The Best Honeymoon Hotels in Japan With Spas

Lake Chuzenji in Tochigi Prefecture has historically been a retreat for European expats, and several diplomatic residences still line its shores. The Ritz-Carlton Nikko has created a romantic hideaway after that idea, in a region known for its exquisite nature, strong artisan culture, and sincere Shinto tradition. The lake scenery is a major draw, and views during the fall foliage and winter seasons are especially fetching.

The staff goes above and beyond to give guests a special experience, whether that’s remembering a food preference or helping to source the perfect souvenir. Book a private couples session in the spa’s open-air hot spring baths to soften your skin before a treatment; try the Sake Revive & Renew, which uses local organic sake products to tone and nourish your skin. In the morning, order the room-service breakfast bento box, a feast for all the senses, best enjoyed in a lush robe while staring out the panoramic windows.

Halekulani Okinawa is only the second Halekulani property, after the historic 100-plus-year-old hotel in Waikiki. Always in demand with well-heeled Japanese guests, the Okinawa outpost is a favorite for proposals, weddings, and honeymoons. Every one of the 310 standard rooms faces the ocean and has a private terrace where guests can breakfast or lounge in the sea air. Lounging is definitely encouraged, with the hotel providing not only robes but pajamas, beach hoodies, and flip-flops for all guests to use on-site.

Spa treatments come with a session in the (gender-segregated) natural hot spring baths, and couples can book a double treatment room with a private hot tub. We recommend the treatments featuring Okinawan remedies and herbs. The adventurous can strike out to try some of the many island activities, like snorkeling, diving, and stream climbing. When you’re back at the hotel, don’t miss the Okinawan cuisine at Shiroux, which is helmed by a Michelin-starred chef.

Hoshinoya Tokyo provides a traditional oasis of calm in the midst of a frenetic city. The property combines elements of hotels and ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) to good effect. At the entrance, you’ll remove your shoes, which are then discreetly whisked away and kept safe until you’re ready to go out. Tatami mats line the floors and even the elevator, giving the establishment a hushed grace. Each floor has just six rooms and is accessible only to guests staying on that floor, which lends a feeling of exclusivity.

The natural hot spring baths are literally the crown of the hotel, perching on the top floor and split into indoor and outdoor sections, the latter in a walled chamber that opens only to the sky. The signature massage treatment incorporates steamed Japanese herbs—perfect for stripping away any residual city grime.

Thanks to its long season and steady supply of good powder, Niseko is a well-known ski resort, both domestically and with overseas tourists. The area definitely has an international vibe, and the Hilton Niseko Village is one of the most popular stays in the region. The hotel has a ski valet service, and staying here puts you right next to a gondola that whisks you up Mount Niseko Annupuri in 10 minutes. It also makes it easy to take advantage of the four-resort, 29-lift, 60-run Niseko United lift pass.

The Hilton Niseko Village is renowned for its indoor-outdoor onsen, which has views of the neighboring Mount Yotei and sodium-rich waters that are good for soothing tired muscles. At the Wakka (meaning “water” in the indigenous Ainu language) Spa, a custom-designed couples treatment room features a hinoki cedar bath.

Under the watchful gaze of Japan’s most famous symbol, La Vista Fuji Kawaguchiko leans into the Euro retreat vibe of the Lake Kawaguchi area, with rustic decor and French-inspired dinner courses. Area attractions include a scenic ropeway, niche museums, and leisure activities like cycling and canoeing.

Rooms, terraces, and baths are all designed to soak up the majestic views, which are especially brilliant in winter. Spa treatments include Dead Sea mudpacks and scrubs and lotus flower essence facials. The onsen’s private rooms, big enough for two, are open around the clock.

The refined vibe of Kyoto, Japan’s erstwhile capital, is echoed on the grounds of HOTEL THE MITSUI, a protected enclave in the middle of the city, right next to Nijo Castle. The 161 rooms are outfitted with natural materials like wooden slab tables and stone bathtubs, and the interior-facing garden rooms are especially lovely, with the garden’s green providing a touch of color to the refined, muted palette.

The hot spring-fed underground thermal spa is a hushed and sacred zone, and treatments include the use of massage oils, shiatsu and yuragi (gentle shaking stimulation) techniques, and yin-yang balancing principles. For extra indulgence, the private onsen and Onsen Suite provide exclusive spaces to unwind after taking in Kyoto’s many sights.

The town of Kinosaki Onsen is a famous hot spring resort, and Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei has all the best hallmarks of a ryokan: yukatas (traditional bathrobes) for strolling from spring to spring, gorgeous multicourse kaiseki meals (often featuring local crab), and spotless Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats, low tables, tea sets, and fluffy futons. However, for those who prefer more support, Western-style rooms with upright beds and chairs are also available.

In addition to four public on-site baths, three private onsen baths can be booked—the Gingetsu bath is particularly beautiful in its minimalism, with clean lines and adjacent forest serving as the main decoration. Some rooms have private en suite onsen, and all hotel guests receive a pass to visit seven other bathing facilities in town. For more relaxation, the hotel’s spa provides services that include hot stone therapy and aromatherapy massages.