Top 10 best luxury hotels in Japan

Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.

Today: Top 10 best luxury hotels in Japan

Japan – which is (finally) reopening to international travelers this fall – is one of the world’s most exciting and magical travel destinations. Its colorful shrines, fascinating geisha districts and age-old Buddhist temples stand witness to the country’s rich cultural heritage and ancient history. From the famous monuments in the stunning imperial city of Kyoto to the bustling capital of Tokyo with its dizzying dimensions and flashing neon lights, there is no shortage of major attractions to visit and explore in the land of the rising sun. With the recent opening of some ultra-luxe Aman, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Hyatt properties, the country now offers a portfolio of exclusive hotels that matches the unique cultural experience. Here’s my selection of the top 10 best luxury hotels in Japan.

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10. HYATT REGENCY HAKONE RESORT & SPA

Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa is located in Honshu, an area famous for its onsen (hot springs) and views of Mount Fuji. The elegant yet relaxed ryokan-style hotel offers 80 spacious guestrooms and suites, all of which have a private sun terrace or balcony. Some guestrooms come with tatami (rush mat) floors, an onsen, and a yukata (a traditional garment that is worn around the hotel). The hotel’s intimate lounge has its own fireplace, which is the perfect decor for the chilly winter evenings. As guests unwind amid the fresh air, forested hills, and scenic views of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, they can enjoy a balanced mix of Hyatt’s warm, world-class service and Japan’s own style of hospitality, which offers the option of a sumptuous dinner and breakfast as part of the pampered experience.

• Hotel website: Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
• Review: read my review of Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa here.

9. ST REGIS OSAKA

The St. Regis Osaka is located along the famed street of Midosuji, also intimately known as the Champs Elysées of Osaka. An eloquent expression of comfort and refined Japanese aesthetics, Osaka’s finest hotel offers an abode of tranquility and comfort, with its 160 rooms and suites elegantly appointed with refined furnishings and rich textures. Guests can experience exquisite dining at Rue d’Or, La Veduta or at Teppanyaki WAJO; discover the epitome of luxurious pampering at the hotel’s exclusive Iridium Spa; or take in magnificent vistas of the Osaka skyline from the serenity of the 12th-floor terrace. The St. Regis Osaka is located at close proximity to popular destinations such as Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and the city’s most exclusive shopping districts. 

• Hotel website: St Regis Osaka
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of The St Regis Osaka here.

8. PARK HYATT NISEKO HANAZONO

Park Hyatt Niseko, Hanazono sets a new benchmark for luxury hotels in Niseko, a year-round mountain retreat in the heart of Japan’s top ski area. Showcasing international architecture and interior design, exceptional accommodations, exquisite culinary offerings, sophisticated works of art, and the legendary service of the Park Hyatt brand, Park Hyatt Niseko offers a refined and sophisticated experience. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Mount Yotei and the Annupuri ranges outside 100 simply refined rooms; signature suites feature their own onsens. Guests find every way to play in wintertime’s powder, while summer months offer rafting, golf, and hikes in nearby Shikotsu-Toya National Park, a UNESCO Global Geopark. The famous city of Sapporo and its breweries are two hours away.

• Hotel website: Park Hyatt Niseko, Hanazono
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).

7. HOSHINOYA KYOTO

For a perfect illustration of inyodo – Japanese feng shui – turn to Hoshonoya Kyoto, a tranquil property set in the scenic Arashiyama district and accessible by a leisurely boat ride along the Oigawa River. Exuding a sense of pure ease and relaxation. The property comprises a delightful collection of traditional wood-framed buildings from 19th century that have been lovingly restored to create contemporary comfort in idyllic natural surroundings with 25 spacious rooms, a library lounge, a tatami drawing room and charming modern Japanese garden. The calming interiors feature heated wood floors, handmade wallpapers, and shoji-style sliding doors; outside, lantern-lit stone walkways lead through serene Japanese gardens with cedar trees. A modern kaiseki dinner awaits in the evening; watch it take shape in the hands of the acclaimed chef. Guests must be 13 years or above to check-in to this property.

• Hotel website: Hoshinoya Kyoto
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and a dinner for two).

6. PARK HYATT TOKYO

From the moment a guest walks in and collects the room key on a sterling silver key ring, it is clear that a stay at Park Hyatt Tokyo will be an “over-the-top” experience. High above the bustling city, this oasis fills the top 14 floors of the 52-story Shinjuku Park Tower, offering  views spanning from the city skyline all the way to Mount Fuji. The sights and sounds of Shinjuku are easily accessible, yet inside your spacious guest room (complete with personal entertainment center and deep soaking tub), you’ll enjoy complete serenity. Come evening, see and be seen at the chic New York Grill & Bar, the city’s top venue for lively jazz and breathtaking views. Head to the luxurious Club on the Park for swimming and spa treatments. Sofia Coppola’s beautiful movie Lost in Translation (2003) was filmed at the Park Hyatt Tokyo.

