Household name Evian have opened their first ever spa in Japan - only the second Evian spa outside of its European home.
Successfully combining Japanese minimalism with French savoir faire, the Palace Hotel Evian spa perfectly evokes serenity amidst the congestion of urban Tokyo - a metaphorical two fingers to those who doubted the original urban jungle’s ability to hop aboard spa culture.
And I really mean it when I say it’s a combination – think walls plastered with alpine-inspired scenes, clashed with origami bird ceiling instillation. Oh, and sauna-based LED light therapy technology that mirrors a 24-hour cycle of natural light in the French Alps - every 10 minutes.
Palace Hotel Tokyo’s spa debuted last month, with a treatment menu paying homage to the French theme - Paris-based Omnisens and Anne Semonin products are featured throughout.
Aside from the French references, the Hotel’s Executive Director Masaru Watanabe has also enforced the significance of the Evian collaboration with a design concept that evokes ‘journey of water’, from the water-source inspired loose stone garden, to the pool’s resemblance to a deep blue mountain pond.
Masaru says, “The journey of Evian water through the French Alps, which leads to its purification and balance, is the same metaphorical journey we’re endeavouring to embark upon with our guests.”
Japanese heritage, however, is not forgotten. One of the spa’s signature experiences - the Vitalizing Signature is inspired by the Japanese philosophy of seitai, whereby pressure is meticulously applied to ‘master’ trigger points using fingers, thumbs and elbows to intensely stimulate and improve the flow of energy throughout.
And the panoramic views of the Imperial Palace Gardens and mystical Mt. Fuji in the distance are perhaps the most Japanese of all backdrops.
We think Japan might just be an explosive player on the spa-lovers map – watch this space, darlings!
