It might sound crazy to associate the world’s most heavily populated city with wellness and eco-tourism. But anything is possible in Tokyo, and if you are searching for a place to relax and reconnect with nature, you’ll find it.
Whether it’s exploring serene gardens, indulging in traditional hot spring baths, or engaging with eco-conscious gastronomy, Tokyo provides a sanctuary for those seeking solace. So, if you’re ready to escape the chaos and embrace tranquility, this luxury wellness retreat guide is for you.
Wellness Tourism in Tokyo: Where to Stay?
Finding a respite from the hustle and bustle of perhaps the busiest city in the world is easier than you might think. Tokyo offers a multitude of high-end relaxation spaces, and your hotel should be one of them.
Today we’ll present you with two choices:
- Hoshinoya Tokyo, a premium ryokan.
- Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo.
Combine Luxury and Tradition at Hoshinoya Tokyo
Enter a world where tradition and tranquility converge: the Japanese Ryokan. It’s not just a place to rest your head; it’s an immersive experience that transports you to another era.
One of the traditional suites in Hoshinoya
The Ryokan is a haven of serenity, where every detail is meticulously crafted to enhance your stay. A traditional style of Japanese accommodation, with tatami floors and rooms separated by paper panes. And Hoshinoya Tokyo might be one of the greatest places to experience it.
Combining centuries of tradition with modern, finely curated luxury, Hoshinoya offers you an unforgettable experience. Every floor of the hotel functions as a private ryokan.
The floors are composed of six rooms, with a traditional-style ochanoma lounge connecting them. The best suite available is the Kiku room, a corner room with space for three beds.
The hotel provides food of the utmost quality, locally sourced, and delivered to your room. There are two choices for breakfast, either Japanese or Western style, and for dinner, you can opt for the menu or a traditional bento box.
For relaxation, Hoshinoya offers an onsen-style spa. Warm water comes from an ancient subterranean spring, filled with sea salt and seaweed minerals. An exclusive luxury of this hotel is the outdoor hot spring on the top floor. You can relax in the calming waters while enjoying Tokyo’s iconic skyline.
The spa also provides multiple treatments, from traditional breathing exercises to carefully planned diets that boost your immune system.
Experience the Sea of Clouds at Chinzanso Tokyo
At Chinzanso Tokyo, you’ll experience the perfect harmony of urban sophistication and natural beauty. Every moment is a reminder to pause, breathe, and appreciate the wonders of the world around you.
Built in 1878 by the Prime Minister as a personal mansion, this hotel boasts a magnificent structure and a great garden with a peculiarity. Every day, multiple nozzles embedded in the garden shoot a mist that covers the garden. This effect resembles the beloved sea of clouds, a common theme in traditional Japanese art.
The breathtaking display of the Sea of Clouds
Stroll along winding paths shaded by lush foliage and discover a tapestry of colors with vibrant flowers, tranquil ponds, and cascading waterfalls. Each season paints the garden with a unique palette, from the delicate cherry blossoms of spring to the fiery hues of autumn foliage.
Of course, the garden is not all that the hotel has to offer, with spacious suites able to accommodate up to nine guests. Another strength of Chinzanso is its many restaurants, ranging from traditional Japanese cuisine to different styles of Western cooking. There’s even an antique Showa-era restaurant grilling food with lava rocks from Mt. Fuji.
Other amenities include:
- Tea ceremony
- Multiple bars
- Japanese language lessons and workshops
- Babysitting services
- Pet sitting
- Airport pickup
Sustainable Tourism in Tokyo: What to Do?
An article about what to do in Tokyo could be as long as you wanted it to be. This true megalopolis has absolutely everything, without a doubt. If you can imagine it, you can probably find it in Japan’s capital.
But for the sake of brevity, and keeping on with the theme of wellness and eco-tourism we will present you with four different activities. You will find two distinct restaurants with similar ideals but distinct executions. Moreover, there are also activities ranging from tranquil gardens and serene temples to rejuvenating hot springs.
We invite you to visit:
- NARISAWA restaurant
- Den restaurant
- Saya-no-Yudokoro spa
- Tennoji temple
Experience an Ancient Culture With a Modern Twist in NARISAWA
Imagine yourself in a lush countryside where humans and nature coexist harmoniously. This is the concept of Satoyama. It’s about sustainable interaction between people and the environment, where communities manage landscapes to benefit both themselves and the natural world.
