Luxury Hotels in Japan for a memorable trip

Our 2 weeks trip to Japan required a lot of planning. Paramount amongst all the research was which area and hotel to stay at. Japanese cities are sprawling and choosing the right neighbourhood and hotel that matches your budget and itinerary is hugely important. In Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, we wanted hotels that provided a convenient location not too far from a train station, an upscale area and a host of amenities. 

All of these luxury hotels in Japan are part of the Marriott chain, we enjoyed our stay here on a combination of Bonvoy points plus cash. Since we travelled in the month of June which is shoulder / low season for Japan, the availability and pricing of these luxury hotels was favourable.

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Luxury hotels in Tokyo

Tokyo is a huge metropolis, so it really matters where you stay to make the best of your Tokyo itinerary. For a Tokyo trip beyond 4 days, you can easily split your hotel stay in 2 different areas. Wherever you stay in Tokyo, It is important to be close to a train line to visit other parts of the city.

Courtyard by Marriott, Tokyo Ginza Hotel

Neighbourhood

From being Tokyo’s upscale shopping paradise to having fabulous dining options to catching a show at a Kabuki-za Theatre, Ginza is beautiful and accessible. This turned out to my favourite area to wander around in Tokyo. However, it may be more expensive than other districts in Tokyo. 

The location of Courtyard Hotel Ginza is excellent. Just 5-minute walk from Ginza Subway Station and a 10-minute walk from Tsukiji Fish Market. When we landed at Narita airport we took the Airport Limousine Bus Service to reach Ginza bus station. It was easy to walk to the hotel even with our luggage. How to reach your Tokyo hotel from the Narita or Haneda airport using public transportation is one of the important travel tips to make your Japan trip a success.

Rooms

We had booked a suite where the living room sofa could easily be converted to a bed for my teen daughter. The suite while not large was adequate for our needs. The attached bathroom (with a bathtub) and shower area was not spacious, but again adequate.

The room had all regular amenities – a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a coffee / tea maker. We realised soon that most Japan hotels provide all toiletries, slippers, bathrobes and even night PJs.

Hotel amenities

Hotel guests can work at the 24-hour business centre, or break a sweat at the 24-hour fitness room, or jog at the scenic trail near the hotel.

The restaurant RISTASIX offers a breakfast buffet with a wide variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes. My daughter especially loved the breakfast options here, it was her first time trying Takoyaki, a popular street food from Osaka. Thankfully, there were enough western options for the less adventurous me! The hotel has another restaurant Ginza Muraki that serves a wide variety of Japanese specialities. We didn’t try this, we instead walked to Ginza Six near the hotel, an upscale shopping complex with hordes of restaurant and cafe options.

Activities around the hotel

Courtyard by Marriott Ginza Hotel is surrounded by a selection of shopping, commercial, and sightseeing destinations. Ginza district is the 5th Ave of New York; with the flagship Uniqlo within walking distance. We also made the mandatory wait in front of the ever-popular Onitsuka Tiger store.

The hotel is within walking distance of Hibiya Park, the Kabuki Theater and the Imperial Palace. 

Recommended for families

I highly recommend this hotel for families, for the convenient location, the size of the rooms, and its good breakfast.

Booking info: Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Ginza Hotel

Tokyo EDITION Hotel, Toranomon

Neighbourhood

Post our stay at the Tokyo Disney resort, we shifted to a different area in the city. Toranomon is known for its iconic skyscrapers, upscale living, and proximity to Tokyo’s key business and entertainment districts.

The business district in Minato is full of luxury hotels and is frequented by business travellers more than tourists. It is close to Azabudai Hills and Roppongi Hills, both upscale areas with plenty of fine dining and shopping options.

Rooms

In a city no dearth of luxury hotels, Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon offers next-generation luxury experiences. The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon features 206 hotel rooms and suites with iconic skyline views. I particularly enjoyed the view of Tokyo Tower from my room during night time.

The rooms present minimalist sophistication and modernity. The double room provides a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a mini-bar, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area as well as city views. It was spacious enough for them to put an extra bed for my teen daughter. The room is spacious but the bathroom even more so. The private bathroom area has a bath, a shower, double sinks and a bidet, and an expanse of heavenly toiletries.

Hotel amenities

Hotel guests can enjoy spa facilities, an indoor swimming pool, sauna, fitness centre, and free bicycles. To be honest, our Tokyo itinerary was so packed that we did not try any of these. What we did enjoy one evening was sitting at the Lobby Bar and sipping our excellent cocktails looking at the iconic view of Tokyo Tower. The lush greenery was a riveting change to any other lobby area I have encountered.

There are 4 restaurants on site – The Blue Room, The Jade Room, The Lobby Bar, and the Gold Bar.

Activities in the neighourhood

There is no dearth of good restaurants and cafes in Toranomon like most areas in Tokyo. Azabudai Hilla is close by which offers an even larger number of dining options. We visited teamLab Borderless in Azabudai, a digital art museum.  With an expansive area of approximately 7,000 square meters, the space showcases over 50 artworks. And ofcourse, there is the iconic Tokyo Tower, the second tallest structure in Japan offers panoramic views of the city from its observation deck.

