Best hotels in Japan

Forming part of the ancient Nakasendo route, one of the main connections between Edo and Kyoto, the Kiso Valley is a stunning location from which to explore Alpine Japan. With a name inspired by the beauty of its rivers and mountains, Yama Mizuki Urara Tsutaya is, needless to say, surrounded by astonishing scenery. The ryoken's design celebrates these views from every corner including the large, spring-fed onsen, which looks out across the mountains. It is authentic in every sense of the word, from the dining to the array of activities on offer – and you can even learn about local crafts and cooking, among other things.

Sapporo is one of Japan's most liveable cities – spacious, grid-planned, and blessed with excellent food, craft beer, and easy access to both ski slopes and seafood markets. Opened in December 2025, the hotel sits just a four-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station, with direct access to the underground walkway that keeps you sheltered from winter's bite. The design threads Hokkaido's earthy tones throughout, and facilities punch above typical city-hotel weight: a grill restaurant showcasing local produce, a guest-only public bath, and a Premium Lounge with terrace views for those in higher-tier rooms. It's a polished base for exploring the city's ramen alleys, craft breweries, and – come February – the famous Snow Festival.

Perched on a forested hilltop overlooking the Sea of Okhotsk, this is a refreshingly relaxed base for exploring one of Japan's most extraordinary corners. The Shiretoko Peninsula – whose Ainu name means 'the end of the earth' – earned UNESCO status for good reason: brown bears patrol the coastline, orcas cruise the waters, and drift ice transforms the sea each winter. Back at the resort, the approach is decidedly Scandinavian-inspired, embracing 'hygge' – that cosy, unhurried contentment the Danes do so well. With all-inclusive drinks, a recently renovated onsen, excellent buffet dining and genuinely warm service, it's a comfortable cocoon from which to venture into the wild.

Nagasaki is one of those Japanese cities that catches you off guard. Centuries of Portuguese, Dutch and Chinese influence have left their mark on everything from the churches to the noodles, and the whole place has a cosmopolitan energy that feels unlike anywhere else in Japan. Perched in the Minamiyamate district at the base of the famous Glover Garden hill, the Crowne Plaza makes its case almost entirely on location. It's a reliable IHG property — clean, well-staffed and recently spruced up — and while it won't win any design awards, having Nagasaki's two UNESCO World Heritage sites and the Gunkanjima tour boats practically on your doorstep is hard to beat.

Fukuoka is Japan's under-the-radar culinary capital – the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen and home to over a hundred yatai food stalls that light up the streets each evening. Sitting right beside Hakata Station (connected by an underground walkway, no less), Miyako Hotel is a polished, modern base with a few tricks up its sleeve. Opened in 2019, the hotel is wrapped in glass and greenery, with natural hot springs feeding a rooftop spa that looks out over the city skyline. Rooms are generous by Japanese standards, the food leans into Kyushu's seasonal produce, and Fukuoka Airport is a mere five-minute subway ride away.

Tucked into the forests above Beppu, Japan's undisputed onsen capital, Showaen is a near-century-old ryokan with a backstory as rich as its mineral-laden waters. The site was once a thriving Edo-era gold mine, and when the diggers struck hot spring water instead of ore, a rather wonderful Plan B was born. Today, nine standalone villas are scattered across a sprawling 6,000-tsubo estate of manicured Japanese gardens, each with its own private onsen fed directly from the old gold veins below. Seasonal kaiseki dinners are served course by course in your room by a dedicated attendant, and the quiet is so complete you'll hear nothing but birdsong and trickling water.

In the pilgrimage town of Kotohira, just at the foot of the forested Mount Zozu in a quiet, unhurried corner of Shikoku, sits a ryokan that's been welcoming travellers since 1627. Originally an inn for pilgrims visiting the revered Konpirasan shrine, Kotohira Kadan has hosted Japan's literary greats, imperial family members and countless souls who arrive to climb the famous 1,368 stone steps to pray. Today, it's a layered property that sprawls across hillside gardens with heritage cottages, renovated guest wings and Konpira Onsen's skin-softening hot spring water known locally as 'The Great Beauty's Bath'.

