238 Best Hotels in Japan

It's hard to say what part of a stay at the Hotel Benesse House is the most memorable: the gorgeous views of the Seto Inland Sea, special access to the artworks at the Benesse Museum, or the Tadao Ando architecture and the luxurious yet minimalist decor of the hotel rooms. Each of the four buildings containing guest rooms has a different theme and location: Park, Beach, Museum (in the Benesse House Museum), and Oval, which is an artwork in itself, farther up the hill and accessed by walkways or a monorail. Stunning views of nature and art abound. The several restaurants on the property include Japanese and French cuisines and a café. The staff members are friendly and capable but deliberately keep their distance—a change from the ever-attentive service in other upscale Japanese hotels. Add-on meal plans are available.

Tucked away in the hills not far from the Golden Pavilion, Aman Kyoto is one of the city's finest establishments, surrounded by an expansive forest garden of green moss-covered lawns and cobbled stone footpaths. The 26 rooms at this secretive, luxurious retreat have a tasteful Japanese aesthetic and include large hinoki wood bathtubs. Service is personal but never overbearing, and the two on-site restaurants, spa, and hot springs all exude top-end luxury.

One of the tallest buildings in Kobe, this hotel stands out at night when its brightly lighted tower points heavenward. The entire hotel is sumptuous, spacious, and chic. Rooms are sleek and modern, done up in restful shades of chocolate and cream. Corner rooms on higher floors have superb views over Kobe. Beneath the lobby are five floors of shops and restaurants, including Wakkoku. The hotel is a five-minute walk from Kitano-cho; the Shin-Kobe Ropeway is just outside, and several hiking trails, including one to Nunobiki Falls, pass very close to the hotel. It's three minutes from downtown by subway.

In the revitalized Toranomon district, this Hyatt boutique property occupies the top six floors of one of the city's tallest towers and offers chic guest rooms, considerate service, an airy spa, and views, views, views. The spacious accommodations have walnut-wood furnishings, floor-to-ceiling windows that frame incredible views, and large bathrooms with deep, circular tugs. English-speaking staffers are always at hand to be of assistance. The spa has all sorts of indulgent options, and the Rooftop Bar is an excellent, if pricey, choice for cocktails and champagne.

A new addition to Osaka’s five-star hotel scene, the Four Seasons features a beautiful mix of Japanese and Western aesthetics and also offers spacious rooms with expansive city views, a choice of excellent restaurants, and the highest level of service.

This relative newcomer to the historical Asakusa area has a stylish flair that starts at the entrance, where an elevator whisks you up 13 floors to the beautiful, glass-walled lobby, and continues in guest rooms outfitted in deep, dark browns accented with jewel tones and the occasional mod touches. Rooms can feel a bit cramped, so, when you need more space, head to the open-air Terrace on the 14th floor, with a lovely view of the Tokyo Sky Tree. The bistro-style French restaurant serves pork and beef dishes and has an extensive drink selection. The Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) is a short walk away, as are Senso-ji and a host of shopping options. Staff members are friendly and speak English.

If you love art, then this hotel should be your lodestar, as everything—from the ornate entryway and the koi pond to the chapel (the property was a wedding complex in the 1920s) and the Chinese restaurant—features elements seemingly plucked from a renowned art museum. Tours are even available to appreciate the hotel's gestalt. The grounds are tranquil thanks to a leafy location close to the Meguro River, one of the city's prime cherry blossom viewing sites. When you've finished sightseeing for the day, head to the eight-floor OUKA lounge for tea or cocktails and some light bites.

Located at Kyoto Station, the hotel is noteworthy for its good service and fusion of ultramodern design and traditional Japanese style. The spacious Western-style rooms have broad desks, separate tea areas, and bathrooms with big soaking tubs. A stroll between the hotel's north and south towers affords a great view from within the glass walkway.

Surrounded by a plethora of shops and restaurants and situated a short walk from JR Tachikawa Station and the two Tachikawa monorail stations on the Tama Toshi line, this hotel makes for an excellent base for exploring West Tokyo. Regional hiking trails, parks, and in the summer, blueberry patches, are also nearby, making a stay here feel like a true getaway. Although there's only one on-site restaurant, the quality is good, with some ingredients even being locally sourced.

