Classic Japan

Since its opening at the end of 2014, Aman Tokyo has been one of the most talked-about luxury hotels in the city. The most striking thing about it is its location; spread across the top six floors of a 40-storey tower in the Otemachi business district, the panoramic views are simply incredible. What’s more, all of the 84 rooms and suites take full advantage of the lofty position with floor-to-ceiling windows letting light in during the daytime, while also framing the breathtaking lit-up cityscape at night. Aman Tokyo has also received praise for its impressive interiors, which have been inspired by minimalistic design, including the use of camphor wood, washi paper and stone surfaces throughout the rooms as well as traditional Japanese facilities such as large ‘furo’ baths. Situated on the 33rd floor, both guests and non-guests can enjoy the fine Mediterranean food at the hotel’s signature restaurant, not forgetting more of those incredible views across Tokyo stretching as far as the Imperial Palace Gardens and Mount Fuji in the distance. Elsewhere, there is a spa, enclosed garden area, swimming pool, wine cellar, cigar lounge and a whole host of other facilities to keep guests entertained.

Located 38 floors above street level, the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo is a world away from the hustle and bustle below. The rooms and suites here are some of the largest in Japan and each offers soaring views across the city through floor-to-ceiling windows, amplifying a sense of serenity and detachment. The bathrooms are divided from the rooms by a pane of glass covered by a wooden blind; with the flick of a switch, privacy is achieved or the room is washed in daylight. All accommodations have an in-room entertainment system with iPod docking station, high definition LCD televisions in the bedroom and bathroom, wired and wireless high speed Internet access (for a fee) and your choice of preferred pillow type from the property’s extensive pillow menu. The restaurants in the hotel are some of the most highly regarded in the world; Signature (contemporary French), Sense (Chinese) and the Tapas Molecular Bar have each been awarded Michelin stars. Other restaurant options include Ventaglio (Italian), Oriental Lounge (continental bakery), Gourmet Shop, K’shiki (breakfast is served here and Japanese and continental food is served throughout the day) and the Mandarin Bar. The excellent spa has four treatment rooms and five private spa suites, and encompasses a 1,500-square-foot fitness center with the latest cardiovascular and weight training equipment.

Mere steps from the Imperial Palace sits Tokyo’s newest luxury hotel, The Peninsula Tokyo. Located in Marunouchi district just a short walk from the shopping paradise of Ginza, the hotel is perfectly located for business or pleasure. With a total of 314 elegantly decorated rooms and 47 suites, the Peninsula Tokyo’s accommodations are among the most spacious in all of Tokyo, and offer plenty of amenities including espresso machines, complimentary Internet access, multifunction fax machines, nail polish drying machines, and shoe shining service. The hotel’s culinary options include Cantonese cuisine at the Hei Fung Terrace, regional Japanese fare at Kyoto Tsuruya, and International food and beverages at Cirque Culinaire and Peter. For relaxation, enjoy the hotel’s state of the art health club with pool complex, undergo a “spa journey” at the Peninsula Spa by ESPA, or try a leisurely jog around the Imperial Palace. Other amenities include a business center and a boutique store that offers food, gifts and souvenir items.

Pioneering a new direction in luxury hospitality, Aman’s sister brand Janu opened its first hotel in the much anticipated Azabudai Hills development in the heart of Tokyo. This urban oasis offers 122 guest rooms and suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of Tokyo Tower or the area’s surrounding greenery. A ‘Modern Urban Village’, Janu Tokyo delivers a vibrant dining scene consisting of 8 distinctive dining venues, including two Japanese outlets, a Chinese restaurant, a patisserie, a grill restaurant and a vibrant Italian food emporium, a bar, and lounge and garden terrace. Facilities include one of Tokyo’s largest wellness facilities (4,000 sqm), which offers group classes such as spinning, boxing, yoga, and Pilates, as well as simulated golf training, circuit training, and a well equipped gym. Additionally, wellness therapies are offered in seven dedicated treatment rooms, and a sprawling hydrotherapy and thermal area, centered around a 25-meter heated swimming pool. Taking cues from traditional Japanese culture, the hotel also has a separate pool lounge as a place for socializing, besides two spa houses. This hotel is a 1-hour drive from the Narita International Airport (NRT).

