Jean-Michel Gathy has been appointed by Aman to lead the interior design of Janu Tokyo, which is set to open in Autumn 2023.

The much-anticipated Modern Urban Village, Azabudai Hills, is an 8.1-hectare lifestyle hub surrounded by green spaces and a focus on wellbeing, in synergy with the values of the new Janu brand, which seeks to nurture purposeful connection and to bring people together. Under the supervision and leadership of Gathy, the 13-storey Janu Tokyo will comprise 122 guestrooms – ranging from 55m2 Deluxe Rooms to the 284m2 Janu Suite – the majority with private balconies offering views of Tokyo Tower or surrounding gardens.

Translated as ‘soul’ in Sanskrit, Janu will deliver an elevated guest experience akin to Aman, while providing a spirited social scene in contrast to Aman’s whisper-quiet seclusion. Through Janu’s appreciation of cuisine, art, design and service, Janu Tokyo will reflect and celebrate the city’s rich cultural fabric.

Bringing a contemporary and creative zest for life to Azabudai Hills’ hospitality scene, Janu Tokyo will be home to six restaurants as well as a bar, lounge and garden terrace. Each will exude the Janu brand’s signature energy inspired by connection, balance and exploration, including a patisserie, an Italian food emporium and a grill restaurant complete with an open kitchen and bar. The property will also house two Japanese restaurants, the first serving sushi and the second a sumibiyaki menu, as well as a Chinese restaurant and a host of private dining venues.

Spanning over 4,000m2, the Janu Wellness Centre will be one of the largest wellness facilities of any luxury hotel in Tokyo. Entirely rethinking the idea of balance, and with a social wellness and goal setting concept at its core, the space goes above and beyond the common notions of spa with a contemporary take on traditional wellness beliefs. On property, group classes and shared experiences will be realised through a range of facilities including five movement studios offering spinning, boxing, yoga, Pilates and simulated golf training. Additional facilities will include seven treatment rooms and a large gym equipped with functional and circuit training equipment. An extensive hydrotherapy and thermal area, centred around a 25m heated lap pool, will also have a separate Lounge Pool, traditionally a place for socialising in Japan, as well as two Spa Houses.

Following the arrival of Janu Tokyo, Aman is set to debut the brand in Europe with Janu Montenegro in 2024. Designed by Elastic Architects, the property will again take cues from its surroundings, with the architecture mimicking the bold lines and curves of the nearby mountains and sea coastline. “We have created two distinct areas and reference sites on the landscape, which delimit the structured and unstructured environment with ambiguous boundaries,” say Elastic Architects. “This results in a combination of transparency and depth while a connection with the forest affects all activities.” The apartment buildings will follow the mountain form with the continuous recesses sculptured on the building’s frame, while the hotel will represent the sea.