Kamakura
While it's away from the action, this traditional cypress home with cheap Japanese dorms and a common area with an irori (fireplace) make it a nice place…
Must-see hotels in Japan
Kii Peninsula
In its 29th generation, Kamigoten was built in 1657 for the local lord and member of the Tokugawa family. It's been updated over the years and now feels…
Kanazawa
Although more expensive than some of Japan's most lauded onsen ryokan (traditional hot-spring inns), and without the views and outdoor baths, Asadaya's…
Kagawa Prefecture
These two historic houses are along the old henro trail. One house has traditional bones and tatami rooms featuring original ornamental woodwork. The…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
There's a lot to like about this well-run hostel close to Kyoto Station. Capsule-style dorms – a huge 30-bed, or eight-bed female only – come with…
Shikoku
Off the main road between Kyōjō and the Higashi Iya vine bridges is this lovely and unpretentious hotel and hot-springs complex, with Japanese- and…
Tokyo
This industrial-looking hostel ticks all the boxes, with a super-convenient location above the subway and a relatively short walk or taxi ride from…
Hakone
K's has the option of either Japanese-style futon dorms, capsules or bunks, along with neat tatami doubles. There's indoor and outdoor onsen, a shared…
Nagano Region
This beautiful, sprawling campground a few kilometres from Okusha has its own babbling brook, 350 campsites, 30 bungalows, 33 cabins and six self…
Takayama
For a ryokan experience in a business-hotel setting, choose the contemporary elegance of the executive rooms in the Kachoan wing (from ¥25,000 per person…
Downtown Kyoto
Located in the heart of downtown, within easy walking distance of two subway stations and the entire dining and nightlife district, this superb ryokan has…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
The friendly staff at this award-winning, gorgeously minimalist ryokan are committed to upholding the Japanese art of hospitality. A sense of Zen pervades…
Asakusa & Sumida River
The rooms at this well-run hotel with English-speaking staff are typically small but come with tatami floors (even though you sleep on beds) and other…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
In a lovely forested setting, this attractive modern ryokan is an oasis at the foot of the mountains in Hotaka Onsen. Although little English is spoken,…
Takayama
This elevated hotel on the immediate outskirts of downtown has wonderful views from all rooms and delightful communal bathing areas. Rooms in the main…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
The station area might not be the most attractive side of the city but Sakura Terrace makes it feel more like you've arrived at a hip LA resort. There's…
Asakusa & Sumida River
In a former warehouse, this stylish hostel has rooms with high ceilings, translating to bunks you can comfortably sit up in. There's also an enormous…
Western Honshū
Whilst not in Izumo at all, this modern ryokan in Tamatsukuri Onsen, about 9km southwest of downtown Matsue, has a minimalist but traditional aesthetic…
Southern Higashiyama
This ryokan may have the best location of any in the city and it hits all the right notes for one in this class: classic Japanese decor, friendly English…
Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo
Downtown Kyoto
Perfectly placed for shopping, dining, nightlife and transport, Hotel Resol is a smart-looking boutique hotel offering great value. Rooms are compact …
Kansai
The superb Ugenta is a stylish inn located in the village of Kibune, about 30 minutes north of Kyoto by taxi or train. There are only two rooms here, one…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Set in the hills, among tall trees and with ocean views, this elegant guesthouse is the epitome of hip. Light-filled rooms are simple and supremely…
Shikoku
A great new budget option in Nishi Iya, this guesthouse and cafe sit right next to the eastern side of the bridge over the Iya-gawa on Route 45 from Ōboke…
Imperial Palace & Around
Noku (also known as Noku Roxy) is a stylish boutique hotel set over six floors within sight of the Imperial Palace Park and located next to Marutamachi…
Yokohama
Priced like a business hotel but with an attractive, modern aesthetic and English-speaking staff, Hotel Edit is an excellent choice, especially since it's…
Around Tokyo
Hoshino Resorts have given this 33-room mega-ryokan some contemporary sparkle, with spacious tatami rooms furnished with Western-style beds and lovely…
Tokyo
With its prestigious address, the gorgeous Palace Hotel offers the refinement and elegance that its name suggests. Sniff the botanically perfumed air as…
Izu Peninsula
Enjoy sensational sea views from the tatami guestrooms at this cliffside ryokan. A variety of baths are on offer, including a men's rotemburo (outdoor…
Ueno & Yanesen
This is your chance to stay in a beautiful wooden building (which dates to 1920) that has been turned into one of Tokyo's most attractive hostels. Dorms…
Asakusa & Sumida River
This is one of the most stylish of the several Tokyo hostels that combine a cafe or a bar open to the public in the foyer with a hostel above. Bunka…
Northern Higashiyama
Located just down the street from Nanzen-ji, this beautiful ryokan has a choice of traditional or modern rooms, all with private bathroom and TV. Some…
Central Honshū
Practically in its own forest uphill from the bus station, this sprawling onsen ryokan (traditional hot-spring inn) boasts 16 rotemburo (outdoor baths),…
Okinawa-hontō
This exquisite ryokan is one for those whose wallets can stretch a little further than most, and who value the finer details of the culinary art of…
Nagano Region
Uematsu-ya is a well-kept, good-value inn occupying a nine-storey building atop a hill. It has both Japanese- and Western-style rooms; deluxe rooms are…
Tokyo
Kikka offers decent, wooden-box-style dorm bunks but it's the good private rooms with their own bathrooms that are the draw here. In what is now a tried…
Hida Takayama Temple Inn Zenkō-ji
Takayama
Good karma washes over this branch of Nagano's famous Zenkō-ji, where donations are accepted in return for accommodation. Private rooms are generously…
Nagoya
This unpretentious, good-value hotel is steps away from Nagoya Station. It's been rebranded as part of Royal Park's less-stuffy Canvas line, and features…
Central Honshū
Recently renovated, this gorgeous little 10-room traditional inn has atmospheric rooms with private baths and two blissful private rotemburo (outdoor…
Fuji Five Lakes
Directly across from Kawaguchi-ko Station is this cosy inn offering 16 great-value tatami rooms, a mixed dorm, English-speaking staff, a downstairs cafe…
Asakusa & Sumida River
This boutique-style hotel is an appealing mix of retro and contemporary design. Each room is decorated with subtly different decor, but all have decent…