According to Satoyama, fields, forests, and waterways are nurtured, fostering biodiversity and providing resources for local livelihoods. It’s a beautiful balance between human activity and ecological preservation, creating landscapes that thrive with life and cultural heritage.
Sadly, Satoyama has been steadily fading away for almost a century, as city life replaces communal countryside living. But Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa refuses to let go. He brings new life to the concept in his two-michelin starred restaurant, NARISAWA by creating culinary delights inspired by Satoyama. One of his signature dishes is “bread of the forest,” a bread loaf that rises over candles and is baked on a rock oven tableside.
A dish celebrating the Japanese woods
The chef’s commitment goes beyond mere representation through food; he and his team routinely take care of abandoned mountain villages as well.
The restaurant is located at 2-6-15 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku. It’s recommended to book at least one month in advance through their website. Unfortunately, minors under the age of 18 are not allowed.
An Irreverent Look at Japanese Cuisine in Den
Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa brings you the comfort of homestyle Japanese food, elevated to the level you’d expect from a two-star Michelin restaurant. The hearty, traditional dishes are given a sharp gourmet edge without compromising their authenticity.
When you sit at his restaurant, you will be offered a window into his mind, with extravagant dishes like their signature 20-vegetable salad. Of note are also the “Dentucky Fried Chicken,” high-end chicken wings with classic Japanese flavors, and the claypot-cooked rice.
Every ingredient is carefully sourced, ensuring that it comes from local farmers and fishermen, offering a true organic experience. Everything is carefully designed to achieve the primary objective of home cooking, bringing happiness and nourishment to your loved ones.
Den can be found at 2-3-18 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku,. If you want to make a reservation, you can either contact them by phone at +81 3-6455-5433 or send an email to [email protected]
Relax in the Springs at Saya-no-Yudokoro Spa
Saya-no-Yudokuro is one of Tokyo’s best kept secrets, hidden in an unassuming residential area. It’s also one of the exceedingly rare 100% natural spring water onsen in the city, as most will have at least a trace amount of tap water. But not Saya-no-Yudokuro, their water comes directly from true springs, at the perfect 102-105°F.
Free-flowing water at one of the outdoor pools.
Here you will find everything you could wish for your well-being. Both indoor and outdoor baths—some designed for sitting while others are “lie-down style”—are especially relaxing. There are also two saunas, a dry one and a steam one, with multiple temperatures. For a better experience, we suggest you start in the cold “winter” room and move progressively to the really hot “summer” room.
For complete unwinding, the venue also has wellness services following various methods, like reflexology, aromatherapy, and full body massages.
Saya-no-Yudokuro is exquisitely decorated, with traditional ikebana flower arrangements and printed haikus penned by the owner. There’s also a traditional garden and lunch service, with the specialty being buckwheat soba noodles.
This hidden gem is located at 3-41-1 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, and you can reach them by phone at +81-3-5916-3826.
Find Tranquility Amidst the Trees in Tennoji Temple
An oasis of Buddhist serenity amongst the din of busy Tokyo, the Tennoji Temple is an example of the Shintoist marriage between nature and faith. Tennoji was originally built in 1274 to house a Buddha made by a prominent nationalist monk.
It has a long and rich history, having housed different cults and even being closed for heresy. The temple houses a striking bronze Buddha statue, serving as a symbol of reverence and tranquility.
Once boasting a majestic 35-meter, five-story pagoda, the grounds still hold the remnants of this historic structure. After a fire in 1957 caused by two tragic lovers, only the granite foundations still stand.
The temple is completely engulfed by the Yanaka Cemetery, which acts as a magnificent and serene garden. Plus, it’s surrounded by a modern wall that compliments and contrasts with the centuries-old temple.
You can visit this marvelous attraction any time of the year free of charge at 7-14-8 Yanaka. If you want to keep exploring, you can find Anotherryuin temple south of the cemetery, still within its confines.
Find Wellness and Relaxation in Tokyo
Tokyo is a marvelous city, a testament to the ingenuity and progress of the Japanese people, and should be high on your bucket list. This post was just a taste of Tokyo, but remember that there is always more to find. Discover everything Tokyo has to offer in our luxury travel directory.