Where to Stay in Japan: The BEST Places in 2024

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Quick Answers: Where is the Best Place to Stay in Japan?

• Kyoto– Overall Best Place to Stay in Japan
• Nara – Best Place to Stay in Japan For Families 
• Hakone – Most Romantic Place to Stay in Japan 
• Tokyo – Coolest Place to Stay in Japan
• Kamakura – Where to Stay in Japan on a Budget
• Miyajima – One of the Most Unique Places to Stay in Japan
• Hokkaido – Where to Stay in Japan for Adventure 
• Fuji Five Lakes – Where to Stay in Japan to See Mount Fuji and Nature

Map of Where to Stay in Japan

Kyoto is the historical and cultural center of Japan. It is where you will find most of the most famous sites in all of Japan. A trip to Japan isn’t complete without wandering around the famous sites of Kyoto and checking these fabulous sites off your bucket list. And you’ll find everything from Kyoto hostels to fancy hotels throughout the city.

Kyoto is the best city in Japan to visit. It’s best to rent a bicycle so you can easily get to all the sites but public transportation is also amazing. Make sure you spend quality time at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and at the lovely gardens at the Okochi Sanso. Those are located in the West part of the city in the Arashiyama district.

Then head off to Northern Higashiyama to the Nansen-ji temple with an incredible zen rock garden with great views! Southern Higashiyama offers one of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks— Kiyomizu-dera. Make sure you go early in the day though as it can get super busy.

Alright, I could go on and on about the pilgrimage site of Chion-in or the golden pavilion at Kinkaku-ji, or the Gion Geisha district, or the Nishiki Market, but it’s time for us to go over the lodging in Japan, Kyoto options.

Best Places to Stay in Kyoto

Choosing where to stay in Kyoto can feel overwhelming. The city is is packed with incredible neighborhoods and districts. You can’t go wrong with your choice of staying in Northern Kyoto or Southern, or anywhere in between. When visiting Kyoto, you won’t be short of quality places to stay.

Super Hotel Kyoto Shijokawaramachi | Best Hotel in Kyoto

Super Hotel Kyoto Shijokawaramachi is located in the Nakagyo Ward district, and is a great location if you’re on a food or shopping trip! It’s close to a bus stop, a train station and the free buffet breakfast is absolutely delicious. While rooms are small, the location is fantastic and the rooms are pristine clean. Being just a five-minute walk from the Nishiki Market is perfect for late night snacks too. Yum!

Backpackers Hostel K’s House Kyoto | Best Hostel in Kyoto

I’ve already said that the best city to stay in Japan is Kyoto, and this is a contender for best hostel in Japan. Backpackers Hostel K’s House Kyoto is located in central Kyoto a short walk from the train station, shopping and clubbing districts too. Moreover, there is a cosy lounge and a rooftop terrace perfect for catching a sunset! It gets booked out fast so I’d recommend getting your spot secured so you don’t miss out.

Kyoto Takao Home Spa | Best Airbnb in Kyoto

This Airbnb in Japan is one perhaps even of the best places to stay in Japan. It’s run like a bed and breakfast, located in a scenic spot full of maple trees and surrounded by nature, situated in the northwest of Kyoto city. You’ll feel properly immersed in Japanese culture here.

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Nara is the best city to stay in Japan when you’re traveling with your family. Nara is known for its deer park, where domesticated deer nuzzle you and eat treats from your hands.

Plus walking around the Koufax-ji temple complex with tons of pagodas makes for a great afternoon activity. Basically, Nara is packed with wonderful temples and beautiful gardens. Since it is a smaller city, it is much less overwhelming than the big cities in Japan like Tokyo and Kyoto. You and your family will find Nara much easier to navigate. That’s one of the big reasons why Nara is the best city in Japan to stay in when traveling with young ones in tow!

Best Places to Stay in Nara

Nara is a beautiful city to stay in with your family. I love the great accommodation options that make staying with a family easy as pie! Let’s get to covering the best Airbnbs, guesthouses, and hotels in Nara.

