Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Japan is incredibly diverse, with everything from neon billboards to cherry blossoms, unspoiled beaches, and world-class ski slopes. When it comes to hotels, the properties are just as wide-ranging. You’ll find everything from rustic ryokans and quirky themed hotels to capsule rooms and modern, ultra-luxurious hotels with a long list of amenities. These options provide a mix of both as some of the best you’ll find in the country.
Top Hotels in Japan by City:
Tokyo
Park Hyatt - Tokyo
Soaring high above the bustling streets of Shinjuku, Park Hyatt sits on the 42nd to 51st floors of a Tange Kenzo-designed skyscraper. One of the best hotels in Tokyo because the rooms boast spectacular views of Mount Fuji or Shinjuku, but the hotel is impressive throughout. There’s an indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows, a studio where guests can take fitness classes, and a tranquil bamboo garden for relaxing or meditation. Take the blissfulness up a notch with an indulgent treatment at the spa. There’s also a private library with art books along with multiple impressive dining and drink options. The New York Bar became world-famous after being featured in the Academy Award-winning film “Lost in Translation”
Mandarin Oriental - Tokyo
The sophisticated Mandarin Oriental Tokyo looms above the historic merchant district of Nihonbashi from the top floors of the Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, providing jaw-dropping city views and an oasis of calm. As soon as you enter the lobby on the 38th floor, you’ll be awed and that feeling continues throughout with sweeping views from many vantage points, including the rooms where you can gaze out at Tokyo Bay, the Sumida River, Imperial Palace Garden, or Mount Fuji on a clear day. They come with extra perks too, like robes and slippers, yoga mats, and lacquered boxes for your yukata. The on-site dining options are many with everything from casual eateries to Michelin-star fine dining.
Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is a five-star hotel occupying the top nine floors of the Midtown Tower, the second-tallest building in Tokyo. From their high perch, all of the rooms and suites offer breathtaking views along with upscale amenities, including luxurious bathrooms with their own flat-screen TVs. Each one also has an espresso coffeemaker, a traditional Japanese teapot and an electric kettle, a well-stocked minibar, and a, large flat-screen TV with a DVD player. Dining options include a casual cafe and the Michelin-starred Azure 45, plus a pastry shop. There’s a wellness center with a gym, a pool, and a large spa too.
Kyoto
Hoshinoya Kyoto
Hoshinoya Kyoto offers a modern take on a traditional ryokan, located at the riverside within easy reach of some of the best cherry blossoms in the spring. It’s accessed via a wooden paddleboat and sits within a series of historical buildings that were inspired by traditional Japanese homes in the Arashiyama district, known for its bamboo forests. It’s all about Zen here, starting with stretching classes in the Hidden Garden. There’s a Floating Tea Room and a tatami mat room where incense ceremonies can be enjoyed or you can simply request an in-room massage. You’ll enjoy a Japanese breakfast, served in your room which overlooks the river and wildlife that visit, including deer and monkeys.
Hotel Kanra - Kyoto
Located near Kyoto Station in a prime location in the city, Hotel Kanra is a boutique hotel with a mix of traditional architecture and modern flare. While getting around on public transport is easy from here, electric bike rentals are available on-site too. All rooms have typical amenities like flat-screen TVs along with deep soaking cypress tubs, sliding paper screens, and tatami floors. Some suites have a tearoom and an open-air bath, while the two-story suites have terraces or garden courtyards. Dining can be enjoyed on-site, with a cafe serving Teppanyaki, Italian, and Japanese dishes with seasonal local ingredients.
Kyoto Hotel Okura - Kyoto
The upscale Kyoto Hotel Okura offers western-style rooms in a landmark building, one of the tallest in the city, near the tranquil Kamogawa River. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and facilities for making tea and coffee. There are multiple dining options on-site, including cafes for breakfast and light bites, bistros serving Italian and French fare, and eateries offering local dishes. It has a fitness center for working off those meals along with a sauna and steam room too.
Osaka
St. Regis Osaka - Osaka
One of the best hotels in all of Japan, the St. Regis Osaka sits in the heart of Midosuji near many designer shops and is renowned for its exceptional personalized service. It offers a pampering spa, fine dining, and a terrace on the 12th floor with gorgeous views of the city skyline. The chic rooms and suites come with personal butlers, city views, Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, and marble bedrooms, with room service available 24/7.
Hotel New Otani - Osaka
Hotel New Otani is a huge hotel set along a river near Osaka Castle and its surrounding Castle Park. There are traditional Japanese baths to soak in and multiple restaurants with a wide range of cuisine, including Japanese, Chinese, and French. Rooms have all the modern essentials with large windows for abundant natural light and some feature scenic views of the castle.
