Cat Spa & Cat Ryokan by Neco is a ryokan, a capsule hotel, and an animal café, but mostly a place overdosed with cuteness in the heart of Osaka. Ryokans are the Japanese version of Western hotels, with some peculiar differences. The cultural experience begins when you arrive at a …

Japan is at the forefront when it comes to digitalization, robotization, and simplification. And this trend has sneaked into the hotel industry quicker than anywhere else in the world. It started with opening the first capsule hotel in 1979, which was and still is a groundbreaking concept. Making the best …

Japan's evolutionary capsule hotel in Tokyo goes against boutique hotels with a rooftop pool and sauna and a panoramic view of the city's landmark building, the Tokyo Skytree. Japan's passion for capsule hotels dates back to the 70s when the first ones appeared. At first, they were a necessary step …

This sustainable resort on Japan's tropical island opened in 2021 after seven years in the making, hoping to attract people's attention with its cool-looking and eco-friendly treehouses. Okinawa's jungle treehouse getaway is competing to become one of the most Instagrammable places in the world, and if you scroll down to …

Are you an artist, or do you take pride in supporting art? How about a hotel concept where you give money to the artists who created it by staying in the city's hippest rooms? BnA Hotels group came up with the ingenious idea of sharing part of their revenue with …

A newly opened hotel in the coastal city of Kanazawa is making waves. Korinkyo Hotel debuted in late 2021, instantly becoming one of the hippest places to stay for the night. Kanazawa is known as the "little Kyoto", full of charming traditional teahouses and wooden structures where you can get …

Shusaku Arakawa was an emblematic figure of the Japanese neo-dadaism and conceptualism movements. His close relationship with writer and artist Madeline Gins led to various collaborations between creative minds. The two have worked together on paintings, experimental filmmaking, performance art, and architectural projects. The Reversible Destiny Lofts is one of …

Japan doesn't shy away from weird and quirky concepts, and Hoshino Resorts' countryside resort is no exception. You would expect a farm stay to have cottages and maybe luxurious tents. But not here. Tomamu the Tower is a set of skyscrapers amid pristine nature. Tomamu consists of two buildings, and …

Hoshinoya is a Japanese luxury hotel collection with five properties in the country and one each in Taiwan and Bali. Their first resort in Okinawa Prefecture opened in 2020. The modern but undeniably Japanese complex of Hoshinoya Okinawa stretches on a scenic beach of the East China Sea. It's a …

Japan is worldwide known for its quirky and unique cultural characteristics in architecture, art, traditions, and daily life. And it's no different when it comes to staying in a hotel. Japan offers kinky stays at love hotels, affordable and slightly crammed in capsule hotels, and also something called Shukubo. It's …

With soaring property prices in Japan's capital, hotels are forced to innovate and squeeze out the most of each square foot of space. While traditional hostels might scare away the more conservative crowd, MyCUBE does not compromise essential privacy. Their fully enclosable capsules are spacious and well equipped. The unique …

Marriott group's launch of the Moxy brand in Japan signifies a new era in sleek and funky accommodation. Moxy hotels are geared towards fun-loving travelers with their playground-like interiors. The cooperation with the local-based studio Wise Labo resulted in a complete revamp of an 11-story warehouse and showroom in a …

Nagasaki Prefecture’s Hirado Castle opened Japan's first "shirohaku", castle stay. It's located in the historic hilltop castle from the 18th century with panoramic views across the Hirado Strait. On this site in 1599, Matsura Shigenobu, a local warlord, constructed a castle called Hinotake-jō, which he then burned down in 1613. …

The first capsule hotel in the world, Capsule Inn Osaka (New Japan Umeda), opened in 1979 and has been enticing guests ever since. The capsule concept was the brainchild of Kisho Kurokawa. In 1972, he designed a residence called "capsule house K". It was an early conceptualization of a revolutionary …

Concept cars tend to look so futuristic and progressive that they never make it into production in the shape they were showcased at car shows. Shiki-Shima train is the concept car of trains, but somehow it managed to get approved by the East Japan Railway Company, and now anyone can …

Maebashi, the city of water, greenery, and poets, has seen a remarkable transformation from silk manufacturing to pioneer Japan's modernization. Shiroiya Hotel has seen a similar metamorphosis from a Japanese ryokan (inn) with 300 years of history into an inspirational contemporary creation. The original inn's rough concrete walls remind its …

Different from most capsule hotels because it offers double rooms and couples' accommodation. It also provides the unusual experience of buying fresh underwear from a vending machine… which is a novelty if you are a Westerner. Also uncommon for foreigners is that bathing suits are banned from single-sex showers and …

The recently opened Hotel Zen Tokyo has taken the popular capsule-style accommodation from Japan and brought it to a new level. Located in Nihonbashi Ningyocho, or "Doll town" as the locals call it, it's one of the most traditional parts of Tokyo, and it's got a great connection with the …

Park Hyatt Tokyo combines the signature luxury the chain is known for with a local flavor. Despite being located right in the center of chaotic Shinjuku, the hotel offers a soothing calm atmosphere. Conveniently located in Tokyo's business and entertainment district, Park Hyatt Tokyo is within walking distance of Shinjuku …

Located in a remote part of Japan's beautiful Ise-Shima National Park, Amanemu is a hidden luxury retreat. The resort overlooks Ago Bay, known as the Bay of Pearls, and is surrounded by lush forests and golf courses. The architecture of Amanemu is a true celebration of minimalism. Inspired by the …