23 of The Best Luxury Hotels in Japan to Book Right Now - AFAR

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[Travel Inspiration](https://www.afar.com/travel-inspiration) [Hotels](https://www.afar.com/travel-inspiration/hotels)

By [Adam H. Graham](https://www.afar.com/authors/adam-h-graham)

As travel to Japan continues to boom, we rounded up 23 of the best hotels across the country, many in sublime—and often less-visited—destinations.

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![Back and gray outdoor pavilion of Aman Kyoto, with illuminated lanterns and green trees in t background](<Base64-Image-Removed>)

![Back and gray outdoor pavilion of Aman Kyoto, with illuminated lanterns and green trees in t background](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4335448/2147483647/strip/true/crop/750x750+0+0/resize/150x150!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffc%2Fa7%2Fcec7a0004ceca39ac1893648e247%2Fhotelswelove-1.png)

Set within a forest, Aman Kyoto is near Kinkaku-ji temple.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Japan’s most alluring hotels outside of [Tokyo](https://www.afar.com/magazine/best-hotels-in-tokyo) and Kyoto—from new high-rise retreats in Osaka and Fukuoka to serene [ryokan getaways](https://www.afar.com/magazine/japanese-ryokan-what-it-is-and-what-to-expect) tucked amid green forest in Niigata. Whether you crave minimalist design, luxury [onsen](https://www.afar.com/magazine/a-beginners-guide-to-japanese-onsen-etiquette) hot springs, or cultural immersion, these 23 handpicked stays on our [Hotels We Love](https://www.afar.com/travel-inspiration/hotels/round-ups) Japan list showcase the country’s unmatched fusion of tradition, innovation, and hospitality.

![Spacious garden view suite at Asaba, with high ceilings and large windows](<Base64-Image-Removed>)

Asaba has been family owned and run since 1494.

**Why we love it:** A 500-year-old ryokan complete with private onsen baths and seasonal kaiseki

[Book Now](https://www.asaba-ryokan.com/)

Since 1494, the Asaba family has been welcoming guests to their [esteemed namesake ryokan](https://www.asaba-ryokan.com/) in Shuzenji, a hot spring town founded more than a millennium ago by Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi. A member of Relais & Châteaux, this intimate inn has 12 traditional guest rooms with tatami mat flooring, each overlooking a tranquil pond, a bamboo forest, and a historic Noh stage still used for occasional performances. Meals are served in-room while guests relax in _yukata_ robes; a seasonal kaiseki dinner might feature black rice sushi with anago eel, corn tempura, and locally grown muskmelon. A traditional Japanese breakfast is also included. Every room has its own private onsen bath—just be sure to request a Western-style bed if preferred.