Northwest Kyoto
This is a shukubō (temple lodging) at a subtemple in Myōshin-ji. It’s very comfortable, with wi-fi and free bicycle hire, and the main priest here speaks…
Must-see hotels in Japan
Nagasaki
This polished hotel, with spacious rooms and decent-size bathrooms, is about seven minutes' walk from Nagasaki Station and right across from a tram stop…
Fukuoka
The Life has a super-central location between Hakata Station and Canal City (and a soon-to-open subway stop), making this 130-bed hostel an easy base for…
Western Honshū
The Hibari building boasts a gallery, bookstore and coworking space, and the dorms are suitably attractive in dark wood with cream privacy blinds and USB…
Hiroshima
Its carpeted halls make Santiago feel hotel-like, but the sociable kitchen-lounge space promotes swapping travel tips, while being large enough to keep to…
ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki Resort
Yaeyama Islands
The Intercontinental has beautifully refurbished rooms, all of which have wood floors and at least partial ocean views; rooms in the main building also…
Hakone
Azito means 'hideout', and there is indeed something playful and treehouse-like about the huge timber capsules here furnished with double beds. It also…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
K’s House is a large guesthouse with both private and dorm rooms, which are simple but adequate. The rooftop terrace, patio and attached bar-restaurant…
Ginza & Tsukiji
This hotel's present building is the successor to Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1923 masterpiece, and small tributes to the architect's style can be found in the…
Osaka
This hip design hotel ticks many boxes for those looking for a smart modern stay close to Shinsaibashi's shopping and nightlife. Rooms are stylish with a…
Nara
In Naramachi and close to the sights, Guesthouse Makura occupies a 90-year-old wooden machiya (shophouse). It's been lightly renovated but retains much of…
Iwate Prefecture
In a very attractive setting overlooking Gosho-ko, 14km west of Morioka, Hotel Shion is a decadent onsen hotel catering largely to groups. Individual…
Hokkaidō
This friendly, family-run place is in the middle of the village, straight down from the ropeway terminal. There are nature photos everywhere and the meals…
Nikkō
In the wooded hills north of town, this guesthouse has sunny, Western-style rooms, a spacious dorm, a homely lounge with log fire and clued-up, English…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
This long-running independent hotel, located among the restaurants and bars of Nishi-Shinjuku (a five-minute walk from Shinjuku Station), offers great…
Downtown Kyoto
Roll out of bed and into a shopping spree – this smart hotel is conveniently located in the Teramachi covered arcade in Downtown Kyoto. Split between the…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
Not far from Happō-One Ski Resort, this place has bilingual Japanese staff and a variety of room types. There's a guest laundry and a wonderful onsen…
Downtown Kyoto
On Gojō-dōri, a bit south of the main downtown district but within easy walking distance of the Karasuma subway line (as well as the Keihan line), this…
Mitsui Garden Shinmachi Bettei
Downtown Kyoto
Tucked away in a quiet downtown location yet still close to the action, this chic hotel blends traditional Japanese and modern contemporary design with…
Southern Higashiyama
A short walk from the main Gojō Guest House, this homey quiet place in a traditional building offers private rooms with shared bathrooms and is decorated…
Shiraishi Island International Villa
Western Honshū
This great-value villa is a large house atop a hill, with spacious living areas and kitchen, and an outdoor deck with views of the sea. There are four…
Kagawa Prefecture
Spotless and intimate, charming Chottoco-ma is run by a friendly couple, the English-speaking former world wanderer Yutaka and his wife Emi. This tiny…
Downtown Kyoto
They don’t get more convenient than this business hotel: it’s smack in the middle of Kyoto’s nightlife, shopping and dining district. While the colour…
Imperial Palace & Around
This cool, spotless and well-run hostel is just a short hop from the Imperial Palace Park and comes with a range of dorms, including a female-only option…
Tōyoko Inn Kyoto Gojō Karasuma
Downtown Kyoto
Those familiar with the Tōyoko Inn chain know that this hotel brand specialises in simple, clean, fully equipped but small rooms at the lowest price…
Yaeyama Islands
Centrally located in Ishigaki city two blocks north of the ferry and bus station, this welcoming pension offers appealing, spacious Western- and Japanese…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Neighbours with Japan's National Diet as well as the PM's residence and office, this tastefully luxurious hotel exudes power and prestige. It sports sleek…
Tokyo
When JR discontinued its overnight sleeper service the Hokutosei, it had the ingenious idea of reusing the sleeping bunks from the carriages to create…
Matsumoto
These folks have the bases covered: this is an extremely practical and convenient business hotel next to the Alpico Plaza building and bus terminal. No…
Agnes Hotel & Apartments Tokyo
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
Tucked away on a side street in atmospheric Kagurazaka, Agnes feels like a secluded retreat (even though it's only a few minutes' walk to the train…
Hiroshima
Curves and concrete are the features at this riverside hotel. Standard rooms are small, but there is a more spacious maisonette and high-ceiling room…
Shikoku
This lovely hotel not far from Kazura-bashi offers spacious, comfortable, Japanese-style rooms with mountain views. Beautifully prepared traditional meals…
Tokushima & the Anan Coast
A traditional inn, Ryokan Kōen Mizuno has spacious Japanese-style rooms with fabulous sea views and efficient, foreigner-friendly service virtually right…
Fuji Five Lakes
Though this efficiently run, clean, Western-style hostel has no self-catering facilities or common space, it's upstairs from the expat and local favourite…
Downtown Kyoto
This towering hotel in the centre of town commands an impressive view of the Higashiyama Mountains. Rooms are clean and spacious and many have great views…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
This serene South Asian–themed inn sits above a lovely secluded beach on Ikema-jima. Wood-floored, Western-style rooms offer peace and quiet – especially…
Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Tokyu's new property in the Shibuya Stream complex is going for a boutique vibe with earthy textiles and mid-century furnishings, but honestly it could be…
Western Honshū
Artistic and quirky touches in the rooms and common areas, which were decorated by staff, and a large lounge-cafe-bar area on the ground floor make this a…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
This is the only upmarket accommodation in Shinjuku that seems to assume its guests will actually be getting around by public transport – it's just steps…
Tokushima & the Anan Coast
It's hard to miss this large hotel in Shirahama as you're driving along the coast. Set back from an attractive beach, it's a five-storey white building…
