Photos: Courtesy of Aman
These two sister establishments—or, if you prefer, hospitality icons—are harmoniously in sync. Following the first Aman opening in Tokyo a decade ago, the renowned luxury hotel group has launched the much-anticipated Janu hotel, a 13-story marvel of refined wonders located in Japan’s tallest building, designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners, in the Azabudai Hills area. As the sole hotel in this complex, Janu is tailored for a young and sophisticated clientele.
In Sanskrit, “Aman” means peace, while “Janu” signifies the essence of the soul, and as Vlad Doronin, Chairman, CEO, and Owner of Aman Group, states, «If Aman is a sanctuary, Janu reflects the social side of life». To bring this vision to life, Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects, known for his love of functional aesthetics and perfection, has been enlisted. At Janu, he has interwoven elegance with tranquility, crafting spaces where mind, body, and soul can meet and thrive.
This philosophy is evident in the lobby, an architectural fusion of French and Japanese elements and Italian marble, boasting three distinct entrances. It also resonates in the 122 rooms and suites, awash with natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows and imbued with a timeless zen ambience highlighted by soft colors and subtle nods to Japanese design. Walls feature traditional hand-applied plaster techniques, wardrobe dividers are inspired by shoji screens (rice paper doors), and bedside lamps accentuate a semi-pleated surface when lit, echoing the beauty of traditional Japanese lanterns.
The blend of East and West, of Japanese culture and nature, continues in the hotel’s green spaces, which not only purify the air but create a sense of suspended tranquility—a prelude to relaxation in the Spa areas. Spanning 4,000 square meters, it houses Tokyo’s largest gym, a pool, treatment rooms, and thermal baths both hot and cold, where European aesthetics meld with Asian elements. Dining options, totaling eight restaurants, balance social interaction with intimacy.
While the Italian Janu Mercato seats 151 guests open all day around a central giant ficus overlooking a glass wall, Sumi offers a modern take on sumibiyaki, traditional charcoal grilling, and the ultra-intimate sushi Iigura (with just ten seats) lets guests dine at a table or bar, omakase-style, in a direct encounter with the chef.
The Aman Residences, opened a couple of years ago in the same skyscraper by Pelli Studio, are themselves a notable experience. Positioned on the building’s top eleven floors, the 91 apartments are Yabu Pushelberg’s design, bridging Asian style with European influences and natural elements. Earth, fire, water, and air define the aesthetic from the private entrance—featuring a dedicated elevator and a suspended sculpture over a pond.
Throughout, a soft palette of natural and earthy tones serves as the perfect backdrop for numerous artworks and the serene geometry of Japanese design. Residents enjoy exclusive access to a variety of social spaces: from lounge to bar, dining room to tea room, reading room, and game room. Not forgetting the indispensable Spa, with a pool framed by colorful sculptural columns, offering a “temple of serenity” atmosphere in true Aman style.
