Review / Luxury private club Soho House opens in Aoyama, Tokyo’s trendiest neighbourhood

Aoyama is undoubtedly Tokyo’s most fashionable neighbourhood. Nestled between Harajuku, Shibuya and Daikanyama, the area is the city’s epicentre of cool. Home to independent boutiques, curated multi-brand stores and buzzy cafes, Aoyama attracts fashionable locals and in-the-know travellers. The upscale area, however, has always lagged behind places such as Shinjuku and Ginza when it comes to luxury accommodation. This is set to change with the long-awaited arrival of Soho House Tokyo, at least for members of the famous private club who can now make the Tokyo outpost their base in the city. Located on Aoyama Dori, a couple of blocks from Omotesando – the tree-lined avenue filled with landmark buildings housing the flagships of the world’s top luxury brands – Soho House Tokyo occupies part of the ground floor and four upper floors of Omotesando Grid Tower, a newly built high-rise. Its discreet entrance just off Aoyama Dori is easy to miss, but once you step inside you’ll recognise all the unmistakable design elements of Soho House. The happening lobby is decorated with artworks from Japan-based artists and, like its Hong Kong counterpart, features a bookshop from luxury publisher Taschen. A vending machine offers items such as beach towels and other sundries in a cute homage to Japan’s obsession with the selling device. The warmth of the decor extends to the 42 rooms, located on the 11th and 12th floors of the building. Featuring lovely balconies overlooking Tokyo Tower and the city’s skyline, the bedrooms are cosy and welcoming, eschewing the minimalist atmosphere of most luxury hotels these days. Tatami-patterned floors, paper lamps, kimono fabrics and lacquer pieces are nods to Japan’s traditional crafts. They’re mixed in with touches like rotary phones, vintage furniture, Marshall speakers and potted plants that give the spaces a lived-in and retro feel. Unsurprisingly, the common areas are the true heart of the property. Soho House Tokyo only opened last month, but on a recent visit, the place was buzzing with members busy at their laptops or taking meetings. The House Brasserie, the main restaurant, specialises in hearty fare such as chicken pot pie with morels and Japanese-inspired Western dishes like Unzen pork sausage rolls with a black garlic HP sauce. Edomae-style sushi is available at a sushi counter in the club lounge on the 13th floor. A beautiful wooden spiral staircase (or a quick lift ride) takes guests to the 14th floor, where an expansive terrace and heated pool are perfect for a lazy afternoon or sunset drinks. Also on the 14th floor, the club bar comes alive at night, when members can enjoy live jazz, DJ sets and cabaret performances. The property strangely lacks a proper gym but its wellness studio, equipped with Reformer machines, offers classes ranging from power yoga to Pilates and HIIT (high-intensity interval training). It also serves smoothies and traditional Japanese drinks like matcha and kombucha. Reflecting the global make-up of its members, Soho House Tokyo’s staff – clad in cool uniforms specially made by Japanese sneaker label Onitsuka Tiger – are always ready to help and provide tips to those new to the Japanese capital. Soho House, which earlier this year returned to private ownership after a long period as a public company, has a relatively small presence in Asia-Pacific, with properties in Hong Kong and Bangkok. The British-based company has cultivated plenty of members in the region, however, thanks to its Cities Without Houses programme, which allows selected individuals in locations without an actual club to become members and visit branches around the world. With plans to expand to Sydney and more cities in Asia, the company has solid plans for Asia. Its outpost in Tokyo – a world-class city and top destination among travellers from all over the world – is an important chapter in the history of a brand that more than any other has become synonymous with the rise and expansion of the modern-day private members’ club. The author stayed as a guest of Soho House Tokyo.

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Soho House’s Tokyo outpost brings luxury accommodation, rooftop pool views, a Taschen bookshop and a distinctly Japanese-Western sensibility

Soho House’s Tokyo outpost brings luxury accommodation, rooftop pool views, a Taschen bookshop and a distinctly Japanese-Western sensibility