The allure of Japan for Australian travellers shows no sign of waning. While trendy urban hotspots like Seoul or Ho Chi Minh have climbed the charts in recent years, the enduring shine of Japan can’t be dimmed.
Beyond the favourable exchange rate, Japan is a country of contrasts: centuries-old traditions meet cutting-edge design, sensory-led bustling cities sit next to serene natural landscapes. Not to mention world-class dining, sincere hospitality rooted in omotenashi (the philosophy of anticipating needs before they’re voiced) and immersive experiences offering quiet luxury.
Whether you’re angling for the neon lights and pace of Tokyo, the quiet beauty of Kyoto, the culinary delights of Osaka or the blissed-out luxury of islands further afar, Japan has something to offer every traveller. From hillside rooms with private onsens in Kyoto to design-led private members clubs in Tokyo and contemporary countryside villas in Koiwai, these are Japan’s latest luxury hotel openings offering premium experiences that you won’t want to check out of.
If you’re planning a stint to the country, you might also like:
Our top picks for accommodation in Japan
Japan’s best new luxury hotel openings
BANYAN TREE HIGASHIYAMA
Kyoto
Lounging on the forested slopes of Higashiyama, Banyan Tree brought its beachy vibes to one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods when it opened in August 2024. Far from any palm trees or sand, this is more about minimalist lines, natural materials and a deep respect for the surrounding landscape, with many rooms enjoying leafy hillside views or glimpses of tiled temple roofs.
The onsen experience is a highlight, providing a moment of respite from surging crowds. Soak in a traditional hinoki cypress bathtubs before indulging in treatments built around wellbeing at the Banyan Tree Spa.
Dining leans refined but unfussy at kaiseki restaurant Ryozen, spotlighting seasonal ingredients with a Japanese sensibility, while the bar is a low-lit spot for a quiet nightcap. Sitting just outside Kyoto’s busier hubs, the location is part of the appeal. Come here to decompress, reset and soak up a slower, greener side of the city.
Marching onwards in its steady conquest of the world’s greatest cities, private members club Soho House opened its first Japanese outpost in early April. It finds itself in good company, located in upscale Aoyama, surrounded by high fashion and avant-garde architecture. The club follows the familiar format, aimed at creative types, and incorporating work spaces, wellness, dining and accommodation –all given a whimsical Japanese-British aesthetic.
Case in point: the colour scheme across the 42 bedrooms is “green tea”, and makes use of upcycled vintage kimono fabric. The rooftop pool is a delightful spot from which to enjoy views of Mount Fuji on a clear day.
As for dining, look out for Tokyo twists on traditional English dishes, such as okonomiyaki-style prawn Scotch egg. At this stage, while some Soho Houses open up their accommodation to the paying public, this one is purely for members. Perhaps it’s finally time to throw caution to the wind and apply for the global All Houses membership, granting access to 48 Houses in 19 countries.
Tucked into the quiet lanes of Miyagawa-cho – one of the city’s five geisha districts – Capella Kyoto opened in March with all the polished confidence we’ve come to expect of the brand. A soothing palette of neutrals runs throughout, layered with timber and lantern light, and dotted with Japanese art and artefacts that provide a harmonious sense of place.
Positioned around a peaceful interior courtyard are the 89 guest rooms, including six Onsen Suites with their own hot spring baths. Auriga Spa draws on traditional Japanese and contemporary wellness practices. Meanwhile, the dining offering is superb. Flagship restaurant SoNoMa by SingleThread is a collaboration with Kyle and Katina Connaughton. And need we mention that there’s an in-house bakery turning out delicate confections and pastries? But of course.
Close to the action but cushioned by the lush grounds of Osaka Castle opposite and Naniwa-no-Miya-Ato Park next door, Patina Osaka opened in May 2025. The first Japanese property from Patina Hotels & Resorts, the hotel’s 221 rooms embrace kisetsukan – the Japanese art of seasonal awareness – with windows framing views of the surrounding parks, and the menu at flagship restaurant P72 reflecting the 72 micro seasons that mark the traditional calendar. Music is a key theme throughout the property, including design touches such as the wall at Sonata Bar & Lounge made from Japanese speakers dating back to 1965 (pictured).
