TSUKI Tokyo

"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? A little steel tower squeezed into a mosaic of rectangular buildings near the centrally located Ginza district, Tsuki's facade—a silvery skin that looks like crinkled paper mache—hides one of the best values in the entire megalopolis. What's the backstory? Just opened at the end of 2019, Tsuki is was designed by a small firm consisting of architects with Kengo Kuma and Jun Aoki pedigree. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? Every day we pray that the fad of replacing bathtubs with austere showering zones will stop. Travel can be tiring—especially if you're tackling a new city and want to explore every corner—and kicking back for a soothing soak is just what the doctor ordered after a long day. Fortunately, the brand-new Tsuki is prioritizing all things Japanese, which means a cypress furo, or soaking tub, in many of the rooms—it's well worth the upgrade charge. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? Free wifi, naturally. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? Tsuki takes its sake as seriously as some of the top bars and breweries in Japan. Enthusiasts will get to sample of the some of its most obscure varieties while going deep on the nuances of the fermentation process. Even new initiates will leave wanting to stock their suitcase full of rice-y tipples. And the service? You can expect a heck of a lot of omotenashi—Japanese rulebook hospitality—when you check in. What type of travelers will you find here? Savvy travelers wanting more than just four walls and a window into Japanese culture. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? Near the old grounds of Tsukiji Market, the world's most famous seafood depot, the similarly named hotel hopes to keep travelers' eyes on the area. Not to be missed are the serene gardens of Hama Rikyu, which practically feel like a visceral extension of the property, with their purposefully placed pond stones and quiet wooden tea houses. Is there anything you'd change? We wish there were more rooms—this place is prone to filling up fast. Any other hotel features worth noting? You can sign up for time at the private furo—the cypress bathing tub—if you don't have one in your room. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? The careful attention to (Japanese) detail makes this a standout in its price bracket." - Brandon Presser