Top Boutique Hotels in Japan (2026)

Boasting hot-spring baths with mountain views, a sauna and massage service, Seizan Yamato is a 10-minute drive from JR Ito Station, which can be reached in 25 minutes from JR Atami Station. A free shuttle bus between JR Ito Station and the property is provided. Seizan Yamato Ryokan’s air-conditioned rooms have traditional futon beds and tatami (woven-straw) floors. A tea maker and flat-screen TV are provided. Guests can enjoy views of Ito city, and rooms on the 4th floor or higher provide sea views as well. Maruyama Park and Nagisa Park are both about 1.6 mi away. Matsukawa is about a 15-minute drive. The baths at this property use pure hot-spring water directly taken from the source. A hot-spring bath can be reserved for private use, for an additional charge. Aromatherapy treatments are available at the spa, and the hotel has an on-site garden. A free-use internet terminal and free wired internet are provided in the lobby. Traditional Japanese multi-course meals featuring are served for dinner. Guests can choose Japanese or Western meals for breakfast.

- "Wonderful place and service." - "Service is top notch. All staff were welcoming and kind and attentive. The view of the ocean and large rooms are amazing. Peaceful, quiet. The traditional accommodations and food at this ryokan were unique and an unforgettable Japan experience. The hot springs were clean and spacious." - "Service and food are great" - "The ryokan is rather modern, in a classic Japanese style. It has four baths, two of them outdoors, which are especially nice. We had a room with a large terrace, a little garden and an outdoor bathtub, which we enjoyed greatly. The room was spacious and beautiful. The staff was very friendly and went out of their ways to make sure we had have a good time. For example they changed the course for me, as I do not eat meat. It helps to speak some Japanese, but they are also prepared to communicate with guests who don’t."

Genji Kyoto, a Member of Design Hotels features free bikes, garden, a shared lounge and terrace in Kyoto. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is 1.3 miles from the city center and a 13-minute walk from Sanjusangen-do Temple. All guest rooms will provide guests with a minibar. The hotel offers a continental or Full English/Irish breakfast. Popular points of interest near Genji Kyoto, a Member of Design Hotels include TKP Garden City Kyoto, Gion Shijo Station and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 28 miles from the accommodation.

- "Everything. Stay here. One of the best hotels ever. The staff are wonderful and the hospitality is superb. The hotel itself is also gorgeous." - "There were many things we loved about Genji Hotel. It's location Kamo River is beautiful. you can see hawks, cormorants, crows etc and its so quiet and peaceful there. The deign of the hotel is subtle but gorgous. the staff is amazing too. One of the best hotels I have been able to stay at in many years!"

Snowball Chalet at Madarao Mountain is located in the heart of the Japanese Alps in Madarao in the Nagano Region, just a 100-minute train ride from Tokyo. Free WiFi access is available throughout the entire property. The ski slope is only a flat 328 foot stroll from the property. The property features a lounge with a fireplace and comfortable couches, in addition to a Japanese-style bath and a games room. Some units have a seating area to relax in after a busy day. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries. A restaurant/bar is located nearby. A free breakfast and complimentary welcome drink is offered to all staying guests. The property staff also runs mountain tours and introduces key ski and board locations in the area. There are 6 ski resorts within a 30-minute drive from the accommodations and guided tours are offered to explore the area such as the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Activities in the area include Japanese soba noodle making classes, sake brewery tours and show shoeing. Other snow activities are offered on site. Guests can enjoy Japanese paper making at Kamisukiya in Kijimadaira as well as meditation with Buddhist monks at Jofukuji Temple in Iiyama.

- "Absolutely fantastic Chalet. Great welcome by Dan and his team : very helpful to organise anything in the resort. Very cozy atmosphere - feels like home immediately. Great breakfast. I will definitely be back." - "Fantastic lodge and very kind and awesome group of staff. The breakfast is great and the whole place was very cosy and it’s an ideal location for a ski trip in Madarao. Would definitely return." - "Breakfast, first class. Location would be very hard to beat. The owners and staff were very friendly and welcoming."

