9 New Japan Hotels You Won’t Want to Miss

Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, Japan was in the middle of a hotel boom, with properties opening everywhere from the capital to the art-filled Naoshima Island. Then the pandemic happened, and many of these stunning new hotels remained off-limits to visitors until the country reopened in late 2022. With the return of tourism came even more openings, and now there’s an exciting place to stay in practically every corner of Japan. From the wellness-focused Six Senses Kyoto to the fashion-forward Bulgari Hotel Tokyo, there’s much to discover in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Six Senses Kyoto (Kyoto)
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Wellness is the main character at this city retreat, which has a sprawling spa complex complete with saunas, a Watsu pool, a larger swimming pool, a Biohack recovery lounge and spaces for guided meditations and yoga classes. Once you’ve relaxed and recovered to your heart’s content, there’s plenty of exploring to do, and many of Kyoto’s top attractions—including the Kyoto National Museum and Sanjusangendo Temple—are just a short stroll or ride on the complimentary house bikes away. 

Bulgari Hotel Tokyo (Tokyo)
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More is more at this opulent hotel, brought to life by the famed Italian jewelry house, Bulgari. Occupying the 40th to 45th floors of a soaring skyscraper, the property offers sweeping views over the Imperial Palace and surrounding cityscape. The discreet entrance makes every guest feel like a VIP, while the nine treatment rooms and indoor pool surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows make the Bulgari Spa a plush retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza (Tokyo)

EDITION’s second location in Tokyo sits in the heart of the Ginza shopping district, but feels much more intimate than its sister outpost in Toranomon. It occupies an entire building, rather than the top floors of a skyscraper, and is slightly more casual, with laidback staff and lots of locals hanging out in the lobby lounge. Rooms are pristine and serene, and the 14th-floor Sophie restaurant serves a modern take on the French brasserie using the best of Japan’s seasonal ingredients.

TRUNK(HOTEL) Yoyogi Park (Tokyo)

With just 20 rooms and five suites, this boutique hotel feels like a well-kept secret. There are so many things to love here, from the contemporary design to the Neapolitan-style pizzas at the signature restaurant, L’Ombelico. But it’s really the rooftop infinity pool that takes the cake. Set on the sixth floor overlooking the treetops of Yoyogi Park, it’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing outdoor hotel spaces you’ll find in the entire city.

Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku (Tokyo)

Located in the center of Shinjuku, a Tokyo neighborhood known for its modern skyscrapers and thumping nightlife, this ryokan-style hotel offers a sanctuary from the chaos outside. The rooms are traditional and no-frills, kitted out with pale wooden furnishings and crisp white bedding, but on the top floor, you’ll find onsen-style hot baths filled with mineral-rich water trucked in weekly from Hakone, outside the city. If you have limited time in Japan but still want an authentic ryokan and onsen experience, this is where to stay. 

Naoshima Ryokan Roka (Naoshima Island)

In keeping with its location on Japan’s so-called “Art Island,” this 11-room hotel employs a professor from Kyoto University of the Arts, who hand-selects works by emerging artists to display throughout the property. His picks may be contemporary, but interiors here still feel traditional, with features like earthen walls and handmade paper doors leading to guestrooms. Each room also has its own open-air terrace so you can enjoy the tranquil sounds of nature from the privacy of your outdoor bath.

voco Osaka Central (Osaka)

This boutique stay is the first outpost in Japan of IHG’s design-focused voco brand. The common spaces are eclectic and mix traditional Japanese materials with sleek finishes and bright pops of color. The rooms, however, are done in a calming palette of grays. When you’re ready to explore, you’ll appreciate that Osaka Castle, the Umeda Sky Building observatory and the Dotonbori nightlife district are all a short cab ride away. 

Sapporo Stream Hotel (Sapporo)

It’s hard to beat the location of this trendy new hotel—it’s right in the middle of Susukino Crossing in central Sapporo, and it’s even connected to a train station and underground shopping, so you don’t need to go outdoors once the temperature drops. Rooms are polished and contemporary, and breakfast is included. Just make sure to reserve some time for the in-house spa, which offers expansive city views.

Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort (Miyakojima)

Many travelers who visit Japan stick to the cities—but Okinawa in the far south is a hidden gem. White-sand beaches, warm waters and tropical weather highlight a different side of Japanese culture, and this sprawling new resort is the perfect place to experience it all. With three outdoor swimming pools, four restaurants and bars and a prime location on Sunset Beach, it makes for a fitting (and relaxing) coda to any Japan trip.