Review: TRUNK(HOTEL) Yoyogi Park

Why book?

The wedding juggernaut, responsible for the proliferation of the popular TRUNK brand in Tokyo, has done it again—and this is their best accommodation yet, already famous throughout the city for its lofted infinity pool (open year-round) yawning over the leafy canopy of Yoyogi Park.

The backstory

An event venue and planning service first and foremost, TRUNK’s incredible popularity as a hotel venue has encouraged its founder to expand throughout Japan’s capital, first with TRUNK(HOTEL) Cat Street, set within the street- and outdoor-wear Mecca just beyond the epicenter of roaring Shibuya, then TRUNK(HOUSE)—an incredible, single-room hotel located along the cobblestone alleys of Kagurazaka.

The rooms

“Copenhagen chic” is the prevailing style in all of the rooms—and throughout the hotel—with a tempting swatch book of greige. If you’re opting for an entry-level room, pay the extra coins for a view of the park instead of the backstreets—the square footage is limited; the views of the sky and trees lend a feeling of spaciousness. Take special note of the more colorful pieces of art on the different walls—it was created by special-needs artists through a special not-for-profit initiative; they’re available for purchase.

Food and drink

The TRUNK(POOL CLUB) is a guests-only space on the sixth floor for breakfast next to the inviting infinity pool and hot tub. In the evening it transforms into an oyster bar complete with a shortlist of cocktails. The ground-floor restaurant caters to the neighborhood with designer cappuccinos and hand-tossed pizzas, but it’s hard to ignore Fuglen—one of Tokyo’s most popular cafe-cum-bars, a half-block around the corner.

The neighborhood/area

Beyond overexposed Shinjuku and Harajuku, you may have heard of Shimokitazawa or Nakameguro, and Tomigaya is just as cool but without the international buzz. Cafes, bars, homeware stores and hair salons are chock-a-block along the area’s pedestrian-friendly streets and alleys, and you’re one metro stop away from some of the most popular attractions in town like Meiji Jingu or Shibuya Scramble.

The service

The request from headquarters to provide decidedly casual hospitality often comes off as obtuse, especially in a city known for its courteous polish.

Anything left to mention?

If they’re fully booked, try for one of the 15 rooms at the TRUNK(HOTEL) Cat Street nearby, the slightly older sister property with a legion of cool locals who regularly hangout in the lobby’s cafe and bar.