Setre Naramachi | Best Hotel in Nara

Setre Naramachi offers more spacious rooms than a lot of other hotels in Japan. You and your family won’t be squashed like sardines in these superior rooms. Plus, each room comes with a fridge, wardrobe, and TV. Also, you’ll be close to Nara Park and to all the important tourist attractions. This brand new building has a gorgeous architectural design and a relaxing rooftop terrace to enjoy!

The Deer Park Inn | Best Guesthouse in Nara

The Deer Park Inn is a wonderful guesthouse inside the Nara World Heritage Area. It has a relaxing, mountain lodge atmosphere as many of the private rooms enjoy sweeping views of the park and the forest. You and your family will love being surrounded by nature and history, and being close to the sweet, roaming deer!

Buddhist Temple in Yoshino | Best Airbnb in Nara

Talk about a once in a lifetime experience for you and your family— don’t just stay at any old Airbnb in Japan when you could stay at a Buddhist Temple! This one bedroom and one bathroom guesthouse actually has four beds in it so you can comfortably stay with your family. Staying at the Seikokuji Temple in the East part of the Yoshino district in Nara is a truly incredible experience! You’ll be surrounded by mountains and fresh air, and you’ll get to take part in special temple experiences like sutra copying and meditation if you wish!

Hakone is best described as a spa getaway town that sits on an absolutely stunning lake. You will enjoy plentiful romantic vibes and even views of Mount Fuji on clear days.

Stay in Hakone to see the renowned Torii Gate. The red Torii Gate is part of the Hakone Shinto shrine and it overlooks Lake Ashi. You can also take a tour of Lake Ashi by boat which makes for quite the romantic ride, if I do say so myself!

As a mountainous town, known for its incredible hot springs resorts, called onsen, and natural ambiance, you and your significant other are sure to make magical memories in Hakone!

Best Places to Stay in Hakone

As a spa and resort town there are some dazzling spots to stay at. If you are staying in Japan for some time then try staying at a hot spring resort! Check it off in style with my three options below.

Ryuguden | Best Hotel in Hakone

 Soak in the natural hot springs and enjoy a peaceful escape overlooking Lake Ashi in Hakone. Enjoy traditional Japanese rooms with a few added comforts and incredible views of Mount Fiji without evening having to get out of bed. The restaurant serves an explosion of flavours giving you a taste of true Japanese cuisine. It’s no surprise this hotel is the best in Hakone.

Irori Guest House Tenmaku | Best Guest House in Hakone

The Irori Guest House is a lovely place to stay in a traditional Japanese styled guest house. Coming with a shared lounge and a bar, you’ll feel well taken care of at the Irori. Plus, you’ll also have access to the shared kitchen so you can whip up whatever you desire. Moreover, you’ll be just 200 meters from the Hakone Open-Air Museum and just over one kilometer away from the Hakone Gora Park.

Noël Hakone Fuji | Best Airbnb in Hakone

Okay, wow. I’d book this place for the view alone. Imagine sitting at your dining room table with a view of Mount Fiji whilst you sip your morning coffee.
If you thought that was good, you also have an outdoor jacuzzi, sauna and fully equipped kitchen. This Airbnb is setting the bar high and is perfect for your Hakone adventures.

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Oh Tokyo! The city where you can do absolutely anything and everything, though it can be quite expensive. Tokyo is home to restaurants where you can dance with cyborgs or you can hang out with animals at pet cafes. You can also ride in a real-life Mario Kart in Akihabara! Take the Tokyo streets by storm in this real world Mario Kart experience. You even get to dress up as the characters, as they do provide costumes.

That’s right, folks— Tokyo has it all. There are so many different districts to visit that it can feel overwhelming. You can walk around Giza for upscale shopping and incredible sushi or you can visit Asakusa to get a hefty dose of history and culture.

Nakameguro is the hipster neighborhood, and Akihabara is where all the anime and gaming happens. Obviously, there are many more neighborhoods but these are the ones not to miss.

