Ginza Ittoku: A Hidden Sanctuary of Japanese Tradition and Opulence
Where Ancient Craftsmanship Meets Modern Luxury
When it comes to discovering Japan’s most exclusive luxuries, few places can rival the refinement and mystique of Ginza Ittoku. Tucked away in the heart of Tokyo’s Ginza district, this private, members-only salon has quickly earned a reputation among celebrities, business moguls, prominent politicians, and VIPs from around the world.
From its painstakingly detailed interiors that echo Japan’s Azuchi–Momoyama period splendor, to its unrivaled dedication to preserving centuries-old craftsmanship, Ginza Ittoku offers a uniquely immersive journey into Japanese tradition and artistry—one that can only be experienced through membership or personal invitation.
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
What Is Ginza Ittoku?
Overview
Opened in 2015, Ginza Ittoku (銀座一徳) is a high-end, members-only salon frequented by notable figures across politics, business, sports, art, and entertainment. Within just a few years of opening, it started attracting many distinguished guests from Japan and abroad.
The salon embodies the concept of “inheriting and protecting Japan’s tradition and technique,” weaving together the grandeur of the past with the comfort and luxury of the present.
Concept and History
Ginza Ittoku’s roots are grounded in the ambition to bring an all-Japanese aesthetic into Tokyo’s most cosmopolitan district. While Ginza is renowned for its dazzling chandeliers and grand pianos, the founders of Ginza Ittoku saw an opportunity to create something unlike any other: an intimate space that feels like stepping into the pages of Kyoto’s imperial history—complete with national treasures and art so rare it’s never been publicly displayed.
The salon’s construction alone took 1 year and 4 months, while the overall design concept and planning spanned over eight years.
Popularity Among Influential Figures
This commitment to authenticity and the use of prized Japanese craftsmanship has drawn luminaries from every corner of the globe. Musicians, actors, world-class athletes, leading politicians, and top-tier business leaders flock to Ginza Ittoku for both its exclusivity and its transformative ambiance.
With its strict membership system and face-recognition entry protocols, you can rest assured that your privacy and security remain paramount.
Facilities and Interior Design
A 300-Million-Yen Masterpiece
The sumptuously appointed interior of Ginza Ittoku cost a staggering 300 million yen to create. Every inch of the 27-tsubo (approximately 89-square-meter) space reflects Japanese artisanship at its finest—filled with exquisite gold leaf fusuma (sliding doors), painstakingly reproduced ceiling murals from Kyoto’s historic Nijo Castle, and a lustrous lacquer floor crafted by the same expert team who renovated Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion).
Azuchi–Momoyama Grandeur
Ginza Ittoku resurrects the luxurious spirit of the Azuchi–Momoyama period (late 16th century). The walls shimmer with gold foil restored by national treasure restorers; the regal ambiance evokes the feeling of being inside an exclusive art gallery.
The salon’s lead designer, Noriaki Mukasa (向笠 謹明), is an award-winning figure in the realm of Japanese spatial design, further ensuring that every detail resonates with authenticity and splendor.
Magnificent Rooms: The “Tenjoubito no Ma” and the “Houou no Ma”
Tenjoubito no Ma (殿上人の間): Decorated with reproductions of important cultural property, such as the “Bamboo Grove with Tigers” and “Pine & Hawk” motifs from Nijo Castle, this room features a dramatic fold-up coffered ceiling and a floor made of genuine black lacquer—perfectly reflecting the spectacular fusuma paintings above.
Houou no Ma (鳳凰の間): Dominated by the commanding presence of the “Kiri-Take-Houou-zu” (Paulownia, Bamboo, and Phoenix) fusuma paintings, this room houses an imposing suit of samurai armor crafted by masters from Kagoshima and a rare, custom-made imperial throne by Morishige (furniture purveyor to the Japanese Imperial Household).
Entrance, Nio Guardians, and Edo Kiriko
Upon arrival, guests are greeted by towering Nio statues, carved from 400-year-old Kiso cypress. These guardian figures, believed to ward off evil spirits and negative energy, are a testament to the salon’s dedication to spiritual as well as aesthetic authenticity.
Inside, the ceiling glistens with radiant Edo Kiriko glass, meticulously hand-cut and polished to create dazzling geometric patterns—yet another symbol of Japan’s enduring artisanal legacy.
Imperial-Grade Furniture
Throughout the salon, every piece of furniture—chairs, sofas, tables—comes from Morishige, the royal purveyor for the Japanese Imperial Household. The plush, durable upholstery, the subtle sheen of lacquer finishes, and the refined silhouettes all combine to offer the epitome of comfort and sophistication.
*This content was originally published on Japan Web Magazine (https://jw-webmagazine.com/ginza-ittoku/) on April 16, 2025 and is republished here for our newsletter readers.