FITA Magazine

Hyatt Regency Tokyo
The Japan’s Artists’ Hotel

26 June 2025 / 10:36 / 6 min read
Article by Francisca Gigante and Francisco Teles da Gama



Photograph © Hyatt Regency Tokyo



The FITA Magazine team travelled to Japan to present its latest volume, Floating Waters, at EXPO 2025 Osaka. Before heading to the Kansai region, we set out to explore Tokyo, one of the world’s great metropolises and a vital stage for architecture, design, and contemporary art.

    We knew we had to stay in a special place that allowed us not just to witness but to breathe the art that pulses through every corner of the city. A space that felt both eclectic and immersed in creativity. That place, almost inevitably, was the Hyatt Regency Tokyo in Shinjuku, a forty-five-year history hotel where every artist feels instantly at home.



Photographs © Hyatt Regency Tokyo



The Artists Among Us

At the entrance of the Hyatt Regency Tokyo, we were welcomed by Yuta Okuda’s Neo-Bonsai, two vibrant works that immediately set the tone of our stay in Japan. Born in Aichi Prefecture, Okuda originally trained in fashion design, but his recent pivot to the art world has been met with wide acclaim. His paintings, often described as floral offerings, burst with spontaneous colour while remaining grounded in the precision of intricate penwork. In this unlikely setting, stepping into a majestic lobby after a long flight, Okuda’s work transforms travel-weariness into reverie, marrying bold expression with delicate detail.

    Behind the counters, just after presenting our passports, we encounter Kobai Nioi, a quartet of luminous works by Ai Kumehara. Infused with the delicate fragrance of red plum blossoms, these works conjure an intangible atmosphere. Employing the urasai-shiki technique, Kumehara layers vibrant washes of colour on washi paper, producing subtle gradations that shift from soft pinks to deep blues. The effect is immersive. It feels as we could step right into the tranquil, timeless landscape of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden.

    To the left, Crossing Views by Masae Matsumura delivers a jolt of energy. The bold acrylic abstract painting is a feast for the eyes. Its vivid interplay of red, pink, and white mirrors the emotional contrasts of Tokyo itself: order and chaos, stillness and motion, concrete, and greenery. With each layered stroke, Matsumura captures the rhythm of a city that quickly becomes our compass, guiding us through an unfamiliar yet electrifying urban landscape.

    After exploring the vibrant Shinjuku district of Tokyo, where the Hyatt Regency Tokyo is located, we return to Shinkyo 2025, a contemplative sumi-e panel by Keiko Arai, a Tokyo-born ink wash artist. Crafted on Echizen washi handmade by third-generation masters Heisaburo and Ichibei Iwano, the work resonates with layered memories of ink and craftsmanship. It connects past and present, sending waves that ripple long after we are gone.

    From Kyoto, Yui Higashibata, raised in a family of urushi lacquer artisans, presents Shuryu, a contemporary piece that imagines a gathering place where time and culture converge. Melding tradition with modernity, Shuryu transforms the Hyatt Regency Tokyo into a sanctuary for artists and travelers alike, fostering an ongoing dialogue between heritage and innovation.

    Commissioned for the recently renovated Hyatt Regency Tokyo, these works form more than a curated collection. They create a living, breathing environment. Together, they transform the space into an immersive arrival experience, one where art becomes both welcome and guide.



Photographs © Hyatt Regency Tokyo

The Lobby and the Nineteen Eighty Lounge & Bar

We stepped into the lobby and were immediately struck by its grandeur and Art Deco elegance, a masterful homage to Shinjuku Station that symbolises the ebb and flow of the hotel’s guests. At the heart of the space stands a monumental clock, commanding attention, while three towering chandeliers descend across eight floors, adorned with 115,000 shimmering Swarovski crystals. This stunning transformation was crafted in collaboration with the acclaimed hospitality design firm G.A. Group.

    The soft notes of jazz drift through the room, evoking Tokyo’s enduring artistic spirit. It’s impossible not to recall the 1970s, when Haruki Murakami opened the now-legendary Peter Cat jazz bar, a haven for emerging artists of the time.

The entire space was recently renovated, reopening on 24 April 2025 with the debut of the Nineteen Eighty Lounge & Bar, an ideal setting for a signature cocktail. We were particularly charmed by the Kakishibu, a nuanced blend of cognac, persimmon and apricot liqueur, lemon juice, and a foaming agent, a drink that somehow captures the soul of Shinjuku in a single sip.

    We also had the pleasure of tasting the Mountain, a bittersweet mix of mezcal, Campari, grapefruit liqueur, fresh grapes, and lemon, served on block ice in a rocks glass with a cypress aroma, an evocative taste of faraway landscapes.





Photographs © Hyatt Regency Tokyo



The Room with a View

After an exhausting journey of nearly 20 hours from Lisbon, we were eager to retreat to our rooms for some well-deserved rest. We ascended in an exceptionally elegant lift, which featured a window offering panoramic views stretching from the bar all the way to Tokyo’s stunning cityscape.

    Inside the rooms, the same care was taken to showcase this endless vista, a view that draws you in, sparking a growing desire to explore every corner of the city. Each room is designed with equal dimensions, ensuring every guest enjoys the same sense of community and comfort.

    After our long journey, we were delighted to find a coffee machine in the room, allowing us to savour a rare treat in Japan, a freshly brewed espresso. The room’s décor is impeccable, featuring a traditional Japanese lantern-style lamp, a spacious desk, and a large bed and bathroom. In short: everything an artist needs to create in peace, surrounded by inspiration and verve.

    Once refreshed, we set out to witness Tokyo’s beauty firsthand, though not before visiting the top floor, home to a fully equipped gym. From there, we caught a glimpse of the city’s finest panorama, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo standing proudly as one of Shinjuku’s tallest landmarks.



Photograph © FITA Magazine 


The Inspiring Breakfast

The following morning, we had the pleasure of indulging in a sumptuous breakfast. Chefs prepared everything fresh to order, offering the finest of Japanese cuisine alongside more familiar dishes tailored to our palates, a fabulous blend of flavours.

    The variety was impressive: we savoured miso soup, smoked salmon, omelettes, roasted beef, fish, and an array of other delicious offerings. The fresh juices were exceptional, featuring unique flavours to suit every taste.

    Our breakfast lingered longer than expected, as we simply could not tear ourselves away from that iconic space, brimming with exclusive and unforgettable flavours.

    We eagerly await our return to the Hyatt Regency Tokyo, a place where art, culture, and comfort intertwine to create unforgettable moments. If you seek a destination that inspires creativity and awakens the senses, this is where your journey begins. Book your stay and discover Tokyo through the eyes of its artists.