Kyūshū
There's atmosphere aplenty in these dozen thatched-roof huts with Japanese rooms, sink and toilet surrounding a beautiful rotemburo. The antique-filled,…
Must-see hotels in Japan
Naha
There's a lot to love about this homely little design hotel, which could have been plucked from Tokyo's Omote-sandō and transplanted into Naha's up-and…
Western Honshū
Kōraku has classy touches such as local museum pieces displayed on each floor, and pampering extras such as complimentary aroma pots for your room. Beds…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Kume-jima's nicest digs are found near the airport, fronting the lovely-at-sunset Shinri-hama beach. The resort boasts an attractive (though shallow and…
Nagasaki
This magnificent old-school ryokan has been in business since 1894. Offering shippoku-ryōri (Nagasaki-style kaiseki) and personalised service, Sakamoto-ya…
Kii Peninsula
An excellent modern B&B in a glen near central Hongū, with immaculate, comfortably minimalist design, lots of English-language sightseeing info and…
Beppu
This sprawling, family-run 1930s inn has wonderfully preserved Japanese rooms and well-chosen art and furnishings evoking periods from art deco to today…
Kyūshū
Fukudaya is a hip, stylish onsen hotel mixing Western and Japanese decor. The rooms with private rotemburo are gorgeous, with milky water and decks…
Aoshima Fisherman's Beachside Hostel & Spa
Kyūshū
If this spanking-new, oceanfront hostel is the way things are going, that's an excellent sign. Built of Miyazaki cedar, its modern campus offers two dorms…
Yaeyama Islands
Formerly the Hotel Nikkō Yaeyama, this thoroughly renovated and rebranded hilltop complex, though far from the shoreline, makes an excellent choice for…
Kagoshima
Just outside Tenmonkan and across from a park, this family-owned inn traces its history to 1904, though the current building has a mid-20th-century feel,…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
The various styles of room at this boutique property capture the arty design spirit of Roppongi. Some of the more expensive duplex-type rooms have…
Hiroshima
K's House has a great location not far from the station. There are small dorms and comfortable tatami rooms with shared shower rooms, or you can pay a…
Kansai
Newly renovated, with natural timber paneling, contemporary amenities (including a kitchen and laundry facilities), a communal lounge and a very chill…
Western Honshū
Operated by a friendly family, Nishino-shima's best lodging features rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bay and a communal bath sharing…
Nagasaki
This commendably friendly 28-bed hostel sets the standard, with bright, clean Japanese-style rooms with Western-style bedding and bathrooms, uber-helpful…
Hiroshima
With its satiny coverlets and backlit headboards, Hotel Active tries for a little more style than the average business hotel. It's right in the heart of…
Naoshima
Perfectly placed on the beachfront, not far from the Benesse Art Site area, is this encampment of Mongolian-style pao (yurt) tents. Cosy tents sleep up to…
Western Honshū
The black facade suggests you've arrived at an art-house cinema, but this is KAG, shaking things up in the Kurashiki hostel scene by offering designer…
Fukuoka
This charmingly creaky, unpretentious Taishō-era ryokan is a historic landmark, pleasantly faded and focused on a small garden with a stone lantern. All…
Western Honshū
Although the single hotel-style rooms all have shared toilets and bathrooms, you might just love this fresh, young conversion of a business hotel, next to…
Izu Peninsula
A perfect hillside location means glorious sea views and easy beach access from this twee pension, which is all pink carpets, frilly lace and piped…
Western Honshū
At this centuries-old, now-modernised ryokan, you can bathe in history – right in the tub where once dipped the plotters of the Meiji Restoration. The…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Occupying a former ryōtei (geisha house), Kaisu is a flashpacker hostel with mid-century-modern and surfer-chic stylings. Dorms offer wooden bunks with…
Downtown Kyoto
Located on Sanjō-dōri, a stone's throw from the river, the Royal Park has a super-convenient location, with lots of shops and restaurants within easy…
Hokkaidō
Conveniently located just a few minutes' walk from the Kitanomine Gondola, this is a great spot for skiers and active types. Backpackers are well catered…
Western Honshū
At the base of Kasa-yama, this solid tourist hotel has wonderfully friendly yet formal staff who'll do anything to assist, even if English is a challenge…
Kanazawa
Located on the prettiest street in the picturesque Higashi-chaya district, this 200-year-old geisha teahouse has only three rooms and features a…
Fuji Five Lakes
Elegant and ultrastylish, Ubuya offers panoramic views of Mt Fuji reflected in the lake that are simply unbeatable. Splash out on the more expensive…
Ōsumi Islands
Tidy Japanese-style rooms in this family-run ryokan in Nishi-no-Omote are homely and full of natural light. If you speak Japanese, you can hit up the…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
At the west end of the main village, this diver-focused minshuku has good, clean Western- and Japanese-style rooms just a minute's amble from the beach…
Western Honshū
You'll get a warm, family welcome at this big, creaky minshuku located a minute from the station. The tatami rooms are spacious and there's a shared…
Kyūshū
Unzen's jigoku make a dramatic backdrop for this eye-popping, ultra-luxe 'mountain resort', renovated in 2018 in the centre of the village. Behind the…
Kumamoto
Pride of place goes to this upmarket hotel overlooking the castle, with professional, friendly service, a beamed lobby ceiling inspired by its namesake,…
Ōsumi Islands
Overlooking Yakushima's southeast coast, this stunning collection of luxury villas blends ocean views with Balinese design elements. Sustainable practices…
Southern Higashiyama
Gion Hatanaka is a fine ryokan right in the heart of the Southern Higashiyama sightseeing district, less than a minute’s walk from Yasaka-jinja. Despite…
Southern Higashiyama
The Old Kyoto group manage three beautiful traditional Japanese houses that stand right on the edge of Gion and make for the perfect getaway for those…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Occupying the top six floors of Toranomon Hills, this sophisticated hotel exudes class and offers panoramic views all around. The best of Japanese…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Expect superlative hospitality at this seaside gem. The dining experience at this ryokan is exceptional for such a remote place and the onsen facility…
Izu Peninsula
In this unlikely corner of Japan, the Yamaguchi family (former expats in Mexico) welcomes guests to their inn with warm, uniquely Mexican-Japanese…
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