Welcome to Checking In, a review series in which our editors and contributors rate the best luxury hotels based on a rigorous—and occasionally tongue-in-cheek—10-point system: Each question answered “yes” gets one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below.
Describe the hotel in three words: Aman’s cool sibling.
What’s the deal?
Aman resonates the world over as a luxury hospitality group focused on serene spaces, secluded sanctuaries, tranquillity and contemplation, and connectivity with nature, often found in some of the most remarkable, remote, and exclusive locations on the planet.
Its new concept, Janu, turns most of what we know about Aman on its head, and this refreshing launch is more than just an off-shoot; it stands on its own two legs as a social community-driven hospitality brand. With a first location in Japan’s capital city, and more to come in addresses like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Montenegro, and more, the debut of Janu Tokyo marks a new era for the group so well-loved for its transformative, exceptional resorts. Embracing interactive engagement, shared experiences, and active lifestyles, Janu is still firmly entrenched in the luxury realm, calling to a younger generation of urban explorers and social travellers, with a robust wellness and fitness programme at its core.
Part of the ambitious Azabudai Hills development, featuring a Thomas Heatherwick-designed green space and a soaring skyscraper by Pelli Clarke & Partners, Janu Tokyo is emblematic of a fresh perspective on luxury urban hospitality. Understated interiors underline a soulful city setting. Frequent collaborator Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston fuses Asian minimalism with modern global influences, sparking a visual dialogue between East and West across 122 rooms. Contemporary aesthetics and art—from acrylics and oils to ceramics and prints—meet Japanese techniques and crafts in an energetic environment, leading to dynamic social spaces.
The best room?
Of the 10 different room categories, there’s no better than the eponymous Janu Suite. At 284 square metres, this residential living space comes with not one but two balconies overlooking the gardens of the Azabudai Hills complex, and the iconic orange-and-white Tokyo Tower, a glowing beacon among the skyscrapers. Dining and living areas are generously sized and separated, with an additional kitchen and bar counter, en-suite bathroom with soaking tub, guest washroom, and a private study. It is also designed with connection in mind; the Janu Suite can be combined with three adjacent rooms to accommodate larger groups, families, and friends travelling together, amounting to 519 square metres of space in total.
Did they greet you by name at check-in?
Yes; the front-desk staff were polite and courteous, and check-in was a breeze. During that process, the lively energy of the hotel was palpable, making us eager to take part in it.
Was a welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived?
No, but the assorted in-room treats, from fresh fruits to confectionaries and savoury snacks, were a delicious surprise, and promptly polished off in record time.
Private butler for every room?
No private butler service available here. Instead, Janu Tokyo’s dedicated concierge team stands at the ready to respond to the needs of guests, whether it be booking experiences within the hotel, making recommendations, or reservations outside of the property.
Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?
Janu furnishes its rooms with exactly 300-thread-count bed linens for all room categories, so you are in for a comfortable rest.
Is there a heated floor in the bathroom? What about a bidet?
No heated floors in the bathrooms, but since we’re in Japan, and a new-build hotel at that, of course the bathrooms come furnished with a smart toilet with built-in bidet functions. At Janu Tokyo, the ubiquitous Toto-made throne, with its many features, is a standard fixture.
Are the toiletries full-sized?
Indeed. Janu’s range of bath toiletries, presented in elegant stoneware vessels, are custom-blended with a scent of myrtle, palm rose, Virginian cedarwood, sandalwood, and ho leaf.
Is there a private pool for the room’s exclusive use? How are the spa and gym?
No private pools in any of the rooms, but the 25-metre indoor lap pool, with a serene lounge space, does the trick. As for Janu’s spa and gym, it’s easier to note down what it doesn’t have. Let us count the ways: At 4,000 square metres, the gargantuan wellness and fitness centre stands in a category of its own. A 340-square-metre gym with Outrace and SkillX circuit systems already makes Janu’s one of the largest in the city. Add to that a heated plunge pool, movement studios for yoga, a golf simulator, a spin room, and a boxing ring—it’s the place to be for anyone looking to take their fitness seriously (with a dose of fun). Check the schedule of private and group classes with the front-desk staff.
In terms of wellness, seven treatment rooms stand at the ready for guests to indulge in such rituals as a Himalayan poultice massage with a heated salt crystal and adzuki red bean poultice, full-body amethyst scrub and wrap using amethyst powder, light-therapy facial, and much more. Our Janu signature massage began with a hand-rinsing ritual using sake and salt to remove negative energy, followed by a peaceful handpan-drum serenade.
For the ultimate pampering session, two private spa houses, with separate hot and cold plunge pools, private terraces, relaxation rooms, and double treatment rooms, can be reserved for two- or four-hour sessions—choose between a banya or hammam focus. As expected, Aman Essential skincare products are used in some of the treatments. It’s not an overstatement to say that Janu’s integrative wellness ecosystem and facilities are unmatched, setting a new benchmark that will be challenging for others to live up to.
Is the restaurant worth its salt?
Yes—the only problem you will encounter here is deciding where to eat. With eight food and beverage destinations to choose from, Janu Tokyo has developed a formidable dining programme that cements the property as a must-visit foodie’s paradise, even for non-guests.
Hu Jing specialises in contemporary Chinese cuisine, from Peking duck to dim sum and other regional delicacies in-between, paired with natural wines. Sumi is an intimate, 13-seat sumibiyaki omakase experience centred around a live-fire grill, manned with flair and precision; the Kuroge Wagyu is a standout course. Janu Mercato, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, brings the best of Italian dining to the hotel. Its spacious setting—reminiscent of a market square—provides the backdrop to such dishes as red-wine risotto, scallop carpaccio, panzanella, spinach and ricotta cannelloni, and veal ossobuco. Next-door Janu Patisserie offers European-influenced baked goods. Janu Grill is best summed up as a steakhouse concept highlighting top-notch meats and seafood. It also serves a mean breakfast, with grilled beef shabu-shabu and egg dinacharya on the menu—plus a vegan set. Janu Bar is led by Shuzo Nagumo, one of Japan’s finest mixologists. Iigura is steeped in the centuries-old tradition of Edomae-style sushi-making with à la carte and omakase options, and Janu Lounge & Garden Terrace is the place to be for afternoon tea; the choice is yours.
Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?
Yes. Celebrated mixologist Shuzo Nagumo is the brains behind Janu Bar, a chic watering hole that translates the diverse and colourful districts of Tokyo through a series of original cocktails. Its compact menu explores Azabudai, Ginza, Shinjuku, Ningyocho, Asakusa, and more, interpreting the unique characteristics of each highlight neighbourhood through a sophisticated melding of ingredients. For an especially out-there and picture-worthy drink, order the gin- and vermouth-led Blur Oyster, served in an oyster shell with sea-salt air.
Would you buy the hotel if you could?
A bold property in the heart of the city that harmoniously balances modern luxury with wellness, social connection, and cultural engagement? Where do we sign up? Nurturing and timeless, and energising and innovative all at once, Janu Tokyo provides the holistic answer to travellers searching for more than just plush accommodations and fine dining. Being part of a community and seeking personal, restorative experiences go hand in hand here, and Janu Tokyo delivers with aplomb. Well, we expected nothing less of this dashing new brand.
Score: 8
What Our Score Means:
1–3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here.
4–6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch.
7–8: Very good. We’d stay here again and recommend it without qualms.
9–10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?
All images courtesy of Janu Tokyo.
