Best Luxury Hotels in Japan

The striking jet black reflective facade of the W hotel (designed by the city’s own world-renowned architect Tadao Ando) sets it apart on the horizon. But inside is a very different story, with bold pinks, blues and purples found throughout. It’s located on Midosuji Boulevard and welcomes guests with a giant uplit W sign made up of chrome balls. An indoor glowing infinity pool adjoins a bar and lounge with DJ beats creating a sophisticated party vibe. The living room and restaurant are separated by a white flowing curtain, creating a sense of cohesion yet separating the function of the spaces.

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.

This hotel broke ground as the first urban resort to launch in Japan, with 134 guest rooms and suites, four restaurants and bars and a signature The Ritz-Carlton Spa. The brand has collaborated with Pierre Hermé Paris, creator of Haute Pàtisserie, to offer a range of delectable French sweet treats, exclusive to guests. Touches like this are typical of the European luxury meets Japanese culture and tradition of the resort. Set beside the Kamo River, and with views of the Higashiyama mountains, The Ritz-Carlton enjoys a picturesque location that’s close to the popular downtown areas of Gion and Pontocho.

Famous as starring in the film Lost in Translation with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, the Park Hyatt Tokyo has become a bit of an institution among luxury lovers over the years. For people who have seen the film, the hotel’s elegant guestrooms, lounge and business centre will need little introduction. The large indoor swimming pool is a popular place for guests to unwind while splashing around or enjoying a cocktail or two. Guests will want to make sure that they secure a room that faces Mount Fuji.

Patina Osaka introduces a new wave of mindful luxury to Japan’s urban hotel scene. Located between Osaka Castle and Naniwanomiya Park, this 20-storey sanctuary features 221 rooms and suites that blend contemporary comfort with the natural rhythms of Japanese design philosophy. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views of historic landmarks, while interiors celebrate seasonal transitions through natural textures and thoughtful details. The hotel is defined by its commitment to wellness and creativity, with The Patina Spa offering pioneering health technology including cryotherapy, oxygen and hydrogen therapies, and LED body treatments. Dining is equally considered, from the hyper-seasonal cuisine at P72 to the immersive audio environment of The Listening Room by OJAS. With creative partnerships, cultural experiences and a design ethos shaped by Japan’s micro-seasons, Patina Osaka is more than a luxury hotel—it’s a place for personal transformation and connection, in one of Japan’s most dynamic cities.

Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto, is a refined 39-room hot spring hotel on the banks of the Hozu River in Arashiyama, where emperors once held boating parties and poets came to write about the passing seasons. This exquisite estate dates back to a 13th-century imperial palace, and two of the hotel’s restaurants occupy century-old villas built for a baron. Today’s guests can enjoy a private open-air onsen fed by natural springs, and gardens carpeted in moss beneath maple and pine trees. Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel is a destination for all seasons, from the first cherry blossoms, when the evening cicadas sing to when the maple leaves turn yellow.

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.

Food lovers who are looking for an elegant place to stay while spending time in Tokyo are sure to love the Mandarin Oriental. Set in the Nihonbashi district, guests are treated to the choice of 178 rooms that are decorated with charming cherry blossom motifs. The establishment really excels when it comes to its dining options and there are twelve different restaurants to choose from in total, three of which boast Michelin stars. The theatrical performances in the Tapas Molecular Bar always attracts crowds, while Sense offers some of the best Cantonese cuisine in the whole of Japan.

This secluded retreat was opened by The Banyan Tree Group in 2020, accommodating 25 balconied bedrooms. It faces Nijo-Jo Castle and features interior architecture in a flying geese formation, taking its cue from the castle and Katsura Imperial Villa. The interior design is by the world-renowned Yukio Hashimoto; here the outside is drawn in, with picture windows emphasising its lush garden surroundings; greenery, planting and a calming water feature akin to a serene mini lake with a tree island at its centre. Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto also accommodates the Singular restaurant serving French cuisine, a kitchen and a well-being lounge.

Set on the 40th to 45th floors of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu skyscraper, this latest offering from Bulgari launched with a star-studded event. Celebrities, including brand ambassador Anne Hathaway, graced the opulent new spaces and the hotel was linked to the pink diamond (it’s customary for each of the Maison’s properties to be linked to a precious gem) as a nod to Japanese culture and specifically, pink blossom. Highlights here include the spa, the rooftop Bulgari Bar and Terrace Gardens with wonderful views of the city. For the best room in the house, book the impressive 400 sqm Bulgari Suite.

Osaka’s answer to the Champs Elysées, the solubrious Midosuji is the setting for the St Regis property. Each of its 160 bedrooms features Japanese-style bathtubs, Remède bath products, a curated selection of art and ceramics, Kyoto silks and headboards crafted from Kawashima silk. Guests staying here receive the hallmark brand butler service and can experience French flair in a Japanese city – the hotel has a boulangerie and two French restaurants, along with an Italian eatery and a teppanyaki grill. And when it comes to the first meal of the day, you can opt for an American spread, or a traditional Japanese breakfast.

Within walking distance of attractions, this boutique hotel is ideally located close to the Kamo River. Antique and old-world pieces are woven among contemporary furnishings to tell the story of the area’s heritage and showcase traditional Japanese crafts. Grill 54th is the all-day dining venue with an open kitchen cooking up rare Wagyu beef, seafood and local specialities. While 1867 is the lounge bar offering afternoon tea, modern cocktails and pre-dinner drinks. Dhawa Yura also has a 24-hour gym and bedrooms ranging from doubles through to king or twin suites with C.O. Bigelow amenities.