Best Places to Stay in Tokyo

Tokyo is the best city in Japan for solo travelers. Here, you can get a vibe for the uber modern, unique, wild, and creative side of Japan. There are incredible places to stay in all of the Tokyo districts! Most hostels are located in East Tokyo, whereas the Airbnbs and hotels are spread around the city.

Ueno First City Hotel | Best Hotel in Tokyo

Ueno First City Hotel is just a quick one minute walk from the subway station, and close to lots of tourist attractions like the Ueno Zoo and the Tokyo National Museum. You get great value for your money at this simple, straight forward hotel! Hey, I could have recommended many fancier stays but I wanted to keep it under $100 a night for you all!

Hostel Bedgasm | Best Hostel in Tokyo

“Bedgasm” hostel delivers a truly wonderful Tokyo hostel experience . It’s a five story building, with a fun rooftop to hang out on. There is also a bar that offers each guest a free drink every night. Located just between Asakusa and Ueno, you’ll be right in the heart of the action!

Authentic Japanese Room | Best Airbnb in Tokyo

Coming in at an incredible bargain price, this Tokyo Airbnb is worth every penny. It’s for a private room in a house, with one bedroom and a shared bathroom. It’s styled in the traditional Japanese style. If you’re looking for a peaceful and comfortable stay in a more quiet neighborhood, that still has plenty of restaurants and shops around it— this is the Airbnb for you!

Kamakura is a lovely coastal town that has an abundance of gardens and temples. It’s also home to the Great Buddha, Daibutsu. This seaside Japanese city is actually just a bit south of Tokyo. You can do it as a day trip from Tokyo but it’s better to spend some quality time there to soak up the peaceful vibes and to save some bucks!

What I love about Kamakura the most, besides the opportunity to save some dough, is the dozens of Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines that are so incredibly tranquil. Also, if you were in need of a little adrenaline rush, Yuigahama Beach is a fun place to go surfing. Even if you just needed some time relaxing on the sand, Yuigahama Beach is the place to do it.

Best Places to Stay in Kamakura

The small town of Kamakura is the absolute opposite of Tokyo. There are not dozens of different districts to choose between. Basically, you’ll want to stay close to the beach so you can enjoy better views and being close to the water. But closer to the water means a little bit pricer, so it all depends on how tight your budget is!

Shibafu | Best Hotel in Kamakura

Shibafu is a guesthouse styled hotel with a garden, lounge, bar, and restaurant. It’s a lovely property with great facilities that put you close to all of Kamakura’s attractions like the Great Buddha and the Gokuaku-ji Temple. You’re also just 7 minutes walk to the beach. Bring a lunchbox and enjoy daily picnics on the beach.

Iza Kamakura Hostel and Bar | Best Hostel in Kamakura

The Iza Kamakura Hostel is the perfect hostel in Kamakura in terms of location, price, and atmosphere. You’ll be just two minutes from the train station, and you’ll love being so close to all the local attractions – afterall, it’s just a short walk to the beach! They do have a small restaurant where they offer reasonably priced meals. Great bang for your buck!

KAMAKURA REAL OCEAN FRONT | Best Airbnb in Kamakura

Relax in style at this beautiful beachfront Kamakura Airbnb that offers guests two bedrooms and four beds plus four futon sets and can sleep up to eight guests. It’s beautifully styled and comes with incredible ocean views. Plus, it comes at an incredibly affordable price. You won’t be breaking the bank with this Airbnb, especially if you’re splitting the room rate with your travel companion.

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It feels like you could practically visit anywhere in Japan and find unique things to do and see. We’ve already talked about cyborg dancing in Tokyo, but what about the Zao Fox Village at the base of Mt. Zao? Or even the cat island at Tashirojima? That’s right, Japan has an absurd abundance of the bizarre.

That being said, I think that if you want to do more than just snap an Instagram photo or two, staying in Miyajima is the best place to stay for a truly unique experience. This is a sacred island that lies off the coast of Hiroshima. It is home to the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine with a giant orange “floating” torii gate. Miyajima actually is Japanese for “shrine island,” and is often referred to as the Island of the Gods.

