Tokyo rewards principals who understand the rules. Loud cars are wrong. Late arrivals are unforgivable. The chauffeur bows, does not speak unless asked, and knows the secondary entrances to every department store. This is how a Swiss-discipline desk runs a Tokyo week.
For UHNW principals flying private from Europe or the Gulf, we route to Haneda. Narita is operationally fine but Haneda is 25 minutes from the Imperial Palace; Narita is 90 minutes minimum and the highway is mediocre. The Haneda Premier Gate VIP service exists but only on request 72 hours ahead — we handle the filing.
Haneda — not Narita
Ground-side, the vehicle is a black Lexus LS500h or Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (we hold both via our Tokyo partner). White cotton headrest covers, white-glove chauffeur, no badge or branding on the body. The vehicle does not pull up to the curb; it pulls into a reserved bay at Premier Gate, screened from the public.
Aman Tokyo, the Mandarin Oriental, the Peninsula, the Four Seasons Marunouchi — these are the four hotels we work with daily. Aman is the highest discretion (no signage on the entrance, butler check-in in the suite). The Peninsula has the best concierge for impossible reservations. Each has a Japanese-English bilingual contact we trust by name.
Ginza retail — the rules of the houses
Hermès Ginza, Cartier Ginza, Van Cleef & Arpels Ginza — these flagships operate on appointment for principals. Walking in is fine; calling 48 hours ahead unlocks the after-hours private viewing rooms. We handle the introduction, the booking, the timing. Our chauffeur waits in a reserved bay underneath the building, not on the street.
For Mitsukoshi and Isetan department stores, the personal shopper service (gaisho) opens entire floors after closing time on request. Minimum 72 hours notice for the higher tiers (foreign principals routed through our concierge desk get the VIP treatment by default). The Salon des Arts at Mitsukoshi Nihombashi remains the most exclusive way to acquire Japanese fine art and antique kimono.
The Inner Circle
The Quiet Letter
Once a month, a short letter from our concierge: new destinations, off-season opportunities, and itineraries we'd otherwise reserve for repeat clients. No marketing, no noise, ever.
Kyoto — the Shinkansen day
Two ways to Kyoto from Tokyo: the Nozomi Shinkansen Green Car (2h12, ¥18,000 first class) or private chartered helicopter (¥1.8M one-way, 80 minutes including ground transfer both ends). For a day trip Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo, the train wins on every metric except elapsed time door-to-door. Our protocol officer accompanies on the train, handles the bento order, and the Kyoto chauffeur (different from Tokyo) meets at the platform.
In Kyoto we transfer to a black Toyota Century — the Japanese imperial standard, used by the Imperial Household, no Western badge. Day in Kyoto: Daitoku-ji private temple tea ceremony (booked through our partner monk), lunch at Kikunoi (Michelin three-star, three-month wait normally, our channel makes it work in seven days), afternoon at the Gion district with a maiko introduction if requested. Return Shinkansen 18:30, back to Aman Tokyo for 21:00 dinner.