Best Luxury Hotels in Japan

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.

Pay a visit to the InterContinental for some Michelin starred cuisine at the Pierre restaurant or for some time soaking in the waters of its traditional bathhouse. Then stay awhile in one of the 272 bedrooms with a Bose sound system and Nespresso machine, or for an extended period, check into a multiple bedroom residence. The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool, a jet bath and a sauna, with immersive spa treatments and holistic packages, as well as further eateries; Noka Roast and Grill, the 3-60, Adee and the Stressed Patisserie.

Found on the famed Namiki Dori street, the Hyatt Centric in the fashionable district of Ginza is well placed for a spot of designer shopping. Flanked by Bonsai trees, the entrance leads into the property’s 12 floors, but you’ll need to take a lift to reach the lobby; located on the fourth level. This impressive space overlooks the restaurant and bar NAMIKI667 below, creating a sense of atmosphere immediately. The building had a former life as the HQ of a national newspaper and provides links to this heritage throughout the decor.

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.

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.

Fairmont Tokyo brings the brand’s signature blend of timeless elegance and contemporary design to the heart of the city. Set across the upper floors of the BLUE FRONT SHIBAURA Tower South in the dynamic Shibaura district, the hotel offers panoramic views of Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Bay. It features 217 spacious rooms and suites, including three standout signature suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and interiors inspired by Japanese craftsmanship. Guests can relax at the Fairmont Spa and Health Club, home to a 20-metre indoor infinity pool, Technogym fitness suite and tranquil saunas, or opt for the Fairmont Gold experience for enhanced privacy and service. Seven restaurants and bars showcase a variety of global and local cuisines, from teppanyaki and sushi to wood-fired coastal dishes and a discreet listening bar serving rare spirits. With a range of stylish event spaces and a strong focus on hospitality, Fairmont Tokyo offers an elevated base for both business and leisure travellers.

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.

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!

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.

Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda is Hilton’s first lifestyle brand hotel in Japan, opened in September 2024 within the new Grand Green Osaka development. This is not traditional luxury. This is personality, playfulness and connection to place. The design concept, ‘Hack Osaka’ sees the city’s energy and culture through the creative lens of art installations, bold graphics and clever details throughout.

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.

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.