5 beautiful guest houses in and near Tokyo for group getaways

Situated by the sea just 90 minutes away from Tokyo, Villa Blu comes complete with a jacuzzi and tent sauna. The two-storey property has one bedroom each on the first and second floor and can accomodate up to six guests – you can even bring your dog along for the journey. 

The terrace, which has a set of steps leading straight to the beach, has a grill perfect for barbecues. Feeling too lazy to cook? Fret not, right next door to the villa is a pizzeria, where you can order wood-fired pizza to be delivered to you.

From ¥120,000 per night 

This 400-year-old heritage house is now available as a holiday rental after a transformative renovation. Located in Chiba, the Shoya no Sato Kominka Tanaka once belonged to the chief retainer of the Toki Clan during the Sengoku Period (1467-1615). Though the house’s early Edo-style architecture was restored and preserved as in, new furnishings were added to give the home a new life as a luxurious space for daytime functions and weekend getaways. 

The property is listed as 1,000 tsubo large (roughly 3,306sqm), so there’s  ample room for large groups of friends and families. The house itself is surrounded by a beautiful Japanese garden, which can be admired from the traditional tatami mat living room. There’s also a western-style section of the garden complete with an outdoor pool for daytime lounging.

As for meals, there’s a fully equipped kitchen if you fancy preparing your own provisions. However, you also have the option of hiring a private chef for the day (¥6,000 per person) or hiring a catered barbecue (¥3,300). 

From ¥100,000 per day

Newly opened in spring, this beachside vacation rental in Kamakura offers guests an idyllic getaway from the city to adopt a slower pace of life. There are three floors: a living space with an open kitchen and dining table, two guest rooms that can accommodate up to ten people, and a rooftop terrace for watching the sun set over the sea. 

Unlike most vacation rentals, The Flow Kamakura can also be booked just for a day from 9am to 9pm for those who don’t need to stay overnight. In addition to surf lessons and beachside brunches, guests can also sign up for private yoga classes for the ultimate holistic retreat.

From ¥62,000 per night

Tokyo Little House is a 70-year-old townhouse tucked away in Tokyo’s Akasaka district. The first floor has been turned into a cafe and gallery, whereas the second floor is reserved as private accommodation for overnight guests. Though the house has been renovated to fit in modern comforts like a kitchen and shower room, the essence of its history as a building established in the wake of World War II has been preserved. 

A lot of work went into retaining the property’s original designs and the decades-old items and furnishings were upcycled wherever possible. Wood from old furniture was repurposed to build new chairs or tables, while the walls of the home were left exposed so that guests could see the authentic structure of the original building. The result is a private single-suite lodging (accomodates up to five) that showcases the juxtaposition between the guesthouse’s homey past and the modern lights of Akasaka right outside.

From ¥22,571 per night

Forget the typical Airbnb homestay – this set of apartments in Tokyo’s kawaii capital of Harajuku is where you want to be. The Moshi Moshi Rooms consist of three separate living spaces that can be rented out specially to you and your companions. Each of the floors have its own quirky yet artful theme.

The third floor, called Dosokoi, is inspired by the concept of a traditional sento (public bathhouse). It features a round hinoki wood tub with a stunning mural by Kiyoto Maruyama, who is one of the only three public bath painters in Japan. 

The floor above is also inspired by traditional Japanese culture, with the abode reminiscent of origami paper folding craft. On the fifth floor, however, is the Sakura Room, which offers a modern take of the neighbourhood and is covered from floor to ceiling in pink.

From ¥31,064 per night