InterContinental Osaka
An elegant hotel in the heart of Osaka, the InterContinental offers rooms with fabulous city views and upscale amenities like Nespresso machines and Bose speaker systems, along with multiple restaurants and bars, including a trendy bar that overlooks Osaka. There’s a gym and spa too.
Hakone
Hakone Ginyu - Hakone
A luxurious ryokan in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Hakone Ginyu sits at mountain’s edge overlooking a valley and out to the Haya River. In the fall, it’s a particularly stunning backdrop with vibrant hues of red and orange. You can enjoy that view from rooms on the upper floor, while lower floor rooms enjoy a view of a beautiful traditional Japanese garden. All come with a furnished terrace and a private outdoor hot spring bath for relaxing. There are three public onsens on the property too, each with a different ambiance, and a gorgeous infinity pool. Enjoy breakfast and a multicourse Japanese dinner in the comfort of your room.
Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa - Hakone
Located inside Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, a stay at the Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa brings magnificent views of Mount Fuji while being convenient to many sightseeing spots and hot springs. It offers Japanese- and western-style rooms and suites, all with panoramic windows and private terraces or balconies for enjoying the vista along with minibars, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and DVD players, and mood lighting. There are two onsens (hot springs) on-site, while sushi and western fare are served in the dining room. The hotel also hosts the area’s largest spa which offers treatments using natural ingredients aimed to soothe mind, body, and soul.
Takayama
Hidatei Hanaougi - Takayama
Hidatei Hanaougi is a ryokan that offers a peaceful setting in the trees close to Hidakokubun-ji Temple. A natural hot spring is right on-site and flows into the communal and open-air baths while the primary focus is on traditional Japanese hospitality. Enjoy dining on beautifully prepared Kyoto-style kaiseki meals featuring local, seasonal ingredients served right to your room, as is breakfast, made up of regional fare and locally grown rice. The rooms are Zen, with tatami mats and traditional screens as well as the modern essentials like minifridges, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Air purifiers are included too.
Temple Hotel Takayama Zenkoji - Takayama
Set within a Buddhist temple complex, Temple Hotel Takayama Zenkoji offers open tatami rooms with Buddhist objects and screen windows that slide open, revealing a central garden. It was designed to invite guests to exhale stress away, complete with Buddhist rituals and Zen meditation. Tatami floors, futons, traditional short-legged tables, tea-making facilities, and free Wi-Fi are in every room too. There’s a shared bathhouse, landscaped garden, and kitchen/dining room, while meditation, yoga, and traditional Shakyo Sutra writing classes are availalbe.
Kanazawa
Hotel Nikko Kanazawa
Located in the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture on Japan’s central Honshu Island next to Kanazawa Station, Hotel Nikko Kanazawa provides an ideal base for exploring the well-preserved Edo-era district, the city’s famous 16th-century castle, and gardens. It provides fantastic views of the city, surrounding area, and sunsets, set within a 30-story building, the tallest in town. The spacious rooms start from the 17th floor and all feature flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and tea-making facilities. There are multiple dining options, serving everything from Teppanyaki to Japanese, Chinese, and European dishes. There’s even a British-style bar, while drinks with a view can be enjoyed at the champagne/cocktail bar, Le Grand Chariot.
Kanazawa Sainoniwa Hotel - Kanazawa
A four-star spa hotel, the Kanazawa Sainoniwa is surrounded by gardens, abundant greenery, and water features that provide peaceful sounds, providing a serene atmosphere for relaxation. The onsen-style spa has large communal baths that are separated by gender with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens, while generously-sized rooms come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, humidifiers, and air-conditioning. Some have kitchenettes and separate living areas too. There’s a workout room, lounge space, and library, and a buffet-style breakfast is served daily featuring both Japanese and western dishes.
Hiroshima
Iwaso - Hiroshima
Iwaso is the most famous and oldest lodging you’ll find on Miyajima Island. It dates back to 1900 and is spread throughout a traditional wooden building, cottages, and a modern annex, located near the iconic Itsukushima Shrine. It has a communal hot spring bathhouse and serves a free breakfast while traditional Kyoto-style meals are served for dinner. If you’re looking for historic character, book a room in the original building. The Shinkan offers rooms with river views and all have tatami mats and futons. The rooms in the annex building have all the modern facilities like flat-screen TVs and minifridges.
Grand Hotel Arimoto - Miyajima, Hiroshima
The Grand Hotel Arimoto offers easy access to many attractions, including Itsukushima Shrine, just a few minutes away on foot. It includes a karaoke room and bar, and a coffee lounge and restaurant which serves a complimentary breakfast and dishes that feature local ingredients, including fresh produce and fish, delivered straight from local fishermen. The on-site onsen offers the perfect place to relax with gender-segregated tubs available. Rooms feature standard amenities like flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and minifridges, with higher categories offering views of the Senjokaku building, the shrine or Mount Misen, along with open-air soaking tubs.
