Gora Kadan Ryokan

With 134 guest rooms, the Ritz-Carlton is Kyoto’s first urban luxury resort. Sitting on the banks Kamogawa river, the hotel boasts astounding views of the famous Higashiyama mountains. The hotel has four restaurants and you can take your pick from traditional Japanese dishes, Italian cuisine or go for the seafood private dining option. Enjoy brunch or sweet treats by the French patisserie Pierre Hermé Paris next to a cascading waterfall in the terrace, or retire to the library where a range of Japanese art and architecture books are available for you to thumb through at your leisure. Situated in close proximity to Kyoto’s popular downtown areas, retail and entertainment districts, this hotel will allow you to enjoy the rich culture of Japan’s ancient capital within modern luxury. Explore the Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle or the atmospheric dining of Pontocho, all of which will be on your doorstep.

Located at the heart of the World Heritage Miyajima Island, relax in this luxury ryokan. Located in the woods of Momijidani, this inn offers a serene, flawless service ensuring authentic Japanese hospitality throughout your stay. Built in 1893, Iwaso was the first ryokan built on this island. The 38 rooms merge into the stunning nature that surrounds them. The Japanese concept of light and space is clear throughout, from the floor to ceiling windows, to the tatami-mat floor to the sliding partitions. Nature’s influence is echoed in the cuisine provided at this ryokan. During your stay, dine in your room and taste the local delicacies in a traditional Japanese feast. Relax in the peaceful library or tea lounge; unwind in the hotel’s hot spring onsen and sample the beautiful surroundings of this magnificent island. Make sure to visit the Itsukushima Shrine just moments away from your hotel.

A world away from the hustle and bustle of Japanese city life, immerse yourself in the relaxed culture of Japan’s southern Islands. HOSHINOYA promises to modernise the traditional Japanese ryokan offering you an authentic stay with modern comfort and conveniences. With just 48 villas on the remote island of Taketomi, you’ll find yourself in paradise. Architecturally the hotel mirrors the local culture. The single-level, wooden villas, which are surrounded by stone walls and topped with red tiles, seem almost Mediterranean to the western eye, however, inside the Japanese influence is apparent. With spacious, minimalist decor and the use of light wood, relax in contemporary Japanese tranquility. During your stay, dine in the hotel’s restaurant. The chef define’s his cuisine as Ryukyu Nouvelle, a brand new style of Okinawan food based on French cuisine. With a new menu every evening savour this truly unique culinary experience. Relax on the white sand beaches, take a water buffalo cart ride or scuba dive to experience one of the world’s top spots for watching manta rays. With a variety of activities there is something for everyone to enjoy in this bespoke resort.

The serene Tobira Onsen Myojinkan sits surrounded by the forest deep in the mountains above Matsumoto city. It combines the elements of a traditional Japanese ryokan inn with all the creature comforts of a modern luxury hotel for a wonderfully relaxing rural retreat. 45 rooms all enjoy their own onsen bath, either indoors or outside, and guests have the option of either sleeping on a simple futon over tatami mats or a Western-style bed. There are a number of natural hot spring baths here, open day and night, each offering blissful views of the stunning forest scenery accompanied by the sounds of murmuring brooks, tranquil bird song and conifers swaying gently in the breeze. Unlike other ryokans, where simple Japanese Kaiseki cuisine served in-room is the only dining option, there are three restaurants here serving modern Japanese delicacies and organic macrobiotic French as well as Kaiseki. When not relaxing at Myojinkan, guests can explore the forest and nearby scenic areas of the Japanese Alps, as well as take trips into the historic Matsumoto city.