15 Best Japan Hotels for Sakura season in Tokyo, Kyoto

The journey’s the thing, wrote Homer in his epic poem The Odyssey – and there’s no denying that getting there is often half the fun. But then again, finding a decent mattress to sleep on after a long day on the road was a tough proposition back in the 8th century B.C.

The hospitality industry has shaped up quite a bit since then.

These days, travellers in search of somewhere to lay their weary heads have no shortage of interesting places to check out – and check into. And one of the coolest travel destinations that will never fail curious travellers is Japan - where some of the most unique and impeccably-designed hotels in the world are found.

Japan Sakura Season 2023: Bloom dates

Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) has released its forecast of when the cherry blossoms are expected to bloom across the country in 2023.

The earliest flowering will take place in the capital Tokyo on March 21, with its full bloom on March 29, according to the JMC’s second forecast on Jan 26.

For Kyoto and Osaka, the flowering dates are March 27 and March 28 respectively. Cherry blossoms in these two cities are forecast to be in full bloom on April 4.

Further north, Hokkaido will see cherry blossoms open towards the end of April, with a full bloom on May 2.

This is the first sakura season since Japan reopened its borders on Oct 11 in 2022, following restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This means it has been almost three years since foreign tourists were able to see the cherry blossoms in spring.

15 Best Hotels in Japan (2023 List)

Here are some of the best hotels in Japan. We’re pretty sure Homer would have approved.

It’s time to plan your next journey to Japan. There are many accommodations to choose from but here are some relatively new hotels to consider. Some are located right in the city of Tokyo, and a couple are within an hour’s drive or train ride away.

1. okcs Retreat Setouchi Aonagi ($1,000 to $1,400 per night)

Nature lovers and architecture junkies will have plenty to admire at Setouchi Aonagi, a seven-room retreat in the forested hills above the city of Matsuyama on Shikoku Island, with impossibly picturesque views of the Seto Inland Sea.

Setouchi Aonagi designed by Tadao Ando

For starters, the hotel bears the unmistakable stamp of the country’s pre-eminent architect Tadao Ando, who first designed it some 20 years ago as a guest house and private museum for the developers of a golf course adjoining the property, before converting it to a hotel in 2016.

Ando is better known as the designer of Benesse House, the world-famous hotel and art museum complex on Naoshima Island, in the sea east of Matsuyama.

Getting a booking there is difficult enough but for those who want a little taste of what to expect in Naoshima, a stay at Aonagi is a good alternative.

Futuristic concrete and glass buildings

The rooms, in two concrete-and-glass buildings that rise from the landscape like futuristic watchtowers, offer minimalist comforts and shimmering sea views. There is contemporary art on the ground floor, a heated indoor pool and outdoors – a signature design feature – an infinity pool that extends to the horizon.

okcs Retreat Setouchi Aonagi is located at 794-1 Yanaidanimachi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-2641, Japan. Tel: +81 89-977-9500

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2. Bella Vista Spa and Marina ($500 - $800 per night)

The Shimanami Kaido is an expressway with a difference, and not just because it’s a 60-km road-and-bridge network that connects the town of Onomichi on Japan’s main island of Honshu with Imabari on Shikoku (the fourth largest island), crossing the Inland Sea and spanning six smaller islands along the way.

Cars and other vehicles ply the route regularly but the expressway was built specifically to accommodate cyclists, with a separate path for bikes and pedestrians along its entire length.

Just up the coastline from Onomichi, near a shipyard and halfway up a hillside overlooking the Shimanami Islands, the Bella Vista Spa and Marina provides panoramic views and a resort-like alternative to the small local hotels and Japanese-style inns in town. From a distance the hotel may look innocuous enough but on offer is a luxe resort experience, a world-class spa and large, well-appointed rooms.

On a bluff overlooking the sea, the hotel’s Ribbon Chapel is one of the most distinctive wedding venues in the country, comprising two intertwined staircases rising up around a glass-enclosed space.

