15 Beautiful Stays in Japan

On a forested hillside overlooking Lake Kawaguchi, Hoshinoya Fuji redefines luxury with a rustic, outdoorsy twist. A chic base for exploring the Fuji Five Lakes area, this glamping resort – about three hours from Tokyo by train – has knockout views of Mount Fuji from every cabin. Rooms feature private balconies and fireplaces that are perfect for stargazing or cosy evenings outside. During the day, guests can explore hiking trails, relax in a hammock or enjoy a drink on the Cloud Terrace. (Canoeing, camp fires and gourmet open-air dining further enhance the experience of grown-up camping.) 

A peaceful inn steeped in heritage charm, Sekizenkan – established in 1691 – combines traditional architecture with natural thermal springs and mountain scenery in Shima Onsen, a few hours north of the capital Tokyo. Stays include a lavish kaiseki (multi-course) dinner and breakfast as well as luxurious indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths, making it a fully immersive onsen experience. During the day, you can cycle through the scenic town or paddle a kayak on the cerulean waters of Lake Shima.

At Kikka Hirado, a stylish retreat near the historic trading port of Hirado in northern Nagasaki, a minimalist approach allows the surroundings to take centrestage. Each of the five suites offers expansive sea views, best admired from the bathtub. Begin your day with a zazen meditation and breakfast, followed by your choice of exploring the nearby port and Hirado Castle, relaxing in the private sauna or visiting the adjoining Umegayatsu Kairakuen, a 19th-century villa with traditional gardens. For dinner, enjoy a meal showcasing local ingredients – from freshly caught seafood to prized Hirado beef – before settling in by the outdoor fire. Or simply drift off to sleep, lulled by the sound of the nearby waves.

Situated in the heart of the Japanese Alps, Field Suite Hakuba offers an elevated glamping experience that melds together luxury and mountain adventure, just an hour from Nagano Station by complimentary shuttle. Stay in a luxe tent or cosy wooden cabin (both offer spectacular alpine views) and indulge in gourmet meals crafted with seasonal ingredients, as well as unlimited drinks and impeccable service. Wake to birdsong and misty peaks then spend your day hiking, biking or skiing, depending on the season. In the evening, gather by the fire under the stars. It’s outdoor living at its most refined.

Tucked away at the foot of sacred Mount Hiei in Kyoto, Moksa is a design-forward sanctuary that melds sustainability with soulful comfort. Rooms have views of the gardens or nearby Takano River, while guests have the choice of three healthy breakfasts (Japanese, Western and Healing) featuring Kyoto specialties. Pastimes include visiting one of the private saunas, soaking up the tranquillity of the hotel’s moss garden and sipping drinks – including green-tea-based cocktails – in the relaxed lounge.

Hoshinoya Kyoto feels like a dream. Accessed by a private boat that travels along the Katsura River through the wooded hills of Arashiyama, this elegant riverside retreat fuses traditional ryokan elements and modern luxury, offering rooms with floor-to-ceiling views of nature and soft tatami underfoot. Early risers can watch the mist drift over the water in the morning, try Zen meditation or stretch in the garden. Or, given that Hoshinoya Kyoto is a short walk from popular attractions such as the beautiful wooden Togetsukyō Bridge and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, opt for a day of gentle sightseeing. Don’t miss the chance to chill in the hotel’s Floating Tea Room, which juts out over the water.

The mountain resort of Karuizawa – about a 2.5-hour drive from Tokyo – has long been a beloved summer escape for VIPs from John Lennon to the Japanese Imperial Family. Just outside town is Shishi-Iwa House, a forest retreat designed by acclaimed architects Shigeru Ban and Ryue Nishizawa. Their light-filled cypress-wood spaces envelop guests in an atmosphere of relaxation and contemplation, with each room offering lush woodland views. Retire to the library with a whisky and good book, unwind with a shiatsu massage or simply wander amid the natural surroundings.