Quaint Yamashiro Onsen in Kaga, about an hour from Kanazawa, is a place famed for hot springs dating back 1,300 years, and nowhere is this history better experienced than at Beniya Mukayu, a haven of peace with a Zen-like atmosphere. This ryokan, traditional Japanese inn, has 16 rooms facing the unique forest garden, all featuring minimalistic contemporary interior design and private outdoor hot spring baths. A stay at Beniya Mukayu is a holistic experience; starting with a tea ceremony by the ryokan’s owner Mr. Nakamichi your stay can be a cultivated lesson in Japan’s many methods of relaxation. Other highlights include: signature Yakushiyama treatments and amenities based on hot spring water and medicinal herbs at the Entei spa; Japanese kaiseki meals served at the Horin restaurant, all made with the finest ingredients from a wide range of locally sourced products. From Kanazawa, Beniya Mukayu is a one-hour drive or a 30-minute express train ride followed by a 15-minute car ride.

Located outside of Kanazawa, Kayotei is a traditional Japanese ryokan set within the forested hills of Yamanaka Onsen in Kaga. The Kayotei boasts 10 Sukiya suites arranged in the traditional style of a tea ceremony pavilion mixing antique tansu chests of drawers, low-polished oak tables, hand-painted screens, traditional ceramic pieces and modern sculptural designs. The ryokan includes two indoor communal baths sourced from natural hot springs. The baths are glassed in on three sides, providing guests with onsen views of natural forest scenery. Kayotei’s chefs prepare Japanese Kaiseki cuisine served in tatami rooms.

The highly anticipated Aman Kyoto brings an even higher level of luxury to the historic and cultural ancient capital. A blend of authentic, traditional ryokan hospitality and contemporary spaces, the Aman Kyoto offers travelers a respite in the heart of one of Japan's most visited cities. The secluded 80-acre property is situated in a hidden garden close to the Golden Pavilion at the foot of the Mountain of Hidari Daimonji, within easy reach of Kyoto's impressive collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Scattered among the grounds is a series of standalone pavilions. The four guest pavilions house 24 guest rooms (choose between garden or stream views) and a pair of two-bedroom villas overlooking the forest canopy. Each room captures a contemporary, minimalistic style with nod to the quintessential ryokan feel; walls of windows bringing the outside in to spacious, light-filled interiors. Facilities include separate Arrival, Living and Spa pavilions. The signature restaurant, Taka-An, showcases Japanese haute cuisine in the form of the kaiseki banquet - a multi-course dining experience made using the season’s finest local produce. The Living Pavilion offers an inviting spaces with a central fireplace for guests to enjoy home-cooked Kyoto obanzai-style cuisine and afternoon tea. The Spa Pavilion’s onsen bathing facilities use water from a local spring and the range of treatments highlight local, natural ingredients such as green tea, black beans, sake and cold-pressed camellia oil.

Inspired by the tranquility and contemplative calm of the region’s many temples and Zen gardens, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto features 110 standard rooms, 12 suites, 57 condos and a Presidential Suite, which at over 2,600 square feet, is the largest hotel suite in Kyoto. The restrained chic of designer Agnes Ng’s modern ideas, allied with traditional design elements such as bamboo groves and shoji paper-walls, create an extraordinary set of contemporary, yet classic, accommodations – with a peaceful vibe, enhanced and completed by the gentle crash of water from the Waterfall Garden. The hotel features two restaurants, bar, lounge and even a tea house where guests can find a range of tantalizing treats and refreshments to expedite their relaxation – set off to perfection by a team of expertly trained, confident and multilingual service staff.

Opened in December 2009, HOSHINOYA Kyoto is a brand-new private retreat located on the banks of the Oigawa River in the city’s Arashiyama neighborhood. The property’s 25 rooms, all with river views, reflect the heritage and modernity of Kyoto itself, combining traditional ryokan dwelling with contemporary western comfort. The Arashiyama area is a designated scenery protection area, regarded equally for its cherry blossoms in the spring and brilliant foliage in the autumn. With its famous Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama evokes “old Kyoto” at its best, as no new buildings are permitted. The property itself was the private vacation home and library of Suminokura Ryoui, a wealthy Kyoto merchant, until its conversion to an inn about 100 years ago. HOSHINOYA’s Library Lounge and bar, whose shelves hold many books on Kyoto’s history, looks out on the contemplative water garden, while its traditional landscape garden incorporates a view of Arashiyama Mountain using the ancient technique of shakkei, or "borrowed scenery." HOSHINOYA Kyoto has a sister property in Karuizawa.