Made infamous by the dropping of the Atomic Bomb during World War II, Hiroshima has been nearly entirely rebuilt, blossoming into a beautiful city filled with tranquil shrines, parks and riverside cafes. Well-positioned right in the hub of the action, the Sheraton is a fantastic hotel that checks every box. We're talking plenty of dining options, an indoor pool and the Sheraton's signature beds that ensure a superb night's rest. But by no means will you spend every moment inside; remember the tragic loss of life at the Peace Memorial Park, take in a Samurai performance, or make a day trip to the sublime Miyajima Island.

Looking distinctly like an abstract art installation peeking out from a pristine red pine forest, Hoshinoya is Japan's answer to glamping. The stacked grey cubes are actually a collection of cabins where light streams in through floor-to-ceiling windows, perfectly framing views of Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji beyond. Doesn't sound like glamping? Well, think again. On arrival, you'll be kitted out with stylish rucksacks, binoculars and a map, before being led through the forest to your cabin. Most of life takes place outdoors at Hoshinoya, including the food with pizza making in a clay oven. And we haven't even mentioned the activities yet...

Perched directly above Osaka's main train station like a city within a city, Hotel Granvia Osaka has a staggering 726 rooms across a towering complex that's equal parts convenience and controlled chaos. With the Shinkansen just minutes away and underground shopping labyrinths at your feet, you can quite literally plug straight into Japan's famously efficient transport network - both Kyoto and Kobe are a direct 30-minute train ride away. The hotel itself splits its personality between the practical Standard Floors and the rather more polished Granvia Floor suites at the top. Eight dining venues span everything from teppanyaki theatrics to French-Italian fusion, whilst the executive lounge offers a breather from the station buzz below.

Perched at the end of the Nagano Railway line, Yudanaka, a compact hot spring village, has been drawing visitors for over 1,300 years - and Hotel Tsubakino makes a thoroughly likeable base from which to soak it all in. A modern ryokan steps from the station, it pairs traditional Japanese hospitality with rooftop onsen overlooking the Northern Alps, seasonal kaiseki dinners starring Shinshu beef, and easy access to the famous macaques of Jigokudani.

See why so many travellers make Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo their hotel of choice when visiting Chuo. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a quiet setting with an array of amenities designed for travellers and holidaymakers alike.

With centuries of Portuguese, Dutch and Chinese influence, Nagasaki is a fascinating blend of cobbled lanes, varied food and architecture. Perched above JR Nagasaki Station with views stretching across the harbour to Mount Inasa, the sleek Nagasaki Marriott makes an excellent base for exploring. The Shinkansen platform is quite literally downstairs, there's a shopping mall next door, and the city's trams rattle past below. It's definitely on the larger side (there are 207 rooms in total), but the genuinely warm staff and thoughtful nods to Nagasaki's seafaring past give it more personality than you'd expect from a big-brand property.

Oita Prefecture pumps out more hot spring water than anywhere else in Japan — and handily, the Hokke Club is right in the centre of it. An eight-minute stroll from Oita Station and slap-bang in the Miyakomachi entertainment district, it's a practical springboard for soaking your way through Beppu's famous onsen (twenty minutes by train) and the gentler ryokan town of Yufuin. The rooms won't win design awards, but the Simmons beds are genuinely comfortable, and the top-floor bathhouse has views across the city. And then there's the breakfast buffet, laden with Oita's regional specialities and a treat every morning!

With a lobby on the 25th floor of the Shiodome Media Tower, the Park Hotel couldn't be better situated for getting under the skin of Tokyo. Right by a subway station - and only 5 minutes from the Hamamatsucho monorail station - it’s easy to enjoy the full scope of Japan's capital, from the mind-boggling lights of Shinjuku to the serenity of the Hamarikyu Gardens (they're just a 10-minute stroll away). Back at the hotel, prepare to be awed by the incredible artwork: not only does the hotel rotate the art installations in the lobby almost every month, there is an entire floor that has been completely transformed by the work of a Japanese artist.