Rooms at Hotel Indigo Inuyama – set on the banks of the Kiso River, less than an hour from Nagoya – overlook the historic Inuyama Castle, the serene Urakuen Garden or the river itself. A mix of traditional and contemporary design, the hotel is within strolling distance to Inuyama’s streetscapes of machiya merchant houses, restaurants and craft shops. Here in summer? Glide down the river on a wooden houseboat to watch locals fish with trained cormorants by firelight – a centuries-old custom.

Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel is located in Takeo Onsen on the edge of one of Japan’s most breathtaking gardens, where towering cliffs and ancient trees meet tranquil ponds and sculpted paths. The vast grounds are a living artwork that transforms with the seasons. After exploring nature’s work, experience the hotel lobby’s interactive art exhibition by teamLab, which features a “forest” of lamps that change colour in response to movement. Seasonal teamLab installations also illuminate the gardens in the evening. After dinner, soak in the open-air bath or enjoy a private view of the greenery from your room.

Far from Kyoto’s temples and bustling streets, the quiet fishing village of Ine curves around a sheltered cove on the Sea of Japan. Here, some of the town’s funaya (traditional boathouses) have been thoughtfully renovated as charming accommodation and cafés. At Miyabi Bettei, guests can stay in a collection of restored boathouses and storehouses right on the water, offering an elevated take on the classic fishing shack. Some rooms even feature soaking baths on the deck. Rent a bike to explore the peaceful lanes or kayak across the bay to Honjohama Beach, a secluded spot for swimming.

While central Tokyo throbs with neon and noise, the city’s relaxed east side offers a more grounded experience for design-lovers and urban explorers. Designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, One@Tokyo channels the area’s industrial past with warm wood panelling that’s reminiscent of traditional factory architecture. Just a 10-minute walk from the 634-metre high Tokyo Skytree, the hotel welcomes the community as well as guests. Its rooftop terrace offers a quiet spot to take in the skyline, while outside you’ll find a neighbourhood that mixes old-school charm with creative energy – think family-run eateries, riverside strolls and indie galleries.

Once a bustling port for the salt trade, Ikuchi Island’s Setoda now invites travellers to slow down – and Soil Setoda captures that spirit beautifully. On the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, this artfully restored complex of traditional buildings offers simple rooms with retro flair. Saunter to the local bathhouse for a communal soak before dinner and, in the morning, climb the hill to Kojoji Temple for a meditation session. The hotel is an ideal base for cycling the 70-kilometre-long Shimanami Kaido route or simply enjoying the slower rhythm of island life.

After a spate of online interest, Morioka – about two hours north of Tokyo by Shinkansen (the “bullet train”) – suddenly landed on everyone’s travel radar. Despite the attention, the city and surrounding areas retain their charm. A 30-minute drive west of Morioka, the lakeside town of Tsunagi Onsen enchants visitors with summer fireworks, vivid autumn foliage and sweeping views of Mount Iwaki, often called the “Mount Fuji” of the north. Here, Shikitei, a traditional ryokan, exemplifies the warm hospitality for which Northern Japan is known. Guestrooms overlook picturesque Japanese gardens, while beautifully prepared meals – made using local ingredients – are a stand-out.

A stroll from the sacred Tōdaiji Temple and the Naramachi district, Miroku Nara blends contemporary comfort with the elegance of Japan’s ancient capital. Wake to the sight of deer roaming just beyond your window then enjoy breakfast on the terrace overlooking Araike Pond. Sustainable materials, such as Yoshino cedar, and handcrafted furnishings by local artisans ground the space in Nara’s rich cultural heritage and although it’s located near the city’s must-see sights, the hotel’s muted tones, natural textures and soft, shoji-screen-filtered light create an ambience of calm.


Kumu Kanazawa gives this old castle town a stylish, creative edge – combining minimalist concrete and warm wood with touches of traditional Japanese culture. Sip matcha in the serene tea salon, explore the hotel’s collection of contemporary local art, admire the view of the city from the rooftop or catch a weekend DJ set or craft pop-up in the lobby. With easy access to historic samurai and geisha districts and Kanazawa’s 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kumu is a hub for travellers looking to explore both the heritage and evolving energy of the city.