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Luxury Accommodations

 

Japan Luxury Ryokan and Hotel Collection

Welcome to JapanQuest Journeys’ Japan Luxury Hotel and Ryokan Collection. Having traveled extensively throughout Japan for many years, we have developed close and unique relationships with a great many of the country’s finest hotels and ryokans. Our first-hand, insider knowledge at each of these properties enables us to share with you the secrets to creating a truly memorable stay. From being able to recommend a luxury hotel with impeccable service and the most splendid views of Tokyo’s glittering skyline to a serene and tranquil Kyoto inn, we will work with you to ensure that your accommodations in Japan will be extraordinary. Our access extends far beyond our Luxury Collection illustrated below so please contact us about any region of Japan where we can suggest and book the very best.

Complementing our full destination management services, we offer our more self-directed clientele and travel intermediaries the expertise and advice to choose and book the very best places to stay, all the while benefiting from our access, pricing, and experience. Let JapanQuest Journeys make your journey easier and more enriching through our consultative approach to choosing your accommodations. Please enjoy our collection and send us your inquiries about reservation availability and pricing today.

Japan Luxury Ryokan Collection

Imagine a stay at a beautiful Japanese ryokan, a quintessential cultural experience of remarkable serenity. Relax in the confines of a simple tatami room, look out at an exquisite private garden while sipping delicious green tea, enjoy an enticingly warm “ofuro” bath and return to your room for a fabulous “kaiseki” traditional Japanese meal. There is no better way to deeply experience the noble nature of the sophisticated kaiseki menu than at a peaceful inn. The lady-owner of the house, kimono-clad and a paragon of Japanese beauty, welcomes you to her well-reputed inn-family owned for generations-with a cautious politeness but a genuine warmth that makes you feel instantly welcome.

Taking off your shoes and stepping into the inn’s dimly lit halls and wooden corridors, the alluring charm of old Japan soon embraces you with its nostalgic flair enticing your senses to tune into the subtle shades and muffled sounds of the centuries-old building tucked away in a picturesque street or valley of evergreen forests.

The Zen-like simplicity of the tatami-floored rooms bare of furniture except for a low table and zabuton cushions where seemingly invisible hands serve you green tea and lay out your futon, teaches you to appreciate the intricate lattice and translucent white paper of the fragile sliding screens that serve to hide the majestic view of the surrounding lands’ serene beauty.

A quiet evening spent leisurely wearing a comfortable yukata gown and listening to the mysterious gurgling of a nearby stream evokes beautiful memories of the day.

Araya Totoan, Yamashiro Onsen

Araya Totoan

Araya Totoan

Araya Totoan

Araya Totoan is a small Japanese-style inn (ryokan) that is more than 800 years old. We invite you to enjoy our high-quality hot spring baths, delicious food, and hospitality. The hot spring water of Yamashiro is a rare and precious natural resource and the superior quality of our spring water is well established and has won international acclaim. Many of our rooms have an open-air bath with free-flowing hot water straight from the hot spring source into the room’s Japanese cypress bath which is made of Yoshino hinoki.

The layout of our rooms is spaciously designed, with the main room connected to the bedroom featuring an open-air terrace, design chairs and contemporary works of art. Blessed with an abundance of food, we try to bring out the best taste of each dish without adding too much while keeping the presentation rather subdued. The dishes used to serve the food are selected by the proprietor and include Kutani ware, Yamanaka lacquer ware made by local artisans and antiques handed down from generation to generation.

Asaba, Shuzenji

Asaba, Shuzenji Night View

Asaba, Shuzenji Dining

Asaba, Shuzenji Garden

For 510 years, the Asaba family has heartily opened its doors to visitors. The establishment of our inn dates from 1675. Over the years, we began to acquire the notion that nothing calms the hearts of our guests more soothingly than nature itself; the way a river flows, sparks of light that flitter through a bamboo forest, or the melody of a birdsong. Enticing our guests to enjoy the delicate rhythms of our natural surroundings, while providing an unsurpassed level of luxury, comfort and aesthetic beauty, we have endeavored to create the most naturally inviting of all Japanese inns today.

Asadaya Ryokan, Kanazawa

Asadaya, Kanazawa

Asadaya, Kanazawa

Asadaya, Kanazawa

Asadaya Ryokan is more than 140 years old and the most famous ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn in Kanazawa. It has only 5 elaborate rooms for guests in order to provide perfect services in accordance with the “sukiya” style of simplicity. It is an unforgettable dining experience combining traditional local cuisine, seasonal fish and produce with refined dinner-ware. Dinner is carefully prepared with regard to customer’s likes and dislikes.

We treat each guest as if every meeting will be our last and so make your visit a memorable experience. We strive to make sure that each individual’s needs are filled so as to provide even better service on their next visit. Asadaya Ryokan is similar to a history and art museum. It has a breathtaking collection of sword guards from the Edo period. They were the status symbols of Samurai, or warrior, engraved with their family crests or Japanese flora and fauna.

Beniya Mukayu, Yamashiro Onsen

Beniya Mukaku Room

Beniya Mukaku Pool

Beniya Mukaku Food

Founded in 1928, Beniya Mukayu has drawn its inspiration from Zen philosophy to provide a serene and minimalist experience for its guests. Here, the beauty is subtly suggested through the interplay of shade and light. Natural colors dance within a highly original architectural masterpiece, serenely merging into the natural setting. Each of the 16 rooms faces the authentic Japanese garden and has its own private open-air hot spring bath. The beautiful Kaga Style Kaiseki Cuisine – one of the most highly respected regional cuisines in all of Japan – is made with the finest local ingredients and served on locally crafted dishes at Beniya Mukayu’s Horin restaurant.

Inspired by the long and rich history of healing hot springs, Beniya Mukayu’s Spa Entei offers signature Yakushiyama (Healing Buddha’s Mountain) treatments, based on hot spring water and various medicinal herbs and plants. Being able to unravel in this way is nothing more than sheer bliss. A wide range of unique experiences and activities is available to the guests who are interested in delving deeper in Japanese culture. Among its awards, Beniya Mukayu received the “Relais & Châteaux Welcome Trophy 2013”. The ryokan is located approximately one hour by car outside of Kanazawa in Yamashiro Onsen.

Bettei Otozure, Yamaguchi

Bettei Otozure, Front

Bettei Otozure, Foyer

Bettei Otozure, Room

Bettei Otozure located in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is surrounded by nature, the mountains, beautiful landscape and the river called Otozure. Here the mountains do not care where you’ve been, the cascading sunshine and light winds that ease through the lobby, do not care where you are going… All that matters is that you are right here! Every luxurious amenity you could want beckons to be discovered. The elegant surroundings, private walkways, and the views all take your breath away. Only 18 rooms are available, each offering broad space in which for guests to relax, and enjoy their time with us.

Bettei Otozure allows you to experience a traditional atmosphere in surroundings unique to Japan. The service given to guests is based on what the staff proudly call, Omotenashi- compassion, hospitality from the heart.

Yamaguchi Prefecture, located at the westernmost end of the main island of Honshu, is known for its beautiful scenery and as the birthplace of the world-famous premium Dassai sake. The region’s Hagi-yaki pottery is among Japan’s most famous. Historically, Yamaguchi had an important role in the Edo era and in bringing Japan’s feudal era to an end with the 19th century Meiji Restoration. The region’s long coastline and location on the Sea of Japan have resulted in centuries of influence from the Korean Peninsula. Its other coast, on the Seto Inland Sea, is dotted with pretty islands, and its rugged interior is full of beautiful mountains and picturesque gorges.

