Best Luxury Hotels in Japan

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.

With 909 rooms and suites, The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo has stood as a symbol of grace and refinement since 1890. Located between Ginza and the Imperial Palace gardens, this landmark hotel continues to embody Japanese elegance and Western sophistication. The interiors blend timeless craftsmanship with contemporary comfort, complemented by impeccable service that has welcomed dignitaries, artists, and royalty for over a century. Dining spans fine French, traditional kaiseki, and teppanyaki, including the celebrated Les Saisons and Kamon, while Old Imperial Bar evokes Frank Lloyd Wright’s design legacy.

Leisure amenities include a spa, fitness centre, and indoor pool, offering sanctuary in the heart of the capital. Currently undergoing a bold renewal under architect Tsuyoshi Tane as part of the Tokyo Cross Park Vision, the hotel’s enduring spirit remains untouched. This is a place where tradition meets innovation, history meets artistry, and hospitality remains an art form.

Situated in the heart of Kyoto, Six Senses Kyoto is surrounded by historic shrines and palaces, the hotel combines holistic wellness, sustainability, and luxurious experiences. Drawing inspiration from the Heian period, the design merges traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts, featuring a 504-piece Rakuyaki tile screen and reinterpretations of historical art. The hotel offers 81 serene rooms and suites, designed for relaxation and equipped with organic bedding and personalised sleep consultations. The Six Senses Spa integrates Zen traditions with modern wellness, offering tailored treatments and advanced rejuvenation therapies. The Sekki restaurant serves seasonal Japanese cuisine, supporting sustainability and local collaborations. With sustainability deeply ingrained, the hotel engages guests in local culture and conservation efforts, promising a rejuvenating experience that connects them with the essence of Kyoto.

Right beside the bullet train station and bus terminal, the Sheraton is handy for onward travel and sightseeing. It accommodates 238 bedrooms in a skyscraper building, where Western decor is fused with contemporary Japanese style; many floor-to-ceiling windows provide an airy feel and wood-clad walls create an inviting warmth. Guests can dine all day on a wide variety of dishes at Bridges, or on authentic national cuisine at Miyabi-Tei and indulge in some treatments, or go for a swim at its Shine Spa for Sheraton. Book a Club Suite for access to its treat-filled Club Lounge.

A highlight of this establishment are the onsen baths, filled with natural saltwater from hot springs that lie deep beneath its surface. Here you can soak in minerals as the warmth eases your muscles — both male and female bathing areas are provided, as well as yukata (robes). This is a 39 bedroom ryokan (typically Japanese) hotel, where guests can sleep either on beds or on traditional futons amongst minimalist surroundings. Additionally, there’s a full-service spa, a pretty garden, a terrace and the in-house restaurant, Mametanuki. Miyajima Kinsuikan is a top choice if you’d like to experience an authentic slice of Japanese life.

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.

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.

Boasting some of the most spacious and luxurious guestrooms in the whole of Tokyo, the Peninsula features 24 storeys and towers over the city. Taking in the panoramic views of the city from the hotel’s rooftop is an experience that should not be missed, while the Peninsula is also famous for its afternoon teas. Guests can also dine in style while taking in the sights of Tokyo from the top floor Peter restaurant. Each of the guestrooms is designed to combine traditional charm with modern luxuries and guests are treated to a number of excellent modern conveniences including nail driers.

The Four Seasons Hotel Osaka is a modern take on the Japanese Ryokan, a traditional inn, and it does not disappoint. The hotel seamlessly blends traditional Japanese tranquillity with modern touches to make it not only a luxury hotel but an experience. The hotel’s rooms and suites have spectacular views of the city and are spacious yet comfortable. The rooms are equipped with king size beds, marble bathrooms and luxury amenities. The hotel’s spa is on its 36th floor and gazes out over the city below, it is home to the panoramic swimming pool, sauna, gym, and treatment rooms. The hotel’s dedicated concierge team are also always on hand to arrange experiences for guests, taking any stress out of your time in Osaka. The hotel is home to a variety of dining options which include the Jiang Nan Chun Chinese restaurant, a Sushi restaurant and the Farine, an exquisite tea shop and bakery.

Marking Rosewood’s debut in Japan, Rosewood Miyakojima offers an ultra-luxury escape on a secluded peninsula in Miyakojima, an island renowned for its pristine beaches and rich Ryukyu culture. Featuring 55 beachfront and ocean-view villas, the resort blends seamlessly with nature through sustainable design by Studio Piet Boon. Guests can indulge in four distinctive dining venues, including the oceanfront seafood restaurant MAAS and the Japanese-Italian fusion eatery NAGI, as well as a wellness sanctuary at Asaya Spa, which offers Okinawan-inspired treatments and holistic experiences. A range of nature-inspired adventures, from snorkeling with sea turtles to traditional Japanese crafts, immerse guests in the island’s unique heritage. Designed for both families and couples, the resort features the Rosewood Explorers Club for young guests, while its private pavilions and infinity pool provide the ultimate sanctuary. Combining spiritual tranquility with bespoke luxury, Rosewood Miyakojima sets a new standard for hospitality in Japan.

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.

Be wowed by the incredible and ancient grounds of the Four Season Kyoto set amongst the ancient and scenic temple district. The hotel sits at the heart of the 800-year-old Shakusuien, a beautiful pond garden thought to have once been the garden of samurai Taira no Shigemori. The garden is so incredible it was immortalized in a 12th-century poem “The Tale of Heike”. The hotel itself is contemporary but rooted firmly in tradition, history and natural beauty. Décor is simple, elegant, and exudes typical Japanese minimalism. Rooms are tranquil, functional and bathed in natural light, some with peaceful garden views – a truly restorative view to wake up to. The hotel also features a stunning Michelin-starred Edo-style sushi restaurant, Sushi Wakon, and a great spa with a menu full of ancient healing rituals. The Four Seasons also offers a whole host of traditional experiences including the opportunity to experience the enigmatic charm of traditional Geishas at a kaiseki (multi-course) dinner featuring performances from the talented artisans, taking part in a traditional tea ceremony conducted by a tea master, and learning the art of making your own chibi-maru lantern with a 10th generation Kojima master.