Japan Hotel Reviews: Our Favorite Hotel Stays Across Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama & Fukuoka
One of my favorite parts of traveling in Japan is experiencing different hotels in each city. Over several trips, we’ve stayed in a mix of accommodations across Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama, and each one offered something completely different — whether it was location, comfort, or overall atmosphere.
This post is a growing collection of honest reviews from our stays so far, sharing what stood out, what to keep in mind, and who each hotel might be best suited for. I’ve also added links to check availability and prices on Klook for readers who are currently planning their own Japan trip and want an easy way to compare options and often has good deals.
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share hotels and services I’ve personally stayed at or genuinely recommend.
We are using a 5-point scale:
5⭐ Excellent – 4⭐ Very Good – 3⭐ Good – 2⭐ Fair – 1⭐ Not Good At All
Quick Comparison: Hotels We Stayed at Across Japan
(Click Hotel Name for Full Review)
| City | Hotel | Best For | Location Highlights | Star Rating | Would We Stay Again? |
| Tokyo (Ueno) | Tosei Hotel Cocone Ueno Okachimachi | First-time visitors & easy train access | Walking distance to Ueno Station, JR lines, food spots, and shopping streets | 5⭐ | ✅ Yes — excellent base for exploring Tokyo |
| Kawasaki | Slash Kawasaki | Couples & Stay Close to Airport | Between Tokyo & Yokohama, with nightlife | 4⭐ | ⚠️Maybe – Fun location but not the best |
| Yokohama | InterContin-ental Yokohama Grand, an IHG Hotel | Luxury Stay | Bay views & several nearby attractions | 4.5⭐ | ✅ Yes — as a treat and calmer alternative to Tokyo with a view |
| Osaka | Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre – Midosuji | First-time visitors & luxury shoppers | Central to Osaka’s city center and many shops | 4.5⭐ | ✅ Yes — convenient and lively area |
| Osaka | Garner Hotel Osaka Honmachi Kita Semba | Second Time Traveler & Affordable stay | Centrally located in Osaka’s city center & cheap eats | 4⭐ | ⚠️Maybe – Practical Stay but better options close-by |
| Osaka | Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka | First-time visitors & spacious rooms | Close to major train stations & popular Osaka districts | 5⭐ | ✅ Yes — Perfect location and value |
| Fukuoka | ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka | Luxury & Service | Close to airport, a major train station, &shopping | 4.5⭐ | ✅ Yes — Excellent Service & Location |
How We Choose Hotels in Japan
🚆Location – To Stations & Planned Attractions on our Itinerary
💰Affordability – We visit & book during slow seasons or use flash sales/points to get discounts – Japan can get pricey in peak times!
🏨Hotel Points – IHG & Hyatt Points – We love redeeming IHG and Hyatt points for free or low-cost nights—many of our stays were partially or fully covered this way!
🧹Cleanliness & Service– We prioritize well-reviewed, modern properties with friendly staff (common in Japan!)
💵 What we like to spend– We prefer to always stay for under $100 a night, preferably with points or between $40-70 a night
🔎What we look for in amenities – Wi-Fi, luggage storage (for the day, overnight, or a couple of days), laundry Area (essential for 2+ week trips to keep costs down & pack lighter), & free amenities (like toothbrushes and bath soap)
Our choices boil down to convenience, value, and comfort so we can focus on exploring Japan without stress.
✨More booking tips for Japan hotels
- Japan Accommodation Tips: First-Time Traveler’s Guide
- Staying in Japanese Hotels: Essential Tips & What to Expect
We also stayed on an overnight ferry, check out this post – Osaka to Beppu Sunflower Ferry (2025 Guide): Route, Tips & What to Expect
📝Final Verdict: Best Hotels for Different Travelers
These picks stand out based on our actual stays—scroll up for full details!
First Time Travelers:
- Tosei Hotel Cocone Ueno Okachimachi – Tokyo
- Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre – Midosuji – Osaka
- Caption by Hyatt Namba – Osaka
Luxury:
- InterContinental Yokohama Grand – Yokohama
- ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka – Fukuoka
We hope this breakdown of how we choose hotels (and our top picks by traveler type) makes your planning easier.
Conclusion
We hope this detailed review of our Japan hotel stays helped you decide where to stay on your next trip. For more in-depth tips on booking strategies, what to expect in Japanese accommodations, and other lodging options like ryokan or capsules, check out our dedicated accommodation guides! Drop a comment below if you’ve stayed at any of these hotels or have questions about Japan lodging—we’d love to hear from you!