Just steps away from the popular streets of Gion, Kawaramachi and Pontocho, the Ritz-Carlton hotel is the perfect gateway for seeing Kyoto’s famous sights. Respecting the ancient traditions and culture of Kyoto, the extravagant space is inspired by the natural surroundings and traditional architecture. Famous for Zen Temples, palaces and gardens, Kyoto's atmosphere is incorporated in the Ritz-Carlton’s design. Built in the style of a traditional Meiji House and courtyard, a stay here is truly a cultural experience. A four-story waterfall is featured in the hotel entrance amidst patterned motifs. Luxury Ritz-Carlton touches include high-thread count linens, plush Japanese “IMABARI” robes and towels, Kyoto soap and seasonal bath salts, LED TVs and touch-panel environmental controls for automatic drape closure. Accommodation amenities include a concierge service, swimming pool, banquet room, babysitting service, sophisticated dining and drinking options, as well as an indulgent spa for any pampering needs. 

Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is tucked away next to Nijo-jo Castle, at the Kyoto home of the Kitake, a branch of the Mitsui Family. This land has been in the care of the family for more than 250 years. A contemporary twist on the quintessential Japanese tearoom aesthetic, the Mitsui Kyoto is composed of 161 guest rooms and suites, all decorated in earthy tones and furnishings sourced from natural materials. Some room types feature private onsen. There is a thermal spring spa on-site, which offers onsen healing baths (both private and shared), as well as a gym and massage treatments. In terms of dining, guests can enjoy four diverse dining venues: Gastronomy Teppan for a surprising fusion of French cuisine and Japanese teppanyaki, Forni for Italian, The Garden Bar, and SHIKI-NO-MA for private dining and tea ceremony. Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is approximately 15 minutes by car from Kyoto Train Station.

Comprised of five elements - sculpture park and museum, hotel, boutique, restaurants and a spa - Benesse House is one of the most unique properties in Japan. Every room has its own individual design and artwork, with 65 guest rooms and suites across four buildings: Museum, Oval, Park and Beach, all designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando. In addition to housing the property's modern art museum, Museum has a lecture room that guest speakers are often invited to. Oval is set on a hill and connected to Museum by monorail; Park is where the bulk of Benesse House's facilities, such as its French restaurant, Terrace, its spa and shop are housed; and Beach is one of Ando's few buildings constructed chiefly of wood and is generally reserved for long-term guests. Inside Museum, there are two restaurants, Issen for Japanese and a separate cafe where guests and patrons can relax between viewings. The spa has a wide array of treatment options and is open from 11:00-22:00 with last appointments taken at 20:00.

Conrad Osaka is a 5-star hotel that boasts stunning views and a central location. Situated in Osaka's Kita district, guests are a 15 minutes' walk from Nakanoshima Park, and a castle, museum, and church are all accessible by foot. There is an abundance of artwork in the lobby and scattered throughout the hotel. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, inviting beds, and indulgent bathrooms, and upgraded accommodations feature access to the Executive Lounge that offers complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. There are a number of gourmet restaurants on the 40th floor, such as a sushi and teppanyaki restaurant and a noteworthy crustacean bar. In particular, Atmos Dining boasts an extensive breakfast buffet in the morning and a mixture of Western and Asian dishes throughout the day. The spa is a highlight, and there is also an indoor heated pool, 24-hour gym, and a fitness center.

In the heart of Osaka's Midosuji area lies the St. Regis Osaka, an elegant five-star hotel composed of 160 guest rooms and suites over 12 categories. All accommodations have city views and are beautifully decorated in Kyoto silks, with 300-thread-count sheets, carefully-selected art and ceramics, as well as classic Japanese motifs, such as gingko and cherry blossom. Guest rooms are appointed with state-of-the-art amenities, as well as Japanese-style bathtubs and SOTHYS or Remède bath products. Hotel facilities include a 24-hour fitness center and the IRIDIUM featuring SOTHYS spa. For dining, guests can choose from Rue d’Or for classically-inspired French bistro cuisine, La Veduta for innovative Northern Italian dishes, WAJO for prime cuts of beef served teppanyaki-style, the Boulangerie Rue d'Or for baguettes and pastries, or the The St. Regis Bar for a menu of sophisticated cocktails, afternoon teas, and small plates. The St. Regis Osaka is located a 20-minute drive from Osaka International Airport and a 10-minute drive from Osaka Train Station.