Luxury & Boutique Hotels in Japan
Japan has an unparalleled elegance and sophistication when it comes to their accommodations; from some of the world’s finest flagship hotels to a long heritage of luxury ryokan hotels not found anywhere else in the world. This means you can be drinking in Tokyo’s skyscraper views from the Mandarin Oriental or gazing out over the Shinjuku nightscape from the Park Hyatt one evening, then relaxing in your own hot spring bath after a multi-course kaiseki meal at the Gora Kadan ryokan the next. Using the very best luxury boutique hotels and traditional Japanese ryokans, opulent or humble, your night's rest will be something to look forward to and you will experience some of the highest levels of hospitality to be found anywhere in the world. When staying in ryokans, and some Japan hotels in the more rural areas, bear mind that the country still receives relatively few foreign visitors, so English is not widely spoken. Browse our portfolio of the best hotels in Japan to find the perfect stay for you.

- All
- Tokyo & Around
- Kyoto & Around
- Hiroshima & Around
- Japan Alps, Honshu
- Northern Honshu
- Hokkaido
- Kyushu
- Okinawa
Amagiso ,
Izu Peninsula

Perched atop the Kawazu Valley lies Amagiso Ryokan; an unassuming traditional Japanese inn, constructed of wood, tatami mats and rice-paper...
View here Aman Tokyo ,
Tokyo

Aman Tokyo is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Lux City Hotels and Top 10 Aman Resorts in Asia. It also has one...
View here Amanemu ,
Ise

Not ones to rest on their laurels, Aman opened Amanemu in spring 2016 following the resounding success of Aman Tokyo....
View here ANA Crowne Plaza ,
Hiroshima and Miyajima

While it can’t match Tokyo and Kyoto’s flagship hotels for sheer luxury, the ANA’s new Club Floor rooms are some...
View here ANA Crowne Plaza ,
Kanazawa

Like its sister hotel in Hiroshima, the ANA in Kanazawa offers some of the best rooms, views and dining to...
View here Andaz ,
Tokyo

By opening the Andaz at the ambitious new Toranomon Hills lifestyle complex, the Hyatt group seem to have pitched two...
View here Asaba ,
Izu Peninsula

Asaba has great charm and character and is simply one of Japan’s finest Ryokans. With an ancient history, it has...
View here Benesse House ,
Naoshima

Where else in the world would you find modern art museums, installations and sculptures dotted about all over three islands?...
View here Beniya Mukayu ,
Kanazawa

Beniya Mukayu is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Luxury Ryokans. Culturally speaking, Kanazawa is one of the richest places in Japan,...
View here Blue Sky Guesthouse ,
The Kumano Kodo

Conveniently located in Hongu, one of the main spots along The Kumano Kodo path, this simple ‘minshuku’ (Japanese style B&B) is our...
View here Busena Terrace ,
Okinawa

Located well away from the urban sprawl of Naha city on the main island of Okinawa, the Busena Terrace is...
View here Capitol Hotel Tokyu ,
Tokyo

For those seeking an oasis of calm within Japan's electrifying capital, The Capitol Hotel Tokyu is the place to stay. Follow in...
View here Century Southern Tower ,
Tokyo

Conveniently located five minutes from Shinjuku station, the Century Southern Tower stands proud at the top half of a skyscraper,...
View here Chinzanso ,
Tokyo

The Chinzanso has the most illustrious history of any hotel in Tokyo. The land and garden were painted by Hiroshige...
View here Citadines Shinjuku ,
Tokyo

The Citadines Shinjuku and its sister hotel Citadines Shinjuku Central are ingenious apartment-hotels that are perfectly located at the heart...
View here The Conrad ,
Tokyo

The stylish and luxurious Conrad is a thoroughly modern hotel set amongst the high-rise architecture of the Shiodome district. Near...
View here Dormy Inn Kagoshima ,
Kagoshima

We love Dormy Inns! Our director James is an absolute stickler for detail and luxury, but he would happily spend...
View here Four Seasons Kyoto ,
Kyoto

