238 Best Hotels in Japan

Situated on the first four floors of the sleek Kyobashi Trust Tower, the Courtyard by Marriott is a convenient option for business travelers. The rooms are outfitted in tasteful beiges and browns, but they tend to be small (starting at 170 square feet); a Corner or Queen room is recommended for a little more space. Staff members are skilled in English and provide very attentive service. Though the Lavarock restaurant on the first floor offers a nice bistro menu, drinking and dining opportunities abound in the neighboring area, which includes Ginza. Unlike most hotels in Tokyo, the Courtyard has a smoke-free policy covering the entire building.

One of Osaka's most stylishly modern and hip hotels, Cross is perfectly located for exploring the south side of Osaka. The bold, red glass–fronted exterior and spacious, design-focused rooms have the feeling of being at a boutique hotel—albeit one with over 200 rooms. The amenity-filled, spacious bathrooms—a rarity in Osaka—are another highlight.

This Western-style luxury hotel is so spacious and modern that it almost feels out of place in gruff Kochi. This is the place to experience the city's hospitality and escape the hustle and bustle of the streets. There's a lovely café on the ground floor with desserts on display that will tempt you each time you walk past, and slightly expensive but high-end restaurants on the second. The rooms are pleasant and nicely proportioned, and the staff are extremely helpful.

A reliable and well-maintained member of a business-hotel chain next to the Marugame-machi shopping arcade, the Roynet has helpful staff and great access to Takamatsu's main drinking and dining areas. The rooms are small, but the slightly larger "Hollywood twin" ones come with reclining massage chairs. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, and there's a handy coin laundry on-site, plus a 24-hour convenience store in the same building.

As this hotel is perched above the water and a secluded beach, all of its Japanese-style guest rooms overlook the sea. Service is first-class, despite the hotel's popularity with tour groups, and the room rate includes a seafood kaiseki dinner, served in your room, as well as a buffet breakfast. For relaxation and pampering, head to the day spa, outdoor hot spring, or swimming pool.

This hotel chain is a trustworthy option when you're unsure of where to stay, but this branch also puts you in an area that is worth exploring and close to most of the places you'll want to visit in Hirosaki. It's a simple place, with nice touches like a welcome drink bar and goodies available for your after-bath relaxation. The rooms are simple and geared toward business travelers but can work well for a couple; however, keep in mind that the queen bed can almost fill a room. The fifth floor has smoking rooms. Do opt for the breakfast buffet; there are not many other places to get breakfast nearby.

This mid-range business hotel chain's Nagoya outlet features all the usual Dormy touches aimed to please weary business travelers, including communal hot-spring baths, free late-night ramen, complimentary ice bars after bathing, and all-you-can-drink coffee in the lobby. The rooms are on the small side but smart and clean, and all come with Wi-Fi. The hotel is a few blocks east of Fushimi subway station and a short walk to Sakae. Breakfast is available for an additional fee.

With its central location, smart decor, and great amenities, this branch of a national chain seems almost too good to be true in this price range. The terrific rooftop hot tub gets bonus points, and you can have an affordable in-house massage, the perfect way to relax after a day of sightseeing.

Just south of Toyama Station, the DoubleTree is one of the smartest options in Toyama, with simple but contemporary interiors, plus nice extras like communal hot-spring baths, a bar, and a 24-hour fitness center. Rooms range from twins (also for single occupancy) to spacious suites suitable for families. To get the free Wi-Fi, sign up for a free Hilton Honors membership; otherwise it's ¥1,100 a day.

The Aso-Kuju National Park is famous for horses and cows, and at the El Patio Ranch you can live your cowboy or cowgirl dreams as you walk, trot, or canter around the local area. The rustic rooms are simple but spacious, while the views over the horses and hills are fantastic. The horse-riding courses are also available to nonguests and range from a 20-minute 1-km (½-mile) course at ¥4,400, to a 75-minute, 6-km (3¾-mile) course at ¥20,900. The restaurant menu is very beef-centric with steaks, burgers, beef curry, and BBQ.

Nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Mountains, the Four Seasons is a seven-minute walk from the Kyoto National Museum and some of Kyoto’s popular temples. All rooms offer views of the forested hillsides and Myoho-in Temple. An outside-dining deck overlooks the pond, a part of the 800-year old estate and stroll garden.

The latest Four Seasons Tokyo hotel, unveiled at the end of 2020, delights guests with its hospitality and sweeping views of Tokyo landmarks, as well as the distant Mt. Fuji. The serene, bright welcoming lounge on the 39th floor gives you the first peek at what you can expect. Every space is thoughtfully designed, and the rooms are no exception, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with incredible views and luxurious amenities. You don’t need to leave for dinner. Just reserve a seat at Pigneto, open-kitchen Italian, or Michelin-starred restaurant Est. Finish the night at Virtù, a bar serving Japan-inspired cocktails. 

Accommodations are comfortable (if a little threadbare) at this lakefront hotel, where a terrace lounge affords fine views of the lake and of Mt. Fuji beyond and amenities include hot-spring baths, tennis courts, pitch-and-putt golf, and rental bicycles. For rooms, there's a choice of Western-style or (more expensive) Japanese-style rooms. The staff speaks English and are helpful in planning excursions.

Built in 1878 and most-recently renovated in 2020, this hotel combines the best of traditional Western design with the exceptional hospitality of a fine Japanese inn—one that has, over the years, welcomed VIPs like Charlie Chaplin and John Lennon and Yoko Ono. There are both Western and Japanese restaurants, and, in the gardens behind the hotel is an old imperial villa that serves as a dining room. Hot-spring water is pumped right into the guest rooms.

Centrally located and affordably priced, this business hotel is a good alternative when you're looking to save a few yen. The rooms are small and simple but not wanting in any of the standard amenities. The restaurant serves decent Western- and Japanese-style breakfasts for ¥800, as well as a simple ¥380 coffee and toast "morning set." The hotel is a short walk from Fushimi subway station.

Murals, art objects, and custom-made furniture by local artists enliven every room and even the public hallways of this boutique hotel on an antiques shop–lined street in the heart of Gion. Its sister hotel (Hotel Gion Misen) is within a block on Shinmonzen-dori.

At this understated hotel not far from the West Exit of Shibuya Station, guest rooms are done in neutral tones and have interesting decor features and/or pops of bright color. Some rooms also have glass-enclosed baths with overhead showers. In addition to the on-site steakhouse, dining and drinking options include myriad neighborhood restaurants and bars.

One of the best hotels in town, the sophisticated Grand Hyatt overlooks the Canal City shopping and entertainment complex. Those craving a little extravagance won't be disappointed. Huge stone pillars and blond wood panels set a relaxing mood in the lobby, which descends into a lounge with an arresting view. Beyond an immense wall of glass a fountain splashes, and on the other side of that is the concave hemisphere of Canal City's Urban Theater. The hotel's opulent rooms peer out over the mall's interior or the Naka River and the rest of the city.

Japanese refinement and a contemporary design come together perfectly at the Grand Hyatt, a centrally located hotel where no expense has been spared on materials—from the Frette bed linens to the red-granite pool in the Nagomi spa. Rooms are huge by Tokyo standards, with high ceilings, touch-panel lighting systems, remote-control blackout blinds, and muted earth tones. Bathrooms have a luxurious rain shower and a separate limestone bath. Guests staying in Grand Club rooms receive free use (for a limited time) of meeting rooms, complimentary breakfast, and evening drinks in the lounge. The bar at the Oak Door steak house is very lively in the evenings.

At one of the closest properties to the Tokyo Disney Resort, lots of natural light shines through a vast atrium, and all the recently renovated rooms rooms have sizable windows with views of either Tokyo Disney or Tokyo Bay. Eating options are limited to the all-day dining spot Le Jardin, a Japanese restaurant, and for guests with access, quick bites and drinks in one of two executive lounges.