Bettei Senjuan, Minakami

Bettei Senjuan, Front

Bettei Senjuan, Room

Bettei Senjuan, Onsen

Situated an hour outside of Tokyo, Bettei Senjuan looks out on Mount Tanigawa, with its snow-capped peaks in Winter and cherry blossom trees at its base that turn the landscape a beautiful pink in the Springtime. Relax inside hot spring baths in your room, all the while enjoying Bettei Senjuan’s tranquility throughout the inn. Enjoy views of unspoiled nature and natural light that fills the Zen-inspired interior, where modern design meets the art of Kumiko wood joinery and original calligraphy. Bettei Senjuan’s delicious and traditional food, with a contemporary twist, is also influenced by the hot springs for which the region is famous.

Gora Kadan, Hakone

Gora Kadan, Hakone Balcony Suite

Gora Kadan, Hakone Garden

Gora Kadan, Hakone Garden

Gora Kadan, located in the heart of the Fuji-Hakone National Park, is an architecturally stunning ryokan at which one can enjoy the finest aspects of traditional Japanese hospitality. Located on the grounds of the former summer villa of a member of the Imperial family, the building and facilities have earned high praise for their design, being in harmony with the nearby mountains and blending Japanese tradition along with modern design elements. A stay at Gora Kadan is akin being at a luxurious retreat. Relax while gazing upon the surrounding mountainside, enjoy a tranquilizing spa treatment or soothe your soul in a delectably warm Japanese bath. Since 1981, Gora Kadan has been a member of Relais & Chateaux, the French association synonymous with first class standards.

Hakone Ginyu, Hakone

Hakone Ginyu, Sunset

Hakone Ginyu, Room

Hakone Ginyu, Onsen

Tucked away in the lush mountains of Hakone lies the spa resort of Hakone Ginyu. ‘Ginyu’ means a person who seeks inspiration for a poem by traveling. The spectacular views of the Hakone mountain range beyond are the perfect backdrop for poetic inspiration. The essence of Japanese style emanates through the corridors of the ryokan and continues throughout the entire resort. The sublime beauty of the natural surroundings will enable you to forget the stress of everyday life as you are transported to a different world.The guest rooms are all homey and restful, featuring their own open-air baths.Let the sounds of birds and the caresses of gentle breezes waft over you, allowing a restful decent into bliss.

Hiiragiya Ryokan, Kyoto

Hiiragiya Ryokan, Kyoto

Hiiragiya Ryokan, Kyoto Dining

Hiiragiya Ryokan, Kyoto Garden

Hiiragiya, established in 1818, is one of Kyoto’s premier ryokans. Unobtrusive, meticulous attention is the hallmark of Hiiragiya. An inscription that holds a prominent place in the entry hall of Hiiragiya – “Kuru mono, kaeru gotoshi” – has become the innkeeper’s motto…that a guest at Hiiragiya might feel “as if he or she has come home.” The service at Hiiragiya is attentive to a fault, but the real charm lies in the time and care given to the most inconspicuous details: catching a glimpse of the gardener carefully removing the last microscopic weed from the mossy garden floor…or the maid, who has been with the inn for over fifty years, fussing over the flower arrangement in the alcove. She must slip the last and most important flower into place just before you enter your room. Located in central Kyoto, Hiiragiya makes for a very pleasant base from which to explore this fascinating city.

HOSHINOYA Kyoto, Kyoto

HOSHINOYA Kyoto, Kyoto Night View

HOSHINOYA Kyoto, Kyoto Room

HOSHINOYA Kyoto, Kyoto Hozu River Trip

On the Hozu River, deep in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto, HOSHINOYA Kyoto stands like an aristocrat’s retreat from the Heian Dynasty from over a thousand years ago. Guests arrive by boat, traveling along the river surrounded by lush mountains whose trees change color with the seasons. Arriving at HOSHINOYA Kyoto is entering a different world and a different time.

HOSHINOYA Kyoto promises an extraordinary Kyoto experience. It has traditional yet stylish Japanese rooms with river views and beautiful serene gardens. Here, you can relax with fluffy futons on an elevated platform and elegant couches facing the river. Or enjoy the creative Japanese cuisine at HOSHINOYA, which includes a dynamic demonstration of soba noodle making. If you wish to explore the Kyoto experience further, HOSHINOYA Kyoto offers various cultural activities such as incense and tea ceremonies, kimono rentals, Zen meditation, and guided private tours.

HOSHINOYA Okinawa, Taketomi Island

HOSHINOYA Okinawa, Taketomi Island Night View

HOSHINOYA Okinawa, Taketomi Island Room

HOSHINOYA Okinawa, Taketomi Island Room

HOSHINOYA is an embodiment of the vision, “Discover the Ultimate Japan Experience”, a new class of Japanese resorts infused with contemporary style, and is dedicated to upholding the standard of Japanese hospitality. Taketomi Island, located in the southernmost part of Japan, is a remote destination with distinct styles of traditional architecture, landscape, and lifestyle, preserved for centuries by the locals. Surrounded by untouched white sand beaches and coral paths, HOSHINOYA Okinawa is a true getaway experience. Leave all your worries and stress behind as you step onto the dock at Taketomi Island. The sky, the beach and the ocean will welcome you to island time. Let yourself go in this untouched pristine island away from home.

Iwaso Ryokan, Miyajima

Iwaso Ryokan, Miyajima

Iwaso Ryokan, Miyajima Dining

Iwaso Ryokan, Miyajima Room

An evening at Iwaso on Miyajima is magical. After the crowds have returned to the mainland for the day, Miyajima takes on a feeling of absolute serenity. In the early morning hours, you can stand on the beach and watch in complete silence as the sun rises and illuminates the sky over Itsukushima Shrine. Your only company will be the deer that make their home on the island. While a stay at Iwaso is a treat at any time of year, in the autumn, the island’s maple trees burst forth in an array of colors creating a beautiful scene beyond your imagination. When staying at Iwaso, we recommend that you spend the evening in one of the inn’s hanare or detached cottages, where you can pass the night in complete silence only to be greeted in the morning by the deer roaming nearby.

Iyuki Ryokan, Kyoto

Iyuki Ryokan, Kyoto Grounds

Iyuki Ryokan, Kyoto Dining

Iyuki Ryokan, Kyoto View

Iyuki, located at the top of Maruyama Koen in the heart of Kyoto, is an oasis of refinement and serenity. This beautiful 100-year old sukiya style property, which has been lovingly maintained by the same family for three generations, consists of three simple yet elegant guest rooms. A night at Iyuki is like a stay in a luxurious yet traditional Japanese home where guests are pampered with accouterments of the finest quality. After awakening in the morning to the gentle ringing of the bells at nearby Chioin Temple, you will be treated to a wonderful breakfast (Iyuki is renowned among ryokan aficionados as having the finest Japanese breakfast in the land). While dinner is not typically served at Iyuki allowing guests to enjoy one of Kyoto’s many fine restaurants, in-house arrangements for dinner can be made.

Kayotei, Yamanaka Onsen

Kayotei

Kayotei

Kayotei

“Seat of Ennoblement,” Kayotei is notable for its intimate setting and exquisite cuisine. The inn’s 10 sukiya style suites are arranged in the traditional style of a tea ceremony pavilion. With the sukiya style at its most discreet and understated elegance, the Kayotei offers exquisite intimate spaces influenced by the West in a nature setting known for inspiring the pearls of a haiku poet.