Beautifully curated and seamlessly combining Japanese traditions with modern luxury, Four Seasons Kyoto is difficult to fault. It is located...
View here Four Seasons Marunouchi ,
Tokyo

In a prime location just south of Tokyo station, the Four Seasons is possibly the only Tokyo hotel we could...
View here Fudo-in Temple ,
Mount Koya

When visiting the holy alpine basin of Mount Koya (or ‘Koya-san’, as it’s known in Japan), we highly recommend that...
View here Garden Terrace ,
Nagasaki

Garden Terrace is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Secret Gems. By all accounts this is the superlative place to stay...
View here Gora Kadan ,
Hakone

Gora Kadan is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Luxury Ryokans and Top 10 Hotel Spas. One of the finest 'ryokans' (traditional inns) to be found...
View here Grand Hyatt ,
Tokyo

This property is one of Japan's unreservedly sophisticated and luxurious hotel, occupying 21 floors of the ambitious Roppongi Hills complex....
View here Granvia Kyoto ,
Kyoto

Located within the futuristic wonder by acclaimed architect Hiroshi Hara that is Kyoto station, the Granvia is a thoroughly useful and...
View here Gyokuhokan ,
Izu Peninsula

A charming, authentic ryokan nestled down towards the southern end of the scenic Izu Peninsula between Tokyo and Kyoto.
View here Hakkoda Hotel ,
Aomori

Outside of central Japan one doesn't expect the height of luxury, but the Hakkoda Hotel offers a charm and homeliness...
View here Hakuchoro ,
Kanazawa

The Hakuchoro is a charming and quirky property dating from the feudal Edo period in the 19th century. It exudes...
View here Hanafubuki ,
Izu Peninsula

Hanafubuki is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Luxury Ryokans. Halfway down the east side of the Izu Peninsula are the jagged...
View here Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama ,
Takayama

Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Luxury Ryokans. This is the newer, more secluded and arguably more romantic...
View here Hilton Niseko ,
Niseko

The Hilton is Niseko's key ski-in/ski-out hotel and sits in a prime location at the foot of Annapuri mountain. You...
View here Hilton Tokyo ,
Tokyo

Perfectly located a short shuttle bus ride from Shinjuku station, the Hilton is at the heart of the action in...
View here Hoshinoya Karuizawa ,
Karuizawa

Like the original property in Kyoto, Hoshinoya Karuizawa seeks to combine the best of traditional Japanese ryokan hospitality with luxury...
View here Hoshinoya ,
Kyoto

Hoshinoya Kyoto is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Luxury Ryokans. Reached in style by riverboat in the scenic hillside area of...
View here Hoshinoya Taketomi ,
Yaeyama Islands

Hoshinoya Taketomi is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Beach Hotels. Hoshinoya, a luxury hotel group with a distinctive approach of...
View here Hotel Nikko Kanazawa ,
Kanazawa

Kanazawa doesn't have any hotels to rival Tokyo and Kyoto - yet - but the Hotel Nikko is a more...
View here Hotel Nikko Kumamoto ,
Kumamoto

This stylish and smartly appointed hotel is ideally situated for a short stay in Kumamoto, being an easy stroll from...
View here Hotel Vista Grande Osaka ,
Osaka

This hotel is right at the heart of the action in Osaka, just a block from the famous canal at...
View here Hyatt Regency ,
Kyoto

The Hyatt Regency is a stylish and lively hotel located in the Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama sightseeing district, just a short...
View here Hyatt Regency Hakone ,
Hakone

Hakone is not a place to be taking half-measures on accommodation. The transport and restaurants in Hakone finish by 7pm,...
View here Iwaso ,
Hiroshima and Miyajima

Iwaso is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Luxury Ryokans. The shrine area on Miyajima can get pretty busy during the day,...
View here Kanaya ,
Nikko

The oldest Western-style hotel in Japan, the Kanaya first opened its doors to well-heeled Japanese guests and the fledgling western...
View here Kanra ,
Kyoto

