Where to stay in Japan? During our two-week Japan itinerary, we stayed in various hotels across the country. In this blog, I share my honest reviews of the best hotels in Japan, so you can find the perfect accommodation.
We’re not extreme budget travelers, but we do enjoy affordable luxury. That said, Japan can be quite an expensive country to stay in, and we didn’t always have the budget for more upscale or luxurious rooms (though we did splurge a few times!). On average, hotel prices quickly added up to around €150 per night for a standard, comfortable stay.
Normally, we prefer hotels with a pool, but these are quite rare in Japan. However, we did stay at two hotels with an onsen, which gave us a chance to relax (even if it was separately!). We traveled through Japan using public transport, so we always considered the distance to nearby train stations when booking our hotels.
We made this trip in September 2024, so keep in mind that prices and availability may have changed since then. Looking for the best places to stay in Japan? Keep reading to discover our favorite hotels!
Tokyo
Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo
Price paid per night at the time: €137.25
Double room
We spent our first nights in Japan in Tokyo, in the lively nightlife district of Shinjuku. We stayed at Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo, a hotel located right in the heart of this bustling area, just a five-minute walk from Shinjuku Station. The hotel’s location is excellent. There’s a Lawson convenience store right beneath the hotel, which makes grabbing snacks or essentials super easy. The rooms, as is common in Tokyo, are quite compact but well-designed and very clean. The hotel also has a currency exchange machine with a favorable rate, and the breakfast buffet is great, offering both Western and Japanese options.
Kawasaki King Skyfront Tokyu REI Hotel
Price paid per night at the time: €66.00
Superior double room
We spent our last night at Kawasaki King Skyfront Tokyo Rei Hotel. We chose this hotel because of its convenient location right next to Haneda Airport, from where we had an early flight the next morning. The hotel also offered a free shuttle service, which was ideal. It was a comfortable hotel, clearly more business-oriented. There’s not much to do in the surrounding area. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try the breakfast due to our early departure.
Yamanuchi
Hotel Omodaka
Price paid per night at the time: €45.00
Double room with balcony
We stayed two nights at Hotel Omodaka, a traditional Japanese inn with authentic rooms, breakfast, dinner, and an onsen. Most of the guests were Japanese tourists, which added to the local atmosphere. The owners are friendly, though they speak little English, making the stay a unique and authentic experience. You sleep on a futon on the floor with a cherry pit pillow under your head. Dinner is served in a private room and consists of numerous small, refined dishes – a true culinary experience. The hotel is about 20 minutes from the station, but the owner kindly offered us a ride back by car. Aside from the famous Snow Monkey Park and the onsens, there isn’t much to do in the immediate area – for more on this, see our full itinerary.
Takayama
Relax Hotel Takayama Station
Price paid per night at the time: €157.00
Superior room with two queen-size beds
This hotel in Takayama is an absolute recommendation. It’s located right next to the station and close to the city center. The rooms are spacious, beautifully decorated, and very clean. The beds were among the most comfortable we encountered in Japan. The breakfast was also one of our favorites: in addition to a buffet, they prepare delicious teriyaki and Japanese pancakes for you.
Kyoto
Homm Stay Nagi Sanjo Kyoto By Banyan Group
Price paid per night at the time: €106.00
Room with king-size bed
We stayed three nights in Kyoto. Homm Stay Nagi Sanjo Kyoto is located in a charming neighborhood with plenty of cozy restaurants nearby. While it’s a bit farther from the nightlife area, it’s well situated in relation to train stations and major sights. It’s a unique hotel where we had a room with a tent inside, making it feel like indoor camping. This was a fun touch, and the room itself was very spacious and comfortable. Breakfast was delivered to the room, which we liked a bit less, the options were limited and overall it felt a bit on the sparse side.
Kobe
Kobe Plaza Hotel
Price paid per night at the time: €125.00
Renewal Superior Twin Room
We stayed two nights in Kobe. This hotel is conveniently located, close to a train station and right next to Chinatown. It’s popular with business travelers and has a clean, neutral look. The room was small but otherwise perfectly fine. The breakfast buffet was extensive and well organized. All in all, it’s a solid hotel, but nothing particularly special.
Mount Fuji/ Fujiyoshida
Hotel MYSTAYS Fuji Onsen Resort
Prijs betaald in September 2024 per nacht: €140,00
Standard Twin Room with Mt. Fuji View – Upper Floor（5F-7F)
Mystays Fuji Onsen Resort is located just 500 meters from Fuji-Q Highland Park and offers a stunning view of Mount Fuji. The hotel is also within walking distance of both the bus and train stations. It features both indoor and outdoor onsens, again with beautiful views of Mount Fuji. The breakfast was delicious as well, a generous and varied buffet. We found this hotel to be an absolute must-stay!
<– view
Hopefully, this blog has helped you get a better idea of where to stay in Japan. From charming ryokans to more luxurious hotels, there’s a perfect option for everyone. We hope you’ll also enjoy your stay at some of the best hotels in Japan!
Where to stay in Japan? During our two-week Japan itinerary, we stayed in various hotels across the country. In this blog, I share my honest reviews of the best hotels in Japan, so you can find the perfect accommodation. We’re not extreme budget travelers, but we do enjoy affordable luxury. That said, Japan can be…
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