Tokyo’s towers are known for housing a variety of uses. This is also the case with the Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, where the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo occupies the top floors. Designed by world-renowned architect César Pelli, the modern tower is directly connected via a light-filled glass atrium to the historic Mitsui Main Building from 1929, a neoclassical cultural landmark.

As you’d expect, the moment you step into this 5-star luxury hotel, you find yourself in a completely different and peaceful world. From its elegant design to its fantastic view of the city and exquisite fine dining options, the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo delivers its usual high standards.

The interior design concept is probably one of the most unique in the city. Designed by LTW Designworks and Ryu Kosaka, it draws inspiration from the so-called poetry of Woods & Water. This is reflected in a visualization of the building as a single, gigantic tree reaching skyward in the historic Nihonbashi district. Here, the roots form the ground floor: dark wood, flowing water and a mesh of woven stainless steel form an earthy, soothing foundation. They anchor the architecture firmly to the ground of the megacity. The elevators serve as the trunk: Walls made of Kyoto brocade evoke the organic growth rings of a tree.

The elevator cabins themselves, with their vertical lines of light and material, depict rain, the water that nourishes the tree as it grows upward. The floors 30–37 serve as the forest clearings. Warm wood, tactile natural textiles and soft earth tones create timeless retreats suspended above the city. And finally, on the 38th floor, the crown of the tree: Upon exiting into the lobby, the phenomenon of komorebi unfolds: the play of sunlight filtering through leaves. Organic carpet patterns, delicate ceiling textures and warm light create the illusion of standing beneath a shady canopy of leaves.

All of the fabrics in the hotel were custom-made by Japanese textile designer Reiko Sudo from NUNO Studio in collaboration with master artisans from traditional workshops across Japan. The fabrics reflect the changing seasons, featuring woven wisteria and cherry blossoms for spring, as well as warm ginkgo and gold tones for fall. The understated aesthetic of Japanese subtlety permeates the entire hotel: textured silk, fine linen, real wood, and glossy lacquer blend together to create a harmonious texture.

Design and cuisine naturally go perfectly together. That’s what makes the 37th and 38th floors of the building the perfect setting for world-class dining in extraordinary interiors. The dining experience features intimate a la carte concepts, international haute cuisine and a masterful patisserie.
One concept, however, stands out in particular: the Tapas Molecular Bar. This restaurant blends avant-garde molecular cuisine with the traditional Japanese omakase philosophy. Familiar flavors and classics of world cuisine are given a completely new interpretation.

Liquid nitrogen, spherification, textured foams, smoky flavors and precise temperature contrasts transform ingredients into optical illusions. Despite the use of cutting-edge techniques, Japan’s finest seasonal ingredients, such as Wagyu and yuzu, form the foundation of the flavors. An exclusive setting: The bar has only 8 seats, making it a highly desirable spot in the city. Guests sit side by side at an elegant, horseshoe-shaped counter. The chef presents and explains each dish directly at the table. This allows guests to learn the story behind the texture and the physical and chemical transformations of the ingredients.