A string of new hotels have either opened or are planning to mark their debut across Japan this year in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Nikko.
While the country is currently closed to most foreigners, here are some of the new hotels to check out on your next trip to Japan once travel resumes:
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is Marriott’s new Luxury Collection hotel in Kyoto set to open on November 3 this year. Designed under the brand concept “embracing Japan’s beauty”, the luxury property has 161 guest rooms, including Onsen Suites with outdoor natural hot spring baths in private gardens with trees, lanterns, and stonework. The hotel has two restaurants: a teppan restaurant that combines the traditions and techniques of French and Japanese cuisine called Toki, and an all-day dining Italian restaurant called Forni.
Zentis Osaka
Zentis Osaka, the first of a new hotel brand, opened in May in the bustling port city of Osaka. The new, 16-storey building features 212 rooms and suites and each guest-room layout at the 5-star hotel draws inspiration from the modular design of Japanese bento boxes. Dining options include all-day dining venue Upstairz, a lounge with snacks and afternoon tea, and a bar serving seasonal cocktails and Japanese whiskies.
Zentis says two major airports that service Osaka – Kansai International Airport and Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport) – are located less than an hour’s drive away.
The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
Perched along Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai, The Ritz-Carlton says its new hotel in Nikko offers easy access to scenic attractions, such as the Nikko National Park. Nikko, and the surrounding area, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the cultural, religious, and architectural significance of its richly decorated shrines and temples. The 94-guest-room hotel is about two and a half hours north of Tokyo, accessible by rail or car, says the hotel. The property has four dining experiences for guests, ranging from Japanese cuisine to western dishes.
JW Marriott Nara
JW Marriott Nara, Marriott’s 800th hotel in the Asia Pacific region, opened in July this year. Situated on the edge of a 1,300-year-old garden set on former royal palace grounds, JW Marriott Nara offers 158 guest rooms. Marriott says Osaka International Airport is approximately 75 km away from the new property, making this location “easily accessible” to both domestic and overseas travellers.
Dining options at JW Marriott Nara include Silk Road Dining, which is the hotel’s all-day dining venue featuring an open kitchen and design details incorporating elements from the ancient maritime Silk Road; specialty restaurant Azekura, which offers three styles of Japanese cuisine – teppanyaki, sushi and kaiseki; the Flying Stag, which is the hotel’s lobby lounge and bar.
Best Western Tokyo
The Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akasaka opened in August for both business and leisure travellers. The midscale hotel features 87 guest rooms, including standard, superior and deluxe room options, and each room is equipped with amenities such as a refrigerator and a television. For business travellers, the hotel offers a 24-hour business centre. Other hotel amenities include a laundromat, and complimentary Wifi. Onsite restaurant The Fino Restaurant serves daily breakfast, along with Asian and Western dishes.
The Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel
The Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel opened its doors in the city of Mishima in July. The Tokyu Hotels Group’s new property, which is about 45 minutes from Tokyo by train, offers sweeping views of Mount Fuji. Guests can choose between a traditional Japanese style room with tatami flooring and futon beds or a “western style” room. The top floor of the Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel features traditional Japanese style baths overlooking Mount Fuji.