Hotel Kanra in Kyoto can be described as a hybrid traditional Japanese inn, meaning it is arguably the perfect introduction to...
View here Kayotei ,
Kaga Onsen

Kayotei is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Luxury Ryokans. Nestled in the forested hills on the fringe of picturesque Yamanaka hot...
View here Lamp no Yado ,
Noto

Lamp no Yado is a highly exclusive, remote 'ryokan' retreat at the northern tip of the Noto Peninsula. Each of...
View here Madoka no Mori ,
Hakone

Mt Fuji National Park (Hakone) is already home to some of Japan's most luxurious 'ryokan' - the traditional equivalent of...
View here Mandarin Oriental Tokyo ,
Tokyo

In each great historic Asian city you will find a flagship Mandarin Oriental hotel that cleverly combines the heights of...
View here Marriott Miyako Hotel ,
Osaka

It may come as a surprise that the Marriott Miyako Hotel in Osaka sits within the tallest high-rise building in...
View here Marunouchi ,
Matsumoto

For such a well-visited place, Matsumoto is short on good hotels. The Marunouchi is the newest hotel in town, after...
View here Mikawaya ,
Hakone

This charming little ryokan is ten minutes’ walk from Hakone open-air museum and is what we’d call boutique, with 25...
View here Minamikan ,
Matsue

This 'ryokan' is well over a hundred years old and is one of the most well regarded in the area,...
View here Nikko Station Hotel Classic ,
Nikko

Opened in 2010, this hotel is conveniently placed right across the road from Nikko station for ease of access. Transportation...
View here Nishimuraya ,
Kinosaki

Kinosaki is Ampersand's favourite little hot spring town, tucked away on the remote north sea coast a two hour ride...
View here Notonosho ,
Noto

Notonosho is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Luxury Ryokans and Top 10 Hotel Spas. Meaning ‘the waters of Noto’, the clue to this ryokan’s...
View here Okura Kyoto ,
Kyoto

In a city where the sights are spread all over the place it’s difficult to decide on the ideal location...
View here Okura Tokyo ,
Tokyo

Opened in 1962 with the 1964 Japan Olympics in mind, the Okura has hosted a long line of movie stars...
View here Ouan ,
Takayama

One of Takayama’s newest hotels, the Ouan is part of a new style of accommodation in Japan that seeks to...
View here Palace Hotel ,
Tokyo

A firm Ampersand Favourite, the Palace Hotel sits in a prime position in Tokyo overlooking the Imperial Palace Gardens to the capital's atmospheric skyline...
View here Park Hyatt Tokyo ,
Tokyo

Famous for its leading role in the film 'Lost in Translation', the Park Hyatt Tokyo is a firm favourite among...
View here Ritz-Carlton Kyoto ,
Kyoto

Ritz-Carlton Kyoto is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Lux City Hotels. Inspired by the concept of a luxury ryokan, this perfectly...
View here Ritz Carlton Okinawa ,
Okinawa

Opened 2007, the Ritz Carlton is the premier place to stay on Okinawa main island. Unlike most of the other...
View here Ritz-Carlton Osaka ,
Osaka

Perhaps it’s a stereotype, but the Japanese have long been known to watch what the west is doing and then...
View here Royal Park Hotel ,
Kyoto

One of Kyoto’s newest hotels, The Royal Park occupies a great spot along the Kamogawa river in east Kyoto, within...
View here Ryokan Kurashiki ,
Kurashiki

Ryokan Kurashiki is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Secret Gems and Top 10 Luxury Ryokans. This ryokan is halfway along the idyllic willow-lined canal...
View here Sanga ,
Kurokawa

Immerse yourself in Japan’s stunning pristine natural countryside with a stay at Ryokan Sanga, nestled in the woods along the...
View here Sankara ,
Yakushima

This spa property is one of just a handful in Japan to be selected by Small Luxury Hotels of the...
View here Sasayuri-Ann ,
Kyoto

