Image courtesy of Aman Kyoto
In many ways, Aman was meant for Japan. (Although its first hotel was the resplendent Amanpuri, in Phuket, Thailand.) The company’s peaceful, minimalist and tastefully restrained aesthetic mirrors Japan’s design acumen: clean lines, symmetry, geometric shapes, soothing palettes.
There are three Aman hotels in Japan — Aman Tokyo, Amanemu and Aman Kyoto — plus Janu Tokyo, a newcomer to the Aman scene. (Think of Janu as Aman’s playful little sister.) Whether you visit one or all of them, you’re in for the type of hotel experience that cannot be replicated. Aman is cut from a different cloth; this is especially true for Aman Japan. (Although I highly encourage sampling Aman’s other Asia properties.)
Below is a sample Aman Japan itinerary. You can easily stay at each property during your trip, or you can pick and choose. Connect with me for a tailored itinerary. Regardless, prepare to be blown away.
Aman Tokyo
Image courtesy of Aman Tokyo
Aman Tokyo, housed in the Otemachi Tower, was the brand's first urban hotel. It’s a short walk away from the famed Tokyo Station, and is a perfect homebase from which to explore the urban landscape. (Most Aman properties are located in more off-the-beaten path locales; Amangiri, for instance, occupies the blissfully remote Utah desert.) But as soon as you set foot inside, you’ll immediately forget that you’re, in fact, in one of the world’s major metropolises. The hotel entrance is arguably one of the best in the world: the lobby, a seven-story atrium, is designed to resemble a Japanese paper lantern. Natural elements — stone, wood, the well-placed plant — lend a softness to the otherwise sleek decor.
Aman Tokyo is perfect for couples. Each of its 84 suites are generously sized and luxuriously appointed — heated stone floors in the bathrooms, panoramic city views, a sunken modern lounge area. All guests have access to the hotel spa’s onsen-style bathing facilities, steam rooms and swimming pool. Make sure you allow time for a proper spa treatment, too. Expert therapists employing natural ingredients and Japanese technique will leave you feeling thoroughly rejuvenated — physically and emotionally.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily for two, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Janu Tokyo
Image courtesy of Janu Tokyo
If you’re traveling with children, consider Janu Tokyo, a warmer, more family-friendly alternative to Aman Tokyo. The modern hotel exists within the city’s Azabudai Hills development, a luxe city-within-a-city between Tokyo’s bustling Minato and Chiyoda neighborhoods. There are numerous connecting rooms at Janu, as well as an array of food-and-beverage options that cater to a wider range of ages.
Janu is a newer concept from the Aman brand. It embraces more playfulness — a bit more energy and edge — than its minimalist older sibling. Both Aman and Janu are still the best of the best in terms of luxury, but with distinct vibes. A Fora Advisor will help you determine which brand and property is best for you and your travel style.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily for two, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Amanemu
Image courtesy of Amanemu
For the next stop on your Aman Japan itinerary, head to Amanemu. This sprawling retreat is located in Ise-Shima, south of Nagoya, in a forested expanse near Ago Bay. Amanemu is the brand’s Japanese hot-springs property: it’s rural, coastal, secluded and designed to evoke a traditional ryokan. Wellness is emphasized here, and you’d be remiss if you didn’t spend ample time luxuriating in the property’s mineral-spring-fed onsen baths of its signature Aman Spa. Kampo, a healing practice that draws from the medicinal powers of herbs, informs the spa’s holistic treatments and immersive programs. Spa journeys change with the seasons (their spa ingredients are locally sourced, after all), and guests get to choose from a range of experiences ranging from multi-day journeys to targeted facials and massages.
The wellness component also extends to the food. Savor exceptionally fresh seafood. You even have the option to catch it yourself before having Amanemu’s chef transform the fruits of your labor into an exquisite meal. Another notable experience is a day spent with the ama, local female free-divers. Venture out with these experts and enjoy lunch with them at a traditional amagoya.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily for two, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Aman Kyoto
Images courtesy of Aman Kyoto
Aman Kyoto is the perfect natural conclusion to your Aman Japan itinerary. Kyoto is vastly different from the bustling Tokyo. From the city’s center, you have far easier access to rural Japan: lush forests, tranquil foothills, mountains. There’s also a stronger emphasis on traditional culture in Kyoto. (Indeed, Kyoto is home to over a dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites like captivating shrines, castles and temples.)
Aman Kyoto is found in the city’s woodsy environs. The grounds are impressive, atmospheric and inspiring: it’s an ancient forest populated with neon-green moss, rocks, ample walking paths and trails. It feels akin to a medieval cloister. The area is especially lovely in the fall, when 4,000 Japanese maples transform into a sea of oranges, yellows and reds.
Onsen bathing is highly recommended here as well, as are the holistic spa treatments inspired by ancient wisdom. Don’t miss Aman Kyoto’s specialty, a Shiatsu massage. Complement the treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion.
The hotel also shines when it comes to immersive cultural experiences. (And Kyoto is the ideal place to really discover Japanese culture.) Meditate with a Buddhist monk, learn Ikebana (the art of flower arranging), design your own miniature Japanese garden, bike to ancient temples — one-of-a-kind activities abound.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily for two, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.