The Kayotei inn is set at the beginning of a lovely walking trail following the perimeter of Kakusen Gorge, about a half-hour south of Kanazawa. Along the path is a thatched arbor dedicated to Haiku poet Basho Matsuo, who wrote of these trees and skies and waters in the 1600’s. Yamanaka Onsen is a hot spring town located far west of Tokyo and nearly on the Sea of Japan.

The staff at the Kayotei regard their mission as providing a “seat” for the very best of local art, culture, and nature. Designed in the sukiya style of a tea cottage from the Muromachi Period (1333-1573), and graced with very subtle decorative touches, the Kayotei inn mixes antique tansu chests of drawers, low polished oak tables, hand-painted screens, traditional ceramic pieces and modern sculptural designs. There are two indoor communal baths sourced from natural hot springs. The baths are splendidly glassed in on three sides, providing guests with onsen views of natural forest scenery.

Kuramure, Otaru Hokkaido

Kuramure

Kuramure

Kuramure

The Master, Sanada’s dream of operating a “comfortable hotel” began to be realized in 1998 when he met the like-minded architect Nakayama Makoto and together they stayed in various hotels all over the country, learning and planning together over several years. Through modeling and drawing, they experimented with bold and risky designs, sometimes having to abandon their ideas completely but never giving up until they hit upon the right model. As a result, the hotel’s construction didn’t begin until 2001 and even during construction, the location of windows and materials were modified repeatedly. In 2002, the hotel was officially opened.

In 2012, we ushered in the 10th anniversary of the hotel, becoming a representative of the small- and medium-sized hotels in Hokkaido. From 2013, we will take the first steps to realize a dream that has as yet not been achieved in the past 10 years.

The modeling here gives an image of how the Kura (Japanese traditional warehouses) were connected. Through the image of the brook of Asarigawa and the landscape to the surrounding villages, the leisure life of the Japanese is fully shown.

Miyamasou Ryokan, Kyoto

Miyamasou Ryokan, Kyoto Grounds

Miyamasou Ryokan, Kyoto Accommodations

Miyamasou Ryokan, Kyoto Dining

Miyamasou, located in the heart of the mountains approximately one hour north of Kyoto by car, was originally a Buddhist temple lodging constructed over 110 years ago. A journey to Miyamasou is like a trip through time as one passes through secluded mountain villages that have remained in many ways as they have been for centuries.

This small yet elegant property consists of four guest rooms, three of which face directly onto the gleaming teratani river with the fourth being the original temple lodging. Each room is stunning in its own right. A stay in one of the glass-fronted sukiya style rooms facing the river evokes a feeling of being at one with nature while the temple lodging offers a glimpse into a bygone era with gorgeous wood paneling and beautifully adorned fusuma sliding doors. As much as a stay at Miyamaso is a feast for the eyes, it is also a feast for the palate. Miyamasou utilizes the finest seasonal ingredients from the surrounding fields, forests, and rivers to create a sumptuous kaiseki dinner and a delectable breakfast. The service at Miyamasou is sublime with friendly and attentive staff.

Miyamasou is beautiful any time of year: mountain cherry blossom trees herald the arrival of spring, fireflies flicker in the summer night air, while autumn brings forth an illumination of a different kind as the mountainside bursts forth in an array of red, yellow and orange only to be followed by a blanket of white snow in the winter.

Nishimuraya Honkan, Kinosaki Onsen

Nishimuraya Honkan, Kinosaki Onsen

Nishimuraya Honkan, Kinosaki Onsen

Nishimuraya Honkan, Kinosaki Onsen

Boasting a history of over 150 years, Nishimuraya Honkan is an onsen ryokan located in the nostalgic and charming hot spring town of Kinosaki Onsen, in Hyogo prefecture. Traditional guest rooms – many with breathtaking views of an expansive Japanese garden – are just some of the numerous appeals of Nishimuraya Honkan. Relaxing guest hot spring with indoor & outdoor baths, top-notch service, and first-class seasonal kaiseki cuisine (traditional Japanese course meals) create the ultimate level of comfort and relaxation.

The town of Kinosaki Onsen itself is also a unique destination, with numerous quaint shops and restaurants all contained within the small, pedestrian-friendly town center. The main attraction is the seven public hot springs, each with its own particular style. Guests staying at a ryokan in Kinosaki dress in yukata (light cotton robes) and wooden geta sandals, strolling from onsen to onsen in a tradition known as “sotoyu meguri”.

Kinosaki Onsen also benefits from four true seasons: the cherry blossoms are particularly brilliant at the beginning of spring; nearby Takeno beach beckons to its crystal blue waters in the summer; the valley that Kinosaki Onsen rests is ablaze with color in autumn, and the winter crab season brings some of the most delectable snow crabs you have ever tasted.

Numazu Club, Numazu

Numazu Club, Numazu

Numazu Club, Numazu

Numazu Club, Numazu

Senbon-Matsu (Thousand Pine Trees) Numazu Club is a special place for discerning people. Our beautiful, artistically arranged garden features black pine and other kinds of trees, 81 in total. Master gardeners have renovated the vast garden, which was created by the late Zenbei Miwa, second owner of Mitsuwa Soap Co. The tasteful beauty of this garden has been preserved, to convey its long history to the modern age. Senbon-Matsu Numazu Club is adjacent to Senbon Matsubara (Thousand Pine Tree Field), which was selected as one of the Hundred Views of National Matsubara, the classic scenic spots on the ancient Tokaido Highway. In the vast garden, with its silence and sophistication, one can feel the slow, serene passage of time itself. The building that houses Numazu Club was built in 1907 by Zenbei Miwa. He rented a 9,900 sq. meter plot of land from the city of Numazu and built a second house called Shogantei, in modern Japanese style architecture and a historically valuable example of Sukiya (classic residential architecture.

In the Shosekien garden, a beautiful Sukiya building was built by Yusaburo Kashiwagi, the 10th generation of the Kashiwagi family of master craftsmen, who were famous as the finest master carpenters of the Edo Shogunate (1603-1868). All the rooms are tearooms, and the facility is said to have been designed to accommodate tea parties of up to 1,000 guests.This lavish garden was created by a carefree spirit who built it to his own taste. The lovely wooden building can itself be called a work of art. In 2006, the aging facility was fully repaired and restored and emerged as an exclusive guesthouse, Senbon-Matsu Numazu Club. Amid the serene flow of time, you can hear the sound of waves, faint in the distance. The Japanese-style designs of the renowned architect, the late Akira Watanabe, make the new building a space to encourage the relaxation of our special guests. Each of the eight rooms expresses a different type of sophistication.

Oyado The Earth, Toba

Oyado The Earth

Oyado The Earth

Oyado The Earth

Situated in the unique nature of Ise Shima National Park in Toba, near Nagoya, Japan is Oyado The Earth. Upon arrival you will find that this destination is quite dramatic as the final few miles before arriving at the resort becomes quite narrow and winding, but when spotting the property you will understand why being off the beaten path is part of its appeal. Some of the facilities that you can enjoy at the resort is the hot spring and exquisite Japanese Cuisine at their restaurant, Ran, with a boasting panoramically view. Wine pairings is also offered with the Japanese cuisine, something that this resort is very proud of. You will find that all the facilities are kept eco-friendly to coexist with nature, keeping the surrounding areas beautiful and in place. The experience at Oyado The Earth is perfect from start to finish.

