TRUNK’s Instagram feed – particularly the videos – is terrific. Who produces the videos? Can you tell us more about your social media efforts?
We have an in-house Videographer and Social Media Manager who constantly produces videos from our lounge parties, pop-up dinners, etc. TRUNK Hotel was not known to anybody a year ago, and social media took a very important role in spreading the word and now we have guests from all over the world. As everyone is aware, we are in a world in which we can’t ignore social media.
Tell us something about TRUNK that guests might not know from visiting the website, or following you on social media?
TRUNK Hotel has diverse staff members – 11 nationalities and 11 hair colors (including blue and pink). We take New Year holidays (the hotel closes from December 30 to January 2) and we were awarded “the best stocked minibar” by Monocle’s Travel Top 50.
You studied in the U.S., including at George Washington University and Pepperdine. How has that informed your hospitality career (aside from having perfect English!).
The most valuable thing I gained from studying overseas (not only the U.S. but also Switzerland) is the network of connections that I was fortunate to build. Also, the ability to think diversely.
Other Tokyo hotels you’ve worked at include Park Hyatt and Andaz. What distinguishes TRUNK from these and other Tokyo hotels?
TRUNK Hotel is a high-design, hyper-social boutique hotel. Moreover, we are an unprecedented new concept-hotel that has never existed before in Tokyo. We are a hotel that focuses on “Socializing” – the ability for individuals to be able to realistically and easily make social contributions through their daily lives.
We embody “socializing” by focusing on five elements – ENVIRONMENT, LOCAL FIRST, DIVERSITY, HEALTH, and CULTURE. We provide sustainable and tasteful methods of contributing to society, enabling everyone to fully put into action their desire to “help others and society.”
Until now, Japan has not had many boutique hotels. What do you envision for the near future of boutique hotels in Japan?
Recently, there has been a change in values and attitudes toward affluence, and a growing number of people value hospitality differently. It is not all about the luxury and gorgeousness. Therefore, I believe there will be more lifestyle boutique hotels in Japan. We are planning to open 10 more hotels by 2025 in order to spread the idea of “socializing!”
