69 Best Hotels in Japan

The Ryotei Hanayura hot-spring hotel has floor-to-ceiling lobby windows that look out on a small canyon and river and hot springs that bubble gently among rocks and trees. Spend a little more and enjoy your own one-person cypress wood tub on your balcony, followed by a traditional dinner delivered to the door. This relatively small, modern hotel is overlooked by tour groups; it's connected to a larger hotel, so you can use its bar and souvenir shop. Reserve seats on a free shuttle bus from Sapporo.

Perched atop coastal cliffs, this luxurious family-friendly hotel has its own onsen, and most rooms have stunning ocean views. At night, Yakushima's dark skies mean the view up is filled with stars. It is well worth booking the evening buffet, not only because food options are limited on Yakushima, but also because the delicious food is quite varied, including fresh sushi. There is a common area with table tennis and a small library with books on local wildlife, plus a small bar with complimentary drinks available before dinner. 

This unique and special place mixes the best of Western and Japanese accommodations, with rooms mostly in freestanding houses in a wooded setting, making autumn one of the best times to visit. Most ryokan serve only Japanese food, but Murata has an Italian restaurant and a full bar where you can sit fireside and enjoy after-dinner drinks. If you get bored with taking baths, there is a small but elegant art museum whose well-curated exhibitions change twice yearly. The food is made of the finest ingredients, and all dishes are delicately flavored and exquisitely presented. The menu changes every month and includes options for vegetarians. 

Occupying the top 11 floors of the 37-storey Marunouchi Trust Tower, near Tokyo Station, the Shangri-La offers superb city views, as well as a lavish interior, including 2,000 works of art hung throughout; 50 glistening chandeliers handmade in the Czech Republic; and large (more than 500 square feet) standard guest rooms that are awash in burgundy-and-brown textiles and equipped with high-end entertainment systems. Upper-floor Horizon Club rooms feature a dedicated concierge and views of the bay and Imperial Palace; suites include additional living and guest rooms. For dining, the Japanese restaurant Nadaman serves teppanyaki, kaiseki, and sushi, while Piacere has creative Italian dishes. Treatments in the Chi spa employ traditional Chinese and Tibetan healing methods. 

One of Osaka's top luxury hotels, the St. Regis offers an oasis of comfort just a short walk from the lights and excitement of Shin-sai-bashi and Namba, and a short train ride from many of the city's major sights. The rooms strike a balance between modern chic and plush elegance, while the bright and airy 12th-floor lobby looks out over a rooftop Japanese garden. Service is impeccable as befits the St. Regis brand, going so far as to offer a full butler service that includes unpacking luggage, personal wake-up visit with coffee, and other guest requests.

Located where bustling Kokusai-dori gets quieter, this high-rise hotel's white-tiled lobby leads up to improbably spacious guest rooms done up in Western style. The location, within sight of Makishi monorail station, gives you great access to Kokusai-dori. It's often booked up by groups attending karate tournaments.

The original wooden structure of an industrialist's traditional estate was renovated into the river-view dining room of this gorgeous woodsy hotel, one of Kyoto's most upscale properties. The cuisine is nouvelle Japanese served French-style. As with the other facilities here, the restaurant's feel is old countryside resort but with modern hotel conveniences. The Suiran is along the Hozu River, one of Kyoto's main waterways.

Located in the valley between the two main ski areas, the Westin Rusutsu Resort has spacious bi-level suites with views out to slopes and the fairways. Dining is in the modern, sparse, light-filled atrium lounge. Access to the main resort area, where ski lifts and slopes can be found, is by a rather slow monorail, which can be inconvenient if you are intending to have meals or start ski lessons there.  In summer, golfers can enjoy the four 18-hole golf courses.

Hot-spring relaxation and a central location in "Little Kyoto" makes this an elegant option for those who want to relax in Tsuwano for the night. Rooms bookings normally include breakfast and dinner, so you can enjoy fine dining with teppanyaki and tempura made with local ingredients. In the evening you can try Japanese spirits and other tipples for free.