Visits to a nearby temple complex, seaplane flights and boat rides to Onomichi are among the sightseeing options – if you don’t fancy going on a long bicycle ride.

Bella Vista Spa and Marina is located at 1376 Urasakicho, Onomichi, Japan. Tel: +81 120-873-333

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3. Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection ($800 per night)

Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection Marriott Bonvoy is located near the waterfront – within the WATERS Takeshiba Precinct in the special ward of Minato City. It is easily accessible to Tokyo Station and Shinagawa station, shopping and entertainment areas.

The urban luxury hotel’s name comes from the word “mesmerize”. And the property certainly captivates with its 265 excellently appointed rooms including suites with magnificent views of the traditional Hamarikyu Gardens.

For dining experiences, The Chef’s Theatre is a French restaurant that reimagines European dishes using the finest Japanese ingredients. Over at Whisk, the trendy downtown bar invites you to indulge in handcrafted cocktails and specialty Japanese Sarutahiko coffee. And if you must (after all the wining and dining), burn some calories  and work out on state-of-the-art equipment at the 24-hour fitness centre.

Mesm Tokyo Autograph Collection is located in WATERS Takeshiba, Japan, 〒105-0022 Tokyo, Minato City, Kaigan, 1 Chome−10−30 １６階. Tel: +81 3-5777-1111

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4. Tokyo Edition Toranomon ($1,200 to $1,600 per night)

After a day out shopping and dining, head back to relax at Tokyo Edition Toranomon. Occupying level 31-36 within Tokyo World Gate mixed-use skyscraper, the hotel is conveniently located near the subway stations of Kamiyacho, Roppongi-Itchome and Toranomon.

It has 206 rooms, including 22 suites and several rooms with private terraces affording unobstructed views of Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Bay.

The lobby bar is a place for visitors to work, network and unwind. The Gold Bar transforms from a relaxed lounge during the day (offering an afternoon Japanese tea ceremony with a twist, and an all-day food menu), to a sophisticated cocktail bar in the evenings. Here you can sip original custom cocktails as well as an extensive variety of sake.

The restaurants here are helmed by renowned British chef Tom Aikens; this is his first foray into Japan. The well-appointed Jade Room features an original bespoke menu, and on the outdoor terrace is an unexpected ‘Sky Garden’ where guests are transported from the dynamic city streets to a beautifully serene oasis.

For some pampering, head to the tranquil spa whose treatments use products sourced and made in Japan. There’s also a 24-hour gym powered by Technogym, as well as swimming pool and Jacuzzi, both bathed in natural light from a skylight window above.

Tokyo Edition Toranomon is located in Kamiyacho Trust Tower, 4 Chome-1-1 Toranomon, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan. Tel: +81 3-5422-1600

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5. Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay ($140 to $499 per night)

Located in Urayasu city in Chiba Prefecture, this recently refurbished urban resort offers panoramic views of Tokyo Bay.

It is close to top attractions such as Tokyo Disney Resort, the entertainment and shopping district of Odaiba, and Makuhari Messe, one of Japan’s largest convention centres. The property is just 30 minutes by train or car from central Tokyo.

The hotel features 350 rooms, including 10 spacious suites and 40 club rooms on the ninth floor and above. Many guestrooms afford beautiful water views. The Regency Club lounge on the ground floor offers exclusive experiences for guests staying in a suite or club rooms.

Food-wise there’s plenty of options. Sushi Ema is a traditional Edomae sushi restaurant where guests can enjoy carefully selected seasonal ingredients.

At Teppanyaki Fukitei, chefs prepare meals with premium Matsusaka beef, seafood and seasonal vegetables. Meanwhile international cuisine with a European flair can be enjoyed at The Garden Brasserie & Bar. And in the evenings, The Rooftop Bar overlooking Tokyo Bay is an ideal spot to enjoy a cocktail or wine.

