Japan 10 Best Boutique Hotels (2023)

Housed in a former 1920’s bank building, this stunning boutique hotel features twenty rooms in a relaxing atmosphere with stunning design. Stockholm-based architecture and design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune drew inspiration from the area’s relative lack of greenery to create a ‘green oasis’.

Halekulani Okinawa is a five-star hotel perched over a hilltop overlooking the island’s emerald sea, with a white sandy beach at its feet. All 360 guestrooms boast ocean views, five of which are villas, each with a private pool and natural hot spring.

Facing the majestic heights of Mount Fuji, Fufu Kawaguchiko is a boutique hotel scented by the surrounding Kawaguchiko forest. All the suites boast a view of Mount Fuji and offer open-air natural hot spring baths lined with volcanic stone and eco-friendly bioethanol fireplaces.

This is arguably Kyoto’s coolest hotel, featuring Ace Hotel’s trademark retro style and creative artworks and sculptures throughout. There are 213 rooms, a 24-hour gym, garden courtyards, three restaurants, and the first Stumptown Coffee shop in Japan, all under one roof.

Hotel Cycle is set in a really cool renovated warehouse, offering stylish rooms - all with AC, a fridge, a kettle and a flat-screen TV. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, a café, and a bakery. Not to mention the bicycle-friendly design, guests can ride up their bikes to the 24-hour front desk.

This 79-room boutique hotel in downtown Tokyo has been created by the legendary minimalist Japanese brand Muji. Even the smallest rooms are big in comfort, with ergonomic matresses, cosy bedding, soft bath towels and lighting designed to guide guests into a natural slumber.

SOWAKA Kyoto is a serene five-star hotel that blends ancient Japanese traditions and modern comforts in the heart of Kyoto's Gion district.

Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa is a luxury hotel offering 344 guestrooms with breathtaking ocean views. The resort has six restaurants showcasing fresh local ingredients, an indulgent spa, a private lagoon, and an outdoor and indoor pool.

Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion is a sleek design hotel offering spacious rooms in the heart of the Gion district. There's a serene Onsen Spa to relax after a busy day exploring the surroundings, and the generous breakfast includes both Western or Japanese fare.

A five-star hotel featuring 97 luxurious rooms with picturesque views of the surrounding forests and nearby gorgeous beaches. Guests can relax at the Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA or by the indoor/outdoor swimming pools. The onsite par-3 golf course is superb

The Trunk (Hotel) is a boutique hotel offering 15 rooms located in the trendy and fashionable Shibuya district. There are two tasty on-site restaurants, as well as a bar and a concept design store. If you are looking for a hip experience, look no further.

Wanosato offers luxurious Japanese-style ryokan stay in a 160-year-old quaint Gassho-zukuri thatched-roof house, nestled in the tranquil woods. It features a bedrock and a cypress public hot spring bath, where guests can unwind with mountain views. The property is a 20-minute complimentary shuttle ride from JR Takayama Station.

Part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection hotels, the Suiran is a tranquil luxury hotel in a magical location, right along the gentle streams of the Hozu River, near a world-famous bamboo forest. 17 rooms out of the 39 offer "Onsen" hot spring bathtubs in the room. Guests can enjoy fine dining fusion cuisine at the restaurant with lush views of the river.

Surrounded by the verdant forest of the Sengokuhara Hot Springs region, HAKONE RETREAT FÖRE is a heavenly boutique hotel with Northern European vibes. Boasting 11 cottages, originally designed by architect Tokichiro Fujita in 1915, they feature elements such as open-air hot spring baths, grand pianos, and kitchens.

The Peninsula Tokyo, nestled in Tokyo's esteemed Marunouchi financial district, overlooks the illustrious Imperial Palace. This five-star hotel in Tokyo’s sleek financial district rises 24 storeys, while its lantern-inspired architecture pays homage to Japan's rich cultural tapestry.

Beautiful hotel offering chic modern rooms with a Japanese vibe, in the heart of Kyoto’s Downtown district. The hotel has a stylish restaurant & bar, and the onsen-style bath makes it perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing.

Located in Toranomon's historic district, the first EDITION hotel in Japan boasts 206 rooms, including 22 suites with breathtaking views of the Tokyo skyline. Being part of Tokyo World Gate, a mixed-use development, the hotel stands tall between floors 31 to 36 of the skyscraper.

A creation by Hiroyuki Tanaka Architects, KIRO Hiroshima is a boutique hotel that stands out due to its unique adaptive reuse approach, having transformed an old hospital's structure into a minimalist yet vibrant establishment.

High above the city, Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo is a five-star luxury hotel with views to take your breath away. Boasting fine restaurants and an award-winning spa on the 37th floor, Mandarin Oriental is located in the historical Nihonbashi area in the heart of Tokyo. Among the most spacious in Tokyo, rooms and suites feature gorgeous city views.

Hyatt Regency Kyoto is a five-star hotel that brings together the best of Japanese design and western comfort, boasting stylish and spacious rooms, decorated in light natural tones. Facilities include three restaurants onsite, a spa and wellness centre, a gym, and rental bicycles.

SETOUCHI RETREAT by Onko Chishin, also known as Setouchi Aonagi, it’s a seven-room boutique luxury hotel designed by the esteemed Pritzker Prize winner architect Tadao Ando - renowned for his minimalist designs and notable creations like the Chichu Art Museum.

Experience Kyoto in true Japanese style at this authentic ryokan, offering traditional Japanese breakfast, and a welcome tea ceremony. The rooms feature private gardens and an inviting open-air bathtub.

High above Shinjuku’s lively streets lives Tokyo’s most famous five-star hotel, from the movie 'Lost in Translation'. Rooms boast Hokkaido wood panelling and Egyptian cotton sheets. The spa and indoor pool will go down a treat after a long flight, while the 52nd-floor New York Grill offers spectacular skyline views.

Nestled in the heart of Kanazawa, KUMU Kanazawa is a hub that marries the city's rich samurai past with an eye on the future, creating a tapestry of events, art, and tea ceremonies.

St. Regis Osaka is a five-star hotel located in the heart of Osaka's Midosuji area, offering exquisite decor with touches of traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Palace Hotel Tokyo is a haven of hospitality – serene and refined and imbued with understated luxury throughout. The luxuriously cosy and contemporary interiors, with floor-to-ceiling views, leafy motifs and warm earthy colours, take inspiration from their proximity to the capital’s Imperial Palace gardens.

A rykoan-inspired superb five-star hotel in Kyoto, providing all the luxury expected from The Ritz family. The hotel boasts stunning river views, elegant rooms with all modern commodities, and a fabulous spa and gym. Located near everything, yet you will feel miles away (in a good way).

Andaz Tokyo - A Concept by Hyatt, is a five-star hotel offering clean and modern rooms, located centrally and within walking distance from the fancy Ginza district. The hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city, be it from the 37th-floor swimming pool or the 52nd-floor rooftop bar.

This Four Seasons five-star hotel is a luxurious urban retreat, ideally located next to Tokyo Station. The hotel provides spacious and stylish rooms, with chic furnishings that create a relaxed vibe. The inviting hot-spring baths and sauna in a spa will help you get rid of that jetlag.

Hotel Kanra Kyoto is a boutique hotel in central Kyoto, inspired by the essence of the city's beauty, wisdom, and hospitality through its modern rendition of the traditional "Machiya Style", incorporating materials like wood, stone, and iron.