What is a Five-Star Hotel? Why It’s the Best Choice for Foreign VIPs and a Guide to Japan’s Top Five-Star Hotels

Top 5 Star Hotels in Tokyo – The Ultimate Luxury Guide

Tokyo offers some of Japan’s most opulent stays, each combining cutting-edge amenities with traditional touches. 

Below are three iconic 5-star Tokyo hotels, chosen for their luxury, location, and service.

Aman Tokyo

Nestled in central Tokyo’s Otemachi district, Aman Tokyo occupies the top six floors of the 38-story Otemachi Tower. 

Inspired by traditional Japanese design (shoji screens, natural wood, “ryokan”-style layouts), it has an atmosphere of serene minimalism with city views. 

Guests can relax in the city’s largest hotel lobby, unwind in the vast Aman Spa, or dine in one of the hotel’s gourmet restaurants.

Detail	Information
Address	Otemachi Tower, 1-5-6 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004
Phone	+81-3-5224-3345
Price Range	High ($800+ per night typical)
Official Site	The Aman Tokyo official website

Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo offers panoramic city views and legendary Ritz-Carlton service. 

This 245-room hotel opened in 2007 and instantly became Tokyo’s benchmark. Its décor fuses elegant European style with Japanese art (80 artists created 400+ Genji-inspired works here). 

The hotel boasts multiple Michelin-starred restaurants (including Japanese and French cuisine) and a spa whose centerpiece is a stunning three-story indoor waterfall flowing into the 65.6 ft (20 m) pool.

Park Hyatt Tokyo

Made famous by Lost in Translation, Park Hyatt Tokyo occupies the top 14 floors of a 52-story skyscraper in Shinjuku. 

The design is sleek and modern, mixing Western comforts with subtle Japanese touches. 

Guests also rave about the elegant indoor swimming pool and the world-class Akasaka restaurant, which offers panoramic city views while dining.

Kyoto 5 Star Hotels – Traditional Elegance and Modern Comfort

Kyoto blends ancient culture with luxury hospitality. The city’s top 5-star hotels often feature garden ponds, kaiseki (Japanese multi-course) restaurants, and traditional design elements. 

 Here are three outstanding Kyoto hotels where international VIPs and discerning travelers find both historic charm and modern comfort.

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto

Opened in 2016, Four Seasons Kyoto is built around Shakusui-en, a beautifully landscaped 800-year-old pond garden. 

 The hotel’s spa draws from Kyoto’s heritage (offering green-tea therapies), and the French-Japanese fusion cuisine at its restaurant Brasserie has earned praise.

Guests often note the enchanting garden view from rooms and the attentive Four Seasons service.

The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, opened in 2014, sits on the Kamogawa River banks and offers stunning views of the Higashiyama Mountains.

 It has 134 rooms/suites with elegant neutral tones, tatami mats, and Japanese art. 

The hotel design includes a three-story indoor waterfall that cascades into the spa’s 20-meter pool symbolizing calm running water.

Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel

In the scenic Arashiyama hills (western Kyoto), Suiran is a luxury retreat along the peaceful Hozu River. 

It provides an intimate, traditional ryokan-like experience. Many rooms feature private open-air onsen baths fed by natural hot springs.

Guests can enjoy both modern Japanese rooms with all amenities and classic tatami suites. 

Osaka 5 Star Hotels – Best Choices for a Stylish City Stay

Osaka’s luxury hotels cater to both business and leisure travelers, blending contemporary design with impeccable service. 

Many are located in Umeda (northern Osaka), offering easy train access and shopping. 

Here are three top 5-star choices in Osaka.

The Ritz-Carlton Osaka

Dominating the skyline of Umeda, The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka (opened 1997) embodies European elegance.  It’s connected to the Herbis Osaka complex (shops and a theater) and a 3-minute walk from JR Osaka Station.

It offers some of the largest rooms in Japan, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping city views.

High-end spa treatments and an indoor pool complete the five-star experience.

Conrad Osaka

 Located on the 33rd–40th floors of the Nakanoshima Festival West Tower, Conrad Osaka blends modern design with sky-high river.

 All 164 rooms (including suites) are huge for Japan – floor space starts around 480 sq ft – and feature 40-inch HDTVs and marble bathrooms. 

The spa complex offers pools (including a double-track waterslide for kids) and treatment rooms.

InterContinental Osaka

Opened in 2013 as part of the Grand Front Osaka complex, InterContinental Osaka brings contemporary luxury to the heart of the city.  

The hotel’s 353 rooms and suites feature a neutral, chic design with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Kita district.

gnature dining includes Pierre, a restaurant by Paris’s Pierre Gagnaire (Michelin-starred) serving avant-garde French cuisine, and Kioko buffet on the 20th floor with global dishes. 

Okinawa Hotels 5 Star – Beachfront Resorts and Island Luxury

Okinawa’s 5-star hotels are world-class island resorts offering tropical views, private beaches, and a relaxed vibe. 

These properties provide not just luxury accommodations but also cultural immersion in Ryukyu traditions. 

Below are three top-rated Okinawa resorts.

The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa

Opened in 2012 as Ritz-Carlton’s first Japan property, this resort sits on a secluded stretch of white-sand coast in Nago, adjacent to an 18-hole golf course. 

Rooms start at a spacious 484 sq ft, many with ocean views and marble bathrooms featuring bathtubs with outdoor-facing windows.

The design uses natural tones and local materials evoking Okinawan pottery. Tropical gardens and koi ponds wind through the property, and a large infinity-edge pool overlooks the sea.

Halekulani Okinawa

Facing one mile of Okinawa’s East China Sea coastline, Halekulani Okinawa in Onna village epitomizes tropical elegance. 

All 360 rooms (starting at ~540 sq ft) offer ocean or beach views.Five luxury villas have private pools and outdoor onsen baths.

Dining is a highlight: four signature restaurants (including the two-Michelin-starred SHIROUX) serve innovative cuisine using local ingredients.

HOSHINOYA Okinawa

HOSHINOYA Okinawa is a serene resort in Yomitan, built into a low hill overlooking Cape Zanpa.

Its minimalist architecture and Ryukyu-inspired interiors create a tranquil atmosphere.

There are two dining venues: an Italian restaurant and a cafe, plus a poolside bar. A large outdoor infinity pool and sun terrace offer panoramic sea vistas.

Detail	Information
Address	474 Gima, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa 904-0327
Phone	+81-98-921-4000
Price Range	Premium (~$300–$550 per night)
Official Site	HOSHINOYA Okinawa official website

Frequently Asked Questions About 5 Star Hotels in Japan

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about 5-star hotels in major Japanese cities.

What is the Best 5 Star Hotel in Japan?

There is no single “best” hotel, as preferences vary by traveler (business vs leisure, city vs resort) and locationTop luxury hotels each have unique strengths.

Do 5 Star Hotels in Japan Cater to International Guests?

Absolutely. Japan’s top hotels are used to hosting international travelers and provide multilingual services.

What Are the Typical Price Ranges for Luxury Hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Okinawa?

Prices vary by season and city. Bigger cities and high demand seasons push rates up.

 In Tokyo, a room at a 5-star often starts around $400–$500 per night off-season, with peak weekends reaching $800–$1000 (as illustrated by Park Hyatt Tokyo’s weekend rates of $858–$941 for a king room). 

In Kyoto, expect roughly $300–$800 per night for luxury hotels; resorting in a city full of heritage sites, they balance cost with serenity. 

In Osaka, 5-star rates are somewhat lower on average ($250–$500) since the market is more price-competitive. 

Okinawa’s beachfront resorts range $200–$600 per night, depending on season and room type.