Hyatt Regency Hotel Tokyo Bay is located at 5 Chome-8-23 Akemi, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0014, Japan. Tel: +81473051234

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6. Shishi-Iwa House Karuizawa ($420 to $510 per night)

Design and architecture fans will be captivated by this unique boutique hotel in Karuizawa, a tranquil resort town about an hour by train from Tokyo (take the shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa Station followed by a 10- minute taxi ride).

Opened in April 2022, Shishi-Iwa House (SSH No.2) has 12 stunning rooms, a restaurant, and a wine and whisky bar. This is an extension of the original SSH No.1 which boasts 11 rooms, a reading library and the Grand Room, a sizeable gathering space. In 2023, SSH No.3 will be launched with 11 rooms and a spa and onsen bath house.

The first two houses are designed by Shigeru Ban and the third by Ryue Nishizawa; both well-respected architects are Pritzker prize recipients.

The restaurant here is helmed by executive chef Masashi Okamoto who creates special menus based on seasonal ingredients sourced almost entirely from the local Nagano region. To have a pre-dinner drink or nightcap, make your way to the bar which stocks a range of rare Japanese whiskies and fine wines.

Besides relaxing in the property, there are various monthly hotel programmes and experiences curated for guests. They can also spend their days exploring the surrounding areas. Located five minutes’ walk from the hotel is Sezon Museum of Modern Art, housing one of the best contemporary art collections in Japan. Architectural buffs can stroll down the street to the unique Uchimura Kanzo Stone church.

Sengataki Onsen hot spring, a local favourite, is 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel. For nature and forest bathing at its best, the picturesque Sengataki park and waterfall is five minutes’ drive away. Meanwhile, Ginza Street at Kyu Karuizawa is where one can find local produce like jams, rice crackers, souvenirs, and art and craft.

Shishi-Iwa House Karuizawa is located at 2147-768 Nagakura, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0111, Japan. Tel: +81 267-31-6658.

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7. Fuji Speedway Hotel by Hyatt ($380 to $580 per night)

Motorsports enthusiasts can check in to this new hotel in Shizuoka, about 80 minutes by car from Tokyo. It is the first property of the Unbound Collection by the Hyatt in Japan.

The hotel overlooks breath-taking views of Mount Fuji and the Fuji Speedway race circuit which hosts world class racing events. This is one of several attractions in the new Fuji Motorsports Forest project developed by the Toyota Group which offer a distinctive experience where motorsports meet luxury hospitality.

The 120-room hotel also houses the Fuji Motor Sports Museum which showcases about 40 racing cars dating from the end of the 19th century – at this exclusive space, guests can learn and be immersed in the history and culture of this exciting sport.

Meanwhile, guests can dine at Trofeo, an all-day Italian trattoria-style eatery with outdoor terraces. Or at Robata Oyama, which offers an interactive Japanese dining experience where fresh produce are grilled at the central show kitchen. Bar 4563 is a speakeasy-style bar whose menu includes crafted cocktails and a range of premium Japanese whisky.

Finally relax at the Omika Wellness & Spa, a sanctuary that includes an indoor pool, a spa, indoor and outdoor hot spring onsens, and fitness centre. The latter boasts a state-of-the-art driving simulator designed for professional race car drivers, but accessible for guests.

Fuji Speedway Hotel is located at Japan, 〒645 Shizuoka, Sunto District, Oyama, Omika, JP 410-1308. Tel: +81 550-20-1234

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8. Hoshino Resort Kai Yufuin, Yufu, Kyushu ($690 to $830 per night)

Tucked away in the idyllic countryside of Kyushu is Kai Yufuin, the prolific Hoshino Resorts’ 20th property under its hot spring-focused brand.

Opened in August 2019, expect 45 guest rooms – four of which exist as standalone villas, featuring locally-sourced tatami floors and timber – scattered around picturesque rice terraces (with architecture and designs courtesy of Kengo Kuma), all set against the majestic volcano that is Mount Yufu.

The hotel is located within Yufuin Onsen, a resort town in Kyushu famed for its hot springs – expect a good mix of indoor and outdoor baths fed by natural hot springs year-round.

