Our Urban Oasis

As Tokyo American Club Nihonbashi turns two this month, Member Robert Moss shares how the downtown hub has enhanced his life in Tokyo.

I arrived in Tokyo from the United States on a three-year work assignment. That was more than a decade ago.

Like many expats, I navigated my way through the daily discoveries and frustrations. Japan offered a rich culture, great food, convenience, comfort, confusion and joy—all in equal measure.

Then, in the third year, I found the Club. It started as a gym with a pool. Then it was a library with books and magazines I could actually read. Eventually, it became an oasis of friends in the middle of this dynamic metropolis, with all the comforts of a home thousands of miles away. Finally, it became part of why Tokyo is now home for me.

The Club comprises many kinds of people. Some were born and grew up in the city. Others came to Tokyo from other prefectures or other countries. Some stay only for a few years. Others put down roots. But no matter who they are, they find a thriving community when they join the Club—a community that became a little bigger and a little better on March 31, 2021.

My wife and I got our first peek of the jewel on the sixth floor of Nihonbashi Muromachi Mitsui Tower before the Club officially opened. We arrived for a tour before dinner, which was an opportunity for the staff to practice cooking and serving items from the new menu.

The lobby was warm and welcoming, but the real shock was the Fitness Center. Though compact, it boasts the same range of amenities as the Azabudai Club, right down to the sauna and whirlpool bath. It really is a bright spot in the Nihonbashi Club.

The biggest surprise, though, came when we turned the corner into the dining area and were met with the beautiful wine cellar on the left and the beguiling bar ahead, with its brass fittings, stylish hanging lights and display of bottles. I immediately knew that this was a place where I would want to spend time.

We were lucky enough to have a window table for dinner. The view over the Nihonbashi streets and beautiful décor made for a relaxing ambience. The final question was answered when our server arrived with our meals. The food was excellent.

Since that introduction to the first satellite clubhouse in the Club’s decades-long history, I have come to really appreciate its convenient location (just one train line from my house), peaceful atmosphere, facilities and fantastic service and staff. On any given day, you might find me working, dining or having a drink with friends at the Nihonbashi Club, and I often entertain clients and colleagues in the American Room. The impressive venue makes it perfect for this part of my business.

Nowhere else in Tokyo can you find so many excellent offerings in one downtown spot, and I have seen many company presidents and executives excited at the prospect of visiting our Nihonbashi home. There is little doubt that it has become a venue of renown over the last two years.

As we prepare to celebrate the second birthday of our Nihonbashi hub at the end of this month, it is worth remembering the team of volunteer Members and staff who worked tirelessly with the developer, Mitsui Fudosan, to create a world-class facility in the center of the Nihonbashi district. Thank you.

Tokyo American Club has filled my life in Tokyo with laughter, joy and meaning. I never imagined how much my life would be transformed when I first arrived as an expat all those years ago. Thank you to everyone who has helped me make this wonderful city my home—with the Club at the heart of it. Simply, thank you for making my life in Japan better.