Most people come to Japan for the food, the temples, and the bullet trains. But stay a little longer and you'll discover something else entirely: some of the best resorts in Asia, all in one country. Beach resorts in Okinawa. Onsen mountain retreats in Hakone. A traditional ryokan in the middle of Tokyo. It covers a lot of ground.
This guide breaks it down city by city across Japan, so you can skip straight to the type of stay you're actually after.
Best Tokyo resorts
Tokyo isn't the first city you might think of for a resort stay, but there are some good options here, especially if you want an onsen experience without leaving the capital. The city's top resorts tend to have both modern convenience and traditional Japanese hospitality.
1. Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club
The onsen in Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club
Right next to Toyosu Market and just a 4-minute walk from Shijo-mae Station, Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club is one of the more unique resort-style stays in the city. The hotel brings in actual hot spring water from Hakone daily, so the onsen baths are the real deal.
It's a great pick if you want to combine easy access to Odaiba and Toyosu with a proper soak at the end of the day. The buffet meals also get strong reviews, and the staff are consistently praised for being helpful and friendly.
Address: 6 Chome-5-1 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0061, Japan
Check-in: 3 PM | Check-out: 11 AM
2. Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Main
Stroll around the ten-acre Japanese garden at Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Main.
For a classic Tokyo luxury resort, Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Main is a strong pick. Located in Kioi-cho, it’s within easy reach of the Imperial Palace, Edo Castle Ruins, and Akasaka, with a subway station just a 5-minute walk away.
Rooms are on the larger side for Tokyo with proper mattresses, minibars, and flat-screen TVs, and outside you've got an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, and a ten-acre Japanese garden.
Address: 4-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-8578, Japan
Check-in: 3 PM | Check-out: 12 PM
3. HOSHINOYA Tokyo
Experience a traditional ryokan accommodation at HOSHINOYA Tokyo.
If Hoshinoya Japan has one signature property, it's this one. HOSHINOYA Tokyo is a high-rise ryokan in the Otemachi business district, walking distance from Tokyo Station, that feels like a traditional retreat despite being in the middle of the city.
They have tatami rooms, a rooftop onsen, and kaiseki dining, all a direct metro ride from wherever you're heading. It's a bit pricey, but it's one of the most distinctive resorts in Japan, so it’s absolutely worth it.
Address: 1-9-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo]
Check-in: 3 PM | Check-out: 12 PM
Best Kyoto resorts
Kyoto is where Japan's resort scene gets serious. Here, you’ll see machiya townhouses, bamboo garden views, and properties that feel like they were designed to make you slow down. The best resorts in Kyoto tend to sit close to temples and traditional districts, so the sightseeing practically happens on your way to breakfast.
1. Tokyu Vacations Kyoto
Spacious room in Tokyu Vacations Kyoto
Located just 100 meters from Higashiyama Station, Tokyu Vacations Kyoto puts you right in the heart of Kyoto's most walkable traditional district. Yasaka Shrine is a 10-minute walk away, and Pontocho Alley, one of Kyoto's best streets for dinner, is about a kilometer down the road.
The property is an aparthotel, so it suits longer stays or travelers who want more space. The location alone earns it a strong recommendation if you want to explore Kyoto properly without spending a lot of time commuting.
Address: 92-1 Imakoji-cho, Sanjo-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Check-in: 3 PM | Check-out: 11 AM
2. ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts
The pool at ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts
For a luxury resort experience in Kyoto, ROKU is one of the best options in the city. It's a Hilton LXR property in the Kitayama area of northern Kyoto, surrounded by forested hills. Nearby, the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) area and Ryoan-ji Temple garden are both worth visiting on a half-day trip from the property.
Address: 44-1 Kinugasa Kagamiishi, Kita-ku, Kyoto
Check-in: 3 PM | Check-out: 12 PM
Best Okinawa resorts
Okinawa is Japan's beach resort destination. The water here is turquoise, the coral reefs are healthy, and the islands get more sunshine than anywhere else in the country. If you're after a proper beach holiday, the kind with ocean views from your room and water sports at the door, this is where to go.
1. ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort
Wake up to ocean views at InterContinental Manza Beach Resort Okinawa
One of the most established beach resorts in Japan, the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort is on the Onna coastline with direct beach access. The 400-room property has a beachfront pool, a range of marine activities, and a strong reputation for families. Cape Manzamo, Okinawa's iconic coral cliff, is also just 1.3km away.