Mugen is a property that was built 160 years ago, located in Kyoto, 0.6 mi from Nijo Castle. Every room at Mugen features an en suite shower room, toilet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. You will find a shared lounge on site and a bar at the annex building. The ryokan also offers bike hire. Imperial Palace is 0.7 mi from Mugen, while Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is 1 mi from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 24 mi from the property.

- "I think what made this place great to stay, was Tome and her husbands hospitality. I booked Mugen due to the reviews and we weren’t disappointed. Tome goes out of her way to sit down with you and discuss sight seeing, transport, food recommendations. She is also incredibly responsive… I had so many tedious questions and she happily got back to me each time within a few minutes. The room itself was small but all we needed for the trip. The architecture of the hotel is beautifully set up, lots of nice detailing. There is a downstairs section you have access to if you’d like to eat meals outside of your room. We had a cute view of the garden and it was nice seeing snow falling from where we drank tea/coffee. Great spot for a couple to spend a few nights. We enjoyed our time!"

Located in Myoko, 16 miles from Ryuoo Ski Park, Onpoint Madarao has accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant. 19 miles from Jigokudani Monkey Park and 20 miles from Suzaka Zoo, the property provides a ski pass sales point, as well as a bar. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and Zenkoji Temple is 20 miles away. Rooms are equipped with a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At the hotel rooms include bed linen and towels. Guests at Onpoint Madarao will be able to enjoy activities in and around Myoko, like hiking, skiing and fishing. Nagano Station is 21 miles from the accommodation, while Lake Nojiri is 9.4 miles from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 68 miles from Onpoint Madarao.

- "beautifully designed, great hosts, tasty breakfasts!" - "The hosts were incredible! So accommodating and incredibly helpful with anything or any information you needed about the town. They took me to get my snow gear fitted, where to get my ski pass and showed me all the local restaurants. The lodge itself is so cosy and such an amazing place to relax. It was everything I was hoping for. If you want one of the best snow experiences of your life, this place is a must."

Located in the middle of Hirafu Village just a 10-minute taxi ride from JR Kutchan Station, Kimamaya Boutique Hotel offers luxurious and stylish accommodations. Free property-wide Wi-Fi, a massage spa and a concierge service are available. Niseko Mt Resort Grand Hirafu is a 5-mintue drive away and free shuttles may be offered depending on the date. Fitted with chic furnishings and a relaxing ambiance, each room features facilities like flat-screen TV, iPod dock and DVD player. The private bathroom includes a bath tub and a rain-shower. Boutique Hotel Kimamaya provides free luggage and ski storage services. Guests can unwind in the lounge which features a fireplace and complimentary drinks. The on-site spa offers shiatsu and full-body oil massages at an additional charge. The wooden and stone spa baths can be enjoyed for free with an advance reservation. Western breakfast can be savored at the on-site Barn by Odin restaurant, which also offers sophisticated French meals and an extensive collection of French wines.

- "Very close vicinity to the attractions of the area. Warm welcome by the extremely helpful and friendly staff and the breakfast was amazing." - "This is a stunning hotel. It is so comfortable and the decor is stylish yet homely." - "Kimamaya by Odin is a great hotel at a great location with probably the best staff I ever had on any of my trips. Peter was absolutely fantastic, always ready to go above and beyond to help (even helping me with the logistics of my stay and connection in Tokyo!). The room was clean and well designed, the onsen at the hotel was very relaxing and a great place to go after a day of skiing. Would 100% recommend to anyone planning on visiting Niseko!"

Marufukuro features a garden, shared lounge, a terrace and restaurant in Kyoto. Featuring a bar, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around a 13-minute walk from TKP Garden City Kyoto, one mile from Gion Shijo Station and 1.2 miles from Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The property is a 12-minute walk from Sanjusangen-do Temple, and within 1.3 miles of the city center. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, an electric tea pot, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Free WiFi is available to all guests, while selected rooms are equipped with a balcony. At Marufukuro each room has bed linen and towels. Breakfast is available daily, and includes American, Asian and vegetarian options. Speaking English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese at the 24-hour front desk, staff are always on hand to help. Kyoto Station is a 16-minute walk from the accommodation, while Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall is one mile away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 27 miles from Marufukuro.