A small development on the private land within Ise-Shima National Park, guests are able to enjoy doing nothing but feel Earth by soaking yourself into natural hot spring bath and enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine. There are 7 types of suite rooms are spacious and give the sense of openness. All rooms have an open-air bath filled with hot spring water. Enjoy use of a library, observatory, and promenade. Relax at the Esthetic Salon Mio for a treatment or Sou for reflexology. Dining Ran, chic and composed design with boasting panoramically view. Serving Japanese cuisine, Kaiseki composed the concept of enchanting with ingredients in the season of Ise-Shima and from various areas. Oyado The Earth offers marriage, a combination of wine and cuisine enriches meals and makes the dining scene more meaningful.

Ryokan Kurashiki, Kurashiki

Ryokan Kurashiki, Kurashiki

Ryokan Kurashiki, Kurashiki Dining

Ryokan Kurashiki, Kurashiki Accommodations

This lovely inn, located in the middle of Kurashiki’s historic district, was once a sugar wholesaler’s mansion. The house and its former sugar storehouse have been renovated to make five spacious and beautiful guest rooms. Ryokan Kurashiki is undoubtedly one of the best-run inns in Japan for no detail is too small in ensuring guests’ comfort. A unique feature of Ryokan Kurashiki is that each room has beds thereby allowing a first time visitor to Japan to ease into the experience of staying at a Japanese inn. The finest ingredients from the Inland Sea are used to create the wonderful meals at Ryokan Kurashiki, which are served by gracious and attentive staff.

Sasayuri-Ann, Nara

Sasayuri-Ann, Nara

Sasayuri-Ann, Nara

Sasayuri-Ann, Nara

Spend a fabulous evening in beautiful and agricultural Nara at luxury rice terrace villa Sasayuri-Ann. This traditional-style thatched roof house is newly restored and equipped with brand-new facilities. Enjoy distant views of breathtaking mountain ranges and rice terraces from the villa’s large windows and terrace. An evening at Sasayuri-Ann is perfect for one to two nights if you’re looking for a unique ryokan surrounded by superb views, fresh mountain air, and starry night skies. Sasayuri-Ann serves excellent food and offers some really fun special experiences in an intimate setting including private yoga lessons, farming and local fruit picking excursions, music workshops, guided hikes and helicopter tours.

Souji-in, Koya-san

Souji-in, Koya-san

Souji-in, Koya-san

Souji-in, Koya-san

Souji-in is a Buddhist temple in Koya-san, Wakayama Prefecture, which provides luxury temple-stays or shukubo for travelers. Souji-in is located west of Koya-san, in the northern part of the large cathedral, adjacent to beautiful Motoyama Kongobuji Temple. Staying on Mt. Koya at Souji-in is one of the best ways to experience Buddhist life in Japan: bathing before a dinner of traditional shojin-ryori or Buddhist vegetarian meal, and rising with the birds for the morning prayers with the monks. It is an absolutely gorgeous and spiritual setting in a room overlooking a fabulous Zen garden.

Takinoya, Noboribetsu

Takinoya, Noboribetsu

Takinoya, Noboribetsu

Takinoya, Noboribetsu

Takinoya ryokan, nestled among the leafy forests of southern Hokkaido’s Noboribetsu resort area, is a glorious location to rest your eyes on the wonders of nature as you soak away your cares in some of the finest hot springs in Japan.

Whether you are after the healing waters of Noboribetsu onsen or the area’s natural splendor, Takinoya is an excellent choice for any season. In spring and summer, the prime seasons in this northernmost prefecture, the area buzzes with visitors from all over the world, attracted by the beauty of the natural surroundings. Winter is somewhat quieter, with a tranquil beauty all its own, muffled by blankets of snow. Autumn is also a popular season when the foliage turns from summer green to blazing fall colors.

Inside, Takinoya is elegant and tasteful – Japanese art, both traditional and modern, graces the interior spaces, which are outfitted with the lovely, spare, zen-inspired geometric simplicity of traditional Japanese design. The ryokan’s hallways are floored with tatami, and guests pad around in bare feet or special socks, unlike most ryokan, where slippers are the norm.

The onsen baths boast five different types of water, piped in from the famous Jigokudani onsen source, with different mineral content, acidity and alkalinity to ease both body and mind.

The owners, the Suga family, have five generations of experience serving up their exemplary brand of hospitality, having operated Takinoya since its beginning as a small restaurant in 1918. Let them and the rest of Takinoya’s staff show you what omotenashi, traditional Japanese hospitality, is all about.

Tawaraya Ryokan, Kyoto

Tawaraya Ryokan, Kyoto

Tawaraya Ryokan, Kyoto Room

Tawaraya Ryokan, Kyoto Garden

For over 300 years, the world-renowned Tawaraya Ryokan has been run by generations of the same family. It is one of Kyoto’s classic ryokans with traditional and elegant kaiseki meals served in the confines of your room by ever-attentive kimono-clad staff. Walking into Tawaraya is like finding the Japan you always read about in glossy photo books: romantic wooden corridors, soft lights from paper-covered lamps, baskets of wildflowers and shadowy rooms open to a moss garden. Located in the center of Kyoto, Tawaraya provides easy access to all of Kyoto’s wonderful sites.

Tobira Onsen Miyojinkan, Matsumoto

Tobira Onsen Miyojinkan

Tobira Onsen Miyojinkan Accommodations

Tobira Onsen Miyojinkan Pool

In the heart of Japan’s “Northern Alps”, discover the secret charms of this ryokan that opened in 1931. This little jewel is tucked away in the calm and serenity of the mountains, between the snowy peaks and fine traditional hot springs, located in the national park, and renowned for their therapeutic qualities. Tobira Onsen Myojinkan offers a divinely serene atmosphere in the forest, relaxing baths in the heart of nature, superb rooms and suites and aromatherapy. The sophisticated Kaiseki-style food is a marvelous balance of textures, flavors, and colors. Organic French cuisine is also on offer, prepared by a talented chef who specializes in macrobiotic cuisine. Tobira Onsen Miyojinkan has been a member of Relais & Châteaux since 2009.

Wanosato Ryokan, Takayama

Wanosato Ryokan, Takayama

Wanosato Ryokan, Takayama Flowers

Wanosato Ryokan, Takayama Dining

Wanosato is located in the heart of Gifu prefecture, close to Hida-Takayama. The name ‘Takayama’ means ‘tall mountain’. There’s something magical about taking the train through the mountains of Hida-Takayama and catching your first glimpse of the Wanosato’s quaint and majestic 160-year-old Minka (house of the people) with ‘gassho-zukuri’ roof construction, which literally means ‘praying hands style’. Tucked away in the forest, a short walk from the main building is the Minka with their lichen-covered thatched roof and earthen walls, camouflaging them into a backdrop of a tale from old Japan. The love of nature instilled by Japan’s religious beliefs and an abundance of forest has lead Wanosato to become a well-known hot spring destination and nature retreat.

Wanosato is relatively young compared to its architecture, but it defies its youth with its preserved heritage, great taste, creativity and friendliness of its staff. The atmosphere inside the centuries-old Minka is intriguing; exposed wood beams, comfortable futon, and fine linen, hardwood floors, a mix of eclectic elements, unique furniture, all result in an establishment with lots of character. Expect to indulge in Wanosato’s local foods including ‘sansai’ (mountain vegetables), ‘kawasakana’ (river fish) as well as Hida beef and locally distilled sake. Hidden are the rewards in this exquisite escape into natural beauty and discovery. During your stay, you’ll enjoy gracious accommodations and deliciously healthy and deservedly honored Wanosato cuisine with unlimited fresh mountain air.

