Best new hotels Japan
From a converted royal residence to a treetop hideaway, these high-design hot spots are worth travelling for.
With the promise of over 40 million Olympic Games visitors, 2020 should have been a poster year for Japan. Of course, we all know how the story unfolded. While the pandemic shuttered borders and put our lives and plans on hold, it didn’t put an end to many hotel developments.
Under the assumption of a massive injection of Olympic Games-fuelled revenue, hoteliers looked to unveil brand new resorts and refreshed well-loved establishments. Though these properties lay empty for much longer than expected, the country’s recently-lifted travel restrictions means visitors can finally make up for lost time.
From sleek metropolitan boltholes to the country’s first converted castle stay, find 9 of the best new hotels in Japan ahead.
Fusing work from Japanese artists with worldly design features, this brand new 212-room hotel lays claim to being Osaka’s first design-driven boutique property. Rooms are inspired by the Japanese bento box, where honey-hued beds, sleek bathrooms and built-in banquettes are neatly configured and compacted without ever feeling cramped. Don’t skip Upstairz, the signature French-Japanese restaurant helmed by rising star chef Shinya Otsuchihashi (of Michelin-starred Craftale Tokyo fame).
Kaiju Yagura, Hirado Castle, Nagasaki
Castles across Europe were converted into luxury accommodation many years ago, however it was only recently that Japan’s first castle was opened to the public for overnight stays. Hirado Castle, also known as Kameoka Castle, was first constructed in 1559 as an exclusive residence for the Japanese royal family and it took 461 years for it to be opened to the public. Guests now have access to a minimalist tower room, complete with two double-size beds, a combined living-dining area and a wooden deck. With a decidedly pared-back interior and views over the bay near Nagasaki, Hirado Castle offers a truly unique experience.
Roku Kyoto is the first property in the Asia Pacific region to join Hilton’s luxury collective, LXR Hotels & Resorts. Embodying the art of Japanese papermaking for which the hotel gets its name, the 114-room lodging honours the simplicity of Japanese craftsmanship with elegant, contemporary design. Surrounded by forest, the wooden construction blends into the environment with ease. One of the most premium stays in the area, the luxury hotel was awarded the Kohler Bold Design Award in the Travel: Resort category, the pre-eminent award in the Asia Pacific region.
From the outside, Osaka’s W hotel resembles more of a Bond villain-style lair than it does a premium hotel. Clad in all black and topped with a solitary ‘W’, the stark facade stands in contrast to the nearby buildings. Inside, however, Technicolour furniture, perforated walls and a geometric ceiling are much more in-line with the vibrant cityscape.
Within its expansive 27-floors, guests will find 337 well-appointed guest rooms as well as a fully-equipped fitness centre, a pool, a spa, and six restaurants and bars. The night-life-inspired design is evident throughout the space via neon lights that illuminate the pool, corridors and shared areas in the same colours that illuminate Osaka after dark.
Acclaimed urban hospitality group Ace Hotel expanded their operation beyond North America in June 2020 with the opening of a Kyoto property. Housed in a converted 1926 telephone company building, the high-design group enlisted the expertise of architect Kengo Kuma and Los Angeles-based studio Commune to transform the space. In true Ace style, rooms feature turntables and art by local creatives against a backdrop of Tamo (Japanese ash) panels, bamboo shades and lofty vaulted ceilings. Guests can choose from western rooms or Japanese style Tatami Suites, complete with futons and woven tatami mats.
Treeful Treehouse Sustainable Resort, Okinawa
This eco resort began construction over eight years ago, and in August 2021, it finally unveiled two structures: Spiral Treehouse and AeroHouse. Prioritising sustainability, the property is carbon negative, and has been carefully perched high in the canopy to allow smaller plants underneath to grow. The catch? Both spaces must be booked as a set and accommodates 2-3 guests.
To say that it’s rare for a property to join the ranks of Ritz-Carlton Reserve is an understatement. Of the 100 branded hotels, only five carry the Reserve label, which signifies outposts in unusual and remote settings. And now, Japan has its first Reserve property: Higashiyama Niseko Village, a 50-room boutique hotel that draws inspiration from its alpine surrounds.
Small design cues throughout the hotel all pay tribute to the natural world; think cherry blossom wall panels, Japanese pine details, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the mountainous surrounds. Rejuvenate in the private indoor and outdoor onsens, or get comfortable in the communal areas, which are reminiscent of classic alpine ski lodges with a distinct local twist.
Korinkyo Hotel, Kanazawa
Nestled between two large commercial buildings, Korinkyo is quite an eye-catching hotel given its context in the quaint seaside town. Housed in a former distillery, guests can create their own essential oils to be used in their room’s sauna, or in the open-air rooftop sauna and bath. The design artfully blend traditional elements of Japanese culture and features a soft white palette, plenty of natural light, and crisp wooden and stone finishes.
Trunk (Hotel), Tokyo
With only 15 guest rooms under its roof, Trunk (Hotel) has ensured that every stay is intimate and one of a kind. Each individually-configured room features mid-century furniture and upcycled wood repurposed from old Japanese houses as well as rotating artwork by the likes of Ido Yoshimoto and Maru Michinori. It’s the first of two Trunk-branded hotels in the trendy neighbourhood of Shibuya; the Yoyogi Park property is set to open in 2023 and will feature a rooftop bar and infinity pool.
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