The Best Hotels in Japan
Even beyond the dizzying neon of Tokyo and historic temples of Kyoto, Japan holds a wealth of landscapes and environments. City lovers can find urban boutique hotels perched high in skyscrapers, while history buffs might feel at home in a traditional ryokan tucked along a mountain stream. Active travelers can ski the slopes in Hokkaido, surf on Okinawan beaches, or hike in volcanic valleys before relaxing in a natural onsen hot spring. Blending local customs and international standards of luxury, visitors can find a variety of experiences in Japanese hotels and resorts.
375 Hanaseharachichō, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, 601-1102, Japan
You’ll feel zen from the moment you drive in from nearby Kyoto, along a narrow road through Japanese cedars and past temples and shrines, to the moment you sink into a hot bath at this intimate ryokan. Refreshed and relaxed, you’ll...
Japan, 〒048-1592 北海道Abuta-gun, 虻田郡ニセコ町Higashiyama, 東山温泉
Under the same management umbrella as the nearby Hilton, the Green Leaf has a more intimate boutique feel with the same conveniences as the larger resort. Built for the Hokkaido winter slopes—the Green Leaf is ski-in and ski-out—but...
Japan, 〒401-0305 Yamanashi-ken, Minamitsuru-gun, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Ōishi, 南都留郡富士河口湖町大石１４０８
The woodblock prints from ukiyo-e artist Hokusai first introduced me to Japan’s most iconic volcano. Between 1826 and 1833, Hokusai traveled to many provinces in Japan to see Mount Fuji from different vantage points as represented in his...
2 Chome-5-２５ Umeda, Kita-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 530-0001, Japan
Upholding the brand’s five-star standard, the Ritz-Carlton Osaka is an opulent city hotel with all the expected amenities. The decor feels more 18th-century England than modern-day Japan, but the location,in the central Nishi-Umeda district,...
Taketomi, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture 907-1101, Japan
The understated and modest villas at the Hoshinoya Taketomi Island resort are a far cry from the characterless concrete and stucco of many beach resorts, but then again, this is Japan, where tradition and elegant simplicity are standard. The...
Why we love it: A modern, art-focused take on the ryokan experience
The Highlights:
- Traditional kaiseki dinners crafted from local ingredients
- A private, mineral water–filled outdoor tub in each room
- Art classes and other creative...
The Highlights:
- Traditional kaiseki dinners crafted from local ingredients
- A private, mineral water–filled outdoor tub in each room
- Art classes and other creative...
