238 Best Hotels in Japan

If the beauty of Arashiyama inspires you to spend the night in the area, consider this resort whose draws include its kimono-clad staff, modern amenities, multicourse meals, and spacious hot springs a short walk from the monkey park. In addition to the communal areas, there are five private thermal-water pools guests may use, three of them invitingly open-air. Other perks include complimentary ice-cream bars after your bath or massage.

This hotel is well-located for those who want to be close to Kawagoe train station—just few minutes away on foot via an elevated walkway—and its numerous shops and restaurants. Although it is a bit far from Ichibangai, Toki no Kane, and other sights, frequent buses plying the area stop at historical attractions. As the lobby isn't at ground level, reaching the modestly sized, minimalist rooms requires taking two different elevators. Breakfast (not included in the rates) is served slightly offsite, but it has some tasty regional offerings such as sweet potato, Musashino udon, and Kawajima cold soup.

Although some areas of this hotel are nondescript, it has a remarkable variety of contemporary accommodations, including fully accessible rooms and those with as many as four beds. It also has an impressive gym with city views and a seasonally open outdoor pool so you can swim among the skyscrapers.

A huge hotel with every imaginable amenity, the sleek Portopia Hotel rises high above the city. The restaurants and lounges on the top floors have panoramic views of Rokko-san and Osaka Bay. Ask for a room in the south wing if you want a balcony and ocean view. It's a bit isolated on man-made Port Island, but it has complimentary shuttle buses to and from Shin-Kobe Station throughout the day. The location is somewhat countered by the fact that everything from food—Chinese, Japanese, and French—to clothing is available inside the hotel.

Across from and named for the city's best-loved landmark, this hotel has great views and provides excellent service. Traditional enough to please anyone, the rooms come in an amazing variety of layouts, all with ornate puffy furnishings in luscious creamy colors. In-room dining is available, but you don't want to miss the romantic restaurant on the 11th floor.

The town's oldest Western-style hotel welcomes guests with a black-tile lobby and dramatic Japanese wood-block prints. The rooms are dated, but large. Ask for one in the newer annex at the back of the building overlooking the garden. The location is ideal—just around the corner from the Ohara Art Museum, a 10-minute walk on the main road leading southeast from the station.

Built in 1913, but with a smart, new annex added in 2020, the Kusatsu Hotel is a blend of classic and contemporary ryokan; though meals are not obligatory, use of the hot springs is included with all rooms. Accommodation options include traditional tatami-mat rooms (with futon for sleeping) in the main building or rooms with beds and wood flooring that still manage to retain a traditional vibe. Meals (there are various plans available) are centered on multicourse kaiseki traditions, but there's also a laid-back café on-site. The several indoor and outdoor public baths, which were renovated in 2020, offer a classic way to unwind, especially after a day at the nearby Kusatsu Ski Resort.

Situated just across the road from the Imperial Palace and gardens, the Kyoto Garden Palace is a classically styled yet unfussy hotel, offering excellent Japanese hospitality plus quiet, clean, and comfortable rooms. The two excellent ground floor restaurants are great spots for lunch or dinner, and both have views of the serene interior garden. East-facing rooms overlook the famous palace and grounds.

Trendy yet budget-friendly, this hotel on the edge of Ginza seems geared to a younger crowd, with pop-art throughout and guest rooms done in light blues and oranges. Most rooms are compact singles and twins, although some triples and double bedroom rooms are available for families or groups of friends. Then there are the facilities, which (along with the price) make Lyf an option for long stays: a co-working space, chilled-out bar-lounge, shared kitchen, small gym, and a laundromat.

Situated as it is on the upper 11 floors of the Marunouchi Oazo Building, with an underground walkway connected to Tokyo Station, this hotel offers both a convenient location and views of the city lights, which illuminate the quiet neutral hues and high ceilings in the guest rooms. Among the dining selections are Daian Club, featuring Wagyu beef, and the French restaurant pomme d'Adam, which specializes in dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients. If you need other options, a multitude of restaurants await in nearby skyscrapers.

