The Best Hotels in Japan

Tokyo

The Okura Tokyo stands on the wooded rise of Toranomon, beside embassies and gardens. Its lobby was designed by Yoshiro Taniguchi in 1962, and the hotel has spacious rooms with city views, a 27th-floor pool and breakfast at Orchid. Park Hyatt Tokyo occupies the upper floors of Shinjuku Park Tower in Nishi-Shinjuku, a building designed by Kenzo Tange that opened in the 1990s. The hotel offers the city views, attentive staff, renovated rooms and the Japanese breakfast.

Kyoto

Park Hyatt Kyoto sits on a hill in Higashiyama, beside the Yasaka Pagoda, in a building designed by Tony Chi. Many rooms face the pagoda, and the quiet gardens are within walking distance of Kiyomizu-dera and Gion. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto stands on the Kamo River at Nijō Bridge. Its low building blends into the townscape, and it opened in 2014.

Okinawa

Halekulani Okinawa is a luxury resort on the ocean in Onna Village, with pools, a private beach, and Sunset Wing rooms and villas. The staff are attentive, and the breakfast buffet is large. The resort also welcomes families with small children.