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.

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.

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.

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.

AUCHON L’Hotel Kyoto brings French charm to Japan’s ancient capital as well as culinary delight thanks to Paris’ expert curators. This 5-star escape is a member of the leading hotels of the world and boasts gastronomic excellence in a chic, contemporary setting. Each of the hotel’s spectacular guestrooms and suites have been expertly designed using a blend of Western and Japanese textiles and craftsmanship, featuring elements of FAUCHON hotel’s signature pink and complete with FAUCHON’s Gourmet Bar. The Grand Café FAUCHON presents pristine French dishes and a panoramic view of Higashiyama. Guests can also enjoy delightful beverages in the Salon de Thé FAUCHON and Le Bar FAUCHON while Pâtisserie & Boutique FAUCHON offers only the finest sweet and savoury delicacies including macarons imported from Paris. Le Spa FAUCHON is home to a host of indulgent treatments and facilities for guests to enjoy. FAUCHON L’Hotel Kyoto also features stunning event and function space to make for the perfect wedding venue.

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.

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.

RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, located in the vibrant district of Nakanoshima, also known as Osaka’s “City of Water,” the hotel has welcomed global dignitaries and royalty since its 1935 inception. Now reimagined as part of IHG’s rapidly growing luxury and lifestyle portfolio, Vignette Collection, it combines time-honoured tradition with modern hospitality.

The hotel features over 1,000 rooms and suites, including a showstopping 700-square-metre suite, and 18 dining venues. Highlights include authentic Japanese cuisine, French fine dining, and contemporary lounges, while guests can also access a state-of-the-art fitness centre and 56 versatile event spaces. Renowned designer Junko Koshino has lent her artistic touch to the hotel’s stylish new uniforms, fusing fashion with heritage.