Japan’s luxury hotels: From forest retreats to island villas
hotels
resorts
Deluxe Oceanview Villa at Rosewood Miyakojima
Japan’s luxury accommodation spans everything from glamorous high-rise sanctuaries in Tokyo to design-led ryokans and remote island villas in Okinawa. The choice is as varied as the country itself – and that’s precisely the point. These are our picks for the best hotels in Japan
Japan is full of surprises: surprises that wow, surprises that move, surprises that keep you craving more. What’s never surprising in Japan, though, is the depth of experiences available to luxury travellers.
A perennial favourite destination for Australians – luxury-seeking and otherwise – Japan is a nation of contrasts. There’s the contagious energy of Tokyo and the cultural delights of Kyoto, the food-fuelled fun in Osaka and countless corners worthy of discovery beyond the familiar Golden Route.
Japan’s luxury stays – of which there are many – are as varied as the country itself. Glamorous high-rise hotels, traditional ryokans, urban sanctuaries, forest retreats, design-led beauties – it’s easy to find indulgent stays, but it’s not so easy to choose between them.
Let us help. Here are our picks for luxury stays across Japan.
Tokyo
Aman Tokyo
In Tokyo, Aman’s signature approach to luxury reaches lofty heights – quite literally – in a high-rise sanctuary overlooking the city. By Kerry Hill Architects, pared-back interiors draw on Japan’s design traditions, making striking use of natural materials including wood, paper and stone. There are 84 ryokan-style guestrooms, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and traditional stone ofuro bathtubs. The two-level, 2500-square-metre spa – a genuine oasis shaped by light and shadow – includes traditional Japanese baths, steam rooms and an indoor heated pool, as well as a fitness centre with a yoga and Pilates studio.
The Peninsula Tokyo
Just steps from the high-end shopping of Ginza in the heart on Marunouchi, The Peninsula Tokyo delivers on the brand’s well-established global reputation. Rooms and suites combine plush modern comforts and Japanese craftsmanship, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of Hibiya Park, the Imperial Palace and the city skyline. Dining spans Cantonese, Japanese and contemporary French cuisine; the spa provides for the complete hot-cold experience with a heated pool, aromatic steam room, dry sauna, thermal suite and shaved ice fountain. Plus divine treatment options, of course.
1 Hotel Tokyo
In the sophisticated district of Akasaka, 1 Hotel Tokyo is an outstanding choice for travellers seeking design-conscious, nature-led luxury. The 211-key hotel, which occupies the upper floors of Akasaka Trust Tower, combines Japanese artistry, reclaimed materials and abundant greenery with far-reaching views of the city skyline, including the Imperial Palace gardens and Tokyo Tower. As across the 1 Hotels portfolio, sustainability is built into the experience – the hotel has achieved Japan’s highest environmental rating, while wellness facilities include a Bamford spa, indoor pool and 24-hour gym. Thoughtfully curated dining impresses across various in-house venues.
HOSHINOYA Tokyo
HOSHINOYA Tokyo reimagines the traditional Japanese inn as a sophisticated urban hideaway in the city’s financial district. A short walk from Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, the hotel has 84 rooms arranged around floor-specific communal lounges that encourage a more considered pace of stay. Japanese customs and style are woven throughout, from tatami flooring to kimono-inspired details, while the rooftop onsen offers a restorative counterpoint to the city below. Dining is another draw, with Japanese ingredients interpreted through exquisite culinary techniques.
Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi
For those who like their luxury travel with a little theatre, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi makes a statement high above the city. Its elevated setting puts Tokyo’s vast urban landscape centre stage, while the hotel’s dining scene gives guests a reason to linger indoors. At Michelin-starred est, French culinary techniques meet Japanese ingredients; elsewhere, grab a front-row seat to the city’s ever-changing skyline. The interiors, by design studio Yabu Pushelberg, favour a contemporary look over the Japanese aesthetic celebrated elsewhere. The 39th-floor spa and pool provide for a little downtime between outings.
Kyoto
Aman Kyoto
The Japanese appreciation for nature is rarely as apparent as it is at Aman Kyoto. Tucked into a forested corner in the northern part of the city, the retreat is set among towering trees and moss-covered pathways, with low-slung pavilions scattered discreetly within the botanical nirvana. Rooms adopt the clean, calm lines of a traditional ryokan without missing a trick on the luxury front. Take time to fill the oversized hinoki bathtub and soak. The day’s dining, from relaxed breakfasts (Western and Japanese options) through to thoroughly considered dinners, are served at The Living Pavilion, or opt for kaiseki at in-house Taka-an. Three treatment suites as well as onsen hot springs are available at the spa, and you’re surrounded, naturally, by forest bathing opportunities.
