Best Luxury Hotels in Japan

Choose the Roppongi and Akasaka districts as your base for your time in Tokyo, with a stay at the Grand Hyatt. It’s been around for two decades, catering to a wide clientele with its global approach to hospitality. Food is a highlight here; on the sixth floor, you’ll find a great sushi restaurant, Roku Roku. But there are many other options besides, including Maduro and the French Kitchen. There’s also a pool (and suites with private pools if you’d rather not share). The Grand Hyatt is set in Shinjuku Park Tower, Tokyo’s second tallest building soaring 52 storeys.

Japan’s first EDITION hotel is the work of Ian Schrager and architect Kengo Kuma. Housed in a 38-story skyscraper, it’s a funky international property that’s ready to party. There are three places to eat a drink; The Gold Room (a funky setting for drinks and snacks), The Blue Room (all-day dining) and The Jade Room (for fancy food and discovery wine pairings). At the centre of the property lies the swimming pool, but rather than muted tones and spa sounds, it’s equipped with disco lighting. Appealing to a hip crowd of residents, and locals visiting for the cool DJ beats, it has a relaxed and 21st-century vibe.

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.

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 Pan Pacific Hotel provides jaw-dropping bird’s eye views from its perch on floors 39 to 47 and with bedroom windows seven meters wide. It’s a brand new arrival, opened in the forward-thinking and vibrant district of Shinjuku on the 19th May 2023. Its highlights include a three-storey restaurant and a spa that celebrates the country’s four seasons and terroir. The decor is seductive, with dark interiors contrasted by crisp white bedding. If arriving by air, the hotel will gladly send their limo along to whisk you here with ease.

If you’re arriving by train, this hotel couldn’t be more convenient, located within Kyoto Station. It’s large in every sense; there are 537 bedrooms, a swimming pool (only for use by those aged 20 and over), a spa, 14 places to eat and drink, a fitness centre and a guest laundry. You’ll sleep on a Relaxy Angel Bed, with blackout curtains for a great sleep after your long journey. Plus you’ll have a Toto toilet and Hahonico bath products to ensure your comfort. Family and accessible rooms catering for up to five guests are readily available, and many offer some super views.

Found in Higashiyama Shichijo and set among bamboo groves, the Hyatt Regency is a calming retreat. Although very much an international brand, the property pays homage to the local area with touches such as paper lamps and framed antique kimono fabrics in the bedrooms, alongside welcome luxuries such as deep soaking tubs. Try a signature treatment inspired by local nature at the spa. And dine at the Hyatt’s three eateries; Cafe 33 overlooking the traditional Japanese garden; Trattoria Sette for homestyle Italian dishes; and Touzan, for Japanese meals accompanied by fresh-brewed teas.

Charming and rural-style, this boutique hotel on the banks of the Hozugawa River is found in the Arashiyama district. It is the former summerhouse of 19th-century industrialist Shōzō Kawasaki and offers many nods to its authentic heritage, such as yukata-dressed staff members and bamboo onsen baths filled with spring water and surrounded by volcanic walls. Its 39 bedrooms have huge floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the lush gardens, as well as mod cons such as Bose sound systems and Nespresso coffee machines. Suiran also has two restaurants and treatment rooms.

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.

Set amongst the Higashiyama Hills the Westin Miyako Kyoto boasts a stunning outlook over the ancient capital. The hotel is ideally located between the two main sight-seeing districts of the city and is one of the oldest Western-style hotels in Kyoto. Popular with visiting famous faces, many of the rooms enjoy stunning vistas as far as the Kitayama Mountains and are decorated simply and functionally. Style may not be at the forefront of this hotel and many aspects of it are still very traditional, but service and facilities are top notch here. The hotel boasts the more casual Aquablu Café restaurant in addition to their Grandview dining room, which from the name you can guess, serves creative continental cuisine whilst enjoying an incredible aspect over the city. At the Westin Miyako you really will be spoilt for choice with facilities. The hotel has multiple boutiques, a tranquil Japanese garden, a business centre, a fitness centre, a hair and beauty salon, plus an in-house florist!

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.

Opened in July 2022, this five-star hotel is just a few minutes walk from the subway in an artsy neighbourhood of Kyoto, a prime spot. It provides a sensorial experience of Japanese culture and exudes omotenashi hospitality. 168 rooms are spread across its six floors, in a moody, sophisticated and enveloping design that echoes traditional elements, with warm modern sensibilities and natural textures. The Hotel Higashiyama has a restaurant, a cafe, a fitness centre, a bar, a spa and a tranquil garden that’s set within the inner courtyard of the hotel.