Luxury Experience in Japan - The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

Credit: David Jaskiewicz, Shiitake Creative

Inhale—and exhale. It’s not all fast-paced in Tokyo, as reflected in one serene sanctuary hovering 37 floors above the ground in the Nihonbashi district: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo.

Here, the peacefully luxe atmosphere feels a million miles from the urban flow of Tokyo as seen through walls of floor-to-ceiling windows: the toy-like cars at ground level, the sea of skyscrapers disappearing into the horizon and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji hovering in the distance.

Perhaps best of all, the spa is as safe as it is serene: there is a responsible medley of anti-COVID measures in place, from temperature checking to social distancing (even the pens used to fill out consultation forms are painstakingly sanitized).

It’s one of countless once-in-a-lifetime experiences that can be savoured in comfort, style and the utmost safety across Tokyo, from exquisite Kabuki performances at the Kengo-Kuma-designed national theater in Ginza to traditional tea ceremony while kneeling on tatami in exclusive only-in-the-know spots such as The Koomon.Inside the sleek modern spa at the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, it’s all about relaxation of the most luxurious variety, from the crystal amethyst steam room and sky view sauna in the Heat & Water experience to a plethora of deeply restorative treatments.

One particular scene-stealer is inspired by the city itself: Totally Tokyo-“Five” Journeys from Nihonbashi, a signature treatment that transports visitors on a sensory journey to mental and physical tranquility, using a seductive concoction of quintessentially Japanese elements such as green tea, pine, bamboo, and plum.

The unique shiatsu massage-based treatment is not only blissfully relaxing, it’s also firmly rooted in the area’s rich heritage. It was in Nihonbashi in the early 17th century that a shogun switched the capital from western Japan to east—and began creating a new city that would evolve into modern-day Tokyo.

As reflected in the treatment’s name, Nihonbashi was also where five major roads called the Gokaido began, connecting the new city to regional hubs and resulting in the area’s reputation as the starting point of Tokyo.

Anti-COVID measures go hand in hand with the luxury experience. The Mandarin Oriental’s global anti-coronavirus “We Care” program is also in place throughout the hotel, as reflected in limited elevator numbers and liberally placed hand sanitizers.

Credit: David Jaskiewicz, Shiitake Creative

It’s all part of a responsible commitment—echoed at countless luxury venues across Tokyo—to ensure that visitors can still enjoy the best of what this perpetually pioneering city has to offer.

From cloud-brushing skyscraper hotels and too-many-to-count internationally lauded restaurants to contemporary retail and luxury experiences, it’s clear that Tokyo remains a number one destination, not only in terms of style and quality but—perhaps most importantly as a new era of travel dawns—particularly when it comes to safety and comfort.

*Produced by Travel + Leisure

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