• Hotel website: Park Hyatt Tokyo
• Other accolades: Park Hyatt Tokyo also features in my top 10 lists of luxury hotels made famous by movies and the best luxury hotels in Tokyo.
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of the Park Hyatt Tokyo here.

5. ANDAZ TOKYO TORANOMON HILLS

Tokyo’s second-tallest high-rise is home to the country’s first Andaz hotel, Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills. Located on floors 47 through 52, this luxury hotel is as dynamic as Japan’s vibrant capital itself, which lies just beyond the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. Reflecting Japan’s contemporary urban culture, guests can expect a dazzling experience at this hotel. Fusuma-inspired partitions add a traditional touch to the 164 futuristic guest rooms and suites, which seem to hover over the urban landscape. From the tower’s apex on the topfloor, Andaz brings unprecedented rooftop flair to this city’s dining and entertainment scene, with breathtaking views from the rooftop bar and the city’s highest stand-alone wedding chapel.

• Hotel website: Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
• Other accolades: Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills also features in my lists of the best new luxury hotels of 2014 and the top 10 best luxury hotels in Tokyo.
• Tip: get complimentary perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills here.

4. THE RITZ-CARLTON KYOTO

The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto is a luxurious, modern hotel inspired by Japan’s traditional ryokan, offering expansive views of the Kamogawa River. Creating an experience that seamlessly blends the centuries-old traditions of Kyoto with the finest services and facilities that The Ritz-Carlton brand is renowned for, the property truly bring to life the cultural heart of Japan. Minimalist contemporary interiors with floor-to-ceiling windows define 134 accommodations; some suites offer traditional decor, including futons and tatami mats. Guests can enjoy traditional Italian cuisine at La Locanda, sushi at Mizuki, and signature cocktails at the bar; immerse themselves in local culture with the hotel’s customized Kyoto art activities; or get away from it all in the resort’s excellent spa center.

• Hotel website: The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
• Other accolades: The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto also features in my list of the best new luxury hotels of 2014.
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
• Review: read my review of The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto here.

3. AMAN TOKYO

Occupying the top six floors of the recently-built Otemachi Tower, Aman Tokyo is a luxury hotel and urban sanctuary high above the atmospheric whirl of tradition and modernity that epitomizes Japan’s capital city Tokyo. The hotel draws its design inspiration from traditional Japanese residential structures, with classic Japanese materials such as timber, Washi paper and stone blended to great effect with modern technology and luxurious fabrics. The property features 84 rooms and suites, all with unique layouts, magnificent city views and every contemporary convenience. Each room has a large furo, a deep soaking tub intrinsic to the Japanese ritual of bathing. There is also a continuous reference to nature, from the hotel’s inner garden in the phenomenal lobby, to the fabrics and art incorporated into the design.

• Hotel website: Aman Tokyo
• Other accolades: Aman Tokyo also features in my lists of the hottest luxury hotel openings of 2014, the 10 best Aman hotels in the world, the top 10 most amazing hotel lobbies in the world, the top 10 best luxury hotels in Tokyo, and my 10 favorite luxury hotels in the world.
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of Aman Tokyo here.

2. AMAN KYOTO

Surrounded by ancient woodlands that once offered refuge to a revered artist community, Aman Tokyo pays homage to the traditional ryokan, albeit in strikingly modern style. The interiors are spacious and light-filled – ingeniously crafted to foster peace, relaxation and contemplation at every turn. Moss-covered stone pathways wind between latticed pavilions that house 26 minimalistic rooms with healing onsen baths that source their waters from nearby mineral springs. The Living Pavilion serves home-cooked Kyoto obanzai style cuisine throughout the day, while the signature restaurant Taka-an is a culinary homage to Honami Koetsu, who helped shape the culture and creative life of the Takagamine district of Kyoto, and from there, Japan as a whole. Guests here practice yoga, take a mindfulness hike, or explore Kyoto’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• Hotel website: Aman Kyoto
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).

1. AMANEMU, ISE-SHIMA NATIONAL PARK

Celebrating Japan’s ancient onsen (mineral hot spring) tradition in scenic Ise Shima National Park, Amanemu is the country’s best luxury hotel. The resort is perched on the verdant rolling shores of Ago Bay, known as the Bay of Pearls, on the west coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island. Each of its 24 suites and four villas have a private onsen, along with walls that open to tranquil Ago Bay or the surrounding forest. The design throughout embraces a classical Japanese aesthetic, using natural materials and soothing hues while framing the natural surroundings. Amanemu’s spa comes with two large onsen bathing pavilions, a watsu pool, four treatment suites, a gym and a yoga studio. Guests can witness a prayer ceremony at the Ise Grand Shrine, or go fishing with a local angler and have the chef prepare fresh sashimi from your catch. The UNESCO-designated Kumano Kodo trails are worth the day trip.

• Hotel website: Amanemu
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of Amanemu here.

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