Capella Kyoto
A design-led stay in historic Miyagawa-cho, one of the city’s five hanamachi (geisha districts), Capella Kyoto is a tribute to the city’s incredible heritage. The hotel, a reimagining of the area’s traditional wooden townhouses, or machiya, is layered with texture, artworks and artefacts, creating a gentle yet distinct sense of place. There are 89 rooms and suites, including six Onsen Suites, transforming the traditional bathing ritual into an in-room experience. Like an upgrade? The two-bedroom, 206-square-metre Capella Suite occupies the entire top floor and overlooks the Higashiyama skyline. Three in-house dining venues, plus a dedicated patisserie, cater to a range of cravings, while traditional and modern wellness philosophies come together at Auriga Spa.
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
A 12th-century pond garden acts as the centrepiece of the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, where stone paths, maple trees and a teahouse help set the tone. The hotel sits in Higashiyama, a neighbourhood of temples, traditional streets and historic landmarks, so there’s plenty to explore beyond its doors. Inside, contemporary interiors draw on Japanese design traditions, while spacious rooms and suites – some with balconies – offer plush furnishings and opulent bathrooms. Dining ranges from sushi and teppanyaki to contemporary French cuisine, with afternoon tea another draw, and garden views always there to savour.
Osaka
Waldorf Astoria Osaka
The Waldorf Astoria is a statement stay in Osaka. Bringing the brand’s signature glamour to the Umekita district, the 252-key property occupies the upper floors of the Grand Green Osaka development, giving rooms and suites sweeping views across the city. Design is Art Deco New York (a nod to the Waldorf’s foundation city) meets Japanese craftsmanship, which is no ordinary pairing. Across four bars and restaurants, sushi and teppanyaki stand alone, as does classic French brasserie fare. Peacock Alley is the hotel’s social hub, taking guests from day to night with showstopping décor, seasonal dishes and stunning views. Late nights are a job for Canes and Tales.
Four Seasons Hotel Osaka
Think of Four Seasons Hotel Osaka as two luxury hotels in one special property. The hotel comprises a 10-floor stretch of One Dojima tower, with its renowned brand of contemporary luxury bookable across nine storeys. Meanwhile, GENSUI is a dedicated ryokan-style floor, offering a more traditional Japanese experience, with tatami rooms, sliding doors and futon bedding. GENSUI guests also have exclusive access to SABO lounge for Japanese tea and seasonal sweets. Dining spans Cantonese and French cuisine, plus sushi, while Bar Bota, on the 37th floor, is the place for a cocktail and views, views, views. That 360-degree vista can also be enjoyed from the 36th-floor day spa, including indoor pool, saunas, ofuros and a 24-hour fitness centre.
Beyond the Golden Route
Rosewood Miyakojima
Swap the neon jungles and temple-hopping for the white-sand beaches, coral reefs and unimaginably blue waters at Rosewood Miyakojima. Set on a secluded peninsula in Okinawa Prefecture, within Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, the resort has 55 villas, each with a private pool, ocean views and the ultimate luxury of – if you so desire – utter stillness. Interiors are simple but never boring, with fawn-toned decor elevated through texture, natural materials, bespoke ceramics and pops of colour that hit just the right spot. Restaurants showcase straight-from-the-ocean seafood and local produce, while Asaya Spa also draws on Okinawan ingredients.
Setouchi Retreat Aonagi
Set among the forested hills outside Matsuyama on Japan’s Shikoku island, boutique stay Setouchi Retreat Aonagi is one for design lovers. With just seven suites, each occupying an entire floor and some featuring private onsen baths, the property is intimate and restrained, its minimalist concrete forms and expansive windows drawing in the landscape. Designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, the property boasts a 20-metre indoor pool and 30-metre rooftop infinity pool, while the Art Lounge invites lingering over books, artworks and a drink. Perfection.
The details
When to visit
The changing seasons are woven into Japanese culture and celebrated through food, festivals and everyday rituals. This can change the character of the destination, making it worth considering the time of travel beyond the standard question of weather. Cherry blossoms in spring and fiery foliage in autumn are major tourist draws, so factor in the crowds. Summer brings festivals and fireworks, although the heat and humidity can be intense, while winter offers snow-covered landscapes and superb skiing. Running from late April to early May, Golden Week is a major holiday period in Japan, increasing demand for domestic travel and hotels.
How to travel
Direct flights to and from Tokyo and Osaka are available from a number of Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Japan’s shinkansen network makes travelling between major cities fast and comfortable, while trains and subways are generally the easiest way to get around within them. The shinkansen network can facilitate many regional hubs, while onward travel may require additional rail connections, ferries or transfers.
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