Located just outside the ancient capital city of Nara, within a rural idyll of terraced rice fields, Sasayuri-Ann is a...
View here Seifuso ,
Yudanaka

This cosy little property is a 'minshuku', Japan's version of a B&B - not to be confused with the more...
View here Sekitei ,
Hiroshima and Miyajima

Sekitei is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Luxury Ryokans. Although it is a ten minute shuttle bus ride from Miyajiama port, the...
View here Shangri-La ,
Tokyo

Located just around the corner from Tokyo station, the Shangri-La is a strong contender for Tokyo's best hotel. It has...
View here Sheraton ,
Hiroshima and Miyajima

The Sheraton is Hiroshima's premier hotel, and is located right by Hiroshima station for immediate access to all the seamless...
View here Shigira ,
Miyakojima

This property is located on Miyakojima, a far-flung jewel of an island in the tropics at the southern end of...
View here Shikisai ,
Nikko

Located halfway along Chuzenji Lake on the mountain plateau above Nikko, the Shikisai is the ideal place to finish a...
View here Sowaka ,
Kyoto

Sowaka has recently become part of the distinguished Ryokan Collection and we are thrilled; not only does this property offer both...
View here St. Regis ,
Osaka

At the heart of Osaka is Midosuji, the city's most exclusive shopping street, where the St. Regis is located. It...
View here Suiran ,
Kyoto

Overlooking the stunning Hozugawa River, Suiran is ideally located near to popular tourist sites, including the Togetsukyo Bridge and, UNESCO...
View here Swissotel Nankai ,
Osaka

Swissotel Nankai, Osaka is a deluxe hotel ideally located in the heart of Namba, Osaka’s most exciting entertainment, shopping and...
View here Takefue ,
Kurokawa

This Japanese traditional inn 'ryokan' is the stuff of legend, hidden in a bamboo forest in the remote hot spring...
View here Takimi Onsen Inn ,
Kiso Valley

Located in the depths of the Kiso Valley amidst the Japan Alps, Takimi Onsen Inn offers an exclusive and homely...
View here Tanabe ,
Takayama

Tanabe is the epitome of a traditional Japanese ryokan and any guest is guaranteed a quintessential 'ryokan' experience here. Walk through...
View here The Artist Floor at Park Hotel ,
Tokyo

The Park Hotel is nestled amongst the sleek architecture of the Shiodome area, one of Tokyo's most modern areas, conveniently...
View here The Celestine Gion ,
Kyoto

Since opening in September 2017, The Celestine has quickly become one of the hottest luxury hotels in Kyoto. The boutique...
View here The Peninsula Tokyo ,
Tokyo

With just ten hotels under its umbrella worldwide, the Peninsula brand holds its own against much larger luxury chains. Like...
View here The Terrace Club at Busena ,
Okinawa

This is an all-suite, all ocean-view property located just a few minutes' buggy ride from the larger Busena Terrace property....
View here Tobira Myojinkan ,
Matsumoto

Tobira Onsen Myojinkan is nestled in a peaceful spot in the Yatsugatake Chushin Kogen Park outside Matsumoto. Established in 1931,...
View here Tokyo Station Hotel ,
Tokyo

Built in 1915, bombed in 1945, rebuilt after the war then completely renovated this century, this distinctive red brick hotel...
View here Tsurugata ,
Kurashiki

Located alongside the charming willow-lined canal in Kurashiki, the Tsurugata is one of a handful of traditional inns that used...
View here Tsurunoyu ,
Nyuto Onsen

Nyuto Onsen, one of Japan’s most atmospheric mountain hot spring spots, is also one of the few where men and...
View here Westin Sendai ,
Sendai

Considering it is not a major visitor destination like Kyoto or Hiroshima, the Westin Sendai is a very high standard....
View here Yoshimatsu ,
Hakone

The Yoshimatsu is a charming ryokan built in the 'sukiya' teahouse style, with a tea room within which one can...
View here