Hoshino Resort Kai Yufuin is located at 398 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita 879-5102, Japan. Tel: +81 50-3134-8092

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9. Naoshima Ryokan Roka, Naoshima ($830 to $1,060 per night)

Roka, opened in April 2019, is a beautiful art-focused ryokan – only fitting for an inn situated on Japan’s veritable art island.

The 11 suites, each equipped with private-open air baths, are a perfect base for anyone looking to explore the island’s contemporary art museums and installations.

Traditional kaiseki meals are also available to experience an authentic taste of Japanese hospitality, whilst one explores the hotel’s own suite of contemporary artworks (some of which are permanent, while others can be purchased).

Naoshima Roka is located at Japan, 〒1234 Kagawa, Kagawa District, Naoshima, JP 7613110. Tel: +81 87-899-2356

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10. Roku Kyoto, Kyoto ($940 to $1,730 per night)

Meet Roku Kyoto, the first Asian property of Hilton’s luxury collection, LXR Hotel & Resorts which opened in late 2021.

The luxe resort straddles contemporary and classical aesthetics with Japanese minimalism at its forefront – think low-profile furnishings and wooden-slatted room dividers beneath Kyoto temple-esque pitched roofs and open walkways. You’re plenty close to nature too, since the 114-room property is hidden in the foothills of Takagamine’s three mountains – which means exhilarating mountainous vistas through the windows of your suite.

There’s even a riverside bar, with al-fresco seating options along the Tenjin River. If culture’s more your thing, you’re only a short walk away from UNESCO World Heritage site Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), as well as the Koetsuji and Genkoan temples.

Roku Kyoto is located at 44-1 Kinugasa Kagamiishicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8451, Japan. Tel: +81 75-320-0111

Read More: Roku Kyoto Review - Authentic Traditional Japanese Hospitality

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11. Club Med Kiroro, Hokkaido ($1,960 to $2,065 per night)

Located on the powdery slopes of Hokkaido is Club Med Kiroro is a ski-in ski-out resort that’s really two resorts in one.

The first, Club Med Kiroro Peak, opened in December 2022, while its companion Club Med Kiroro Grand will open in 2023.

This comes together into an impressive offering of nearly 400 guest rooms – the two separate resort buildings are connected by gondola – alongside an impressive 23 courses for adrenaline junkies of all skill levels. Other attractions include an indoor resort pool, natural onsens and saunas.

Club Med Kiroro Peak Hokkaido is located at 650 Tokiwa, Akaigawa, Yoichi District, Hokkaido 046-0593, Japan. Tel: +81 0088217008

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12. Henn na Hotel Maihama, Tokyo Bay ($110 to $240)

Opened in March 2017 to much fanfare, Henn na Hotel means “strange hotel” in Japanese. But its website says one of the definitions of the Japanese word “Henn” is “to change”, and that it represents the hotel’s commitment “in striving for the extraordinary sensation and comfort that lies beyond the ordinary”.

The first Henn na Hotel – opened in July 2015 in Sasebo, Nagasaki prefecture – was recognised by the Guinness World Records in November last year as “the first robot- staffed hotel” in the world.

Henn na Hotel is located at 5 Chome-3-20 Fujimi, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0043, Japan. Tel: +81 50-5894-3737

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Muji Hotel Ginza

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13. Muji Hotel Ginza, Tokyo ($380 to $409 per night)
Retail giant Muji brings its famous anti-brand ethos to life with the new Muji Hotel Ginza, an oasis of zen-like calm (after shopping hours, anyway) in Tokyo's glitzy shopping district.

Located within Muji's 10-floor Flagship Store

It's the pride of Muji's 10-storey flagship which encompasses retail, F & B and accommodation, making it a mega-destination for a global army of fans, dubbed 'Mujirers.'



