Japan is house to a few of Asia’s best motels and one of many main stars within the nation is 4 Seasons Lodge Tokyo at Otemachi, due to its beautiful views of Tokyo Imperial Palace, immaculately appointed rooms, Michelin-starred eating and world-class hospitality. To seek out out what makes the luxurious resort so distinctive, Wayfarer’s James Wilkinson sat down with 4 Seasons Lodge Tokyo at Otemachi Normal Supervisor, Uday Rao.
Uday, the 4 Seasons Lodge Tokyo at Otemachi is fashionable on so many ranges, from the situation to the membership lounge, design, rooms and meals and beverage on supply. Inform us about your favorite issues of the property.
I’ve a protracted record, however three all the time rise to the highest. The primary is the sensation of the resort. It’s intimate, elegant, and alive, with a heat that makes it straightforward to settle in.
The second is the place we sit within the metropolis, beside the Imperial Palace gardens, proper within the centre of Tokyo, with views that really feel unmistakably Otemachi, and on clear days even Mount Fuji.
The third is food and drinks. Virtù for cocktails and ambiance, est for Michelin starred French, and Pigneto for the form of Italian you possibly can return to greater than as soon as in the identical keep.
Inform us in regards to the trendy rooms and suites on supply.
Tokyo motels don’t all the time offer you house to exhale. We do. Rooms begin at 49 sq. metres, which already adjustments how you’re feeling within the metropolis, and the temper is calm, up to date, and quietly Japanese within the particulars.
Suites construct from there for longer stays and celebrations, all the way in which as much as our Imperial Suite at 283 sq. metres.
Uday, inform us in regards to the incredible meals and beverage on supply, which is among the finest in Tokyo.
We take a look at eating as a skyline-level expertise right here, not simply due to the views, however as a result of every venue is designed to face by itself. est is up to date French with a robust give attention to native components throughout Japan, it has earned a Michelin star for a cause.
Pigneto brings the lighter facet of Tokyo, pizzas and pastas, terrace evenings with the Tokyo Tower view, and that straightforward rhythm the place one course turns into three.
Then there’s Virtù. It has turn into a world speaking level, ranked #45 on The World’s 50 Finest Bars 2025 and #18 on Asia’s 50 Finest Bars 2025, recognised by Forbes Journey Information as one of many Finest Lodge Bars for 2025, and awarded Tatler Asia’s Finest in Class for Finest Service 2025, constructing on the Michter’s Artwork of Hospitality Award.
What’s your x-factor on the 4 Seasons Lodge Tokyo at Otemachi?
It’s quintessential Tokyo. Trendy, assured, energetic, with that edge town has. After which it’s softened by what 4 Seasons does finest, service that’s genuinely heat and caring, elevated even additional by Japanese precision.
Uday, what are a few of your favorite issues to do within the native space?
I inform individuals to begin with the Imperial Palace gardens, particularly throughout cherry blossom season or autumn.
Even a easy stroll within the gardens grounds resets you. Then exploring the Tokyo Station is a should. It’s an attractive maze, and in some ways it sums up town that’s layered, busy, endlessly detailed, and one way or the other nonetheless functioning completely.
Lastly, eat your approach by the neighbourhood. From tiny, high-skill counters to legacy eating places, you’re surrounded by extraordinary sushi, ramen, teppanyaki and tempura.
ESSENTIALS: GETTING TO TOKYO
The easiest way of attending to Tokyo in consolation and elegance.
Guide a seat in ANA’s sensible Enterprise Class cabin
FLY ANA ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS
ANA (All Nippon Airways) flies to Tokyo from throughout the globe, together with New York, London, Sydney and extra world gateways. The creator recommends flying in ANA’s Enterprise Class cabin, which options lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Every seat has direct entry to the aisle, a spacious facet desk with a private gentle, a big desk that’s ideally suited for working and eating, space for storing underneath the ottoman for a big merchandise, plus a common PC energy port, USB port and an 18-inch touch-panel LCD wide-screen monitor with a incredible number of films, TV reveals and video games.
Flights supply ANA’s WiFi service, which is able to quickly turn into free for all travellers within the Enterprise Class cabin, plus an expansive duty-free providing together with premium Japanese Whisky and luxurious items.
The place ANA’s Enterprise Class stands out is meals, drinks and hospitality on supply. On the eating entrance, there’s a alternative of a western or Japanese meal set and the standard and style is so spectacular, you’ll already really feel like you’re eating in a high Tokyo restaurant whilst you’re within the air.
If you happen to go for the Japanese possibility, you possibly can anticipate some Zensai (together with sushi and morsels), Kobachi (a salmon salad and simmered icefish) and Shusai (simmered beef in wild greens), alongside steamed rice, Miso soup and Japanese pickles.
On the Western entrance, there can be a number of small appetisers (like citrus marinated shrimps and scallops), adopted by a major dish (beef fillet steak with Madiera sauce or steamed golden bream).
Each meal choices include a pleasant dessert providing, together with strawberry mousse, cheese and fruits.
On the wine entrance, anticipate a incredible number of high drops from throughout the globe, spanning France to Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Argentina, alongside a tasty number of Sake and Shochu.
On the subject of an after-dinner tipple, extremely, ANA gives the Hibiki Blender’s Selection from the Home of Suntory of Japan (a $400 retail whisky) and it’s very, very onerous to go previous a dram of that.
The service on board ANA is effectively generally known as being referred to as ‘five-star’ however that genuinely is what you possibly can anticipate within the air and the hospitality is without doubt one of the many highlights onboard this spectacular Enterprise Class cabin that’s nothing in need of 5 stars.
LOUNGING AROUND
Earlier than you depart from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, cease by the ANA Lounge the place you’ll discover views over the airfield, seats for working and enjoyable, plus a noodle bar, buffet (don’t skip previous a Japanese curry), self-service drinks station (providing sake, shochu and different alcoholic drinks like beers from automated pourers) and a eating space.
