These are some of the best Go to Travel hotel deals across Japan

Around ¥14,859 from ¥22,860

If you’re going to Hakone for the onsen and famed Ashi lake, the Hakone Lake Hotel is conveniently located, yet still secluded enough to be called a serene hideaway. It’s three minutes’ walk to the Togendai Ropeway Station, five minutes’ walk to the lake, and a 40-minute bus ride will take you to the mountain town’s main train station at Hakone Yumoto. The Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats are lovely, but chances are you’ll be spending a lot of time at the outdoor hot spring bath surrounded by a forest – and wait till you see the gorgeous cocoon-like steam sauna.

Around ¥31,510 from ¥48,477

One of Kyoto’s most exciting openings this year, the shiny new Ace Hotel Kyoto is a fabulous design hotel set within a historical 1920s building once home to the Kyoto Central Telephone Office. The lofty brickwork structure has been immaculately restored by famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s firm. The interior, on the other hand, is a fresh reinterpretation of American retro vibes seen through the lens of Japanese artisanal sensibilities, carried out by the Los Angeles-based Commune Design. This hip hotel offers nine room types, a garden and terrace, a lively lobby space for drinks and socialising, and the first Stumptown coffee shop in Japan – all in Kyoto’s city centre.

This boutique hotel in the heart of Gion takes minimalist Japanese design and mixes it with a sleek, modern aesthetic, making for a hip hotel that’s as visually pleasing as it is comfortable. The hotel is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing – you can relax in the romantically-lit lounge or grab a drink at the gold leaf-decorated Bar Konjiki. Best of all, the public bath Komorebi is open to all guests, so you can soak your sore muscles while gazing at the indoor Japanese garden. 

Around ¥32,500 from ¥50,000

This beautiful vacation home could double as a museum. A modern twist on traditional Japanese design, Yadoru Kyoto Hanare Shoji no Yado has two bedrooms, a living room and a small kitchen – ideal for up to four people. The walls are lined with wood and the doors separating the bedrooms are made from shoji screens, creating a wabi sabi feel. The house is walking distance to Gion and Yasaka Shrine, so you’ll be right in the city centre.

Universal Studios Japan has reopened to all residents of Japan, so you can enjoy the new Doraemon ride or stay in this haunted mystery room. If you’d prefer a comfortable hotel room over one filled with 'ghosts', The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan is a large and comfy venue, complete with city views and Art Deco style. Perfect for families, the hotel is about a minute’s walk from USJ. 

Around ¥22,376 from ¥34,425

Ryokan are not a common sight in Osaka, but the beautiful Konjaku-So Dotonbori Garden Spa Stay is a vacation home in the style of a traditional Japanese inn. It’s a comfortable place for up to four people, right in the heart of Osaka’s busy nightlife district. There’s even an outdoor bath and lounge chairs if you’d rather have a night in. 

Hiroshima is the gateway to the sacred island of Miyajima, not to mention the city’s own sites like the Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Castle. Kiro Hiroshima is located in the city centre, just a few minutes’ walk from Peace Boulevard, making it the perfect base to go exploring. The light-filled hotel rooms can accommodate groups of up to six people, and the bar and lounge area is a great place to mingle with other guests or have a quiet drink and watch the sunset. 

Around ¥26,000 from ¥40,000

Kohama, a small island in the Yaeyama Islands chain in Okinawa, is known for its secluded beaches and crystal clear oceans. Haimurubushi, a resort complete with a swimming pool, ocean views and a private beach for guests, is the ideal vacation spot. There are no worries here: just grab a tropical drink and lounge by the pool or take an outdoor bath while gazing at the ocean. 

Around ¥31,460 from ¥48,400 (price includes breakfast and dinner)

This traditional ryokan in Nagano, near Jigokudani Monkey Park, is all about the baths. Kamei no Yu offers indoor and outdoor natural hot springs while the tatami-lined rooms come with a kotatsu (heated table) in winter and either a courtyard or garden view. The price includes breakfast and dinner – the latter consists of kaiseki ryori, a plethora of local small dishes highlighting local and seasonal ingredients.

Around ¥21,557 from ¥33,164 

This atmospheric design hotel near Kanazawa Castle is perfect for exploring Ishikawa’s capital city, which includes the 21st Century Museum of Art and Higashi Chaya geisha district. Combining Japanese sensibilities with modern architecture, the hotel offers rooms with a terrace and city views. Kanazawa is known for frequent rain, so if you find yourself stuck inside during a downpour, the lounge has plenty of activities including sake tasting, free bowls of soba noodles from 9pm to 11pm, and free hojicha tea and coffee 24 hours a day.

Around ¥9,870 from ¥15,185

For those travelling in groups, the rooms at Kumu Kanazawa are an ideal choice as they can each accommodate up to four people. The cool and youthful hotel is design-driven, inspired by Kanazawa’s illustrious samurai and tea cultures, hence the aesthetics here resemble a traditional Japanese tea house. At the communal tea tables on the 3rd and 5th floors, you even get to sip a hot drink by a fireplace. Kumu Kanazawa is only a 20-minute walk from JR Kanazawa Station, and its alfresco rooftop features a wooden deck overlooking the city’s famed castle park.

Around ¥37,180 from ¥57,200

No Japan trip is complete without seeing Mt Fuji in all its glory. This spot near Lake Kawaguchiko is much more than a typical traditional inn; it’s a grand hotel with rooms boasting large beds and separate tatami-lined living areas. The luxury continues with stunning panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchiko. However, the best part of Fujikawaguchiko Onsen Konanso is the hot springs. Offered inside and outside, both baths show off a grand view of Mt Fuji. Nervous bathers can take advantage of the footbath on the rooftop, along with that same great view of Japan’s favourite mountain. Head here in winter for the clearest and most classic views of Fuji.