The Tokyo Station Hotel
A red-brick palace from 1915 inside the Tokyo Station building itself. You can get off the Shinkansen and reach your room without going outside, and that is its real advantage.
Photo: Han Sen / Pexels
Detailed picks
Hotels
Hotels we checked, by city, district and rating. No hotels that only look good in photos.
48 hotels in 5 cities. Every place that comes from an itinerary links to its full day.
Tokyo
12 hotels
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo (Nihonbashi)
A skyscraper in Nihonbashi with an open view over the city. The lobby is on floor 38, and in the lounge next to it you can sit for coffee facing the view even if you are not staying.
Photo: Wpcpey / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Park Hyatt Tokyo (Shinjuku)
The hotel from 'Lost in Translation', on the top floors of a tower in Shinjuku. The New York Bar is on floor 52. Its street is quiet, so this is Shinjuku without the noise.
Photo: Jun Seita from Palo Alto, CA, U.S. / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
The Capitol Hotel Tokyu (Akasaka)
A 251-room luxury hotel designed by Kengo Kuma, next to Hie Shrine in Nagatacho, near the parliament and the Prime Minister's residence. Linked by an underground passage to Tameike-Sanno and Kokkai-Gijidomae stations.
Photo: しんかわな / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo (Ginza)
A design hotel in the heart of Ginza, within walking distance of the shops and of Tsukiji Outer Market. A reasonable room size for Tokyo.
Photo: J o / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku
A hotel with 238 rooms, about 3 minutes on foot from the south exit of JR Shinjuku Station. Suits someone arriving by train who wants to reach the room quickly. The address is registered in Shibuya ward, on the south side of the station.
Photo: Syced / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel (Shibuya)
A landmark in Shibuya, with rooms on high floors above the crossing. It has a Noh stage and a jazz club on the lower floors.
Photo: 江戸村のとくぞう / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Remm Tokyo Kyobashi
A Remm chain hotel in front of exit 6 of Kyobashi station, about 7 minutes on foot from the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station. 271 non-smoking rooms with a rain shower and a bed the chain developed for good sleep. Handy if you travel by train from Tokyo Station.
Photo: Syced / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla Hotel)
The hotel with the Godzilla head peeking from the terrace on the eighth floor. In the heart of Kabukicho, which means very lively and noisy at night.
Photo: Another Believer / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sequence Miyashita Park (Shibuya)
A lifestyle hotel built into the green roof of Miyashita Park. Young in character, with a reception that works until late.
Photo: Syced / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
The Blossom Hibiya
A tower at the northern edge of Shimbashi, near Uchisaiwaicho, with every room on floor 19 or higher. Hibiya Park and Ginza are a short walk away.
Hotel Gracery Ginza
Reliable, modern mid-range, well located for shopping and sightseeing. No surprises, and that is its virtue.
Kyoto
12 hotels
The Thousand Kyoto
Modern luxury inspired by Zen, with an emphasis on sustainability. Right next to Kyoto Station, so it is especially convenient for a day that starts with a train.
Photo: J o / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Royal Park Hotel Iconic Kyoto
A boutique hotel with changing exhibitions by artisans from Kyoto. Between the station and the city center.
Photo: J o / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hotel M's Est Kyoto Station
A bright and especially clean budget hotel, minutes from Kyoto Station. The rooms are small, and that is known in advance.
Photo: Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu
An elementary school from 1933 converted into a heritage hotel, above the approach to Kiyomizu-dera. A rooftop bar with a view of the pagoda.
Park Hyatt Kyoto (Higashiyama)
A low-rise hotel within historic gardens on the slope, minutes on foot from Kiyomizu-dera. Among the most expensive in Kyoto, and among the quietest.
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto (Nijo Castle)
Top-tier luxury facing Nijo Castle, built around a 300-year-old heritage gate. It has a private onsen from a natural spring, rare in the heart of a city.
Cross Hotel Kyoto (Downtown/Sanjo)
Modern design in Sanjo, between the shopping street and the historic alleys of Gion. An excellent location for walking in both directions.
Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo
Traditional Japanese aesthetics with Western comfort. Central, near Pontocho and the Kamo River.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Station
Comfortable and well designed, with a shared public bath of cypress wood (ocha-no-yu). Next to Kyoto Station.
Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto
A traditional-style hotel with a large public bath. Mid-range at a good price for Kyoto.
Piece Hostel Sanjo
An award-winning designer hostel, with private rooms alongside shared spaces. A good option for those who want a low price without giving up cleanliness.
Karasuma Kyoto Hotel
Classic mid-range with a convenient connection to the subway. Reliable and unpretentious.
Osaka
12 hotels
Swissôtel Nankai Osaka
Connected directly to Namba Station, which means direct access to the train to Kansai Airport. An open view over the city.
Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
The Ritz-Carlton Osaka
Inspired by an 18th-century English manor, in Umeda. High-level service and a classic atmosphere, not a modern one.
Photo: Fotoinjp / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Conrad Osaka (Nakanoshima)
A modern skyscraper above the bend of the river. The lobby is on floor 40, and the view from there is part of the point.
Photo: Rina House / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Hotel Hankyu International (Umeda)
In the style of a European chateau, on the top floors of a tower in Chayamachi. Umeda is the northern transport hub of Osaka.
Photo: Mr.ちゅらさん / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka
Inspired by a Scottish church, connected to JR Namba Station and to the OCAT bus terminal. Convenient for those continuing by bus.
Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Centara Grand Hotel Osaka
Thai-Japanese luxury with rooftop bars and a spa. Livelier than the Japanese hotels in the area.
Cross Hotel Osaka (Shinsaibashi)
Modern lifestyle, steps from the neon of Dotonbori and from the Shinsaibashi shopping street. Central and noisy.
Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka
Serviced apartments with a kitchenette, spacious by Japanese standards. Suits families and a long stay.
Vessel Inn Namba
Known for one of the best breakfast buffets in Japan, with fresh seafood. Reason enough on its own to choose it.
First Cabin Midosuji Namba
A capsule hotel inspired by first class on a plane: a clean personal cabin with technology, and a public bath. Cheap, and suits one night.
Hotel Vista Osaka Namba
Modern mid-range with a separate bathroom and a deep bathtub, which is not a given at this price.
Ibis Osaka Umeda
Budget at an international standard in the heart of Umeda. Simple, predictable and central.
Sapporo
6 hotels
Cross Hotel Sapporo
Contemporary design with a public bath on the top floor facing the city lights. Between Odori and Susukino.
Photo: MIKI Yoshihito from Sapporo City,Hokkaido., JAPAN / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
A tower connected directly to Sapporo Station, with an onsen and a panoramic view on floor 22. A real advantage in winter, when you do not want to go out into the cold.
The Royal Park Canvas Sapporo Odori Park
An eco-friendly wooden hotel facing Odori Park, where the Snow Festival is held in February. The rooms facing the park are worth the extra.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo West
Known for an excellent breakfast buffet with ingredients from Hokkaido. Mid-range at a fair price.
Hotel Resol Trinity Sapporo
A large, quiet public bath facing Odori Park. A central location for walking.
Tenza Hotel & Resort Sapporo
Reliable mid-range near Susukino, Sapporo's food and nightlife district.
Fukuoka
6 hotels
The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka (Daimyo)
In the Daimyo neighborhood, with an emphasis on local craftsmanship and a view of the bay. The newest of the luxury hotels in the city.
Photo: Hirho / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Nishitetsu Grand Hotel (Tenjin)
Fukuoka's historic grand hotel, classic hospitality in the center of Tenjin.
Photo: Hirho / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion
Traditional and modern together, with a public bath of cypress wood. Near Kushida Shrine, where the Yamakasa festival is held in July.
Photo: Hirho / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Grand Hyatt Fukuoka (Canal City)
Built into Canal City Hakata, the shopping and entertainment complex. Convenient in the rain and for families.
Hotel Resol Trinity Fukuoka
It overlooks the river at Nakasu and the yatai stalls that open on the bank in the evening. This is the reason to choose this one in particular.
Hotel Gracery Fukuoka Tenjin
Modern and especially clean mid-range, steps from the subway in Tenjin.