- "I was glad to have learnt about this property and its history. The interiors are unique and the facilities are exceptional. Lounge access was a great option as well as the bar and library. The staff are so kind too and helpful. Can't wait to stay here again with my sister!" - "The hotel had a warm, nostalgic atmosphere and the interior was beautifully designed. The staff were very friendly, welcoming and helpful. Our room was beautiful - from the relaxing living area looking out to one of the most famous temples, to the extremely comfortable bed and the practical layout of the room. The library and bar were really lovely - the perfect space to relax with a drink at the end of the day. We would definitely want to go back and stay at the hotel again"

Located in the Okuhida hot-spring area, guests at Katsuragi no Sato stay in spacious Japanese-style cottages with free Wi-Fi, tatami (woven-straw) floors and a traditional Irori hearth. Indoor/outdoor spacious public hot-spring baths and private hot-spring baths are available for guests to relax in. A free shuttle is available from Fukuchi Onsenguchi Bus Stop, which is a 3-minute drive away. All air-conditioned cottages have a distinct decor and a spacious living room area. Guests sleep on Japanese futon bedding and some rooms have a heated Kotasu table or a massage chair. Each comes with a private toilet. All cottages are connected with a roofed hall and bathrooms are shared. Massages can be request for an extra cost and local products can be purchased at the souvenir shop. Guests can relax and drink coffee at the terrace overlooking the garden. A Japanese-style breakfast and dinner featuring the famous Hida beef are served at the private dining room. Katsuragi no Sato Ryokan is a 25-minute drive from the Great Hirayu Falls and a 15-minute drive from Hirayu Onsen Ski Resort. Fukuchi Marketplace is a 5-minute walk and JR Takayama Train Station is a 75-minute drive away.

- "It was a magical dream." - "Staying at Katsuragi no Sato was one of my favorite experiences from our 2 week stay in Japan. The traditional breakfast and dinner was amazing, better than a lot of Michelin restaurants. The staff was friendly and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The location is really convenient, only a 2 minute walk from the bus station. The private baths were always open and one of the best parts of our stay. Would highly recommend!"

Located in Kyoto and within a 9-minute walk of Gion Shijo Station, Hotel Gion Ichirin has a shared lounge, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. This 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space. Sanjusangen-do Temple is 1.1 miles away and Heian Shrine is 1.3 miles from the hotel. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a closet, an electric tea pot, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Gion Ichirin the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Samurai Kembu Kyoto and Shoren-in Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 29 miles from Hotel Gion Ichirin.

- "Perfect location, beautiful place, ideal silence" - "This was one of the best hotels I’ve stayed in! The rooms are absolutely beautiful and spacious. A perfect mix of modern and traditional Japanese style. The lobby is beautiful and the staff is very friendly. There is free laundry and detergent available on the top floor. The bathroom was amazing with both a walk-in shower and jacuzzi bathtub. It’s well located in Gion near the bus (2 min) and metro (15 min)."

Featuring free WiFi, Nazuna Kyoto Gosho is set in Kyoto. The property is around 2133 ft from Kyoto International Manga Museum, 0.7 mi from Nijo Castle and 0.8 mi from Kyoto Imperial Palace. The ryokan provides a shared lounge. At the ryokan, every room includes a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The shared bathroom is equipped with a hot tub and free toiletries. All units are fitted with a seating area. When guests need guidance on where to visit, the reception will be happy to provide advice. Heian Shrine is 1.6 mi from Nazuna Kyoto Gosho. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 30 mi from the accommodations.

- "Everything about our stay was amazing. The vibe was very cozy, relaxing and intimate in a traditional Japanese way, which was exactly what we were looking for. The big room with the small garden, confortable bed and huge hot bath, was particularly enjoyable after a day spent exploring Kyoto. The food was truly delicious from beginning to end. The breakfast and dinner were 2 of the best meals in our entire 4 weeks stay in Japan. Highly recommend to try both meat and fish options. They were also very accommodating for one of us who is vegetarian and were able to provide a delicious experience as well. If you are into deserts and sweets, you have to try their amazing ice cream and Japanese sweets which were served at the lounge and during tea time. Very nice late night snack as well. More than anything else, the service was the highlight of our stay. We had a small issue with our room at the beginning of our stay and the staff members went above and beyond not to let it impact our stay. They were all very kind and made our stay at the gosho memorable"