Experience a tranquil retreat in Tokyo at this new boutique hotel

The Dinogo perspective

Unlike the shimmering skyline views from the numerous skyscraper hotels, the low-profile Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park offers a vista of Yoyogi Park, one of the city’s vast green spaces. Right across from the hotel, the park spreads out with a mosaic of cypress and camphor trees, where only a few towers peek above the treetops—an exceptional oasis in this sprawling metropolis of nearly 14 million.

For this latest gem in the local hotel collection, Trunk(Hotel) collaborated with the Tokyo-based architectural firm Keiji Ashizawa Design and Danish design studio Norm Architects. The outcome is a harmonious blend of Japanese and Scandinavian styles featuring washi paper lights and elegantly curved furniture in soft tones, enhancing the serene atmosphere. Yet, it’s not entirely peaceful: The rooftop boasts a park-view infinity pool and a vibrant lounge where you might mingle with Tokyo’s creative elite.

Who is it ideal for?

Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park features a Japandi-inspired design that design enthusiasts will truly admire. This cozy sanctuary serves as a perfect escape after a day spent navigating Tokyo’s bustling streets, offering a peaceful base for those who wish to experience the city’s vibrancy at their own pace. For travelers keen on immersing themselves in Tokyo’s shopping and nightlife, the hotel’s sibling, the original Trunk(Hotel) on the boutique-filled Cat Street, is the better choice. It’s equally stylish but buzzes with energy thanks to its popular co-working space and lively lobby bar. While Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park is family-friendly, you’ll often see children enjoying the pool; however, due to the compact nature of the rooms, it’s more ideal for couples and solo travelers.

The setting

Though the hotel is assigned a Shibuya postal code, don’t be misled. Located in the low-rise Tomigaya neighborhood, the hotel feels worlds away from the bright neon lights and crowded crosswalks typical of Shibuya. This area represents Tokyo’s slower pace, with a network of traffic-free streets filled with hidden sake bars, cozy izakayas, and numerous trendy concept shops. (The Tokyo branch of the lifestyle magazine Monocle is just around the corner.)

Yoyogi Park is also nearby, with its walking paths just a 10-minute walk from the hotel lobby, while the Meiji Shrine is a leisurely 20-minute stroll away. If Tomigaya and Yoyogi become too serene for your taste, the vibrant chaos of downtown Shibuya is only about 15 minutes away on foot.

The accommodations

Featuring just 25 rooms and suites across five levels, the hotel is a snug sanctuary. Each room is characterized by clean lines and adorned from floor to ceiling in a calming blend of cream and ash-blond woods, accented by touches of copper and textured concrete. Many rooms include a plant-filled balcony (the 20 rooms facing Yoyogi Park are particularly sought after), while all offer spacious showers and open-plan bathrooms. The suites, which feature a separate living area and an additional balcony, provide more room to spread out, and the penthouse-like Owner’s Suite on the rooftop boasts an unbeatable mix of private outdoor spaces, a bright living room, and an indoor-outdoor bathroom.

Amenities are the kind you wish you could take home. Trunk(Hotel) collaborated with Japanese artisans to create everything from custom leather shoehorns by Fabric, a well-known leather studio in Tokyo’s Shitamachi area, to DND door tags illustrated by Akina Haga. Notable eco-friendly features include soft wool blankets made from recycled clothing yarn and bathroom cups and coasters crafted from leftover tile remnants.

Culinary offerings

Pizzeria e Trattoria L’Ombelico, the hotel’s all-day dining venue, occupies much of the airy ground floor. The menu, crafted by chef Yu Inoue of the popular Tokyo trattoria L’Arte in Sangenjaya, features a pan-Italian selection, including seafood platters, salumi (Italian cured meats), and Neapolitan pizzas topped with fresh mozzarella, all baked in a copper-clad oven. The restaurant has quickly gained a following among locals, which is a strong indicator of its quality in a city known for its culinary excellence, especially in the pizza realm. It does tend to fill up, so reservations are recommended if you want a table on the outdoor terrace, perfect for morning people-watching.

Breakfast is also served here, with a menu featuring classic options like scrambled eggs, salmon Benedict, and vanilla-infused French toast, alongside health-conscious dishes such as kale and quinoa salads and yogurt bowls with granola. Guests can choose to have breakfast served at the poolside lounge upstairs, which later transforms into a vibrant seafood destination featuring Japanese and imported oysters, as well as crab and lobster served on ice. These are complemented by innovative drinks made with unusual ingredients like aquafaba (chickpea water), Fuji apple puree, and cucumber-basil-olive oil infused vodka. As someone who prefers to keep my alcohol intake light, I appreciated that the non-alcoholic drinks are just as imaginative, including blends of kombucha, tonic, and ginger ale.

Service and staff

The knowledgeable staff is a blend of fashionable locals and young expatriates from around the world. Their warm and casual service mirrors the hotel's relaxed atmosphere, though at times it could have been a bit more proactive—particularly in the restaurant, where I waited about 30 minutes for my breakfast to be served on both mornings of my stay.

Accessibility Features

The lobby and ground-floor restaurant are step-free, and an elevator provides access to all levels. However, there are no rooms specifically designed for guests with disabilities.

Relax and Refresh

Don’t forget your swimsuit—and lots of sunscreen! While there’s no gym on-site, the rooftop pool is perfect for swimming laps or enjoying a leisurely afternoon with a good book. If you're looking for a more rigorous workout, the staff can guide you to the best jogging paths around Yoyogi Park, humorously labeled as a “BIG GYM” on the hotel’s elevator control panel.