You're spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation in Japan - from Bells & Whistles super-luxury 5* hotels to simple traditional ryokans (Japanese inns). Here are a few of my favourite properties. Do remember that hotels do get booked up quite a long way in advance at peak times such as Cherry Blossom season and Autumn (for the colourful foliage). And this is particularly true for smaller boutique hotels and ryokans. So, If you're thinking of travelling at these times, I'd recommend starting to plan your trip at least a year in advance.
Gracery Hotel, Shinjuku, Tokyo. located in the heart of Shinjuku, this hotel is built on the site of the old Shinjuku Koma Theatre. Making a bold statement in Shinjuku’s skyline and paying tribute to one of Japan’s most iconic films, the hotel is housed in a 130 metre, 30-storey building featuring a large statue of Godzilla, with his body wrapped around the top of the building. So, it’s a great place to stay if you’re travelling with kids.
Peninsula Hotel, Ginza, Tokyo. Located close to the Ginza/Marunouchi area of Tokyo, this fabulous hotel was recently voted Asia's number one and the world's seventh-best hotel by Condé Nast readers — it scored a perfect 100 for its rooms and very highly in the food and service categories too. I can vouch for the really high levels of service and the fabulous rooms – I treated myself to a few days here on my last trip. It’s in an excellent location for Ginza's shops and restaurants and you can do practically anything in your room without leaving your bed – they’ve really thought of everything! There's an amazing in-house bakery where they create the most beautiful confections - many of which find their way onto a cake stand if you have afternoon tea here.
The Gate Hotel, Asakusa, Tokyo. This is a small hotel by Tokyo standards, with an authentic boutique feel. It’s a great option if you want to stay in the historic Asakusa area of Tokyo, which feels a world away from the likes of the modern Shinjuku district of the city. There are first class views of the Tokyo Skytree — a great way to view it is from the hotel’s exclusive private terrace. And when you want to explore other areas of the city, The Gate is conveniently located close to the Tokyo.
The Celestine Gion, Kyoto. This is in a fabulous location a few minutes from the heart of Gion – Kyoto’s most traditional district. It’s a boutique-style property with a minimalist design that provides a modern take on Japanese style amid the surrounding classic buildings and temples. The lobby and corridors look out over a small Japanese garden. It’s a good option for a stay in this fabulous city.
Gora Kadan, Hakone. This luxury ryokan is the former retreat of the Kan’in-no-miya imperial family and takes relaxation seriously, with a whirlpool Jacuzzi, open-air hot springs and suites with private stone baths. I stayed here on my first visit to Japan and I found it an amazing experience. The kaiseki dinner was one of the best food experiences I’ve had in the country, and (as you’d expect from the Japanese) everything was presented like a work of art.
KAI Sengokuhara, Hakone. A far less expensive option in the Mount Fuji area, this hotel has a ‘modern ryokan’ feel, keeping elements of traditional Japanese properties such as lower beds, hot spring bathing, Kaiseki cuisine, and presenting them all in a modern Japanese minimalist style. Its location is slightly removed from the main Hakone circuit but one great advantage of the property is that every room has its own private hot spring bath with water drawn from the nearby and very well regarded Owakudani source. So no need to share your onsen experience with complete strangers!
Benesse House, Naoshima. This is where I stayed for a couple of days on my most recent trip to Japan. It’s a unique blend of hotel and museum. You’re surrounded by fantastic works of contemporary art in a beautiful and remote setting. Rooms are comfortable with pieces from the museum collection. And there are great views of the sea from the balcony. There are 2 good restaurants serving a high standard of food. It’s the best accommodation on Naoshima Island – but it is pretty pricey!
Jinpyokaku Honten, Yudanaka Onsen. If you want to include a trip to see the famous Snow Monkeys on your holiday to Japan, this historic ryokan (opened in 1901) would be a great choice. There are only 6 simply furnished rooms, but they're quite comfortable and some even have their own wooden onsen bath fed from the adjacent spring. Importantly, it’s just a short walk from the entrance to the Snow Monkey Park. I stayed here on my last visit to Japan and it’s run by a charming husband and wife team. And the delicious kaiseki dinner that we were served was some of the best food we had on our holiday!
These are just a few examples of the different styles of accommodation available all over Japan. I'd always recommend selecting a range of different hotels on your trip - to experience the everything from the uber-modern to the traditional. Get in touch for a chat if you're ready to plan that Bucket List holiday to Japan.
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