Best hotels in Japan

Located in the heart of Matsumoto City, right in front of Matsumoto Station, this hotel aims to be a convenient "travel base" for both business and leisure travelers, a hotel that guests will love and choose for years to come. With a bus terminal for major tourist destinations just a one-minute walk away, you can enjoy active travel to various places such as Kamikochi, Norikura Plateau, and Hakuba, using the hotel as your base.

Kanazawa often gets called "Little Kyoto," but this castle town on the Sea of Japan has a charm entirely its own — think gold leaf artisans, preserved geisha quarters and one of Japan's most celebrated gardens. Positioned right in the thick of it, this contemporary hotel (the brand's first in the Hokuriku region) puts Omicho fish market five minutes away on foot, with samurai streets, Kenrokuen Garden and the castle all within easy reach. The real draw? A design that weaves local craft into every corner — Kaga Yuzen fabrics, Wajima lacquerware touches, lighting edged in gold leaf — and a rooftop bathhouse overlooking the greenery of the castle park.

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?

Quite literally face to face with Mount Fuji, one of Japan’s most renowned icons, the Gora Kadan is a beautiful blend of Japanese tradition and glittering modernity. There’s plenty of sleek, gleaming surfaces and sharp lines, but also all the best bits of a traditional ryokan – think woven floors, paper sliding doors and of course, plenty of onsen (hot spring baths). At the centre of it all, however, is the mountain. Be it mist-covered or sparkling in the sunshine, the sharp edges are visible from just about every angle of the hotel, whether you’re relaxing on your private balcony, terrace or garden, enjoying a kaiseki experience in one of four restaurants, or soaking in the magical spring waters of the spa.

The vast temple grounds, covering a total area of about 45,000 square meters, are divided into two parts: the East Wing, called the Garan, and the West Wing, called the Tanjōin. The Garan, where the Kondo, the five-storied pagoda, and other buildings stand, has been part of the temple since the temple's foundation. The Tanjōin, with the Mieido at the center, is the site of the Saeki family's former residence, where Kobo Daishi was born. Together, they show Zentsūji’s connections with Kobo Daishi’s birth and family life.

A city within a city, Roppongi Hills is a glamorous corner of Tokyo where tourists rub shoulders with expats and businessmen. Of course, this was the perfect spot for another Grand Hyatt in Japan. With an incredible 10 dining spots, you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to where to eat, from intimate Teppanyaki-style meals to some of the finest sushi in the city, prepared with market-fresh ingredients and served alongside artisanal sake. The hotel has over 380 rooms, all exceedingly spacious, and the higher you go, the better the view, with some looking out to Tokyo Tower and distant Mount Fuji.

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...

Lake Kawaguchi is the most photogenic of the Fuji Five Lakes, the one where a still morning delivers Sakasa Fuji, the mountain doubled on the water. FUFU Kawaguchiko sits in pine forest above the shoreline, one of nine properties in Japan's small-luxury FUFU group and the only hotel in Yamanashi to hold Two MICHELIN Keys two years running. All 32 suites face the mountain and come with their own volcanic-stone hot spring, so nobody's queuing for a soak here. The whole place runs on a "borderless forest" idea: trees felled to make way for the build came back as furniture, the local stone as fittings. Deliberate, unshowy, and entirely 'of the place'.

This is a luxury urban hotel offering a special space away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The spacious guest rooms on the 39th floor and above feature interiors that incorporate Japanese traditional culture and views overlooking Tokyo. On the top floor, you can spend time reconnecting with yourself with 360-degree panoramic views in the Sky Private Villa, which offers unique culinary experiences in an unparalleled space, a spa where you can experience the blessings of Japan's nature, and five penthouses.

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.

Hotel Green Plaza is a resort Hotel with a classic modern interior that boasts open-air baths with magnificent views of Mt. Fuji. Conveniently located for sightseeing in Hakone with good access to Sengokuhara, Owakudani and Ashinoko. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers an idyllic setting for a family trip.

A reliable, well-run business hotel two minutes on foot from JR Okayama Station, the Mitsui Garden sits squarely in the practical-but-pleasant sweet spot. Rooms are tidy and comfortable — Serta mattresses, in-room baths, free Wi-Fi — and the buffet breakfast pulls in a solid spread of Japanese and Western options to fuel a full day out.

The standout is the large public bath on the 10th floor: a hinoki cypress tub overlooking a small garden, open from 15:00 through to 9am. It's not a hot spring, but after a day on Naoshima or trawling Kurashiki's canal district, it does the job beautifully.

If you're after a Tokyo hotel that feels Japanese rather than just playing at it, this one hits the mark. A short walk from Shinagawa Station and split across 288 rooms, it sits on 20,000 square metres of landscaped grounds with over 210 cherry blossom trees - which is to say, this is less of a downtown hotel and more of an urban retreat (with a serious garden). The rooms deliver proper views and Japanese restraint - book the Executive Floor for lounge access and garden strolls. Two restaurants anchor the dining: Ciliegio does thoughtful Italian-Japanese cooking, whilst Nadaman Takanawa Prime trades in seasonal Japanese a short walk from Shinagawa Station. What sets it apart isn't the spa, pools or gym - it's that this feels like an real part of Japan's capital.

Tucked away on Shinmachi-dori, the very street that hosts the Gion Festival each July, Hotel Vista Premio is a rare blend of contemporary convenience and traditional Japanese hospitality. With 84 rooms designed around warm wooden accents and thoughtful bathroom layouts (yes, your bath, loo and washbasin each get their own space), it's a practical base with a fantastic location - Nijo Castle and Nishiki Market are within strolling distance and for anything further afield, you're a seven-minute walk from the subway. And when you return, the the lobby's beautiful tsuboniwa garden is the perfect spot for some R&R.

As soon as you step in, this hotel welcomes you with a stunning six-story waterfall in the courtyard. The delicate light reflected on the surface of the water accentuates the courtyard scene with its seasonal splendor and serene elegance.

Gora Hanaougi invites you to spend a luxurious time enjoying the changing seasons of Hakone in your room or at the hot springs. The inside of the hotel is a comfortable space with the slight scent of trees. The tatami floor allows you to relax barefoot after taking a bath or having a meal. Gora Hanaougi is a 3-minute walk from Sounzan Station, the terminal point of the Hakone Tozan Cable Car. It is also convenient for sightseeing in Hakone.

Opening shortly after the station itself, Tokyo Station Hotel has been cutting a striking figure above the streets of Marunouchi since 1915. Topped with ornate prewar domes and lined with tall, arched windows, it is set apart from Tokyo’s glitzy, glass hotels, and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The hotel enjoys a dedicated entrance to Tokyo Station, making it easy to zip off to see the city’s many dazzling sights and fabulous restaurants. Although, the hotel holds its own with a collection of 10 restaurants and bars to choose from. We can see why it has welcomed so many prominent guests over the years.