10 Must-Stay High-End Hotels in Japan

When travelers journey to Japan, many seek luxurious stays that reflect cultural authenticity. From impeccable service and traditional architecture to advanced conveniences and stunning natural settings, the ideal hotel experience in Japan offers both comfort and an immersive experience. Whether it’s a high-end hotel in Tokyo or a serene ryokan in Kyoto, these accommodations are more than just a base, they’re destinations in their own right.

Kyoto

Nestled in a moss-covered forest at the foot of Hidari Daimonji mountain in the northern Takagamine area lies Hotel Aman Kyoto. Designed by Kerry Hill, its minimalist pavilions embrace traditional ryokan elements and are made from black timber with floor-to-ceiling windows. Accommodation includes spacious pavilions with tatami flooring, soaking tubs and private terraces, while the Takagamine Suite and Pavilion offer wine cellar access. The two-bedroom Washigamine Pavilion comes with its own hiking path and meditation garden.

Key features include seasonal Kyoto cuisine and Western-style fusion food, a spa with onsen fed by natural mineral springs and private treatment rooms. Aman Kyoto also offers wellness experiences such as guided meditation, yoga, forest bathing, Zen zazen and cultural workshops including calligraphy, origami and matcha-making.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei is a five-star retreat built on the 250-year-old Mitsui family’s Kitake estate. Facing UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle, it features the restored 1703 Kajiimiya Gate and tranquil bamboo and stone courtyards. Designed by André Fu (rooms and lobby), Shunsaku Miyagi (landscapes), Yohei Akao (spa and dining) and Akira Kuryu (advisor), the hotel offers modern tea rooms with stone tubs and botanical gardens, onsen suites with outdoor hot springs and a presidential suite overlooking Nijo Castle. Dining includes Kyoto-French cuisine at Toki, Italian woodfired pizza at Forni, cocktails at The Garden Bar and a tea lounge/library space called Shoki-No-Ma.

Tokyo

Aman Tokyo offers similar luxury in a sleek urban setting, occupying floors 38–44 of Otemachi Tower. Spacious, minimalist rooms feature cypress wood, basalt-lined bathrooms and granite bathtubs with panoramic city views. Amenities include a garden pool, skyline-view spa, stone baths, a gym, yoga studio and treatment rooms. Dining highlights include Italian-inspired cuisine and La Pâtisserie, where Executive Pastry Chef Yoshihisa Miyagawa crafts delicate French desserts. Breakfasts overlooking the Imperial Palace gardens are also a highlight.

Atop the Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo offers 178 guest rooms, a world-class spa and Michelin-starred dining. The award-winning wellness facilities provide full-body treatments, facial therapies and holistic fitness programs. Guests can book spa experiences for individuals or couples, enjoy heat & water treatments and the vitality pool. Dining options range from French fine dining and a pizza bar to Tapas Molecular Bar and Italian cuisine at K’Shiki. La Pâtisserie also serves exceptional desserts, and guests rave about the breakfast served with stunning palace views.

TRUNK(HOTEL) Yoyogi Park is a boutique-style escape designed by Kenji Ashizawa and Norm Architects. Positioned near Yoyogi Park, the hotel offers rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that integrate seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian design, it includes a rooftop pool, curated local art and a casual pizzeria/bar. It has won numerous accolades from GQ, Architectural Digest, UPROXX and DestinAsian.

The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon captures both traditional Tokyo and modern skyscraper culture. Centrally located near Kamiyacho, Roppongi-Itchome and Toranomon subway stations, the hotel has 387 square meters of event space, a spa, fitness center and three signature restaurants. Dining includes The Blue Room, which serves plant-based signature salads and grilled dishes, the lobby bar with views of Tokyo Tower and The Jade Room + Garden Terrace, designed by Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens.

In Nikko, The Ritz-Carlton blends luxury with regional heritage. Surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage shrines and temples, the hotel celebrates local culture with traditionally styled rooms featuring engawa porches, lake or mountain views and minimalistic aesthetics. The hotel’s onsen draws from Nikko Yumoto’s natural hot spring. Guests can also enjoy an indulgent spa, indoor and open-air baths, family-friendly activities such as the Ritz Kids® Safari and packages that include exclusive dining experiences and chef collaborations.

Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Hokkaido, is surrounded by forested alpine terrain near Mount Yōtei. It offers year-round activities such as skiing, zip-lining, trekking and golf. Rooms provide rustic luxury with contemporary design, and the onsen spa uses mineral-rich waters for therapeutic relaxation. Dining includes Yukibana (farm-to-table), Sushi Nagi (omakase) and Ume Lounge/bar with alpine-themed cocktails.

Osaka

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, the Thai brand’s Japanese flagship, opened in 2023 and rises 135 meters above Namba. Just five minutes from Namba Station, it’s well-placed for visits to Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and Universal Studios. Spa Cenvaree, the brand’s wellness center, offers Thai-Japanese therapies using natural oils and has options for couples. Dining includes Kunsei Kitchen (French-inspired smoked cuisine), WhiskeyNova Steakhouse (dry-aged beef and whiskey pairings), rooftop seafood at Crudo Deck, Thai cuisine at Suan Bua and unique lounges such as Smoke & Spin.

Hiroshima

Azumi Setoda in Setoda, Hiroshima, is a beautifully restored 140-year-old estate from the Horiuchi family. The hotel retains its traditional architecture with tatami rooms, wooden beams and ocean or garden views. Guests enjoy fine French cuisine made with Setouchi ingredients, served on heirloom tableware. The community bathhouse Yubune is across the street, and nearby experiences include island trekking tours, guided cycling, lemon harvesting and catamaran sailing.

These hotels offer more than just luxury, they provide gateways into Japan’s culture, cuisine, landscapes and wellness traditions. Whether it’s a design-centric boutique stay, a forest retreat with spiritual depth or a sky-high urban sanctuary, each hotel transforms your stay into a once-in-a-lifetime experience that showcases the very best of Japanese hospitality.