Yagyu no-Sho, Shuzenji

Yagyu no-Sho, Shuzenji

Yagyu no-Sho, Shuzenji View

Yagyu no-Sho, Shuzenji Garden

Yagyu no-Sho dates back to 1959 when the ryotei restaurant Yagyu opened in Shiba Shirokane, Tokyo. From this beginning as a purveyor of authentic Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine, Yagyu no-Sho emerged out of our founder’s desire to further dedicate himself to the culinary arts. In 1970, inspired by the traditional scenery of Japan that remained unchanged for centuries on the mountainside of Shuzenji Temple, our founder decided that it should be home to an inn of quality and distinction. From his involvement in kendo, the founder took the revered Yagyu name and christened his newly built hot-spring inn; a classic sukiya-style structure nestled in a copse of bamboo—as Yagyu no-Sho.

In the decades since, in accordance with the founder’s philosophy of “a conscientious inn of sumptuous comfort,” we have consistently sought to make our inn a place where traditional cuisine, baths, scenery, hospitality, and the beauty of Japanese architecture come together as one. In 2009, to mark our 40th anniversary, we undertook renovations of the entrance, baths, and all great suites into authentic honsuki style using generations-old techniques of master craftsmen. With conscientious hospitality as our guiding light, we pledge our utmost to provide our guests with a truly beautiful and wonderful Japanese-inn experience.

Yoshikawa Inn, Kyoto

Yoshikawa Inn, Kyoto

Yoshikawa Inn, Kyoto

Yoshikawa Inn, Kyoto

Yoshikawa Inn, an established Japanese auberge, offers you elegant and peaceful atmosphere of ancient capital Kyoto. You will enjoy relaxing moment in the authentic Japanese sukiya-style building, conveniently located in the center of Kyoto. Yoshikawa Inn is a small inn with only 9 rooms, offering a friendly and warm-hearted welcome to each guest. Yoshikawa Inn is also famous as an established tempura restaurant.

Enjoy the tempura and Kyoto style traditional kaiseki cuisine utilizing fresh ingredients. For those who are keen on tempura, you can choose tempura dinner course served at the counter-style table where the chef prepares tempura one by one in front of you.

Yoyokaku, Karatsu Kyushu

Yoyokaku, Karatsu

Yoshikawa Inn, Kyoto

Yoyokaku, Karatsu

Yoyokaku is one of the must-stay inns in Japan with a few rooms around an elegant seaside garden, country food served with affection and flair, and a gallery of work by world-renowned potter Takashi Nakazato. The elegance of the inn and the affable personalities of the inn’s owners make Yoyokaku one of the special inns in Japan. The two-story inn is right on the seashore and its location gives it a refreshing openness. Some of the pines in the inn’s garden are over 200 years old; all twenty rooms have a garden view. Enjoy the patina of beautiful timbers, such as zelkova and cedar, in the old building.

Yumeya, Niigata

Yumeya, Niigata Night View

Yumeya, Niigata Dining

Yumeya, Niigata Garden

Located in Iwamuro Onsen in the heart of Niigata Prefecture, Yumeya is the perfect place to enjoy the warmth of Japanese hospitality in a beautiful natural setting. From ephemeral cherry blossoms in the spring to dancing dragonflies in the summer to majestic snow-capped mountains in the winter, one will always feel in harmony with their surroundings at Yumeya. A classic Sukiya style Japanese inn with only ten rooms and a detached cottage for extended family stays; Yumeya is the pinnacle of Japanese luxury.

Japan Luxury Hotel Collection

Japan’s exclusive 5-star hotels are citadels of luxury towering high above some of the most impressive and plush of neighborhoods far below. Breathtaking vistas from every room and their palace-style grandeur capture your heart as much as their impeccable service meticulously attends to your every need with utter discretion and integrity topped off with unfailing friendliness and a large portion of local charm.

It will be a divine experience of indescribable comfort reflecting the very best of Japan’s characteristics. You will gaze dreamily over the night sky, an ocean of twinkling lights stretching to the horizon and beyond into your sweetest of dreams.
JapanQuest Journeys will introduce you to our exclusive selection of the most distinguished hotels, personally visited time and again, to let you revel in Japan’s heartfelt hospitality leaving nothing to be desired during your sojourn and all the time ensuring an unforgettable journey perfect in every aspect imaginable.

The Peninsula, Tokyo

The Peninsula, Tokyo

The Peninsula, Tokyo Accommodations

The Peninsula, Tokyo Accommodations

An exciting new purpose-built hotel, The Peninsula Tokyo, is shaped like a lantern and with breathtaking views towards the Imperial Palace Gardens has brought a new dimension to hospitality in the Marunouchi District. The Peninsula Tokyo is located at the crossroads of Harumi Dori and Naka Dori, opposite the Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park. A two-minute walk to the Imperial Theatre, a five-minute taxi ride to Tsukiji Fish Market, and only a few minutes walk from the amazing Ginza shopping district makes the hotel the ideal location to set out from on your exploration of Tokyo. At The Peninsula Tokyo, you will find rooms that are well designed and stunning, spacious and extremely sensitive and thoughtful while being exceedingly luxurious and outfitted with the latest technology. The staff is incredibly accommodating and it is simply divine to stay there.

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo View

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo Accommodations

Located in Nihonbashi, the literal center of the city, the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo is a tower of contemporary luxury. Of Tokyo’s key business districts, the 400-year-old Nihonbashi is the only one that retains a sense of Old World charm, reflecting the vibrant urban culture of this one-time castle town. Best of all, Nihonbashi is ideally located, making it convenient for visitors to go anywhere in the city from the hotel.

The dramatic first impression of the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo will remain with you during your stay. Sped 38 floors up by private elevator, you step out virtually into a panorama of Tokyo, a stunning sight offered throughout the hotel. Inspiring views of the metropolis emerge time and again throughout the hotel, whether from it’s 178 luxuriously appointed guestrooms, spectacular restaurants, and bars or extravagantly sumptuous spa. The predominant feel is an extraordinary sense of space. Not only are the guestrooms some of the largest in Japan, but also the boundaries of the rooms dissolve in the expanse of glass walls and endless views of the city. In addition, the futuristic luxury of the hotel’s interiors illustrates its defining style: extreme comfort that reflects the country’s characteristics. Specially created fabrics and textiles capture the Japanese reverence for nature.

From the moment visitors walk into the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, they are given a royal welcome with absolutely impeccable service offered by highly knowledgeable staff. The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo’s eclectic range of restaurants and bars suits any mood or occasion, with three of the nine outlets holding one Michelin star. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, “the Spa in the Sky” located on the 37th floor, offers personalized treatments featuring soothing Asian and Japanese rituals.

In acknowledgment of these extraordinary attributes, Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo is renowned as one of the premier luxury hotels in Japan and has received a wide range of accolades, including being rated the World’s Best Hotel by Institutional Investor magazine, being awarded the Michelin Guide’s highest honor of Five Red Pavilions, and being ranked the Top Hotel in Japan by the Zagat Travel Guide. The hotel is also the only recipient in Asia of a Six Star Diamond award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo Accommodations

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo Accommodations

At The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, you can take in the city’s international culture from high atop a dramatic skyscraper, the tallest in Tokyo where the city views are just fantastic. Occupying the top nine floors and the first three levels of the 53-story Midtown Tower, this luxury hotel features elegant rooms and suites, panoramic vistas, wonderful dining options, and much more. At The Ritz-Carlton hotel, you can absorb the international culture of Tokyo’s Roppongi District, the city’s entertainment, diplomatic and business hub along with the latest trends in food, fashion and luxury retail. The spacious rooms with panoramic views are well laid out and beautifully appointed. The Ritz-Carlton is by far one of the finest properties in Tokyo. The Midtown complex is a contemporary mecca replete with beautiful and luxurious shops and fine cuisine.

Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo

Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo Accommodations

Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo Accommodations

Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo Dining

The sweeping vista below your window is simply breathtaking. You find yourself in harmony with the tranquility that surrounds you. In this metropolitan city, sublime heritage co-exists with modern wonders. Stroll out to explore the city. The Imperial Palace and Ginza shopping district is a mere 10-minute walk away. Be it shopping or getting to your next business meeting, everything is a breeze. Besides an ideal location, the hotel’s staff also anticipate your every need so that you can get more things done. They know that time is opportunity. When you return after a successful day in the city, the enchantment begins all over again. Wander amongst the hotel’s exclusive collection of 2,000 pieces of artwork by Japanese, Chinese and Western artists. Inspired by the writings of the Tang dynasty Chinese poet Bai Ju Yi, the artistry, and beauty fill your senses. A traditional Japanese dinner at Nadaman beckons. It is a privilege to savor delights from this impeccable restaurant in its home country. The exquisite preparation from Chief Chef Takehiko Yoshida whets your appetite from the very first bite. As the day winds down, calmness comes in the form of a therapeutic massage at CHI, The Spa. The soothing oils help to restore balance, creating a deeply calming experience. At bliss, you return to your spacious guestroom for a good night’s sleep. Under the canopy of a darkened sky, you slip between the luxurious sheets of your bed. Tonight, dreams will come easily at Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo.

Palace Hotel, Tokyo

Palace Hotel Tokyo Accommodations

Palace Hotel Tokyo Accommodations

Palace Hotel Tokyo

With an incomparable perspective on the city and a singular, moat-side setting across from the Imperial Palace gardens, Palace Hotel Tokyo debuted on 17 May 2012 as a new haven of hospitality – serene and refined.

With a legacy that dates back more than half a century, the new incarnation of Palace Hotel Tokyo is set to redefine hospitality with its unfiltered celebration of the country’s culture.

Experience the Heart of Japan.

Grand Hyatt, Tokyo

Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Grand Hyatt Tokyo Accommodations

Grand Hyatt Tokyo Accommodations

Grand Hyatt Tokyo is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Roppongi Hills – a mega-complex incorporating office space, apartments, shops, restaurants, cafés, movie theaters, a museum, a hotel, a major TV studio, an outdoor amphitheater and a park. Considered one of the most stylish luxury Tokyo hotels, Grand Hyatt Tokyo is widely acclaimed for its excellent dining options and superb location. From the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, you can easily travel within minutes to major shopping areas and other places of interest including Ginza, Omotesando, and the Imperial Palace. The rooms are beautiful, somewhat minimalist and very chic and there is a host of eclectic and wonderful restaurants on premises and within the Roppongi Hills complex making it a great place to wander. You will enjoy service that will attend to your discerning tastes and needs.

Aman, Tokyo

Aman, Tokyo

Aman, Tokyo Accommodations

Aman, Tokyo Dining

Aman Tokyo is located in the prestigious financial district of Otemachi, just steps away from Tokyo Station and the world-famous Ginza shopping district. The hotel occupies the top six floors of The Otemachi Tower, offering spectacular panoramas of the Imperial Palace Gardens and surrounding Tokyo landmarks.

Aman Tokyo presents 84 rooms and suites, all with unique layouts, magnificent city views and every contemporary convenience. The hotel draws design inspiration from traditional Japanese residential structures, and this is reflected in the decor of the rooms and suites. Classic Japanese materials such as camphor wood, washi paper and stone are blended
to great effect with modern technology and luxurious fabrics. Each room and suite has a large ofuro – a deep soaking tub intrinsic to the Japanese ritual of bathing.

Conrad, Tokyo

Conrad, Tokyo

Conrad, Tokyo Accommodations

Conrad, Tokyo Dining

Welcome to the luxurious Conrad Tokyo, a contemporary hotel set in the heart of Tokyo’s Shiodome area. Stay in this skyscraper hotel and enjoy panoramic skyline views. At each and every destination, our focus is to bring the local culture to you in unexpected and unforgettable ways. Indigenous artwork and world-renowned architecture accompany luxurious amenities at every turn. Plus, access to unique experiences in the local market. Conrad Hotels & Resorts surrounds you with luxury that’s intuitive, seamless, stylish and above all, smart. So smart, it helps you be an even better you – more connected, more focused, more relaxed. Because the greatest luxury of all is the luxury of being yourself. When luxury is tailored to the individual, it takes on new meaning. It becomes personal, flexible, empowering and smart. So smart, it helps you be an even better you. It’s the connection to local culture and local people, as well as everyone and everything in your world back home. It’s the inspiration behind a style that’s sophisticated, global and thoughtful. Design choices that are fresh and innovative. And spaces that feel like they were made for you. It means staying in tune with our guests and the constantly changing world around you. Crafting experiences that go beyond your expectations. From invitations to experience local culture to intelligent service and smart design, we want your stay to be as unique as you are.

Andaz, Tokyo

Andaz, Tokyo

Andaz, Tokyo

Andaz, Tokyo

At the heart of the vast and ever-pulsating urban flux that is Tokyo, a striking new tower now steadily rises. Hyatt Hotels’ first Andaz hotel in Japan, Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills opened in the second-tallest high rise in this dynamic capital.Literally meaning “Tiger’s Gate,” Toranomon was the name of the gate of Edo Castle. To protect this sacred land, temples and shrines built and still remain with enduring attractions. Tokyo Metropolis redevelop this area to be ready for the Tokyo Olympic in 2020, which means Toranomon become a bridge between Tokyo’s fascinating past and dynamic future. Andaz means “Personal Style” in Hindi, representing a new philosophy of service in a sophisticated yet unscripted style. Since its 2007 debut in London, Andaz has offered an environment free of barriers, where ideas are exchanged and encouraged.

The new venue offers 164 rooms, of which eight are specialty suites. Wi-Fi, local calls, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary for all registered guests. From the tower’s apex on the 52nd floor, Andaz brings unprecedented rooftop flair to this city’s dining and entertainment scene, with breathtaking views from Rooftop bar, the city highest stand-alone wedding chapel, and flexible event and meeting spaces. Next to Andaz Lounge on the 51st floor is the main dining venue, Andaz Tavern. The menu serves refined European provincial cuisine cooked with Japanese produce. Andaz Tokyo guests enjoy access to AO Spa & Club on the 37th floor with a unique 20-meter pool overlooking the Imperial Palace.

With easy access to Ginza shopping, the Marunouchi financial district, government buildings in Kasumigaseki, and the business and entertainment areas of Shinbashi, Akasaka, and Roppongi, Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills is ideally poised to accommodate business and leisure travelers alike. Hyatt’s Andaz delivers an innovative hospitality experience in Tokyo – Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills.

