Trunk Hotel Cat Street, Tokyo
Effortlessly cool and distinctly Shibuya with regular pop-ups and live DJs on the weekend, Trunk is the kind of place you’ll never want to leave after checking in. Its low-level lighting and geometric lines set a relaxed tone from the moment you arrive, and the art collection is worth checking out, too – everything is made from eco-conscious materials, and the works change every quarter.
The rest of the hotel gives you everything you need to unwind after a busy day in Tokyo; the Living Suite comes complete with luxury robes, a vinyl player, projector and your own coffee bar, and two restaurants showcase the best of Tokyo’s culinary genius – from authentic izakaya-style dishes to modern Japanese-western fusion. Like the amenities? You can buy your favourites at the on-site store.
5-chōme-31 Jingūmae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan; catstreet.trunk-hotel.com
Zentis, Osaka
Despite being in the heart of the neon buzz of Osaka’s Kitashinchi district, Zentis feels calm – and artistic. The hotel blends industrial interiors with a calming palette of taupe, steel-blue and sage, creating a relaxed indoor-outdoor flow that looks out onto lush green terraces. Every design detail feels intentional and, if you look closely enough, you’ll spot golden kintsugi lines across some of the furniture.
The bedrooms are practical but elegant, with seamless walls and clever layouts inspired by the compartments of a bento box, ensuring every inch of space is thoughtfully used. You can unwind there or at the hotel’s Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant – once you’ve had your shoes polished by the hotel’s resident shoe-shiner, of course.
〒530-0004 Osaka, Kita Ward, Dojimahama, 1 Chome−4−26 Zentis Osaka; zentishotels.com
Hoshinoya Kyoto, Kyoto
Set deep in the Arashiyama Forest, Hoshinoya Kyoto is a riverside retreat that feels worlds away from the city. Arrive by private boat along the Arashiyama River and enter through a tunnel of maple trees that leads to just 25 rooms. Each is uniquely designed, some with river views where (if you’re lucky) you’ll spot turtles or the romantic Sagano train from the comfort of your duvet.
Enhancing your unwillingness to leave the peaceful oasis are the bamboo baths, luxurious robes and hand-delivered room service hot pot. Plus, the restaurant offers a private nine-course meal featuring the likes of pike conger with caviar and chicken grunt with mint Saikyo miso. Activities are geared around mindfulness – from morning yoga in the Zen garden beneath a 400-year-old tree, to a traditional incense ceremony that explores the ancient art of fragrance.
11-2 Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-0007; hoshinoresorts.com
Kai Sengokuhara, Kanagawa
Art and design take centre stage at Kai Sengokuhara, a contemporary take on the traditional Japanese ryokan. Located in the Sengokuhara Highlands, this hot spring hotel is a tranquil retreat. Each room comes with its own private outdoor onsen – the perfect place to soak in the steamy mineral waters as you gaze out across the misty landscape beyond your terrace. On a clear day, Mount Fuji might even make a fleeting appearance through the trees.
Design and inspiration from the surroundings are plentiful. At the inn’s restaurant, the kaiseki-style menu follows the concept of a “hot spring inn atelier”, where you get treated to dishes like delicate sashimi plates and dramatic, smoke-filled creations. Guests can also join a tenugui workshop, where you learn to paint a traditional Japanese washcloth designed by artist Mitsuko Ogura.
817-359 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0631; hoshinoresorts.com
Guntû floating hotel, Hiroshima
Though you might expect a hotel within a boat to be compact, Guntû’s design is anything but compromised. From the curved staircase in the entrance hall to the wooden panelling lining the ceiling, the boat’s minimalist design gives a sense of architectural openness and of space. Offering three unique routes around Japan, each departing from Hiroshima, guests can experience the beauty of Japan’s shifting seasons, making it the perfect trip for a special occasion.
Fancy sushi made with seafood caught just an hour ago? The on-site restaurant chef can cook to your desire with ingredients from a thoughtfully selected Setouchi-based menu. And after an early evening massage and visit to the outdoor bath, there’s little more relaxing than throwing on your robe and heading for your balcony, listening to crashing waves and seeing nothing but the islands fading away.
Guntû departs from and returns to Bella Vista Marina in Onomichi, Hiroshima; guntu.jp
Kiro, Hiroshima
Kiro, in Hiroshima’s Setouchi region, was once a hospital and has now been transformed while retaining many of its old features. For example, the hotel’s lounge (and breakfast spot) was once a rehabilitation pool and still has its original pool ladders – the perfect place to enjoy coffee and crepes in characterful surroundings.
Despite its industrial aesthetic, the warm lighting and exposed wood in the bedrooms infuse the hotel with a tranquil, cosy feel. It prides itself on being accessible and friendly, with guests encouraged to connect with each other. There’s even a communal kitchen where you can heat up a late-night 7-Eleven snack (and chat with likeminded hungry souls doing the same).
3-21 Mikawacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0029; thesharehotels.com
Millie Clark is a photographer based in London