Over the past few years, Hyatt has made serious inroads in Japan and the Grand Hyatt Tokyo's location, tucked into the heart of the international Roppongi district, is fantastic. Plugged directly into the sprawling Roppongi Hills complex (think 250 shops, restaurants, galleries and an observatory), you're ideally positioned for exploring Tokyo's electric neighbourhoods - and most highlights are within 20 minutes or so by subway. And with 387 mahogany-clad rooms, 10 restaurants spanning French bistro fare to legendary steakhouse cuts, an indoor red granite pool, and the serene Nagomi Spa, there's plenty to do back at your (very slick) base.

Kyoto's Shinmachi Street retains the strong charm of traditional Kyoto townhouses. This location is the perfect setting for a welcoming and hospitable bathhouse. Perhaps it would be nice to reflect on your Kyoto trip in the tranquil bathhouse, nestled amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The large public bath on the first floor also features an artificial carbonated spring, known for its skin-beautifying effects, making for a truly delightful environment...

Dusit Thani Kyoto is located in the temple town area surrounding the World Heritage site "Nishi Honganji Temple." In this setting, which blends seamlessly into the Kyoto townscape, you can enjoy the finest hospitality, a fusion of Japan's delicate traditional culture and the elegant hospitality of Dusit Thani's home country, Thailand.

Beyond the beautiful and comfortable guest rooms, Dusit Thani Kyoto offers a restaurant where you can savor the essence of traditional Thai cuisine and colorful teppanyaki, a secluded bar, the "Devarana Wellness" center for nourishing mind and body, and experience programs that capture the very essence of Kyoto.

A city filled with ancient and fascinating structures, serene gardens and hundreds upon hundreds of temples, Kyoto is a feast for the eyes. You’ll stroll down quaint alleyways where Geisha hurry from one function to the next in a wave of colour, discover the peace of and splendid architecture of the city’s most famous temples and delve into Japanese cuisine, declared UNESCO Intangible World Heritage at Nishiki Market. Located on Oike Street in the centre of the city, the Royal Park Hotel is well-placed to explore the many facets of Kyoto. Inspired by traditional townhouses, the hotel’s design retains a sense of heritage.

The Blossom Kyoto offers you rooms, which incorporate a "Japanese" design throughout, and are composed of 10 types that correspond to your travel style. Spend a peaceful time in the bustling city that makes you forget about time.

Kyoto is a city that transforms beautifully with each season. Traces of the past still linger throughout this place. As you pass through the narrow passage reminiscent of a traditional machiya townhouse, you’ll be welcomed by soothing sounds and gentle aromas that fill the air. This is your peaceful home in Kyoto.

A spirit of hospitality and culinary dedication that has been passed down from generation to generation for more than 400 years.

Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto gives you direct access to the history, activities, and nature of Miyajima, allowing guests to enjoy a reinvigorating and relaxing time away from everyday life. At Arimoto, the oldest traditional Japanese inn in Miyajima, you will receive genuine hospitality from the moment you arrive until you depart.

Perched as the tallest hotel in the Hokuriku region, this luxurious destination offers an exceptional blend of modern amenities and cultural richness. Guests are treated to breathtaking views of Kanazawa's historic and cultural landscape from the 17th floor and above. The proximity to Kanazawa Station makes it a perfect base for exploring the city's famed gardens, art museums, and traditional neighbourhoods. Its unique location and offerings provide a seamless blend of comfort, convenience, and cultural immersion.

Looking directly west toward the summit of Mount Fuji, Gora Kadan Fuji offers an unobstructed, sweeping view of the mountain's foothills and surrounding landscape, unfolding like a natural altar that transforms with the seasons, weather, and light. Here, nature reveals itself in its purest form. It is alive in every moment. Gora Kadan immerses guests in nature's quiet, living presence.

This hotel welcomes guests with fifteen different settings, each with its own unique charm. Each guest room is uniquely designed, allowing you to enjoy a luxurious escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life while soaking in a natural hot spring bath.

Some guests repeatedly request their favourite room settings, while others enjoy visiting all of the guest rooms. So, why not try finding your own peaceful and relaxing room?