This large, slightly dated hotel sits on the island-studded bay near tourist attractions such as Zuigan-ji and offers lavish rooms, some with private rotenburo (open air bath) on their balconies as well as a communal, open-air onsen with perhaps the best view of all if you do not mind the tour buses parking in front. Each room has a slightly different view, but most face the sea. You can reserve a family onsen room if you are shy about the shared baths. There is also a very small pool and other on-site activities.

This posh resort hotel has a gorgeous garden that stays illuminated at night, not to mention large, bright rooms offering gorgeous, panoramic views the bay, a delightfully relaxing tea room, and public hot-spring baths on the top floor. Affluent travelers may enjoy this splurge, but it's also a favorite among locals celebrating anniversaries. The Kyohei Fujita Museum of Glass, within the hotel complex, contains many opulent pieces by an artist inspired by the area. There are shops in the hotel and bicycles for rent, but the route to all the sights might be a bit busy. Confirm the times of shuttle buses to and from both Matsushima and Matsushimakaigan Stations when you make your reservations. They will also arrange pickup at other times if you call.

On the south bank of the Kiso River, this hotel has winning views of the castle and the surrounding hills. The lobby is bright and lively, and the well-tended grounds, including some hot-spring baths (open to nonguests also for ¥930), are relaxing. Sunny rooms in Japanese or Western style have pleasant vistas; the best face the castle, which is illuminated in the evening. The hotel can arrange tours of the area.

Both chic and reasonable, this hotel occupies the top nine floors of the 24-story Ginza Mitsui Building in a convenient location at the edge of the bustling neighborhood. Guest rooms have a soft modern style, incorporating earth tones with dashes of forest green. Little luxuries include cozy bedding and free Wi-Fi; View rooms offer city views from their bathrooms. Another great spot to take in the skyline? The Karin cocktail bar and E'Volta restaurant. Both are on the 16th floor and have wonderful panoramas of Tokyo.

This modern and comfortable hotel is an excellent base for exploring the area around Peace Memorial Park as well as the city's restaurants and nightlife. Rooms on the upper floors have excellent views over Hiroshima and the mountains beyond, as does the 25th-floor restaurant. The staff are friendly and helpful. 

A few blocks from the pier, this narrow eight-story hotel caters to the economically minded. You can book anything from a spartan room to a spacious deluxe twin at an affordable price. It's within walking distance of downtown and some of the best nightspots. The bus depot, ferry port, dive shops, and car-rental agencies are within walking distance. There's a discount for booking online.

Directly south of Kyoto Station, this refurbished hotel is more convenient than glamorous. Rooms are of standard size and comfortable enough but pretty much devoid of style. There are several restaurants and bars within, so you won't lack for food and drink. This is a decent place if you are on a package tour or if you can't find a room in this price range elsewhere.

Not only does the Mizno have a stylish lodge aesthetic and stunning views of Lake Kawaguchiko but nearly every part of the hotel—from the restaurant and rooftop bar to the guest rooms and private onsen—is designed to offer stellar Mt. Fuji views as well. In summer, make reservations for dinner on the terrace to watch the sun set over the lake.

Smack in the center of Ginza, this hotel was created in 2019 by budget Japanese retailer Muji, a company known for its natural toned, minimalist approach to interiors and fashion. That characteristic aesthetic runs through all of the smart, but compact singles and doubles, as well as the on-site library, bar, bakery, and Japanese restaurant. If you want to shop, the lower floors of the hotel's building house Muji's Ginza flagship store.

It's not as over-the-top as its big-city counterparts, but this hotel is endowed with the same crisp service and all the right amenities. Weary travelers will be happy to know it's next to Kumamoto Station—great if you want to drop off your bags and freshen up before heading off to see the sights.

"Resort" is a misnomer for this small lodge, but the Nilaina has a perfect location, wooden decks where you can kick back, and a hot tub with an ocean view. The rooms could be more spacious—and there are only four of them—but they're smartly built, with excellent details like fancy baths and subtle lighting. They all look out onto the jungle. Snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking tours are on offer, but the diving and sailing tours on the hotel's 38-foot catamaran are unique to Nilaina. Call ahead to get free pickup from Uehara Port.

