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Japan — The MyConciergeHotel guide to 5★ hotels and ryokans

Japan luxury travel guide: Tokyo (5 international Palaces), Kyoto (Aman ryokans, Four Seasons), Hakone, Kanazawa, Mount Fuji. MyConciergeHotel selection. Updated May 2026.

Our concierge curates two complementary types of accommodation in Japan: international urban hotels (Aman, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Park Hyatt in Tokyo and Kyoto) and traditional ryokans — family inns with private onsen, kaiseki, futons on tatamis. Ideal for a mixed city + tradition trip.

Which Palaces and ryokans are best for a luxury stay in Japan?

MyConciergeHotel covers 5 regions: Tokyo (Aman Tokyo, Park Hyatt Tokyo, Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons Marunouchi, The Peninsula), Kyoto (Aman Kyoto, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, Ritz-Carlton, Park Hyatt Kyoto), Hakone (Gora Kadan ryokan, Hakone Yutowa), Kanazawa (Ryokan Asadaya Yamasenro), Mount Fuji (Hoshinoya Fuji). IATA booking. Last updated May 2026.

Five regions, two accommodation types

#1

Tokyo

Adresses phares

Aman Tokyo (Otemachi, the world's tallest Aman at 175m, 84 rooms and suites), Park Hyatt Tokyo (Shinjuku, legendary 'Lost in Translation'), Mandarin Oriental Tokyo (Nihonbashi, Tatsuzo restaurant 3★), Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi (Imperial Palace view), The Peninsula Tokyo (Marunouchi).

Pour quel séjour

First Japan trip, cultural stay (Imperial Palace, Asakusa, Shibuya), 3★ gastronomy (Sushi Saito, Den, Florilege), Ginza shopping, accessibility (proximity to TGV Shinkansen station).

Le Conseil du Concierge

My tip: at Aman Tokyo, request an east-facing room (4th or 5th floor of the summit, levels 38-39) — Tokyo Bay + Skytree view, particularly spectacular at dawn. For Park Hyatt, book the 5-7pm slot at New York Bar (52nd floor) — Shinjuku sunset + skyline is one of Tokyo's most iconic views.
#2

Urban Kyoto

Adresses phares

Aman Kyoto (Higashiyama, century-old gardens of the former Ohira house, 26 rooms), Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto (Higashiyama, 12th-century Ikeniwa garden), Ritz-Carlton Kyoto (Kamogawa, city's largest spa), Park Hyatt Kyoto (Higashiyama near Sanneizaka), Hoshinoya Kyoto (on the Oi river in Arashiyama, boat access only).

Pour quel séjour

Pure cultural stay (Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, Fushimi Inari, Geisha Gion), starred kaiseki gastronomy (Hyotei 3★, Kichisen 3★), private tea ceremony.

Le Conseil du Concierge

My tip: at Aman Kyoto, request villa 'Yamada' 5 (the most isolated, direct access to the central garden via interior gallery, hinoki wood bathtub). For Four Seasons Kyoto, book the 7-9am slot at the Ikeniwa garden — it's opened exclusively to you (5 people max), matcha tea served by ceremony master.
#3

Hakone (onsen ryokan)

Adresses phares

Gora Kadan (5★ Relais & Châteaux ryokan, former imperial villa, 37 rooms with private onsen), Hakone Yutowa, Yamanouchi Yamatoya. All offer in-room private onsen + signature kappo kaiseki.

Pour quel séjour

Discovery of traditional ryokans, Mount Fuji view on clear days, 2-3-night getaway after Tokyo (45 min Shinkansen from Tokyo + 15 min Hakone funicular).

Le Conseil du Concierge

My tip: at Gora Kadan, request 'Asuka' room 12 (the only one with fully enclosed outdoor private onsen, personal moss garden). For kaiseki service, mention any dietary restriction at booking — Chef Yamada-san adapts the 7-9 courses accordingly (impossible once on site: preparation begins 48h ahead).
#4

Kanazawa & Hokuriku

Adresses phares

Ryokan Asadaya Yamasenro (Kanazawa, historic 1867 ryokan, only 8 rooms, listed garden), Ryokan Yamanoo (Wakura Onsen near Kanazawa, in Relais & Châteaux). For modern hotels: Hyatt Centric Kanazawa.

Pour quel séjour

Cultural stay off the tourist trail (Kanazawa offers Kenrokuen — one of Japan's 3 most beautiful gardens —, castle, Higashichaya geisha districts), winter fish gastronomy (taraba crab), easy access from Tokyo (Shinkansen Hokuriku 2h30).

