Most Romantic Hotels in Japan

Kyoto has its fill of great hotels, but newcomer Shinmonzen is setting the standard for luxury. Located on a quiet street in Gion, the property is near popular attractions like Ninenzaka Street and Nishiki Market, yet feels worlds away from these tourist-laden destinations. Designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, the building seamlessly blends in with the surrounding historic architecture, while its interiors combine traditional and modern elements. The nine individually designed suites feature large marble bathrooms and light, natural color palettes. They have either Western or Japanese-style bedding, and most come with hinoki cypress tubs. After a busy day exploring this temple-filled city, relax on your balcony with a bottle of wine from Villa La Coste, the Shinmonzen’s sister property in Provence, France, from the complimentary minibar.

A restaurant by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is set to open in early 2023, but for now, Western and Japanese breakfasts are served in the Riverside Lounge. For a truly romantic experience, ask the staff to set up a table on the terrace so you can enjoy your meal with serene views of the Shirakawa River.

Overlooking Ago Bay in Mie Prefecture, Amanemu has a serene ambiance and is the perfect escape for those looking to slow down after exploring happening destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. This modern, luxurious take on a ryokan has just 28 accommodations that come in the form of spacious suites or two-bedroom villas. Each features a minimalist design, furnished decks, and soaking tubs with hot spring water on tap.

Guests are invited to bike around the sprawling grounds, have a drink in the lounge, and, most importantly, enjoy the spa. Recline on a daybed, soak in the mineral-rich waters, book some time at one of the two private onsen pavilions, and then head inside for a treatment of your choice. The property’s signature restaurant offers both à la carte and tasting menus, the latter of which highlights local delicacies, including Matsusaka wagyu beef. For a unique experience, ask the staff to arrange a lunch with an ama, a female free diver who scours the ocean for seaweed, lobster, and mollusks. She’ll grill her catch in an amagoya hut, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about this ancient culture.

Nestled in the woods of Hanazono on Hokkaido, Zaborin is the epitome of tranquility. Accommodations look out to rolling meadows or a birch forest, while the bar and lounge provide a front-row seat to Mount Yotei. All facilities at this exclusive property are reserved strictly for hotel guests, and there are just 15 accommodations. The villas are split between Japanese and Western-style sleeping arrangements, but all of the sumptuous digs have both indoor and outdoor hot spring-fed tubs that provide a private onsen experience.

Travelers looking to explore should visit the neighboring town of Kutchan, and anyone here in winter should hit the slopes of Hanazono ski resort. After a busy day, make your way to the internal garden and treat yourself to a footbath or relax with a book, DVD, or board game in the library. In the evening, prepare for an extraordinary dinner at the on-site kaiseki restaurant, helmed by Yoshihiro Seno. The talented chef spotlights Hokkaido’s exemplary ingredients in his seasonal multicourse menus.

The historic Nakasendo route connected Kyoto with what’s now known as Tokyo during the Edo period. Accommodations along the trail largely consist of no-frills inns for hikers, but with the arrival of Zenagi in 2019, there’s finally a high-end option. The exclusive-use hotel can accommodate a maximum of 12 guests split between three large rooms, each with a spacious bathroom with its own hinoki cypress tub.

What truly sets the property apart, though, is its crew of expert guides, which includes a former Olympian. Outdoor enthusiasts have a range of activities to choose from, including “shower climbing” waterfalls in the Kiso River, paragliding along the Japanese Alps, and hiking well-preserved post towns like Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku. But if wellness or crafts is more your speed, the hotel can also arrange experiences like sessions with lacquerware artisans or mindfulness retreats with a Zen master. One activity is included with your stay, with the option to add more, and so are two meals prepared by your private chef that showcase the best in local gastronomy.

Just over an hour from the city of Kanazawa, Beniya Mukayu is the perfect retreat for anyone looking to relax in a serene environment. Shrouded by forest, each of the 16 accommodations looks out on manicured gardens, creating a zen atmosphere. The posh digs are a delightful combination of time-honored craftsmanship and contemporary furnishings, and each one comes with its own open-air bath. In addition to your private onsen, you can spend time in the spa’s communal facilities or visit the nearby hot spring resort town of Yamashiro.

This ryokan celebrates a slower, more idle way of life. Embrace the pace in its library, where you can curl up with a book or admire the flowers and trees through its expansive windows. Breakfast and dinner are included with your stay; the latter is a multicourse kaiseki experience featuring dishes made with the finest local ingredients.

Less than a two-hour train ride from Tokyo Station is the hot spring resort town of Hakone, beloved for its mineral-rich waters, mountainous landscape, and soothing atmosphere. There are plenty of ryokans in the area to choose from, but Gôra Kadan has built a name for itself with its exemplary service and welcoming, multilingual staff.

The 39 accommodations at this Relais & Châteaux property differ in size and style, and the most prized rooms (especially for romantic vacations) feature open-air baths with views of landscaped gardens. If you don’t have your own onsen, you can use the spa’s communal bathing facilities and even book its private oasis for no additional charge. Like at any traditional ryokan, breakfast is brought to your room at a prearranged time, while dinner is served at the on-site kaiseki restaurant, which is housed in an Elizabethan-style building that served as the Kanin-no-miya imperial family’s summer villa in the 1900s.

Guests at Hoshinoya Tokyo store their shoes in a chestnut and bamboo cubby before entering this peaceful retreat. Tatami mats are everywhere, even in the elevators, and there’s low-lying furniture with striking frames and windows adorned with metal lattices in komon patterns. The overall effect is a traditional ambiance with a contemporary flair. There are only six rooms on each floor, meaning you’ll rarely bump into fellow guests. Mimicking an intimate ryokan experience, each level also has its own ochanoma lounge that’s stocked with complimentary snacks and beverages. Inside your quiet quarters, you’ll find more tatami matting and shoji sliding screens, along with tubs that are ideal for a relaxing soak after a busy day exploring the city.

The property has communal indoor and outdoor onsen facilities on the top floor, while further pampering can be scheduled at the spa. And though there are certainly plenty of restaurants to dine at in Tokyo, the hotel’s on-site, seafood-focused establishment, helmed by venerated chef Noriyuki Hamada, combines Japanese cuisine with French techniques and is well worth a visit.

For couples who appreciate art, love food, and are in search of a scenic escape, The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Kashikojima may be just what they’re looking for. Set on a bluff overlooking Ago Bay in Mie Prefecture, the walls of this intimate hotel are lined with works by world-renowned artist Yayoi Kusama. While all eight of the accommodations feature a bathtub, try to get a room in the annex for your romantic getaway. Not only are they more spacious than those in the main building, they’re also outfitted with a hot spring-fed stone basin and a furnished balcony looking out over the bay.

For some additional relaxation, head over to the spa, where you’ll find a saltwater pool and a private open-air onsen that can be booked for one-on-one time. The hotel’s French-focused restaurant has also seemingly been designed for special occasions, providing guests with the option of skipping the main dining space in favor of one of six private rooms. Both breakfast and dinner are included in your stay, but the latter is particularly remarkable. You’ll dine on regional delicacies like rock oysters, spiny lobster, and puffer fish.