Best Luxury Hotels in Japan

Guests from all over the world are invited to embrace a unique luxury getaway at Ace Hotel Kyoto where a range of deluxe guest rooms and spacious suites are waiting to offer peace and quiet in the ancient capital of Japan. The hotel’s rooms are designed to blend classic and contemporary as well as incorporate Eastern and Western charm. This functional hotel boasts a unique selection of eateries which offer delicious international dishes made specially from local produce – guests are welcome to choose from Kosa, Piopiko, and Mr. Maurice’s Italian. There is also a  chic rooftop bar, afternoon tea room and Japan’s first Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Ace Hotel Kyoto features stylish event spaces for you to choose from which are suitable for any event and make for the perfect wedding venue. This hotel frequently offers packages and special offers so be sure not to miss out!

THE THOUSAND KYOTO is ideally located just two minutes from the city’s JR Kyoto Station Central Gate and makes sightseeing a breeze thanks to numerous convenient transport links. There are a range of guestroom options, including seven suite types, which all offer a minimalist haven for guests to unwind in contemporary comfort. THE THOUSAND KYOTO restaurant serveslocal and international dishes while there are a range of beverages waiting to be tasted at café TEA & BAR. There is also an extensive in-room dining menu which allows guests to indulge in Japanese and Italian cuisine from the comfort of their own room or suite. Authentic, traditional Japanese spa treatments are featured in THE THOUSAND SPA where ancient practices based on the principles of Buddhism and incorporating tea can be enjoyed. This hotel is an idyllic and modern venue for hosting a fairy tale wedding thanks to stunning event and banquet spaces and sensational catering options.

In 2019 the InterContinental opened its second property in the port city of Yokohama, with 173 guestrooms and suites ranging from 45 to 133 square metres and providing great port views. The hotel echoes its location with a gentle nautical theme. Ascend to the Pier 8 rooftop and you may feel like you’re on one of the cruise ships you can see sail past. Dine in the Larboard Restaurant and Bar on yōshoku (local versions of European dishes). It serves a half-buffet style breakfast, an à la carte lunch and a table d’hôte dinner menu. Or pop into the Katabami sushi bar for food. There’s also a spa, courtyard and fitness centre.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama is in the Minato Mirai 21 neighbourhood and launched in 2020. A gleaming mirrored glass exterior is complemented by modern interior design, incorporating both geometric patterns and alternative, curved aesthetics. Omotenashi (the commitment to wholeheartedly look after guests) runs deep here, so you can expect attentive five-star service. There are 137 bedrooms, restaurants serving Italian and Japanese meals, special excursions for guests, a spa and fitness centre and a pool looking over Rinko Park and the tree-lined boulevard towards the port.

Coming from an international brand that places an emphasis on wellness, this hotel is just a year old and the sixth Westin in Japan. Naturally, the spa, with its indoor pool area is a draw. There are five places to eat onsite; Brasserie du Quai serving French cuisine, Kissui-sen for contemporary Japanese food, the Iron Bay grill on the 23rd floor, Code Bar and Sugar Merchant overlooking Mount Fuji (do try the themed afternoon teas and arrive early for the best window seats). 373 bedrooms are bright with floor-to-ceiling windows, ultra-modern bathrooms and tea/coffee-making sets.

This was the first hotel in the country to become a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World™. It can be seen listed in the Michelin Guide Kansai, awarded 4 Red Pavilions (the highest rating possible in this division). Take a dip in the carbonated springs, detox in the nano mist sauna and take a rain mist shower at SPA＆ ESTHETIC La Chère. And dine at the French-style Restaurant Le Cœur Kobe, in Teppanyaki Kokoro and to the sound of jazz in Lounge and Bar Grand Bleu. The hotel’s name references musical suites, a theme that runs through the property. All 70 bedrooms feature an ocean-view terrace.

Guests got a first look at this new EDITION property at its opening on December 19th 2023. At the heart of fashionable Ginza, it has 86 bedrooms including 10 suites across 14 floors. The design has been created by Ian Schrager and Kengo Kuma, incorporating clean lines, cream tones, bespoke furnishings, curated artworks and glossy fixtures. There are four dining venues onsite; the Lobby Bar, Japan’s first-ever cocktail bar to major in punch (The Punch Room), a modern brasserie (Sophie at the EDITION) and an oasis-like rooftop bar (The Roof). The Tokyo EDITION also has a Technogym.

There’s so much to do at this Renaissance resort; its marine location is perfect for watersports and scuba diving and the programme of daily entertainment includes cultural performances by the likes of Okinawan Taiko Drummers, Ryukyu Koto players and local performing arts groups, plus there’s a range of activities, especially for kids. With no fewer than 10 restaurants and bars, guests have their choice of sushi, BBQ food, teppanyaki grills, Japanese specialities and French cuisine. Indoor and outdoor pools are available, plus there’s an onsite shop, fitness centre and enticing selection of excursions.

A single road curves across the beach to reach this hotel which appears to float on the sea. Its Seragaki Island location affords 360-degree views of the ocean. There are 343 guestrooms with open-air balconies (23 are in The Beach House with the remainder in The Island wing), six restaurants and a Hanari Spa offering treatments and activities based on the tenants of the physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual dimensions. Hyatt Regency is right beside the beach, but also has a private lagoon and a huge oceanside freeform pool that’s penned in by stone walls inspired by ancient Okinawa castles.

See Okinawa’s attractions via a complimentary driver service, when you stay at The Ritz-Carlton. The resort hotel benefits from being in the verdant grounds of the Kise Country Club, overlooking a large lagoon and the sea. Dine inside, or out on the terrace at Chura Nuhji, whose menu intrigues with Italian recipes made using Japanese ingredients, for a fusion effect. Or opt for teppanyaki prepared before you at Kise, and all-day international cuisine at Gusuku. There’s also a swimming pool and a spa, and you’ll be close to the beach and golf courses.

Hotel Indigo has introduced its fourth property in Japan, Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya, in the bustling capital city of Tokyo in collaboration with Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation. This neighbourhood-inspired hotel takes inspiration from Shibuya’s vibrant urban environment, with a ‘Kaleidoscopic Urban Jungle’ theme evident in its design, featuring fashion-led artworks adorned with denim and leather motifs reflecting Shibuya’s fashion culture. The 272-room hotel offers guests a unique selection of vinyl records in each room, celebrating Shibuya’s music culture, along with stunning views of Tokyo Skytree and Mount Fuji. The newly opened restaurant, Gallery 11, showcases Shibuya’s rich culture through captivating artworks and serves a fusion of Mediterranean cuisine with a Japanese twist, using fresh local ingredients. The hotel also features Shibrewya, a neighbourhood café offering freshly brewed coffee and Instagram-worthy waffles in the shape of Hachiko, Shibuya’s iconic Akita dog statue. Situated within walking distance of Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya provides a prime location for exploring the city’s popular shopping and dining districts, offering a blend of architectural wonders, cultural experiences, and urban parks.

Marunouchi’s big sister hotel occupies the top six floors of a 39-storey skyscraper and accommodates 190 bedrooms. Within a stone’s throw of the Gardens of the Imperial Palace, it has an especially regal, and green outlook. Inside are two restaurants with outdoor terraces and a 1920s-era bar; a spa featuring a 3-D installation that was inspired by Issey Miyake textiles; a 20-metre swimming pool; and traditional soaking baths. For the best suites, book one on the 34th to the 38th floors — these were artfully designed by Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston.