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★專業/深度/睿見資訊盡在醫療旅遊
距東京舉辦2020年夏季奧運會只有一年多的時間，現在是時候讓旅行者計劃參加體育比賽，開始思考他們的住宿計劃了。
all photo：CNN
尤其是那些尋求一種獨特的日本豪華體驗的人。
在這方面領先的是酒店品牌星野集團旗下的東京星野屋。
這不是一家精品酒店。它也不是豪華酒店。
▲坐落在首都大田町（Otemachi）附近的政治和金融區，靠近皇宮。
東京星野屋的核心是日式旅館。
高檔日式旅館在日本的大城市並不常見。它們更多地與遠離城市街道的自然環境聯繫在一起——靠近海洋或是與山巒地貌。
▲前臺：該大廳坐落在酒店的二樓。
▲這座黑塔樓高17層，共有84間客房，黑色的塔樓輕鬆地淹沒在摩天大樓所包圍的周圍環境，你嘲笑東京星野屋有什麼傳統或旅館的想法是可以原諒的。
直到您體驗由建築公司Azuma創造的充滿體貼的設計元素為止。
例如，星野屋東京的外觀是由傳統和服上的圖案組成的金屬格。
但是，除非您是客人，否則不允許外部訪客進入。
多個小型日式旅館的集成
沒有一個站著戴著白手套的門衛，大而華麗的入口，汽車可以駛入。——但計程車司機一般找不到這個地方。
走進一間由單根柏樹製成的日式旅館巨大的入口門後，一名工作人員出現在現場，確認您的預訂。然後，您需要脫鞋，以保護鋪滿整個酒店的帶有香味的榻榻米地板。
▲被認為是東京頂級豪華旅館的東京星野屋的客人必須脫鞋，進入時將其存放在左側的竹製鞋盒中。
每個樓層都有自己的中央休息室——或ochanoma——給每個樓層的六個房間的客人共享。這是因為東京星野屋的設計讓您感覺像幾個迷你旅館。
▲住客可以自助享用免費點心，例如時令茶，咖啡，清酒，啤酒和小吃。
共有3種客房可供選擇，面積從40到49平方米不等：Sakura櫻花（豪華大床房或豪華雙人房），Yuri尤裡（角落豪華大床房子）和Kiku菊庫（行政三人房）。
所有這些都將高科技和現代風格的家具與日本傳統設計元素相結合——包括經典的shoji屏風。
▲一間櫻花房，包括一張餐桌，桌子和一張大沙發。床上是蒲團風格——但配有豪華的床上用品。
早餐在客房內供應——客人可以選擇西餐或日本料理。
這是一家日式旅館，可以在您的衣櫥中找到一套和服。當您穿著襪子腳踩在竹和檀香香味的榻榻米地板上用餐時，將它們穿著會增加日式旅館的氛圍。
其他客人呢？
這是一個為隱私，放鬆和安靜而設計的地方，以至於您常常會覺得自己是建築物中的唯一客人——這可能並不適合所有人。
▲傳統藝術：在二樓，客人還可以欣賞各種日本傳統表演以及清酒和茶品品嘗會。
二樓的主大廳可能是可以看到同伴的唯一地方，在該區域，客人可以在這裡參與展示日本傳統藝術的各個方面，如抹茶茶道或古典音樂，以及品酒會。
這種受歡迎的孤獨感也延伸到了酒店的一家未命名的餐廳。
它位於地下室，只有六張榻榻米墊腳的私人房間，配有桌子和座位，以及一個由四張桌子和一個櫃檯組成的開放空間。
這家餐廳的多道菜來自屢獲殊榮的大廚Noriyuki Hamada，這使當地美食家大為懊惱。因為僅限來賓才能享用到。
食客可品嘗到一系列被稱為「日本料理」的精美菜餚。根據度假村的說法，這是「一種以魚為食的烹飪風格——日式旅館的常見主食，也是日本烹飪文化中的一個關鍵要素」，並且是使用法國技術烹製的。
露天浸泡
這是一家日式旅館，當然還有一個內部溫泉（溫泉沐浴區）。通過東京街頭地下1500米處的管道輸水。
如果不是因為大廚Noyyuki令人難忘的美食，我們甚至可以說這是東京星野屋的明星景點。
溫泉位於頂樓，設有男女洗手間，每間都有通過隧道連接的室內和室外區域。
▲溫泉包括露天區。
像許多日本溫泉一樣，紋身也需要掩蓋——考慮到您需要裸泳，這是一個挑戰。但是酒店員工很樂意提供肉色的貼紙來覆蓋您的墨水。
沒有健身中心，需要鍛鍊的客人可以在附近的建築物中使用健身房，或者在環繞皇宮的五公裡步道上跑步。
然而，酒店內的水療中心提供各種按摩和其他治療。
星野走向全球
東京星野屋成功地在世界上人口最多的城市之一中建立一個和平庇護所的成功嘗試不足為奇。
星野渡假村已經有一個多世紀歷史了。是星野邦治（Kuniji Hoshino）於1904年成立，是他開設的第一個溫泉勝地。
該品牌長期以來一直被日本旅客所熟悉，現在才開始將其獨特的款待風格帶到到國際市場。
除了全國各地的30多家酒店，包括旗艦店星野屋渡假村和幾個子品牌外，星野於2017年初在烏布開設了星野屋峇里島酒店。
奢華的溫泉度假勝地星野谷關店（Hoshinoya Guguan）將於今年晚些時候在中國臺灣臺中開業。＊
Hoshinoya Tokyo: Japan's most luxurious urban ryokan
With just over a year till Tokyo hosts the 2020 Summer Olympics, now's the time for travelers planning to take in the sporting action live to start thinking about their accommodation plans.
