Downtown Kyoto
Ignore the unattractive former apartment building facade, this new hostel brightens up significantly once inside. Dorms come with everything you need,…
Must-see hotels in Japan
Iwate Prefecture
Travellers usually just pass through Morioka, but you'll find reason to linger in this spacious ryokan surrounded by a pleasant garden filled with various…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
This hotel is part of Shibuya Station's 'Mark City' complex with direct access to Shibuya train station, a not negligible convenience factor. Rooms are…
Izu Peninsula
Two minutes' walk from Ōhama surf beach, this clean clapboard pension, named after Hemingway, has a quaint beach-house vibe and bicycles for rent.
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
This elegant, year-round, top-class hotel has large rooms with great views and a wonderful garden that's popular for weddings. The Grand Spa boasts the…
Hokkaidō
The owner of this simple, family-run place is a keen traveller and extends a warm welcome to foreign guests. Rooms are tatami or Western, with shared…
Kyūshū
Rooms at this spotless seven-room ryokan across from the sand baths have private facilities, in addition to pretty indoor and outdoor baths and meals…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Peace Island has a bright, clean, welcoming vibe, even if the rooms are decidedly average – except for the luxury of washer-dryer units in every room. The…
Sapporo
Established in 1934 as the first European-style hotel in Sapporo, this grand old dame now occupies three adjacent buildings that lie at the southeast…
Temple 24: Hotsumisaki-ji Shukubō
Tokushima & the Anan Coast
Run by Temple 24: Hotsumisaki-ji, this is a great opportunity to stay at a peaceful shukubō with spotless tatami rooms or bedrooms and a communal bath,…
Fuji Five Lakes
A popular place to hook up with other climbers, K's offers basic accommodation with plenty of common space and a large kitchen, though the 'deluxe'…
Arashiyama & Sagano
This elegant ryokan, with kind and friendly service, has a pleasant riverside location and serves wonderful kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine). It has three…
Ehime Prefecture
Natsume Sōseki took refuge from his writer's block and aching limbs here, and so should you if you can afford it. The beauty lies inside, from the central…
Yaeyama Islands
Just a few minutes' walk from the port and central Ishigaki city, Hotel Patina is a small, friendly hotel that's far enough from downtown to be quiet at…
Hiroshima Region
Elegantly old-fashioned Uonobu is a good ryokan experience, but it's probably best if you can speak a little Japanese, although the hosts are welcoming…
Mt Fuji
Fujisan Hotel is one of the most popular huts, thanks to its location at the Original 8th Station (at 3400m, where the Yoshida and Subashiri trails meet):…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
This very local onsen resort is affordable and fun, especially for those well versed in Japanese custom (or those happy enough to bumble along!). The long…
Western Honshū
After check-in you're unlikely to see another human at this business hotel spread out over a few floors. It's fine if you want one of the best-value…
Ōsumi Islands
Run by a friendly, English-speaking woman, charming Nagareboshi has spotless, spacious rooms and a very laid-back vibe. From the pier road in Nishi-no…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
9 Hours calls its capsules 'pods' which fits with the space-station sleek design, hushed vibe and views of the Shinjuku skyline (just one train stop away)…
Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier
Osaka
On Naka-no-shima, this smart-looking hotel exudes contemporary cool. Rooms have wooden floors and there are attractive common baths. Request an east…
Ehime Prefecture
This business hotel is excellent value for money. Well-equipped modern rooms have free wi-fi, there's a konbini (convenience store) in the lobby and an…
Kagawa Prefecture
The Dormy is a little different from the usual big-hotel fare, with its keen eye for design and a location at the heart of the entertainment district. The…
Fukuoka
If you want to make an impression, you can hardly do better anywhere else in Japan. The lobby restaurant of this César Pelli–designed hotel soars like its…
Kyūshū
A quick walk from JR Aso Station, this clean, modern, popular 30-bed hostel has English signage, a balcony with mountain views, a coin laundry, warm staff…
Amami Islands
In the village of Kanami, at the very northeast tip of the island, this friendly, homely divers' lodge has a great location overlooking a good snorkelling…
Harajuku & Aoyama
In a district with few sleeping options, Tokyu Stay is a good one, offering compact, newly renovated rooms with a combo washer-dryer and a microwave, very…
Northwest Kyoto
Utano is a large, modern, well-organised and well-maintained hostel convenient for the sights of Northwest Kyoto (though it’s a hike to reach other parts…
Downtown Kyoto
Tucked into a lane between two of Kyoto's main downtown shopping streets, this is a smart business hotel with excellent service. There are some nice…
Ueno & Yanesen
The decor of this hotel, overlooking Ueno-kōen's Shinobazu-ike, is brassy, bordering on love-hotel territory. But there's no arguing with the queen-sized…
Western Honshū
This guesthouse has witnessed ample history as a sanatorium and ryokan for infants or the down and out. Not that you would know it now, looking at the…
Niseko
This utilitarian block is in need of an overhaul and we hope it never happens – because this is currently the most economical ski-in, ski-out option left…
Western Honshū
This modern hotel gets a vote for having a top-floor onsen, where you can look out over the straits and bathe under a fugu-shaped lantern. Rooms are…
Kumamoto
The classic Japanese-hotel experience, Kumamoto's premier place to stay has crisply uniformed staff, minimalist-cool design, soothing marble, fine-grained…
Amami Islands
This friendly and casual minshuku is popular with young people. Both Western- and Japanese-style rooms are available, and all share bathrooms. Starting…
Tokushima Washington Hotel Plaza
Tokushima & the Anan Coast
The Tokushima branch of this big nationwide chain is surprisingly friendly. The rooms are a decent size, the complimentary breakfast features freshly…
Kansai
This contemporary ryokan has a mix of Japanese- and Western-style rooms, all with indoor showers and rotemburo on the balconies, discreetly hidden from…
Yaeyama Islands
Between Uehara Port (上原港) and Funaura Port (船浦港), this peaceful hillside hostel has comfortable dorms and simple Japanese-style private rooms. Meals are…
Amami Islands
This smart, architecturally designed modern hotel has a proud traditional appeal. Located not far from the airport, it makes a great base for short stays…
Clione Guesthouse & Campground
Hokkaidō
Named after the area's celebrity mollusc, this lovely campground and guesthouse offers an inexpensive overnight on the outskirts of Shari. It is quite…
