We found one of Tokyo’s best hotel bars hidden behind a bookshelf

May 12, 2025

Don’t judge a book(shelf) by its cover.

Quiet luxury is something five-star hotels in Japan excel at. Taking cues from traditional Japanese architecture – where minimalism, natural materials and a connection to nature are at the core – hotels embrace a simple design. They don’t scream luxury, it’s whispered quietly in the finishes. The Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi is no different. In fact, it is home to one of the best sky-high bars in the city and you probably wouldn’t even know it.

Virtu is the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi’s signature bar. In 2024, it was ranked 11th in Asia’s 50 Best Bars and 42nd in The World’s 50 Best Bars lists. During a recent stay at hotel I made nabbing a booking at Virtu one of my top priorities. As soon as I checked in and got settled in my room I called the concierge and made a pre-dinner booking. The friendly Four Seasons staff member informed me that I’d be able to find Virtu on the 39th floor, next to the hotel’s French Michelin-starred restaurant, Est. Considering I just arrived and hadn’t yet explored the hotel I was grateful for the directions.

When it was time for my reservation, I headed down to the 39th floor and followed the ‘Virtu’ signs until they led me down a corridor flanked by bookshelves. Once I reached the end of the corridor I found myself at the entry of Est.

Confused, I walked back and checked the signs at the start of the corridor to ensure I was in the right place. I was. I walked down the corridor again only to end up in the same spot. Completely discombobulated, I finally swallowed my pride and asked the hostess at Est. where I could find Virtu. She kindly guided me a few steps back down the hallway to a little nook. On the right of the nook was a door and a dark chocolated-coloured sign that read ‘Virtu’. Feeling a little silly for missing it, I thanked the hostess as she opened the discreet door.

Upon walking in I assumed the bar would be small, a space that fits a handful of guests considering that I was entering from behind a bookshelf. Boy, was I surprised. Virtu looked otherworldly in comparison to the rest of the hotel. Abandoning the quiet luxury ethos, Virtu was bold and decadent. It looked like it had been plucked right out of Baz Luhrman’s The Great Gatsby.

Deep mahogany furnishings complement the flashy bar, which boasts floor-to-ceiling shelves that are lined with bottles of rare spirits from Japan and beyond. Channeling vintage New York, bartenders and mixologists are sharply dressed in red blazers and vests and black ties. Touches of gold throughout the bar add a touch of decadence, but didn’t steal guests attention from the fact that they’re on the 39th floor and one side of Vitru is a wall of glass that offers panoramic views of Tokyo’s skyline.

And the menu is just as impressive as the view. Virtu takes full advantage of the breadth of spirit making across Japan. From Sake Kubotabanju produced in Niigata to Haku Vodka from Osaka and Dry Yuzu Gin made south in Miyazaki, guests can get a taste of every corner of the island at Virtu. But, Virtu doesn’t limit itself to Japan. The menu also embraces ingredients from France. The signature cocktails are a perfect blend of Japanese and French ingredients and craft. Take the Virtu Martini, which is a balance of Japanese Gin, French Vermouth and Hinoki Bitter.

The French and Japanese fusion is not limited to the drinks menu. Dishes like the Paris x Tokyo Roll – tuna, Champagne vinegar white rice, pickled daikon, mimolette – and Caviar Takoyaki – octopus, Kristal Caviar, sour cream, dashi flour shell – perfectly marry the two cultures into bites unique to Virtu.

Hours can easily be spent sipping cocktails at Virtu, watching the colour of the sky change as the sun sets. In fact, they have a library of books you can choose from to sit back and read. Unfortunately for me, I had a dinner reservation to get to, which I contemplated cancelling but it was at the Four Seasons’ Michelin-starred French restaurant, Est, and I wasn’t missing that. But you can probably guess where I had my night cap.