Particularly those looking for a one-of-a-kind Japanese luxury experience.
Leading the charge in this regard is Hoshinoya Tokyo, owned by hospitality brand Hoshino Resorts.
It isn't a boutique hotel. Nor is it a luxury hotel.
Located in the capital's Otemachi neighborhood -- the political and financial district, near the Imperial Palace -- Hoshinoya Tokyo is at its core a ryokan (Japanese inn).
High-end ryokans aren't common in Japan's big cities. They're more associated with natural settings far from urban streets -- near oceans or against backdrops of mountainous landscapes.
With 17 floors filled with 84 rooms in a black tower that easily blends into its skyscraper-filled surroundings, you could be forgiven for scoffing at the idea there's anything traditional or inn-like about Hoshinoya Tokyo.
Until you experience the thoughtful design elements created by architecture firm Azuma that fill its spaces.
For instance, Hoshinoya Tokyo's exterior is cased in a metal lattice made up of patterns traditionally found on kimonos.
But unless you're a guest, that's where the tour comes to an end. Outside visitors are not allowed in.
Several mini ryokans in one
There's no large, flashy entrance helmed by a white-gloved doorman where cars can pull in. (Our taxi driver let us out on the road, across the street, as he just couldn't find the place.)
Upon stepping through the ryokan's enormous entryway door, made from a single cut of cypress, a single staff member appears on the scene to confirm your booking. You're then asked to remove shoes to protect the scented tatami flooring that blankets the property.
Footwear is placed in bamboo lockers, ready to be accessed when you leave this fortress of calm to brave the busy streets of Tokyo, before you're escorted to your room.
Each floor has its own central lounge -- or ochanoma -- that's shared by guests of the six rooms on each floor. This is because Hoshinoya Tokyo was designed to feel like several mini ryokans in one.
Guests can help themselves to complimentary refreshments such as seasonal teas, coffee, sake, beer and snacks.
There are three room options available, ranging in size from 40-49 square meters: Sakura (deluxe king or deluxe twin), Yuri (corner deluxe king) and Kiku (executive triple).
All combine high-tech and contemporary furnishings with traditional Japanese design elements -- classic shoji screens included.
We stayed in the Kiku option, a corner room that includes a dining table, desk and a large sofa. Beds are futon style -- but with luxurious, plush bedding.
Breakfast is served in-room -- guests can choose from Western or Japanese cuisine.
This being a ryokan, a set of his and her kimonos can be found in your closet. Wearing them around the property adds to the ryokan vibe, as you pad across the bamboo and sandalwood scented tatami floors in sock-feet to go to dinner.
Where are the other guests?
This is a place that was designed for privacy, relaxation and quiet, so much so that you'll often feel like you're the only guest in the building -- and one reason it might not be suited for everyone.
During a recent visit, the only sign of fellow travelers could be seen in the main lobby on the second floor, an area where guests can participate in demonstrations highlighting various facets of traditional Japanese arts, such as matcha tea ceremonies or classical music, as well as sake tasting sessions.
This welcome feeling of solitude extends to the ryokan's single, unnamed restaurant too.
Located in the basement, it has just six tatami-matted private rooms with tables and seating, and an open space consisting of four tables and a counter.
The restaurant's multi-course dinner comes from the hands of award-winning chef Noriyuki Hamada -- much to the chagrin of local foodies. (Remember, guests only.)
Diners are served a brilliant series of dishes dubbed Nippon Cuisine. According to the resort, this is "a culinary style that focuses on fish -- a common staple of ryokan dining and a key element in Japanese culinary culture" -- and prepared using French techniques.
Open-air soaks
This being a ryokan, there's of course an in-house onsen (hot spring bathing area). Water is piped in from 1,500 meters below the streets of Tokyo.
If not for the memorable cuisine of chef Noriyuki we'd go so far to say this is the star attraction of Hoshinoya Tokyo.
Located on the top floor, the onsen offers male and female bath halls, each with indoor and outdoor sections connected by a tunnel.
Like many Japanese onsen, tattoos need to be covered -- a challenge considering you need to bathe naked. But hotel staff are happy to provide flesh-colored stickers to cover your ink with. (At this point, you might find yourself re-thinking that full-back piece you got in college.)
There's no fitness center, but guests in need of a workout can access the gym in a nearby building or go for a run on the five-kilometer trail that loops around the Imperial Palace.
There is, however, an onsite spa offering a variety of massages and other treatments.
Hoshino goes global
Hoshinoya Tokyo's successful attempt to create a peaceful sanctuary in one of the world's most populated cities shouldn't come as a surprise.
Hoshino Resorts has been in this game for over a century. It was founded in 1904 by Kuniji Hoshino, who opened his first hot spring resort in 1914.
Long familiar to Japanese travelers, the brand is only now starting to weave its unique style of hospitality into international markets.