The Best Hotels to Book in Japan for Every Traveller

The ideal hostel for bookworms and coffee lovers, this central Hiroshima pad combines a bright, minimalist aesthetic with cosy spots for reading with a brew. The beans are selected from local Hiroshima and Okayama roasteries ranging from light and fruity to deep roasted. The book collection spans several genres and caters to multiple languages. Both private rooms and dorms are available, with toiletries and good wifi included.

Traditional Japanese inns, or ryokan, are often situated in quieter areas outside of the city centre. However, Sansui Ryokan benefits from a central location, within walking distance of Hiroshima’s World Heritage Sites and the train station. Offering all the cultural aspects of a ryokan experience, you can expect tatami flooring throughout, a fluffy futon to sleep on and the added bonus of heritage classes, like Japanese calligraphy sessions and tea ceremonies. If you’ve always wanted to try on a kimono, then Sansui Ryokan offers a free kimono experience, making this the ideal choice for people who want to soak up Japanese culture.

Take a comic back to your pod or mingle in the lounge with 30,000 manga volumes to enjoy; this capsule hotel is decked out in wood, creating the perfect atmosphere to kick back and relax. Serving Japanese and Western options for breakfast as well as free drinks and soft-serve ice cream throughout the day, this is a space you’ll be eager to get back to. The capsules are roomy, and there are deluxe options with a lockable door for people who want a little extra.

Enjoy a touch of luxury in the hot spring town of Jozankei in Sapporo. Every aspect of Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa Mori no Uta is designed to immerse you in nature, using earthy colours, large windows and a centerpiece tree-shaped cast-iron hearth. Sweeping forest views accompany fine teas served on Mori Terrace, and evening harp concerts add to the air of tranquillity. The dining options are particularly notable with excellent variety prepared by highly trained chefs. Combined with private onsen and spa treatments on-site, this is an ideal stay for those who want to leave rejuvenated.

From Tokyo to Osaka and beyond, Miyako hotels are some of the grandest hotels in Japan. In Hakata, Fukuoka, Miyako Hotel is the ideal place to stay for travellers looking to experience the finest food, views and comfort. You can’t miss it – it is an enormous, stainless steel and glass building with living exterior walls. Sink into the cosy beds before a swim in the rooftop pool. Upstairs, you will also find several gourmet restaurants to choose from, and the hotel’s staff will gladly point you in the direction of Fukuoka’s best attractions.

A traditional Japanese homestay experience in Fukuoka City, this boutique hotel provides you with a zen experience unlike anything else. This is achieved through its aesthetics and decor, as well as its location in a quiet, suburban location. A traditional, almost 100-year-old house turned hotel, Zen Oyado Nishitei is the perfect place to stay if you are searching for the authentic Japanese Zen home experience.

For guests visiting Niseko for relaxation in the heart of Hokkaido’s soothing landscape, Zaborin takes the traditional Japanese ryokan concept and combines it with unparalleled views and access to the area’s best hot springs. At Zaborin, you will have access to your own private onsen, with both indoor and outdoor hot springs available to use, ideal for those wanting to enjoy a Japanese bathing experience in private.

Another one for the bookworms, Lamp Light Books Hotel in Japan is a café, bookshop and hotel rolled into one. Its website posts recommended reads for you to browse, and its shelves are lined with books new and old for you to read. The hotel rooms themselves, while not literature-themed, are minimalist and offer great views of the Nagoya skyline. Sofas and lamps provide an optimal atmosphere for reading and relaxation.