Japan with Kids

Located right next to the capital’s revered Imperial Palace, the new Four Seasons Tokyo Otemachi is in the heart of the Otemachi business district, housed in a high-rise building that looks out to the impressive palace grounds. The four room types range from 527 to 656 square feet, accommodating up to three guests and offer views of either the city or the Imperial Gardens. There are six suite types, ranging from 721 to 3,036 square feet in size, accommodating three or four guests. All 190 guest rooms and suites are designed by Jean-Michel Gathy around the concept of urban haven, featuring simple Japanese aesthetics, floor-to-ceiling windows to bring in natural light and frame the stunning vistas, as well as bespoke artworks that pay homage to Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake. Toiletries are by Guerlain or Frederic Malle. Hotel facilities include a spa, a 24-hour fitness center, and an 82-foot indoor heated swimming pool. For dining, guests can enjoy Italian aperitivi at PIGNETO, French cuisine inspired by Japanese ingredients by Michelin-starred Chef Guillaume Bracaval, vintage French spirits and rare cognacs at VIRTÙ, and high tea with wagashi at THE LOUNGE, as well as in-room dining.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Located in Osaka's vibrant Dojima district, Four Seasons Hotel Osaka offers 175 luxurious accommodations with panoramic city views. The hotel features a variety of dining options, including authentic Cantonese cuisine at Jiang Nan Chun and expertly crafted sushi at Sushi L’Abysse Osaka Yannick Alleno. Guests can enjoy amenities such as an infinity pool, traditional Japanese baths, and a 24-hour fitness center, all situated on the 36th floor with expansive city vistas. The hotel is a 35-minute drive from the Osaka International Airport (ITM).

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.