The 13 Best Hotels in Japan No Design Lover Should Miss
From Tokyo to Osaka and the Niseko countryside, from 800-year-old pond gardens to sky-high infinity pools, these Japanese hotels are all about unparalleled sophistication and a refined aesthetic
The best hotels in Japan combine great design with craft, chic minimalism, a respect for nature and a Zen approach to luxury. And these are the country's most unmissable addresses.
The best hotels in Japan are as multifaceted as the country they call home. One day you might be making your way through a hectic, neon-lit Tokyo (check out what it could look like in the future), and the next you could be leisurely soaking in an onsen in Hakone. And while cities may vastly vary from one another, there is some commonality in the refined aesthetic found throughout the island nation. Just about everything in Japan has a particularly beautiful aesthetic, and while often minimalistic, there is an unparalleled elegance and sophistication when it comes to their accommodations. And thanks to the country’s extensive rail system—including the Shinkansen bullet trains—city-hopping is not only feasible, but recommended. From traditional ryokan inns to some of the newer contemporary additions, here AD surveys the 13 best hotels in Japan worthy of a trip from any design aficionado.
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Photo: Miyuki Kaneko (Nacasa & Partners inc.)1/13Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto (Kyoto)
In the middle of Japan’s “cultural capital,” the all-star design team behind Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto’s spared no energy in honoring the city’s extensive history. From the tastefully displayed work by local artists, to the 14,000-square foot traditional Japanese garden, private Onsen facilities, and nature-inspired design, the hotel acts as both a respite and enriching educational experience for any traveler. With interiors designed by André Fu, expect to find calming, streamlined guest rooms that honor the Japanese aesthetic of simplicity and serenity.
While at the property, guests can take advantage of a number of cultural activities, including a traditional tea ceremony, lantern-led art tour, and wellness breathing session. In the basement, you’ll find the hotel’s spa, which features a rock-walled thermal spring, two private onsens, and additional treatment rooms offering various services based on the traditional Japanese Anma massage. More alluring yet, Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto is in a seductive location by any architecture fans’ standard: directly across the street from Nijō-jo Castle, with some rooms even offering direct views to the 17th Century UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photo: Getty Images2/13Imperial Hotel Tokyo (Tokyo)
The Imperial Hotel Tokyo may be among the most famous Japanese getaways for design fans. Once the site of a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed property, the hotel first opened in the 1880s at the request of Japanese aristocrats intended for the increasing number Western visitors. Since its debut, three separate buildings have served as the main part of the hotel, including Wright’s famous Mayan-revival style accommodations. Most recently a high-rise, 17-story tower holds the accommodation’s 772 guest rooms. True to its name, the property is outfitted in tastefully ornate decor, including an opulent reception area defined by a stunning glass chandelier. Currently, the hotel is hosting a special exhibition showcasing Wright’s version of the hotel, which would’ve celebrated its 100th anniversary this year.
Photo: Courtesy of Aman3/13Aman Tokyo (Tokyo)
Aman Tokyo is not just one of the best hotels in Japan, but one of the best in the world. Named number seven on the list of the World's 50 Best Hotels, a prestigious ranking by the 50 Best Organization, it was the brand’s first urban location when it opened in 2014. A large jump for the hotel group known for remote, private luxury, the property had big promises to live up to. In its nearly 10-year existence, Aman Tokyo has delivered. Sitting on the top six floors of a 38-story skyscraper, the property offers stunning views of the city inside a tranquil, minimalist oasis.
Photo: Courtesy of Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo4/13Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo (Tokyo)
When picturing Tokyo, many travelers may—consciously or not—find Shinjuku City coming to mind. After all, it’s this special ward that houses many of the glitzy clubs, neon lights, and towering skyscrapers that have come to define the Japanese capital. Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo sits in the heart of it all. Inspired by the New York fashion scene, the property is home to various rotating art installations, pop up shops, and restaurants. The hotel encapsulates a distinctive East-meets-West style throughout its suites and amenity spaces.