At sunset, this plays host to live DJ sets and cocktails inspired by 1970s Osaka. Then there’s The Listening Room by OJAS (aka Brooklyn-based sound pioneer Devon Turnbull), with its curated vinyl collection and meditative soundscapes. If it all gets too much, an entire floor of the 21-storey hotel is devoted to Patina Wellness, which offers innovative therapies such as cryotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Plus, there’s a 20-metre pool and gym.
Having welcomed its first guests in March, 1 Hotel’s eco-conscious ethos is already making an impression on the Japanese capital. Thanks to its location up on levels 38 to 43 of an Akasaka tower, the views are impressive, but it’s what’s inside that counts: the brand’s signature style overlaid with a Tokyo sensibility that elevates the reclaimed wood, living greenery and earthy tones to sleek, rather than rustic.
Rooms are designed as biophilic retreats from the city’s intensity, with filtered light, organic textures and subtle tech. Facilities are geared towards wellness, including a state-of-the-art gym, serene spa spaces and communal areas that encourage lingering rather than rushing. Dining follows suit, with seasonal, produce-driven menus and a strong farm-to-table focus – including a daily market stand stocked with fresh fruit that tastes delicious even though it might be not be perfect in appearance.
Set on a sugar-white stretch of island sand, and open since March last year, Rosewood Miyakojima is all about switching off in style. The brand’s first foray into Japan, this leans hard into the escapist brief: low-slung villas, endless sea views and a blissed-out kind of luxury.
Accommodation comes in the form of standalone villas, many with private pools, outdoor terraces and uninterrupted views of the famously clear Miyakojima water. Interiors are breezy and tactile, mixing natural materials with a polished, contemporary edge. Facilities tick all the high-end resort boxes without feeling overdone. There’s a serene Asaya spa for long, languid treatments, a sleek fitness space and multiple pools that invite you to do very little, very slowly. Dining spans refined Japanese to relaxed beachfront fare across four restaurants, with a strong focus on local seafood and seasonal produce. One of Okinawa’s less trodden spots, Miyakojima – known as the “Island of Prayers” – is closer to Taiwan than Japan, though flights from Tokyo (1700 kilometres away) are regular. All of which is to say: it’s remote. But that’s the point. This is a place for unplugging, decompressing and embracing island time.
Once a barren wilderness covered in volcanic ash, the Koiwai countryside regenerated over the course of 130 years, evolving into a diverse, thriving forest. Spread across eight hectares, this elevated farmstay opened in April, offering an entirely different experience of Japan, rooted in nature, rural heritage and slow living.
Twenty-four secluded villas are scattered in quiet harmony across the natural landscape. Designed by Shiro Miura of Kyoto-based Rokkakuya, and constructed in red pine and cypress selected from the surrounding woods, the rooms focus on the appreciation of the world outside. Three sauna pavilions – called Forest Springs – each feature a wood-fired sauna, cold plunge and fireplace, while outdoor activities include horseriding and hiking. Farm-to-table dining calls upon the bountiful produce from the surrounding area, as well as seafood caught off the coast of Sanriku.
When is a good time to visit Japan?
The best time to visit Japan is during spring (March – May) for cherry blossom season or autumn (September – November) when it’s less busy but a comfortable temperature. Winter (December-February) is ideal if you’re planning a skiing holiday and want to visit hot springs.
What do Australians need to enter Japan?
Australian passport holders don’t need a visa for short-term tourism (holidays) or business visits to Japan for up to 90 days. You will however need a valid passport for the duration of your stay, proof of return or onward travel, and may be required to fill out immigration forms online at Visit Japan or by paper on arrival.
Where should I go in Japan?
The most frequented cities in Japan for Australian tourists are Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, however, journeying further afar to the countryside is equally rewarding. You’ll find different experiences of Japan rooted in nature, slow living and rural heritage, but also quietly luxurious hotels like Azuma Farm that offer unique activities, farm-to-table dining and a connection to the world around it.
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The Gourmet Traveller Team
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