Where to Stay– category –

The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon by Hulic in Asakusa before you book: the street entrance locks from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., the rooftop terrace is for guests only, only two room types take three people, the smallest rooms have a shower booth, and a 10% service charge plus tax is paid at check-in. From the official pages.

HOSHINOYA Kyoto in Arashiyama before you book: no guests under 12, babies included; a two-night minimum; every discounted plan is non-refundable from the moment you book; the only way in is a reserved boat, last one 5:45 p.m.; and there is no onsen, no parking and no tipping. From the official pages and booking site.

Shangri-La Tokyo, by Tokyo Station, before you book: rates add a 15 percent service charge, 10 percent tax and a 200-yen accommodation tax per person per night; the nearest exit is Nihombashi, not Marunouchi; the pool bars children under 4 and the spa under 16; and the cancellation deadline time differs between its own pages. From the official pages.

Ubuya, the Fuji-view ryokan on Lake Kawaguchiko once called Kozantei Ubuya, before you book: the last dinner seating is 7 p.m. with no refund if you miss it, the station pickup runs 3 to 6 p.m. on call, the in-room baths are not hot-spring water, tattoos need two cover sheets, and canceling costs 100 percent from 3 days before. From the official pages.

Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama, a Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotel, before you book: children 6 and over who need a bed pay the adult rate, canceling costs 10 percent from 7 days before, the hotel sells only 1-Day Passports for your stay dates, the park is a shuttle or monorail ride away, and the pool costs extra. From the official pages and terms.

Hotel Keihan Universal Tower, two minutes from USJ, before you book: the English booking site shows Pay at hotel on every plan though some are prepaid, the 31st-floor onsen costs extra and bars tattoo stickers, canceling the day before costs 50 percent, and arriving after 8 p.m. without calling can cancel the booking. From the official pages and terms.

MIMARU Tokyo Ueno East, a 3-minute walk from JR Ueno, before you book: the terms charge 100 percent from 7 days before, arriving after 22:00 without telling the hotel can cancel the booking, the Tokyo accommodation tax is paid at the hotel, there is no breakfast, and you bring your own toothbrush. From the official pages and terms.

Ekoin temple lodging on Koyasan, before you book: every official plan is prepaid by card, the large bath is heated spring water rather than an onsen, the two cheapest room types have no private toilet or bath, meals are vegan with no onion or garlic, the temple site says last check-in is 7 p.m. but the booking page warns dinner may be lost without a refund after 5:30 p.m., and the Okunoin night tour is booked separately. From the official pages.

HOSHINOYA Okinawa in Yomitan, before you book: there is no onsen or large bath, the pool is open 24 hours all year, tattoos are allowed but you may be asked to wear a rash guard you bring yourself, the 2026 Typhoon Peace-of-Mind plan covers official-site bookings made 5 days ahead, there is no free shuttle, and breakfast is 5,300 yen including tax and service. From the official pages.

Garden Terrace Nagasaki above Nagasaki Port, before you book: check-in is 4 p.m., the free shuttle leaves from the west exit of JR Nagasaki Station with no reservation, the infinity pool is for guests only and refuses guests with tattoos or who have been drinking, it closes for cleaning December 7 to 9, and the breakfast restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. From the official pages.

Hotel Metropolitan Sendai at JR Sendai Station's West Exit, before you book: the standard terms charge 50 percent two days before and 80 percent the day before, a 15 percent service charge and the 300 yen Miyagi accommodation tax apply, parking rose to 2,000 yen a night in April 2026, smoking rooms remain, and the partner gym and spa bars tattoos. From the official pages and terms.

Kamenoi Bessou by Lake Kinrin in Yufuin, before you book: every room has its own free-flowing onsen bath, the main building takes no children of elementary school age or younger and has stairs only, the bathing tax is 250 yen per person per night, the lowest rate shown was 53,900 yen per adult with two meals, and the Japanese and English booking pages set different online cancellation deadlines. From the official pages.