It’s one of the most scenic spots in all of Japan and promises guests a unique and memorable experience. You’ll love hiking Mount Misen or exploring the beautiful Virgin Forest. Make sure to stop by Miyajima Brewery for a pint! As a side note, it’s worth mentioning that Itsukushima is the official name for Miyajima. So if you’re doing some of your own Googling, you’ll have to search for both Itsukushima and Miyajima.

Best Places to Stay in Miyajima

As a small island, Miyajima actually doesn’t have that many accomodation options at all! So, I was very careful when making my recommendations as hotels can run up to $400 per night.

Hotel Kikunoya | Best Hotel in Miyajima

Just a quick seven minute walk to the famous Itsukushima Shrine, you’ll love the location of this hotel! Plus, it’s very close to the seaside. It’s a modern style hotel that offers travelers the choice between Western and Japanese-style rooms. A Japanese breakfast set is available for purchase, as are delicious dinners. There’s even a free shuttle to the ferry port.

Omotenashi Hostel Miyajima | Best Hostel in Miyajima

So, it turns out that there are absolutely no hostels on the island of Miyajima as of February 2020. That being said, there is a hostel located super duper close to the ferry port, right on the coast across from the island itself. You can practically see the island from the windows of this hostel! Enjoy budget friendly prices, a common lounge, and even a karaoke box! Just hop on the ferry to reach the island in less than 20 minutes/

Spirit Guest House | Best Airbnb in Miyajima

This Airbnb is a two bedroom traditional style Japanese home complete with paper sliding walls and a small garden courtyard. Up to six guests can fit in this home. You’ll love soaking up the calm atmosphere and spending time in the garden. This is no ordinary house or Airbnb! You’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped into an authentic cultural experience.

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If you want an adventure in Japan, then check out Hokkaido – it really stole my heart and I think it will do the same for you too. Hokkaido resides in the northernmost part of Japan’s main islands and is 37 times larger than Tokyo.

It’s known for volcanoes, skiing, natural hot springs, and quiet hikes. The immense Daisetsuzan Natural Park, one of Japan’s National Parks, has the steaming Mount Anahi volcano, and the Sikorsky-Toya National Parks are home to the divine geothermal hot springs. There are plenty of fun ski resorts on Hokkaido, which means that deciding where to stay is more than difficult.

Best Places to Stay in Hokkaido

Hokkaido is a huge island. Because it lies so far north, make sure to pack warm clothing even in the summer months. There are some great cities in Hokkaido worth staying in, like Sapporo with it’s incredibly famous dishes like and Genghis Khan. If you’re up for something totally different and awesome, you gotta check out the cool capsule hotels in Sapporo. They’re like nowhere else!

On the other hand, I love staying in the seaside towns like Otaru, Abashiri, and Shiretoko offer incredible seafood and sweeping ocean views.

Hotel Potmum Sapporo | Best Hotel in Hokkaido

Hotel Potmum Sapporo has such a gorgeous and highly urban vibe! It’s a very artsy place, with high ceilings, fireplaces, and soft lighting. The decor is positively magazine worthy! It is an affordably priced hotel that will keep your wallet happy. Plus, there is a shared kitchen to use so you can whip up a meal if you’re craving some good ol’ home cooking! Some rooms do have their own kitchenettes and fridges too, while all rooms have an eclectic kettle.

Untapped Hostel in Sapporo | Best Hostel in Hokkaido

Surround yourself with new friends at Untapped Hostel. It’s filled with other backpackers and has a fun vibe. Moreover it’s actually located near Hokkaido University, so you’ll be fully immersed with other young people. There are three unique dorms, with capsule-like beds. There is also an onsite restaurant that serves delicious, homemade Japanese cuisine.

Ocean View Villa | Best Airbnb in Hokkaido

Dine with incredible ocean views at this snazzy beachfront villa. This villa has two bedrooms with 6 beds, a large living room and a fully equipped kitchen. Ideal if you’re travelling as a family or large group.