Photo: Courtesy of Shiguchi5/13Shiguchi (Niseko countryside)
For a taste of the Japanese countryside, perhaps no hotel is more appropriate than Shiguchi. The property gets its name from a traditional Japanese construction technique, where timber is joined together without nails through carved joints. Here, guests stay in kominka, which translates to “old house,” and relates to a style of home built from local materials often found in rural areas of Japan. A stay here offers visitors a unique experience to truly live within traditional Japanese culture. Each komika is one-of-a-kind and decorated with a collection of sculptures, ink paintings, and antique and modern ceramics.
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Kyoto6/13Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto (Kyoto)
At the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, you’ll know it’s going to be something special as soon as your cab turns into the bamboo-lined brick road leading to the hotel. The crown jewel of the property is its 800-year-old pond garden, which evokes a feeling of serenity and is the perfect setting for alfresco dining when the weather is balmy. Enjoy the magnificent 65-foot indoor pool, French cuisine highlighting local ingredients at the property’s restaurant Brasserie, and a trip to the soothing spa.
Photo: Courtesy of Hoshinoya Karuizawa7/13Hoshinoya Karuizawa (Karuizawa)
Located at the base of Mount Asama, the idyllic Hoshinoya Karuizawa looks more like a small village than a hotel. Two onsens (one public, the other private) are at your disposal, as is a 24-hour library lounge, inclusive of books, snacks, chaise lounges, and even Hakushu whiskey. Opt for a Mizunami room if you want to be right along the flowing river, which you can take in from your own terrace. Don’t forget to make a reservation at the resort’s restaurant Kasuke for a delicious kaiseki dinner.
Photo: Ralf Tooten8/13St. Regis Osaka (Osaka)
Sometimes the ultimate luxury is quiet amid a bustling city. Located between Osaka’s trendy Umeda district and the rambunctious Shinsaibashi sector, St. Regis Osaka is a pleasant respite from the cacophony. Your reservation includes butler service, and rooms are outfitted with a shower whose multiple massage heads will relieve any tension you may have built up over a long-haul flight or tiring day. Don’t forget to sink into a plush chair at the bar while overlooking the Zen garden with a Shogun Mary, the hotel’s take on a Bloody Mary, prepared with yuzu, wasabi, and soy sauce.
Photo: Courtesy of Palace Hotel Tokyo9/13Palace Hotel Tokyo (Tokyo)
With more than half of its 290 rooms outfitted with balconies (a rare amenity in the Japanese capital), which provide views of the Imperial Palace gardens and even Mount Fuji on a clear day, Palace Hotel Tokyo is a wonderfully surprising hideaway in the Marunouchi business district. And with ten on-site restaurants and bars to choose from, as well as a variety of local tours (ranging from gastronomic endeavors to an intimate introduction to kabuki theater), this hotel is sure to keep you occupied.
Photo: Hasselblad H5D10/13Zaborin (Hokkaido prefecture)
An intimate luxury ryokan composed of only 15 villas, Zaborin is nestled in the secluded Hanazono woods of Hokkaido prefecture. This is the kind of getaway where you can release yourself from your everyday stress and take in the beauty of your natural surroundings while relaxing at an onsen. Rates are also inclusive of breakfast and a kita-kaiseki dinner highlighting local ingredients.
Photo: Chris Cypert11/13The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa (Okinawa)
Boasting warm weather year-round and home to some beautiful beaches, Okinawa could be considered the Hawaii of Japan. The stunning Ritz-Carlton is surrounded by an 18-hole golf course and overlooks Nago Bay, and all rooms have a terrace with a scenic view. Enjoy a different side of Japan on the subtropical island.
Photo: Nacasa & Partners inc.12/13Amanemu (Ise Shima National Park)
Amanemu, ensconced within Ise Shima National Park, is a peaceful addition to Mie prefecture. Amenities like a 98-foot infinity pool, serving up panoramic vistas of the surrounding forest and Ago Bay, as well as a stunning spa featuring two onsens and a fireside lounge make this resort a highly covetable vacation spot.
Photo: Kazuyoshi miyoshi13/13Gôra Kadan (Hakone)
Hakone, a resort town synonymous with hot springs, is home to some of the finest ryokans in the country. Gôra Kadan, a Relais & Châteaux property, is regarded as one of the most luxurious retreats in the area. Splurge a little and opt for a room that has an open-air stone bath in your own private Japanese garden.