Address: 2260 Aza-Seragaki, Onna-son, Kunigami, Okinawa
Check-in: 3 PM | Check-out: 11 AM
2. Okuma Private Beach & Resort
Nature-filled escape at Okuma Private Beach & Resort
Further north in Kunigami, Okuma Private Beach & Resort is a good pick if you want space and a quieter stretch of beach. The resort is spread across a large beachfront property with its own private beach, plus they offer shuttle services.
Address: 913 Aza Okuma, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa
Check-in: 3 PM | Check-out: 11 AM
3. HIYORI Ocean Resort Okinawa
Relax on a private terrace at Hiyori Ocean Resort Okinawa
Also in Onna Village, HIYORI Ocean Resort Okinawa is famous for its ocean views, family-friendly setup, and helpful staff. It's a good mid-range option if the ANA InterContinental is outside your budget but you still want a proper Okinawa resort experience.
Onna Village is between the Blue Cave dive site and Cape Manzamo, making this a well-placed base for getting into the water during your stay.
Address: 1055-1 Nakadomari, Onna Village, Kunigami, Okinawa
Check-in: 3 PM | Check-out: 11 AM
Best Hakone resorts
About 90 minutes from Tokyo by train, Hakone is Japan's most accessible onsen resort destination. The area is in Mt. Fuji's southern flank, with mountain scenery, volcanic landscapes, and some of the country's most famous hot spring towns.
1. Hakone Gora Onsen Tonoyu Setsugekka
Tatami floors and warm interiors set the mood at this cozy ryokan stay in Hakone Gora
Hakone Gora Onsen Tonoyu Setsugekka is a traditional ryokan in the Gora area and one of the most popular spots in the Hakone resort area. It's just a 4-minute walk from Gora Station, which makes getting around by the Hakone Tozan Railway easy.
They have family-friendly facilities, and the central location for exploring the wider Hakone area is a big plus, including Hakone Onsen and the volcanic Owakudani valley.
Address: 1300-34 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Check-in: 3 PM | Check-out: 11 AM
2. Yumoto Fujiya Hotel
The onsen at Yumoto Fujiya Hotel
Located within walking distance of Hakone Yumoto Station, the Yumoto Fujiya Hotel provides a good base for exploring the wider Hakone area. It's a family-friendly onsen hotel with kid-friendly facilities. A good mid-range option if you want to wake up in Hakone Yumoto rather than rushing back to Tokyo after the baths.
Address: 256-1 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Kanagawa
Check-in: 3 PM | Check-out: 11 AM
FAQs about the best resorts in Japan
What type of resorts does Japan have?
Japan has a wide range of resort types. The most traditional is the ryokan, a Japanese inn with tatami mat floors, futon bedding, communal or private onsen baths, and kaiseki multi-course dinners.
Beyond that, you'll find modern beach resorts in Okinawa, high-rise onsen hotels in city centers like Tokyo, international luxury properties in Kyoto, and ski resort lodges in Niseko and Hokkaido. Most resorts in Japan, even the more Western-style ones, include some form of hot spring facility.
What is the best beach resort in Japan?
Okinawa is consistently the top destination for beach resorts in Japan. The water is warm and clear from May through October, the coral reefs are excellent for snorkeling and diving, and the island chain has a distinct Ryukyuan culture that sets it apart from the mainland.
Within Okinawa, the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort is one of the highest-rated full-service options, while Okuma Private Beach & Resort suits those after something quieter and more secluded.
What is the best onsen resort in Japan?
Hakone and Beppu are Japan's two most celebrated onsen resort destinations. Hakone is closer to Tokyo and easier to access, with scenic mountain settings and properties like Hakone Gora Onsen Tonoyu Setsugekka offering a classic ryokan experience.
For something right in the city, HOSHINOYA Tokyo brings the full ryokan experience, rooftop onsen included, to the middle of Otemachi. The Hoshinoya Japan brand as a whole is widely considered the benchmark for luxury onsen resort stays across the country.
Is Okinawa worth visiting for a beach holiday?
Yes, Okinawa is one of the best beach destinations in East Asia. The main island has a strong selection of resorts, easy car rental options, and good infrastructure. If you want quieter beaches and clearer water, the outer islands of Miyako-jima and Ishigaki are worth the extra flight.
What is the best time of year to visit a resort in Japan?
It depends on what you're looking for. For Okinawa beach resorts, May to October is ideal, with the warmest water from July to September. For an onsen resort experience in Japan, places like Hakone, autumn (October to November), and winter (December to February) are the best times; you just have to try soaking in a hot bath while it snows outside!.
Spring (late March to mid-April) is a good all-around window for any resort in Japan, especially if the cherry blossom season lines up with your trip.
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