As soon as you enter the grand, extravagant lobby, you and your luggage will be immediately taken care of, and, although rooms are spacious, the real highlights are the bathrooms with luxurious sinks and bathtubs big enough for two. You'll be spoiled for choice at lunch and dinner by a host of highly rated restaurants. The Grill on 30th is notable for its nighttime view of Tokyo Bay and is also open for breakfast.

Overlooking Otaru Marina, this 18-story hotel sits atop the huge WingBay shopping complex, giving easy access to outlet stores, restaurants, and a movie theater; inside is a reliable, familiar chain hotel with English-speaking staff. Western-style rooms in gold, blue, and brown have large twin or double beds, and most overlook the waterfront. It is a five-minute walk from JR Otaru Chikko Station, two stops from JR Otaru Station. The on-site restaurants include a small sushi restaurant (you are still in Otaru), Marina Bar, which features steaks, wines, and whiskeys, and the Terrace Brasserie with its panoramic views of the water and breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets (and a dessert buffet on weekends). In winter, several of the ski bus companies offer pickup from the hotel, making it a convenient option for skiers and boarders.

Overlooking the Naka River, this upscale Western-style hotel is a short walk from Canal City. All the rooms have generously sized beds, not always the case at business hotels. The riverside location beside the "entertainment district" puts you just a few steps from the alfresco dining at the yatai stalls, but the hostess bars and soaplands are in equal proximity, perhaps too close for comfort for some guests. Easily accessible from Nakasu Kawabata Station, the hotel is five minutes from Hakata Station on the subway's airport line.

This large bustling, modern hotel is a short walk from the station, the morning market, and the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses. Standard rooms done up in pastel shades have bland decor. Many of the rooms and the Shiomi-no-Yu hot-spring onsen have great ocean views. 

A few hundred meters from the Happo-one Resort, this sleek hotel is one of Hakuba's newest, having opened in December 2021. You'll find bright and airy rooms that range from doubles to family rooms and a suite, plus facilities that include a Finnish sauna, hot-spring baths, and ski gear rental shop. There's also a bar for a nightcap.

For travelers on a budget, the Hearton Hotel Shin-sai-bashi offers a good location and very reasonable rates. Located in Amerika-mura, a short walk from the Shin-sai-bashi subway stop and the Mido-suji and Shin-sai-bashi shopping streets, the Hearton is perfectly situated so you can take advantage of Osaka's shopping and nightlife. The rooms are small but comfortable. The hip Planet 3rd café is next door.

The best international-style hotel in town, the Hida Hotel Plaza exudes an old-style atmosphere. Beautifully carved wood accents the hotel's tastefully decorated restaurants. Many rooms have mountain views. Although the Western rooms are comfortable, you'll want to stay in a spacious deluxe Japanese room so you can enjoy the soft mattresses and fragrant cypress wood bathtubs. From the station, head north; the hotel is on the right. The hotel offers generous midweek discounts.

Impeccable service from a multilingual team at this flagship Hilton hotel, which opened in 2022, is the main draw. U.S. President Joe Biden stayed here for the G7 Hiroshima Summit in 2023. Premium rooms have access to the executive lounge giving stunning city views to those taking the complimentary breakfast or evening cocktails. ZATTA  Bar & Lounge has live music and a fine selection of drinks. The 20-meter pool, gym, and spa by L'Occitane will keep you revitalized. Across the street is a convenient full-service supermarket.

This large business hotel always gets good guest reviews for service and location, and it's a reliable option in Nagoya. The large guest rooms, many of which were refurbished in 2016, feature light-wood furnishings and translucent shoji (window screens). Facilities include an indoor pool and 24-hour fitness center. The staff are multilingual, and the hotel is near Fushimi Station.