Fuji Five Lakes is actually a region at the base of Mount Fuji itself. There are, surprise surprise, five lakes: Shoji, Yamanaka, Motosu, Kawaguchi, and Saiko.

Nestled in the center of all of the lakes is Fujiyoshida city, which has an amusement park and hot springs with traditional wooden bathhouses. One of the most beautiful places in Japan is the trail that goes up Mount Fuji called the Yoshida Trail.

If you are trying to decide where you should stay to get access to Mount Fuji and to also really sink your teeth into the abundant natural beauty that Japan has to offer, Fuji Five Lakes region is for you.

Best Places to Stay in Fuji Five Lakes

While there are accommodation options sprinkled throughout the Fuji Five Lakes region, I find it easiest to stay right inside Fujiyoshida city. That way, you have easy access to convenience stores, transportation, restaurants, and whatever else you might need! Plus, you can still enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Fuji!

Fuji Lake Hotel | Best Hotel in Fuji Five Lakes

Nestled right in front of Lake Kawaguchi and with incredible views of Mount Fiji this hotel is picturesque wherever you look. Enjoy a comfortable stay in traditional Japanese rooms with a delicious breakfast served every morning, perfect for fuelling up before a day of exploring.

K’s House Fuji View | Best Hostel in Fuji Five Lakes

Enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Mount Fuji in a traditional-style Japanese hostel. K’s house hostel has a spacious living room area great for meeting some fellow travellers and a fully equipped kitchen. You’re in the calm, quiet neighbourhood of Fujikawaguchiko, experience life as a local living in this beautiful area of Fuji Five Lakes.

Rustic cottage with Mt. Fuji view | Best Airbnb in Fuji Five Lakes

Okay, the only danger of staying here is that you may never want to leave. The views of Mt Fuji are spectacular and force you to appreciate this world’s natural beauty.

Not only do you have incredible views but this Airbnb is bursting with rustic charm and home comforts. Sip on a beverage of choice in front of a logo burner fire with views of Mt Fuji. A delightful bed perfect for a restful night’s sleep after a day of exploring and a fully equipped kitchen. Seriously, what more could you want?

You can probably now tell that Japan is chock full of incredible cities and great accommodation options. It was so hard to write this piece, and to sift through all the beautiful cities packed with wonders, history, culture, and more than a handful of unique oddities! Below, I want to cover the absolute top places to stay in Japan.

Hotel Potmum Sapporo – Hokkaido | Best Hotel in Japan

Hotel Potmum Sapporo is one of those magazine worthy hotels that look more than ready for your hipster instagram photo shoot. With bookcases, high ceilings, urban decor, you’re going to be snapping a photo or too here. Plus, it’s actually a very affordable priced hotel. Trust me, that’s not the case with these chic hotels in Japan!

Hostel Bedgasm – Tokyo | Best Hostel in Japan

This hostel is one for the books! With a name like “Bedgasm” one would hope that it offers a really unique and cool experience. You’ll love wandering around the nearby areas of Asakusa and Ueno. And when you feel like just chilling, head on up to the rooftop and relax in the hammock! Downstairs, there is a bar that offers guests a free drink each night. Why thank you, Bedgasm.

Rustic cottage with Mt. Fuji view | Best Airbnb in Japan

Okay, the only danger of staying here is that you may never want to leave. The views of Mt Fuji are spectacular and force you to appreciate this world’s natural beauty.

Not only do you have incredible views but this Airbnb is bursting with rustic charm and home comforts. Sip on a beverage of choice in front of a logo burner fire with views of Mt Fuji. A delightful bed perfect for a restful night’s sleep after a day of exploring and a fully equipped kitchen. Seriously, what more could you want?

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Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.

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Check out my definitive hostel packing list for even more top packing tips!

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Are you ready to pack your bags and head off to Japan? Have you figured out exactly where to go now? I hope that my guide of where to stay in Japan and all the top places to stay in Japan was helpful! From Mt. Fuji to real life Mario Kart Racing in Tokyo the incredible Floating Torii Gates in Miyajima, there is so much to do and see in Japan! Now, go exploring, friends!

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