Muji Hotel: 79 Rooms of Simplicity

Muji's much-touted philosophy of restraint and simplicity, or 'design by subtraction', extends to its 79-room hotel, perched on the top four floors. As might be expected, the design aesthetic (expertly executed by design partner UDS) is upscale contemporary, with interiors featuring liberal amounts of wood, stone and earth tones.

Hotel Lobby on the 6th Floor

The sixth-floor lobby is characterised by hardwood floors, a simple reception counter and a slate grey wall made from vintage train-track stones. Adjoining the lobby is an open bar, library and gallery space. Escalators lead down to the rather impressive retail space, best described as Muji to the Max.

Muji Hotel Rooms: Adequate for short stay

The rooms, available in various sizes and relatively wallet-friendly (by Ginza standards) with rates ranging between 15,000 yen and 50,000 yen (about S$200 and $655), are comfortable, functional and - provided you're not travelling with a collection of LV trunks- entirely adequate for a short stay.

Long and narrow hotel room layout

Several of the layouts are long and narrow ('intimate' in hotel-brochure speak): my Type C room (S$370) was about 76 square metres in size and less than 3 metres at its widest point.

Still, the elongated space was beautifully detailed and bathed in natural light, with warm wood finishes, simple but comfortable furniture, a well-stocked selection of Muji products and a better-than-decent shower.



Muji Hotels in Tokyo, Shenzhen, Beijing

Muji Hotel Ginza, which opened in April 2019, is the company's first in Japan - two others opened last year in Shenzhen and Beijing - but more are underway. Business has been brisk, thanks to followers of the company that was set up to offer a quintessential Japanese experience in a modern urban context, with minimum fuss. It's fair to say, then, that Muji Hotel Ginza delivers on that promise.

Muji Hotel Ginza is located within the Muji Ginza Flagship Store at Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 3 Chome−3−5 ６階. Tel: +81 3-3538-6101

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Aman Kyoto

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14. Aman Kyoto ($2,600 to $6,300 per night)
Aman's third Japanese resort after Aman Tokyo (opened 2014) and Amanemu, opens its doors on November 1, 2019.

Located in the northern part of Kyoto at the foot of Mount Daimonji and close to the UNESCO heritage site of Kinka-kuji Temple, Aman Kyoto is housed in a 'secret garden' in a massive 80-acre site comprising 72 acres of permanent forest and eight acres of manicured gardens.

Designed by Kerry Hill Architects, expect a lush, tranquil getaway of just 24 rooms and two villas in contemporary ryokan-style, with floor-to-ceiling windows, tatami mats and tokonoma (a recessed space displaying a singular work of art).

Perfect for immersing yourself in an ancient culture and discovering the true meaning of Zen.

Aman Kyoto is located at Japan, 〒603-8481 Kyoto, Kita Ward, Okitayamawashiminecho, １ 1 Okitayama Washimine-Cho １. Tel: +81 75-496-1333

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Hoshino Resorts Risonare Nasu

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15. Hoshino Resorts Risonare, Nasu ($450 to $970 per night)
Agriculture and tourism come together at the new Hoshino Resorts Risonare Nasu, where you can chill out and enjoy the lay of the land in the mountainous region of Nasu in Tochigi prefecture.

Immerse in Mount Nasu & its forests

Located at the foot of Mount Nasu amidst dense forest, it's the fourth in the brand's Risonare line of properties (after Yatsugatake, Tomamu, and Atami) that focus on nature and indigenous produce.



Risonare Nasu's Farm to Table dining

Pluck your own from Risonare Nasu's onsite farm or let the kitchen source some of the best vegetables or seafood for your meal at this unique agri-tourism concept.

43 Hotel Rooms, designed by Klein Dytham

While you chill in any of its 43 rooms designed by Klein Dytham Architecture to maximise the breathtaking views, plan your activities from hiking to visiting the local hot springs.

Hoshino Resorts Risonare, Nasu is located at 2301 Takakuotsu Michishita, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun 325-0303 Tochigi Prefecture

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Part of this story first appeared in The Business Times in 2019, The Singapore Women's Weekly in 2022, HerWorld, The Straits Times.