzy, charismatic vibe to the space. Try the traditional Japanese breakfast to embrace the local cuisine, or play it safe with stacks of pancakes. Don’t miss an evening on the top floor – Peter is the glass-walled bar and restaurant serving modern French cuisine and a cocktail menu to rival the best. There’s also a Cantonese outlet, Hei Fung Terrace, that feels other-worldly in its atmosphere, and a discreet booth suspended over the property’s entrance hall where high-profile couples can enjoy the atmosphere below – as well as the menu – in complete privacy.
Wellness
The spa is a beauty, especially considering its city-centre location. It spans 17,000 square feet and has an impressive 20-metre indoor pool, which overlooks the Imperial Palace Gardens and Hibiya Park. Drag yourself away if you can, and enjoy the thermal suite, a sauna and ice fountains, and a curated list of treatments. Book a massage before your jam-packed Japan itinerary begins – at Peninsula, practitioners are so expert that jet lag and timezones feel forgotten, even if just for a moment.
For families
Families are very welcome, and staff will go out of their way to make both parents and children feel that way. At a hotel of this calibre, you’d almost expect that guests of all ages will be catered for well, but in addition to the norm, there are specific kid-friendly offerings on the Keys to the City program that will enable families to experience the local culture in a way that appeals to all.
The service
Flawless. Not only are there countless members of staff on hand 24-hours a day, but everyone I meet seems genuinely happy to be here, and proud to call Peninsula work.
Eco-effort
The Peninsula is committed to a group-wide 55 per cent carbon and water footprint reduction by 2030 compared to its 2010 baseline and is upgrading equipment and adopting new technologies to achieve its goal. In Tokyo, the building itself is EarthCheck certified.
Accessibility
This is one of few Tokyo hotels that has street access, and all restaurants have lift access. There are five adapted rooms (1 Deluxe Suite, and 4 Standard rooms), that have been specially designed for guests with mobility needs.
Anything left to mention
Keys to the City is the hotel’s experiences program and it offers a taste of the local culture, the Peninsular way. We tried our hands at Kitsunigi, an ancient Japanese craft involving broken ceramics and gold paint, and took a walking food tour of the district by night – we tried six different places to eat and we were the only tourists in any one of them. From a train station sake bar to a Japanese version of an English pub, this felt like we had insider access, and is an experience I’ll never forget.