Park Hyatt, Tokyo

Park Hyatt, Tokyo

Park Hyatt, Tokyo Accommodations

Park Hyatt, Tokyo Dining

Occupying the top 14 floors of Shinjuku Park Tower, Park Hyatt Tokyo hotel is an elegant oasis of space and calm overlooking Tokyo and the Kanto Plain all the way to Mount Fuji. Located in the Shinjuku district, our Tokyo hotel is close to Shinjuku Station, Shinjuku Park, Nishi Shinjuku, and areas of Shibuya and Aoyama.

With luxury rooms & suites incorporating a contemporary private residence concept coupled with sleek amenities and spectacular views of Tokyo at nighttime, our Shinjuku hotel is a serene oasis atop the bustling city.

The hotel also offers gourmet dining & entertainment options including the sophisticated New York Grill & New York Bar, Japanese Kozue Restaurant, and French brasserie Girandole. For enhanced wellbeing, Club on the Park Spa offers the ultimate in wellness & spa treatments.

Four Seasons Hotel at Marunouchi, Tokyo

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi Accommodations

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi Accommodations

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi Dining

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi (The Four Seasons) is prominently placed in the Marunouchi central business district, the commercial heart not merely of Tokyo, but of all of Japan. The Four Seasons offers a striking, contemporary setting within the landmark glass-clad tower of the prestigious Pacific Century Place, a prestigious office and retail development neighboring Ginza shopping district and directly connected to Tokyo Station.

A small jewel in Tokyo with 57 rooms, The Four Seasons offers a boutique luxury hotel experience that focuses on providing the best-personalized service. The Four Seasons attends to the special needs of each guest with Japanese-style sincerity, ensuring that guests feel at home and want for nothing. The Spa at The Four Seasons offers a quiet and relaxing setting away from the bustle of the city. Choose ekki BAR & GRILL for an international breakfast or elegant evening dining. Relax and enjoy fine spirits in a beautiful setting. All guest rooms are equipped with 3D televisions with Blu-ray and Bluetooth, making the guest room atmosphere richly comfortable and cutting edge.

Hyatt Regency, Kyoto

Hyatt Regency, Kyoto

Hyatt Regency, Kyoto Dining

Hyatt Regency, Kyoto Accommodations

Hyatt Regency Kyoto is a luxury hotel incorporating modern Japanese design to create a beautiful contemporary style property in the heart of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. The hotel features luxury rooms and suites along with several excellent restaurants. Located next to Sanjusangendo temple and across the street from the Kyoto National Museum, the Hyatt Regency Kyoto is an ideal location on which to base yourself during your stay in Kyoto. Within minutes of the property are Kyoto’s Gion and Shijo Kawaramachi districts, which abound in shopping and dining options.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto sits serenely on the banks of the Kamogawa river, in a prime location with expansive views of the famous Higashiyama Sanju-Roppo (36-mountain range). The hotel is also close to Kyoto’s famous downtown districts such as Gion, Kawaramachi and Pontocho streets, convenient locations for both sightseeing and business. Here, you can experience quality time that is only available in the world’s finest hotels, in a luxurious space that is steeped in the ancient traditions and culture of Kyoto. At the Ritz-Carlton, our long experience and deep understanding of guests’ needs allow us to offer a unique brand of hospitality, which we hope will remain in our guests’ hearts forever.

Four Seasons Hotel, Kyoto

Four Seasons Hotel, Kyoto

Four Seasons Hotel, Kyoto

Four Seasons Hotel, Kyoto

Discover the style and vibe of today’s Japan at a brand-new hotel with an 800-year-old ikeniwa (pond garden) at its heart. Intimate and contemporary, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is set in the scenic district of temples. Experience personalized insider access to Kyoto’s four-season delights. Relax in light-filled and spacious guest rooms. Double-height windows frame our tranquil garden as you enjoy modern brasserie dining. Sip local craft beers on our waterside terrace. Cross the glass bridge for matcha in our Tea House. Float in our indoor pool, then melt into bliss in the spa.

Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto, Kyoto

Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto

Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto, the first Luxury Collection hotel in Japan, and one of Kyoto’s newest properties. The hotel caters beautifully set 39-rooms with traditional Japanese décor, restaurant and café in 100-years old Japanese style villa, and 2 private spas with natural Arashiyama hot spring.

The hotel is located in Kyoto Arashiyama, a destination that dates back to 794, when Kyoto, the called Heian-kyo became home to the imperial court, Arashiyama flourished as a summer and holiday retreat for court nobles attracted to its scenic charms. Suiran presides on the very riverside property that was especially favored for its sweeping view of the Arashiyama hills. Looking out over the pristine waters of the Hozu River onto the timeless forested slopes beyond, Suiran offers an unparalleled vantage from which to enjoy the natural beauty of Japan in every season, from the riotous cherry blossoms of spring and the luxuriant verdure and splashing waters of summer to autumn’s bright tapestry of leaves and silvery blankets of snow in winter.

Suiran’s location serviced as a venue for elegant socializing well into the modern era. In 1899 Baron Shozo Kawasaki built his Enmeikaku villa here; 1910 this was followed the Hasshoken house, where distinguished personages gathered to compose poetry amid the spectacular views. These elements of Suiran’s esteemed architectural heritage have been preserved as the hotel’s signature restaurant and café, respectively.

Within its richly historic setting, Suiran was created to inherit and improve the past while opening the way to the future. This world-class property seamlessly blends the enduring cultural traditions of old Kyoto with modern-day comforts to offer all travelers exceptional experiences steeped in warmth and sophistication.

The St. Regis, Osaka

The St. Regis, Osaka

The St. Regis, Osaka

The St. Regis, Osaka

Reside in the heart of beautiful Midosuji, the Champs Elysées of Osaka. The St. Regis Osaka affords proximity to such destinations as the ancient Shitennoji Temple, the Municipal Museum of Fine Art, and the city’s most exclusive shopping boulevard. Experience the elegance of dining at Rue d’Or or La Veduta. Discover the epitome of luxurious pampering at our exclusive IRIDIUM featuring SOTHYS Spa. Take in magnificent vistas of the Osaka skyline from the serenity of our 12th-floor terrace. Discover unforgettable ambiance and state-of-the-art amenities in our 160 guest rooms and suites—the most spacious and elegantly appointed in Osaka. Every experience is enhanced with St. Regis Butler Service, available anytime, day or night.

Benesse House, Naoshima

Benesse Art Site, Naoshima

Benesse Art Site, Naoshima Accommodations

Benesse Art Site, Naoshima Museum

Benesse House, the central feature of Benesse Art Site Naoshima, combines multiple functions – museum, hotel, restaurant, and spa. Benesse House is located on the southern end of Naoshima Island and has a panoramic view of the Inland Sea. It is composed of four buildings, all designed by Tadao Ando. The Museum (1992) merges two different functions – museum and hotel – in one building. The Oval (1995), and the Park and Beach (both 2006) are accommodation-only facilities. The natural surroundings of the island penetrate the architecture through large apertures. Permanent, unique site-specific works have been created for Benesse House and provide the opportunity to enjoy relaxed and enriching encounters with artworks in the changing light over the course of the day. Some commissioned artists have incorporated projects within the architectural space, while others have been influenced by the landscape to create works along the seashore and in the forests. If you are a lover of the arts, design, and architecture, Benesse House offers an absolutely unique and amazing experience. The views of the Inland Sea from the peak of Naoshima Island are to yearn for from greatly designed rooms in buildings that commune with nature. The service is fantastic and everyone is immensely friendly in a highly relaxing environment.

Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa, Hakone

Hyatt Regency, Kyoto

Hyatt Regency, Hakone

Hyatt Regency, Hakones

Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa is an onsen (hot springs) resort located in Gora in Kanagawa Prefecture in the central region of Honshu, Japan. This is an area famous for its onsen (hot springs), museums and sightseeing spots, as well as the renowned views of Mount Fuji. The resort is easily accessible from major cities in Japan, at just one and a half hours’ drive west of Tokyo and a two-and-a-half-hour bullet train journey east of Osaka.

Experience a variety of original spa treatments based on naturopathy at Spa IZUMI where guests can also enjoy the many benefits the of large on-site onsen. The resort offers a total of 80 spacious Japanese and Western-style guestrooms and suites, all of which have a private sun terrace or balcony. Guests at Hyatt Regency Hakone also enjoy Japanese cultural experiences, such as some guestrooms featuring tatami (rush mat) floors, an onsen and a yukata (a traditional garment that is worn around the hotel).

Dining Room, a perfect venue where diners enjoy interesting and sophisticated gastronomic experiences in refined and elegant surroundings, serves authentic French and Sushi cuisine. The intimate Living Room is similar to a lounge, with its own fireplace for the winter, while the Bar offers the finest selection of beverages in a decor and ambiance that is reflective of a private retreat.

Amanemu, Shima

Amanemu, Shima

Amanemu, Shima

Amanemu, Shima

Set in a national park on the shores of Ago Bay, Amanemu embraces the ancient Japanese tradition of onsen (mineral hot springs) and the culinary traditions of this gourmet region. The resort’s name is drawn from the Sanskrit-derived word for ‘peace’ and nemu, Japanese for ‘sharing joy’.

Amanemu’s 24 suites and four two-bedroom villas are positioned on a hillside offering garden views or panoramic vistas of Ago Bay, its picturesque islets, and drifting pearl rafts. Amanemu is Aman’s first mineral hot spring destination. Natural springs abound in the area, and Amanemu’s Aman Spa offers two serene onsen bathing pavilions with mineral-rich water from its own spring. Other spa and fitness facilities complement Aman’s holistic approach to wellness.

Sankara Hotel & Spa, Yakushima

Sankara Hotel & Spa, Yakushima

Sankara Hotel & Spa, Yakushima

Sankara Hotel & Spa, Yakushima

Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima is an auberge-style resort hotel that offers genuine hospitality and promotes a management policy of positive engagement with Yakushima, a World Heritage island. The hotel sits upon elevated ground on the southeastern side of Yakushima, set against the mountains looking out to the sea. We have built 29 accommodations for our guests, mostly villas, on a land site approximately 30,000 m2 (7.4 acres) in size.

Our restaurants, the “face” of the Auberge, are run by the noted French chef, Chiharu Takei. Chef Takei selects produce, marine products, and other ingredients himself grown here and on the Kyushu mainland. Our spa is also the first salon in Japan of the Thailand-based Asia Herb Association. The treatment methods at the high-quality salon are based on traditional Thai medicine and use organic herbs grown at the company’s own farms.

Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima has sequestered away in a spacious corner of the island where natural change is counted in millennia. Superb natural food, the atmosphere, and out butler service await your arrival.

River Retreat Garaku, Toyama

River Retreat Garaku, Toyama

River Retreat Garaku, Toyama

River Retreat Garaku, Toyama

River Retreat Garaku is a luxury boutique hotel situated on the Jinzu (“Path of the Gods”) River in the forested foothills of the Northern Japan Alps. In this sublime setting outside central Toyama City, you are enveloped in the unique Japanese aesthetic of nature and art, all within a modern architectural masterpiece. Ever present views of the timeless hills and river are brought through dramatic windows into the lobby, restaurants and guest rooms, which are filled with stunning sightlines, quiet spaces, and exquisite art.

The spring-fed baths, cedar tubs, and colors of traditional Japan are paired with more than 300 pieces of contemporary Japanese art from the owner’s extraordinary collection. With only 25 very spacious rooms and suites, each with a different decor, large common spaces, multiple onsens (spa) and aromatherapy facilities, and two exceptional restaurants with traditional Japanese and French/Japanese fusion cuisines, Garaku emphasizes personal attention, relaxation, and privacy.

L’evo or Evolution is the new nouvelle cuisine French/Japanese fusion restaurant at Garaku where the world-class seafood of Toyama Bay and local mountain vegetables are brilliantly combined for a total culinary and aesthetic experience. At Garaku’s Japanese restaurant Rakumi (“Enjoy the Taste”) you can experience the best of washoku, the traditional Japanese cuisine UNESCO has designated a world cultural asset. Here the chef blends Kanto (Tokyo) and Kansai (Osaka) styles in delectable presentations of elegant simplicity where every ingredient can be savored.

Whether you are looking for a memorable experience away from the pressures of the city, want to avoid the rule-bound atmosphere of a traditional ryokan or want a romantic getaway, Garaku invites you to come, be pampered, and relax. Imagine visiting the amazing home of a serious art collector where your every wish is granted. This is Garaku.

RIHGA Royal, Hiroshima

RIHGA Royal, Hiroshima

RIHGA Royal, Hiroshima

RIHGA Royal, Hiroshima

With a stylish exterior designed in the image of Hiroshima Castle, RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima offers a wealth of modern facilities and services befitting a hotel of the twenty-first century. This new symbol of Hiroshima, an international city of peace and culture, will surely meet your every expectation with guest rooms providing a high-class experience for peace of mind and harmony. Between the 14th and 29th floors, RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima rooms look out over the panorama of the Hiroshima cityscape.

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa, Kanazawa

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa Dining

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa Accommodations

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa is an attractive property with excellent, professional service conveniently located in front of JR Kanazawa Station and within walking distance of some of Kanazawa’s most famous tourist attractions. This 29-story high-rise offers wonderful views of Kanazawa and the surrounding mountains.

The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa, Toya

The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa

The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa

The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa

Situated on a hilltop between the beautiful Lake Toya and the Pacific Ocean, The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa provides magnificent breathtaking views of pure beauty. One must see it to truly experience the poetry created by the mountainous land and the way it is harmonized with the surrounding water. Visitors can enjoy the environment while taking part in leisure activities including skiing, golf, tennis and hot springs baths all located within the resort.

The atmosphere within The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa uniquely blends a sophisticated cosmopolitan style with traditional Japanese elegance. The international staff will surpass visitors expectations with refined yet welcoming service. The hotel has been designed to indulge visitors in supreme pleasure. Fresh flavorful cuisine incorporating Hokkaido’s natural ingredients can be relished at our French or Japanese food restaurants, among several others. The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa was the main conference site the of 34th G8 summit, which was the fifth G8 summit to take place in Japan.

Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse, Niseko

Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse

Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse

Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse

Situated at the base of Mount Niseko Annupuri, Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse occupies a unique position at the heart of Niseko Village. Eight exclusive townhouses mark the first highly anticipated phase of YTL Hotels’ redefinition of alpine living at Niseko Village with ski runs and lifts a mere heartbeat away.

Embodying authentic Japanese charm with contemporary elegance and embracing nature, the dwellings are an ode to Japan’s heritage townhouses that were inhabited by craftsmen and wealthy merchants toward the end of the Edo period.

Together with YTL Hotels, the award-winning studio, Design Intervention, has created bespoke interiors with Japanese design principles in mind. The shibumi moment of inspiration came when two distinctly different cultures, East and West, were united in a common approach. The pursuit of shibumi is guided by seven key principles that are embraced through all aspects at Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse flowing from its architecture and design through to its activities and experiences.