Inside the creative mind of Hideyuki Saito, the visionary behind Tokyo Edition’s boldest cocktails
From London to New York and the Middle East, Hideyuki Saito’s journey through some of the world’s most exciting bar scenes has shaped a distinctly cosmopolitan take on Japanese cocktail culture. Now based in Tokyo as senior director of bars at The Tokyo Edition, he oversees the hotel’s venues—including Gold Bar, a Tatler Best Asia 100 Bar, and the Lobby Bar—each a canvas for his inventive, story-driven approach to cocktails.
A familiar face to Tatler Dining readers after appearing at the Tatler Cocktail Festival 2023, Hideyuki Saito continues to push creative boundaries with Graffiti, a new menu of 20 cocktails inspired by cities and street art. In this quickfire Q&A, he shares what he’s sipping, what he’s saving for special occasions, and the drink he wants to try next.
See also: Where to stay, eat, drink and visit at Toranomon Hills, Tokyo
Hideyuki Saito of The Tokyo Edition’s Gold Bar and Lobby Bar
Your go-to tipple for a Tuesday?Daiquiri
Most memorable cocktail you’ve ever had?French 75 at Harry’s Bar NY in Paris
What goes into your favourite cocktail?Agave, rum and shochu
The drink you’re reaching for right now?Mezcal and soda
What would you make for a curious guest?Martini with our Gold Bar Olive Gin, made with premium olives and leaves from Shodoshima Island’s Yagi Olive Farm. Distilled in collaboration with the Tokyo Hachioji Distillery, this gin features a blend of 12 botanicals for a unique and refined flavour profile.
What would you serve for a big moment or occasion?Something with shochu
Something special you keep up your sleeve?Sazerac
What would you bring to a dinner party?A bottle of mezcal
A drink you haven’t tried—but want to?Espresso martini at Glitch Coffee Ginza, a single-origin coffee spot in Tokyo.
Your last meal—what’s in the glass?Fresh sake together with the best sushi
Tell us about your new cocktail menu.It’s called Graffiti, and the cocktails are inspired by cities and graffiti.
Hideyuki Saito’s Graffiti menu features 20 cocktails inspired by cities around the world, brought to life through bold flavours, street art-inspired visuals by Shinjuku tattoo artist Haruka Sasaki, and reimagined classics from the Martini to the Manhattan.
Your favourite drink on the menu—and why?Aromatic Banana Wine. We created the banana flavour from palo santo, tonka bean and shochu. It’s so unique and tasty.
The Aromatic Banana Wine combines Palo Santo aromatic tree, Tonka bean, barley shochu and vanilla mist
Hideyuki Saito’s Neo Vice Sawa offers a natural and funky flavour with refreshing herbal spices
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