Recommended for families

The hotel is largely used by couples. The rooms are spacious for 3 persons to sleep comfortably.  
 
Booking info: The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon

Luxury hotel in downtown Kyoto: The Chapter Kyoto

Neighbourhood

Many folks choose to enjoy a ryokan experience in Kyoto. There are several options for ryokan in the Gion and Higashiyama district. We chose to do a temple stay at Koyasan, where we had more time to enjoy the traditional setting.

Since we were out sightseeing most of the 3 days spent in Kyoto, we wanted a modern hotel in a central location. Downtown Kyoto is an excellent choice for who those who want a more contemporary neighbourhood, yet close to Gion and Higashiyama districts. The Kyoto downtown area is across the river from southern Higashiyama. The Chapter is a good hotel in a central location in Kyoto with a public onsen.

Rooms

The hotel features 203 elegantly appointed guestrooms including 2 signature suites. Rooms feature air-conditioning, tatami floor, work desk, sofa, wardrobe, and TV. There was a separate shower area, sink with all necessary toiletries, and a bathroom. Additional amenities include bath, sofa bed, carpeted floor, and interconnected rooms.

The room was spacious enough to put an extra bed for my teen daughter.

Hotel amenities

The Grill is their casual dining space where breakfast buffet is also served. The buffet options for breakfast including both western food items and local specialities was good. Bonvoy elite members (Platinum and above) can enjoy a complimentary Happy Hour here with wine, sake, and snacks. The Route Bar Nijo offers cocktails unique to Kyoto and craft gin.

The hotel also has a fully equipped, 24-hour fitness center as well as a traditional Japanese public bath for guests to relax and rejuvenate after a long day of exploring. We quite enjoyed the public bath facility. It was my first experience of a traditional Japanese bath, and I am glad I had read up on many of the useful onsen tips to be comfortable with it.

Activities in the neighourhood

As I mentioned before, the hotel is in a central location. We could walk to Gion and Higashiyama districts or take an uber for the short distance. Kyoto station, Nijo Castle or the Nishiki Market are not too far. Kawaramachi Station is the closest and a short walk away from the hotel, served by the Hankyu line.

Recommended for families

I do think this hotel is good for families for both its convenient location and a comfortable stay. The hotel is adequate but fails to add the wow factor for a family vacation.

Booking info: The Chapter Kyoto, a Tribune Portfolio Hotel

Luxury Hotel in Osaka Japan near train station: The Osaka Station Hotel

Neighbourhood

Osaka is well positioned to explore the Kansai region, there are so many options for easy day trips. We used Osaka as a base for a couple of day trips, so finding a hotel near a train station was important. What a find Osaka Station Hotel turned out to be! It offers a central position with Grand Front Osaka a 6-minute walk away and Osaka Station 300 metres nearby.

The hotel sits right on top of the Kitte Mall, giving you easy access to plenty of restaurants and shops. It also has Grand Front Osaka – over 260 stores for all your shopping and numerous restaurants across several buildings.

Rooms

The hotel features 418 rooms from the 30th to 38th floors, with most rooms a spacious 40 sq. meters. The hotel boasts a wonderful city view all the guest rooms.

The property earns great reviews for its immaculate cleanliness and stylish, calming atmosphere. And I couldn’t agree more, it made our 4 nights in Osaka an absolute joy!

Hotel amenities

The Ofuro spa was a nice way to relax at the end of the day with 2 different hot tubs, cold tub and dry sauna. Located on the 30th floor, the gym features free weights, cardio machines, and other advanced training equipment.

The restaurant serves Japanese, European, and barbecue grill cuisines for lunch, dinner, and high tea. Breakfast was delicious with many items including Japanese and western foods. And again, what a stellar view!

For Titanium guests, breakfast and the onsen at Ofuro spa were complimentary which was an excellent perk. The staff provided superb service—warm, attentive, and always ready to help with a smile.

Activities in the neighourhood

The area around Osaka Station is known as Umeda, which has numerous department stores like Daimaru and Hankyu. It is also home to the Umeda Sky Building with its observatory. If not for the iconic views from our hotel stay, I would have made time for visiting Umeda Sky Building. You can book ticket to the 170-metre-high observatory to take in 360 views of the city.

The central location makes taking the train to popular areas like Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, Dotonbori, and Osaka Castle very easy.

Recommended for families

Absolutely! This was the best hotel we stayed at during our Japan trip.

Booking info: The Osaka Station Hotel, Autograph Collection

Planning a trip to Japan? Check out –

Start with Essential Travel Tips For Japan and 2 Weeks in Japan

City Itineraries: Tokyo 5 day Itinerary, 3 Days in Kyoto Itinerary, Osaka 3 Day Itinerary

Day Trips: Best day trips from Osaka, Best day trips from Tokyo, Day Trip To Hiroshima, Himeji Castle day trip, Ultimate Guide to Tokyo DisneySea, Overnight Trip to Koyasan Japan

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