Japan luxury travel: where to stay

Questions people ask about staying in Japan

What is a ryokan with a private onsen?

A traditional Japanese inn where the room has its own hot-spring bath, either indoors or on a private terrace, so you bathe without using the communal baths. These rooms are limited and often need booking several months ahead, especially in Hakone and Kyoto at peak times.

Where in Japan can I find a private onsen?

Hakone is the best-known hot-spring area near Tokyo, with many private-bath rooms. Kyoto has a smaller number in the northern hills at Kurama and Ohara, Kanazawa has Yamanaka and Yamashiro nearby, and some Niseko and Hakuba stays pair onsen baths with skiing.

When is the best time to visit Japan?

Late March to mid-April for cherry blossom and November for autumn colour are the two peaks, and both sell out first. January and February are the ski months in Niseko and Hakuba. June is the rainy season and the quietest, and August is hot and humid in the cities but good in the mountains.

Do I need to speak Japanese to stay in a ryokan?

Usually not. Many higher-end ryokan and rentals communicate in English, and partner booking sites are available in English; check each property's details. A translation app covers restaurants and taxis outside the main cities.

How much does a luxury stay in Japan cost per night?

It varies widely between a Kyoto machiya, a Niseko chalet and a ryokan suite with a private onsen, so each property on this page shows its own nightly rate, and the partner panel returns live hotel and ryokan prices for your dates rather than an average.