There can be ways around things like this. While officially restaurants may not take concierge bookings, that almost certainly depends on who you are and what your level of experience is. Japanese speakers can make their own reservations, or if a concierge knows guests well enough and has confidence, doors may well open up. Aman Tokyo and other top hotels make reservations for their Japanese guests all the time.

Issues indeed when there are no shows at tiny restaurants - whether kaiseki , sushi , tempura , etcetera . Really unfair to the chefs / owners . Poor behaviour mentioned is unacceptable .

Looking forward to returning to AmanTokyo In October
Unfortunately , your favourite chef MikeFromTokyo cannot work around our allergies as in last November , so will miss it again . However , the head concierge managed to arrange our dinner at short notice at the Palace ( thanks Aventine - not Imperial ) , thanks also to bhrubin ‘ s suggestion .

I wasn’t at all impressed with the Pen rooms—not liking most of the furnishings, decor, etc. It hasn’t aged well IMO. But rooms were nicely sized.

I forgot to add, when staying recently at FS Tokyo, the topic of the new FS (in Otemachi) came up - specifically an opening pre-Olympics.

Without saying anything else, the individual (management) essentially laughed at the idea.

So, we’ll see.

I know it is separate ownership groups, but I wonder why open one there, within almost shouting distance of the Marunouchi one, versus elsewhere (e.g. Aoyama, Shinjuku, etc)?

I know you like the current FS Tokyo...but I also know you’re aware that most in this forum don’t. That’s why!

Ha! Very fair point!

And, never fear, my dear - I’m already intending to try Prince Gallery next time. Your review really had me wanting to this time, but it was too close to Christmas (and we literally booked the night before we arrived), and only the base rooms were available - plus FHR had a 4th Night Free at the FS.

FWIW, the PG base level rooms are still 42 sq m/452 sq ft. So still quite nice and spacious. The grand corner rooms are about 60 sq m/645 sq ft IRC and represent the better part of our Kioi Suite. We’d be OK with a base room here, to be honest. I hope you like it as much as we did!

FS Marunouchi has been extremely well regarded in this forum. Do not forget that it predates all newer hotels, except for the Park Hyatt that opened in 1994. It also is a boutique hotel, and its strength is and always has been service. Unless one is actually staying there and feeling the level of service, one may not understand. I’ll explain it this way - The Peninsula has great suites and a lot of amenities like its beautiful swimming pool, but very disappointing service and F&B overall. FS Marunouchi has no swimming pool, but there you can be absolutely assured of highly attentive, anticipatory service, privacy, and a perfect stay.

When it opened it was designed not to compete directly with larger hotels, but to serve a niche market. It had the highest room rates in the city, and was a boutique hotel that catered perfectly to its clientele of primarily business travelers who needed maximum efficiency, privacy, and peace and quiet.

The hotel landscape has since changed dramatically, and a new FS will compete more directly with Aman and other top hotels like Ritz-Carlton and MO. More focus on local wedding and staycation market.

FS Marunouchi may eventually be reflagged if owner does not want to continue management contract. However, I still love it and always have. I have many wonderful memories at FS Marunouchi.
I am not sure I understand what info you are looking for. He is an outstanding sushi chef, and his previous restaurant where I was a regular catered to a niche clientele of local regulars. It was never a highly publicized restaurant, but was exceptional. Aman are very lucky to have him.