Directly opposite the Kyoto National Museum and next to the famous Sanjusangen-do Temple, this is one of Kyoto's premier hotels, offering spacious tasteful rooms. Room interiors are exquisitely designed with soothing colors and garden views for south-facing rooms. The multilingual staff are knowledgeable and most helpful. The garden-view Japanese restaurant specializes in kaiseki dining.

This rustic alpine lodge is owned by Tokyo's legendary Imperial Hotel, and the service is so exemplary because the staff are borrowed from that establishment for the summer. In the lounge, low wooden beams support the beautifully crafted ceiling, while a central hearth adds a warm glow. Guest rooms have sofas and gorgeous woodwork, and some have balconies. Western and Japanese restaurants are on the premises. You can see the red-tiled, gabled roof of the hotel from Kamikochi's bus terminal in the center of town.

Since it opened in 2013, the InterContinental Osaka has been regarded as one of the city's top luxury hotels, with a Michelin-starred restaurant and another more casual dining option in addition to those found in the conveniently attached Grand Front Osaka. Beyond the excellent service that you'd expect, the hotel offers beautiful nighttime views of the city skyline from rooms on the 20th to 32nd floors. Bose speakers, flat-screen TVs, and automatic blinds are among the high-tech touches in rooms that blend classic furnishings and sleek modern design.

In a skyscraper looming high over the main train station, this hotel puts the city at your feet. The rooms are located on the 23rd to 34th floors, so they have magnificent views of the city. Unlike many Japanese hotels, this hotel has double rooms with king-size beds rather than only twins. The "moderate single" rooms are a little cramped, but other rooms have more space and larger windows. The 22nd-floor spa (extra charge) has deep pools and big windows, so you can enjoy views of the city skyline as you soak.

Attached to Hon-Kawagoe Seibu Station and close to the historical Ichibangai shopping street and JR/Tobu Kawagoe Station, this hotel is a convenient choice for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. Rooms, though uninspired, are well-maintained, and some are occasionally given themes—featuring Moomin characters, say, or a tie-in with the Japanese music group, Glay. Dining options include a buffet breakfast on the top floor, restaurants specializing in regional Japanese and Chinese cuisine, and a lobby-level bar with classic cocktails and Japanese whiskies. 

One of the city's best hotels, the Kyoto Brighton has an elegant design, and its staff display a thorough dedication to gracious, efficient hospitality. Glass elevators whisk guests up from the central atrium to large rooms with separate sleeping and lounging areas. Some rooms have outside terraces with city views. Bilingual concierges are on hand to help you plan your sightseeing. The on-site Hotaru restaurant merits a visit; the resident chef won a contest on the popular cooking show Iron Chef. The sweets in the lobby's café are also worth checking out. Free shuttle bus to station runs every 20 minutes.

Occupying the top nine floors of the glistening Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, this modern hotel has harmonious rooms, tastefully decorated in shades of brown and featuring such touches as down bedding, luxury linens, in-room newspaper delivery, and large picture windows with city-lights panoramas. Corner rooms have sunken marble tubs that allow you to gaze out windows while soaking. The spa, with its signature body scrubs and massages, and the gym are top-of-the-line. The award-winning restaurants offer modern or traditional cuisine, but if you're suffering extravagance overload (and the accompanying prices) you can take a short stroll toward Tokyo Station, with its variety of tiny watering holes and izakaya (Japanese pubs).

Opened in 2024, the new Marriott offers luxurious rooms and hotel artwork celebrating Nagasaki's "wakaran" heritage, a mix of Japanese, Chinese, and Dutch influences next to Nagasaki train station. There is an excellent main restaurant, two specialty restaurants (teppanyaki and sushi), room service, and an executive lounge. Even if you're not staying at the hotel, it is worthwhile stopping by for afternoon tea and elegant desserts, or cocktails and a meal in an elegant setting with a night view of Mt. Inasa.

The imperial family and visiting baseball teams are among those served by the city's oldest hotel, which is also a haunt for celebrities in search of a little privacy. It's centrally located and provides the extra class and character you'd expect for the price. The lobby's white-brick walls are balanced by soft carpets and dark-wood furnishings. The guest rooms are spacious and overlook the city center. The Nagoya Kanko is five minutes by taxi from Nagoya Station or a short walk from Fushimi Station.