For a layover at Narita Airport, this capsule hotel, located pre-security in Terminal 2, is a good bet—just pick up your slippers and robe at reception, and make your way to your "sleep pod" (basically, a very narrow sleeping space with a small pillow). In addition to overnight stays, there are day-use (from ¥1,500) and shower-only (¥1,000) options

Two minutes from Nagoya Station, Nine Hours is a modern take on the capsule hotel, designed for short stays on a tight budget. Unlike capsule hotels of old, this isn't a dingy, last-resort after being too drunk to make the last train home. Design-wise it's got a hip, minimalist feel, with stark concrete and metallic gray common areas. Each of the clean yet basic "sleeping pods" is just 110cm wide, 110cm tall, and 220cm deep (about 3.5’ x 3.5’ x 6.5’ feet), but there's a top-floor lounge and first-floor café to relax in, as well as lockers for luggage storage and shared showers. There are separate male and female floors. There's a 5% discount with free Nine Hour membership.

On the Shinano River, about 1½ km (1 mile) from the station, the 16-story high-rise affords views of the water from many of its rooms. The riverside La Shinano café is a great spot for afternoon cake or coffee. The service is attentive and the rooms—mostly Western in style but some Japanese—are comfortable. 

The rebuilt Okura combines modern, 21st-century luxury with the retro charm and stylish design of its predecessor, an iconic property that was constructed before the first Tokyo Olympics and featured a blend of traditional Japanese and modernist aesthetics. From the outside, it looks like just another set of steel and glass towers, but the conservative dark wood in the lobby gives the Okura an air of somber sophistication. An on-site museum houses fine antiques and memorabilia connected to the original hotel.

This slender tower a couple of minutes east of the Senso-ji complex is part of the affordable yet sleek OMO chain created by luxury brand Hoshino Resorts. In keeping with Hoshino's approach to design, rooms feature a contemporary blend of Japanese and Western sensibilities, incorporating light woods and natural tones that make compact spaces feel a little more expansive. Families could opt for the largest room, the Deluxe Quadruple, which is accented by tatami flooring. Beyond the design, what helps elevate the OMO3 above many other hotels in this price range are the little extras—the 24-hour food and drink station, the nightly Rakugo comedy show on the 13th floor, and free morning Asakusa tours with staff.

This fresh, budget option from luxury hotel operator Hoshino Resorts opened in Katamachi in 2022, offering simple, Western-style rooms that are decorated with light woods and pastel accents. The common areas include a chilled-out cafe-lounge and library. Nice extra touches are the on-site cultural experiences, such as a confectionary workshop and a tea-tasting session. It's especially good value on weekdays, as the Saturday rate is (unusually) double other nights.

Opened in 2024, the OMO7 is a fashionable but budget-conscious outpost from luxury brand Hoshino Resorts. The airy rooms, which range from twins (bookable as singles) to suites that can fit a family of four, are all spacious by locals standards and feature light natural tones. On-site you'll also find a plush public hot-spring bath, restaurant serving breakfast and dinner buffets (for an extra fee), a café-bar, and staff who can help plan itineraries and arrange guided activities.

This bungalow hideaway 15 minutes south of the Churaumi Aquarium is a laid-back alternative to the bigger resorts. The rooms are spacious and most face the beach. The restaurant on the sandy deck is relaxing and intimate, and grill-it-yourself options are especially fun for families. The water is great for swimming, and the beach is quiet at night. This is a good, economical spot to spend a night after circling the northern part of the island or visiting the aquarium.

Dark wooden beams, shadowy corridors, and well-chosen antiques transform a modern canal-side building into a comfortable, old-fashioned Japanese inn—a rarity in Otaru. The traditionally clad staff bow low on the raised straw matting in the reception area, and the first-floor restaurant has seating with a canal view. The charm of the public areas continues into the newly renovated lounge area, where reading materials are available, adjacent to the lobby. The eighth-floor Japanese bathroom has several indoor and open-air onsen baths as well as a sauna. The hotel's breakfast includes up to 40 different options made by their chefs with ingredients from Hokkaido.