Best Luxury Hotels in Japan 2024
Japan is famed for its omotenashi, impeccable service, and hospitality premised on heartfelt relationships from person to person. For a truly unforgettable travel experience, book yourself into one or more of these luxury hotels and ryokans (traditional Japanese inn) that let you explore the country in supreme comfort and fantastic style.
1. Mt. Fuji View Onsen Ooike Hotel (Yamanashi)
The award-winning Mt. Fuji View Onsen Ooike Hotel is located in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture. The hotel offers stunning views of Japan’s highest peak and convenient access to family-friendly amusement parks like Fuji-Q Highland. Unwind in the large hot springs bath on the fifth floor, where you can take in the majestic sweep of Mount Fuji and the surrounding landscape or enjoy the elegantly presented kaiseki meals in the hotel’s dining facilities.
2. Arima Onsen Gekkoen Korokan (Hyogo)
Arima Onsen is one of Japan’s top three hot spring towns, which you can experience while staying at Arima Onsen Gekkoen Korokan. The full-service ryokan is located just five minutes by foot from the center of town. It has numerous bathing facilities on-site, in addition to a karaoke room, tea room, spa, and dining services that feature Kobe beef.
3. Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel (Orix Hotels & Resorts) (Oita)
The southern island of Kyushu is home to Beppu, another famed onsen town where you can pamper yourself in Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel. The hotel features several open-air baths with stunning views of the area and an expansive swimming facility called the Aqua Garden with fountain shows, massage baths, and more. Guest rooms in several configurations ensure that you can have a most comfortable stay regardless of your party size.
4. Ogoto Onsen Biwako Ryokusuitei (Shiga)
On the shores of picturesque Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, a short trip north of Kyoto by train or car, you’ll find the soothing facilities of Ogoto Onsen Biwako Ryokusuitei. Many of the guest rooms in the hotel have a private bath, so you can enjoy a soak while basking in the photogenic environment. A massage facility, lounge, karaoke parlor, and library round out how to treat yourself while lodging in this tranquil lakeside establishment.
5. Hotel Groove Shinjuku Park Royal Hotel
Even in Tokyo, a city that has it all, you can come across a place like Hotel Groove Shinjuku Park Royal Hotel that surprises you with its panache and unique ambiance. The hotel is located in the bustling heart of the city. It has guest rooms with fantastic views of the surrounding area. Drop by the terrace for drinks and the dining area for Italian-style cuisine; you just may never want to check out.
6. Miyako Hotel Hakata (Fukuoka)
Hakata is the name of a district in eastern Fukuoka, a city in southern Japan renowned for its history of cultural exchange, array of open-air food stalls, and splashy arts scene. Make the most of your visit by booking yourself a room at the Miyako Hotel Hakata. You won’t regret a minute, whether relaxing in the top-floor spa with a natural hot spring and waterfall or trying some of the innovative culinary offerings at the hotel’s two restaurants. The hotel is also super convenient to the airport, with the journey taking no more than 15 minutes by car.
7. Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel (Aichi)
The tall ceilings and warm tones of the guest rooms at the Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel will give you a feeling of spaciousness as you explore Nagoya, the capital of central Japan’s Aichi Prefecture. The hotel offers a hearty breakfast buffet that will power you for your adventures and all-day dining at its elegantly appointed restaurant and bar, The Gatehouse. The guest rooms are located on the 18th to 24th floors, allowing you to gaze across the breathtaking cityscape and enjoy the premium comfort of a high-rise.
8. Kyoto Kadensho (Kyoto)
Located just one minute from the Hankyu Arashiyama Station, Kyoto Kadensho is a popular ryokan with a range of hot springs on-site, including a public bath and several more that can be reserved for private enjoyment. Indulge in the ryokan’s luxe seasonal cuisine, beef shabu-shabu, and other meals that introduce the exquisite gastronomy of Kyoto cuisine. The tatami floors and traditional Japanese furniture create a serene ambiance that will restore your balance after spending a day in the bustling city.
9. Yufuin Onsen Soan Kosumosu (Oita)
Yufuin Onsen Soan Kosumosu is located in the hot springs resort of Yufuin Onsen, Oita Prefecture, a popular getaway with many museums, cafes, and shops. The ryokan’s interior was designed by Eiji Mitooka, who was also behind the luxury train experience known as Seven Stars in Kyushu. Enjoy tastefully appointed accommodations that elevate any itinerary, and don’t miss the natural hot springs that can ease your body and soul. Some guest rooms have private outdoor baths so you can soak away your worries anytime.
10. The Blossom Kumamoto (Kumamoto)
Steep yourself in the luxury of The Blossom Kumamoto, with guest rooms on the 9th to 12th floors providing views of volcanic Mount Aso, the Kumamoto cityscape, and the Ariake Sea. The premium hotel weaves nature, culture, history, and food into an unforgettable tableau, with elements like the famed paper lanterns of Yamaga featured in its interior lighting and other regional crafts proudly on display. You’ll come to appreciate the majesty of nature and the depth of Kumamoto’s heritage as you spend time in this one-of-a-kind hotel that doubles as a veritable showcase of Japanese tradition.