Built in 1909, this hotel is a beautiful synthesis of Japanese and Western architecture. The high ceilings, wide hallways, and sumptuous beds are fit for, well, an emperor. The filigree-patterned light shades and silver-painted room heaters are all original. The lounge shows bits of the hotel's history, including the piano played by Albert Einstein during his visit. Although most rooms have a good view of the gardens or the temples, those in the new wing are not as grand as the traditional rooms in the old wing. Dinner is a special event in the old-fashioned Edwardian-style dining room, where excellent French food is served.

One of the city's newest luxury hotels looks out over the city from Osaka's tallest building and has some of the best nighttime views of any hotel in the region. Situated on the 38th to 57th floors of the new Abeno Harukas Building, the floor-to-ceiling windows give every room a bright, airy feeling that complements the subdued but trendy decor. The Premium Corner rooms offer views from two angles as well as a view from the bath. Located above Tennoji Station, the hotel is a short train ride from many tourist attractions and a short taxi from the nightlife areas of Namba and Shin-sai-bashi.

This hotel's handsome, refined look sets the stage for a luxury experience that starts in the lobby—a long expanse of white marble lit with oversize drum chandeliers and sunlight pouring in from floor-to-ceiling windows—and continues in spacious guest rooms that are tastefully done in neutral tones with pops of chartreuse. Some Deluxe Rooms have balconies with views of the Marunouchi skyline and nearby greenery. The 19th-floor Club Lounge serves breakfast and evening cocktails to Club Floor guests. The Grand Kitchen offers an array of cuisines with subtle Japanese touches, and the Royal Bar is stocked with a large selection of whiskey brands and cigars. Amenities also include a 24-hour gym, Japan's first Evian Spa, and a pool. Tokyo's most popular jogging course—a  5-km (3.1-mile) loop around the palace—is just outside the door. The hotel also rents bicycles.

Along the scenic Kamo River with views of the Eastern Mountains, the Ritz-Carlton provides world-class luxury in a Japanese milieu, with subtle lighting, artistic ornamentation, and a renovated century-old estate used for dining. The rooms are spacious and well appointed in the upscale chain's grand tradition. Some suites even have private gardens. The restaurants include ones serving Western and Japanese cuisine.

More intimate than the city's other luxury hotels, the Ritz-Carlton combines a homey atmosphere and European elegance. King-size beds with goose-down pillows and dark-wood furnishings grace the guest rooms, and the bathrooms have plush robes and fluffy towels. All rooms have a flat-screen TV with plug-in panels where you can attach your electronic gadgets. A rarity in Japan, the rates include use of the pool, hot tub, and fitness room.

Installed in the top floors of the 53-story Midtown Tower, the Ritz-Carlton provides some of Tokyo's most luxurious accommodations squarely in the middle of the city. High-end indulgences like Frette linens and down pillows are standard in the guest rooms, but it's the simple pleasure of gazing at the Tokyo skyline from a perfectly positioned chair that gives the strongest impression of luxury. The spacious marble bathrooms are equipped with double sinks, at least 17-inch plasma TVs, and deep tubs. Guests staying on the Club Level (two top floors) are presented with complimentary snacks and beverages. The spa on the 46th floor has a 20-meter pool, nine treatment rooms, and a hot tub overlooking the city. The Heritage by Kei Kobayashi French restaurant and the Hinokizaki seafood restaurant provide views of Mt. Fuji (on a clear day) and Tokyo Tower.

With stunning views of the Sakurajima volcano and excellent service, the Sheraton Kagoshima (new in 2023) is the best luxury option for international visitors to the city.  The hotel has a fitness center, spa, and a great sodium chloride hot-spring bath. There is also a foot bath, which men and women can enjoy together. The 19th-floor Flying Hog Grill and the Vivarium cocktail bar offer guests the chance to wine and dine while watching Sakurajima smoke and rumble on the horizon. Splurging for a room with club lounge access will also let you enjoy your breakfast pastries with similarly impressive views.