Le Conseil du Concierge

My tip: at Asadaya Yamasenro, request 'Karekawa' room 3 — the oldest in the ryokan (original 1867), authentic shoji, river view. For Kenrokuen, ideal access 7am (open at 7am for residents, 8am for paying visitors — the hotel arranges a French-speaking local guide if requested at booking).
#5

Mount Fuji & Fuji-Hakone Lakes

Adresses phares

Hoshinoya Fuji (Hoshinoya's first luxury glamping, 40 cabin villas facing Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko), Fufu Kawaguchiko (onsen ryokan Fuji view), Lake Kawaguchiko Hotel.

Pour quel séjour

Mount Fuji view guaranteed in winter (October-March), light hiking (Kawaguchiko lake + Sengen Shrine trail), photography (Fuji sunrise from the lookout), couples seeking nature + refinement.

Le Conseil du Concierge

My tip: at Hoshinoya Fuji, choose the 'Premium' cabin at the west end of the resort (#10) — best Mount Fuji angle + direct access to the central campfire for sunset. The morning tea ceremony (6:45am) on the Fuji-facing terrace is a ritual not to miss — 8 people max, book at stay confirmation.

Practical info for a luxury stay in Japan

When to go

Spring (March-May) for sakura (cherry blossoms, narrow window — Tokyo late March-early April, Kyoto 5 days later). Autumn (October-November) for momiji (red maples). Avoid June-July (rainy season, tsuyu) and August (humid heat). Winter: excellent for Hokkaido skiing and guaranteed Mount Fuji view.

How to get there

Direct flights Paris CDG to Tokyo NRT/HND (12-13h, Air France, ANA, JAL). Tokyo HND is closer to the centre (30 min taxi vs 60 min from Narita). For Kyoto, Nozomi Shinkansen from Tokyo (2h15). For isolated ryokans, private car transfers organised by our concierge.

Currency and payment

Japanese yen (JPY), €1 ≈ 165 JPY in spring 2026. Credit cards accepted in 5★ hotels and gastronomic restaurants but many small shops and traditional restaurants accept cash only. Convert €1,000-2,000 on arrival. No tipping in Japan (sometimes seen as rude).

Visa and formalities

No visa for EU/Switzerland/Canada nationals for stays ≤ 90 days. Valid passport. Visit Japan Web system for customs formalities (recommended, free). International driving licence mandatory if car rental (left-hand driving — not ideal for visitors).

Language and culture

Limited English — spoken in 5★ hotels but little in traditional restaurants and taxis. Learn 10 Japanese phrases minimum (sumimasen = excuse me, arigato gozaimasu = thank you). Etiquette: bow to greet, take off shoes at ryokan entrance (slippers provided), no phoning in transport.

Our concierge

Japanese and English speakers available for complex requests (private tea ceremony with certified master, private dinner with geisha in Gion, Sushi Saito booking 3 months ahead, car rental with driver Kyoto-Nara). Write to japon@myconciergehotel.com.

Japan — frequently asked questions

How many Japanese addresses are in your catalogue?

About fifteen addresses between Tokyo (5 international Palaces), Kyoto (5 Palaces + 2 ryokans), Hakone (2 ryokans), Kanazawa (2 ryokans) and Mount Fuji (2 lodges). Amadeus network also covers any 5★ GDS-connected Japanese address.

How many days minimum for a Japan stay?

10 days on site minimum (12-14 ideal). Given the long flight (12-13h) and jet lag (8h summer difference), a < 10-day stay is suboptimal. Classic itinerary: Tokyo (5 nights) + Kyoto (4 nights) + 1-2 nights Hakone ryokan.

Tokyo + Kyoto: how many days in each?

Tokyo: 4-5 nights for essentials (Asakusa, Shibuya, Ginza, Tsukiji, Imperial Palace) + 1 day Hakone. Kyoto: 3-4 nights for main temples (Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama) + 1 day Nara. Book Shinkansen transfers via our concierge.

International hotel or traditional ryokan?

Both. Our concierge recommends the combination: international hotel for Tokyo (comfort, international services), 1-2 nights Kyoto or Hakone ryokan for traditional experience (private onsen, kaiseki, tatami futon). Coherence with a 10-12-day trip.

Are your Japanese rates more expensive than booking direct?

No — net Amadeus GDS rates in EUR or JPY, identical to the hotel's public published rate. Traditional ryokans may not be on Amadeus — we book them by direct email (concierge mode) with confirmation within 48h.

Is Japan accessible to children?

Very accessible — safe, clean country, very good youth infrastructure. International hotels (Mandarin, Four Seasons, Park Hyatt) have kids clubs. Traditional ryokans accept children > 6 years in general (etiquette to respect). No Tokyo Disneyland: plan 1-2 days if young children.

Can Japan be combined with the Maldives or Bali?

Yes — Singapore Airlines / JAL flights via Singapore allow chaining. Our concierge organises the logistical sequence. The Tokyo + Maldives combination in winter (December-February) is particularly enjoyable: ski + beach relaxation.