Travel booking service Rakuten Travel have listed the top hotels popular with couples for their nightscape view.

1st Place: Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier (Tokyo)

Placing top for the second year in a row is Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier. With 16 lobby floors, a restaurant, and all guest rooms fitted with huge bedroom windows, this establishment lets you soak up the captivating view of Tokyo at night. There are rooms where you can enjoy the sight from a bathtub, rooms with a guaranteed view of Tokyo Tower, and more.

2nd Place: Hotel Okura Kobe (Hyogo)

Standing tall in Hyogo Prefecture, Hotel Okura Kobe is a 35-storey building soaring above Kobe’s waterfront. As well as a look at Osaka Bay rolled out before your very eyes, and the towering Rokko Mountains, guests can look forward to an unbroken view of Kobe Bay, Kobe Port Tower, and other landmarks. Kobe’s night scenery is ranked amongst Japan’s top, and this hotel monopolises its grand view.

3rd Place: Navios Yokohama (Kanagawa)

Navios Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture is a hotel with a unique appearance built in the Minato Mirai area of Yokohama which is home to countless tourist spots. Here, you can gaze at many famous locations like Yokohama Bay Bridge and Yokohama Bay not only from the guest rooms but the restaurant and bar lounge too.

Did you enjoy this list?

If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, Hyogo or Kanagawa at any point and are looking for hotels, then definitely consider this list as reference in your search!

At the heart of Tokyo’s shitamachi is Asakusa, a district that lives and breathes history and tradition with its pronounced Edo spirit. It’s also a popular sightseeing location for tourists. Every year, 30 million people roll up to see the symbolic sights of Tokyo’s ancient district, including the Sensō-ji temple and Kaminarimon, or “Thunder Gate.”

In this article, we’re going to recommend 5 hotels within 5-minutes’ walking distance from Asakusa Station. Be sure to find the perfect and most convenient hotel for you.

THE GATE HOTEL Kaminarimon by HULIC

yunnnnさん(@y_unjae)がシェアした投稿 – 2月 14, 2018 at 3:24午前 PST

This hotel is just 2-minutes on foot from Asakusa Station’s exit. Its stylish design is truly eye-catching. You can see Tokyo Skytree – the tallest tower in the world – from the glazed front floor lobby on the 13th floor. You can also get a full view of the Asakusa’s neighbourhood from the rooftop terrace, as well as Skytree, while enjoying a meal. We recommend this one for people looking for a good view from their hotel.

Richmond Hotel Asakusa

タカマツさん(@bob.chaina)がシェアした投稿 – 2月 10, 2018 at 6:32午前 PST

This is business hotel is located about 3-minutes on foot from Asakusa Station’s A1 exit. The hotel won first place in SPRING’s 2015 business hotel category. The entire building is fitted with Wi-Fi and there are ethernet ports and printers that can be used for free, and every room has electrical outlets. The front desk operates 24-hours a day and there is also baggage storage, as well as microwave ovens on the 6th floor that can be used for free. This one’s recommended for people seeking out a hotel with lots of amenities.

Asakusa View Hotel

ゆうかさん(@yukaa47)がシェアした投稿 – 12月 13, 2016 at 8:15午前 PST

The Tsukuba Express Line and Asakusa Station are directly connected to this sleek, high-rise hotel which stands 28 stories high and has 3 basement floors. Choose from a wide range of different rooms including traditional Japanese rooms, rooms with a fantastic view, rooms with luxurious bedding and amenities and more. The 26th floor is home to the Sky Grill Cafe & Bar where you can tuck into a delicious breakfast while overlooking the town. If you’re searching for a top grade hotel in Asakusa then look no further.

Asakusa Hotel Hatago

novnov_twistinさん(@novnov_twistin)がシェアした投稿 – 9月 3, 2014 at 7:35午前 PDT

Feel the charm of traditional Japan at Asakusa Hotel Hatago, situated about 2-minutes by foot from Asakusa Station via the Toei Asakusa Line. All rooms are fitted with traditional tatami flooring, allowing you to relax barefoot in a room that will heal your mind and body. The Japanese style beds are manufactured by Simmons and rooms are equipped with a humidifier and air purifier. The real treat of staying at this hotel is sleeping in a Japanese-style room with traditional bedding. There’s even sliding doors and Japanese-style writing desks, as well as traditional wallpaper, which will give you that Edo feeling. Those looking to stay traditional on their Japanese trip should consider this option.

 Hotel Kaminarimon

HARさん(@har__310)がシェアした投稿 – 3月 7, 2015 at 4:03午後 PST

Hotel Kaminarimon is a long-standing 4 story hotel just 1-minute from Asakusa Station via the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. The hotel is right beside Asakusa’s famous sightseeing spot Kaminarimon – the “Thunder Gate”. From the hotel, you can also see the lights of Nakamise-dori’s shops. There’s plenty of English guidance provided by the hotel, making it a popular destination for foreigners. The rooms are a little small, but they have a real at-home vibe, and you can feel the owner’s care that has gone into the hotel. We recommend Hotel Kaminarimon for people that want to be close by the sightseeing spots.

Khaosan Tokyo Laboratory

쿵이さん(@yamayama1103)がシェアした投稿 – 12月 23, 2014 at 6:02午後 PST

This cheap hostel is aimed at backpackers, offering a stylish space and based around the concept of being Japan’s most affordable and comfortable hostel. You’ll find it just 5-minutes on foot from Asakusa Station. They have a diverse selection of rooms including rooms perfect for families of 3-4 people, female dormitories with bunk beds, and shared male and female dormitories with bunk beds. It’s cheap to stay there and it’s super clean. You don’t need to worry about your wallet drying up here.

Was this list helpful? Be sure to pick out the best option for you so you can conveniently spend a nice relaxing time in Asakusa after a day out.

Let’s face it, travelling with your pet, whether a cat, dog or some other fluffy critter, leads to a lot of worry, like your pet’s physical condition, causing nuisance to those around you – the list goes on. Well, have no fear when coming to Japan. Rakuten Travel have ranked a list of the top 10 highly-received and accommodating places that will cater to you and your pet when traveling, delivering a hospitable service and coming equipped with all pet amenities.

1^st Place: “Murphy” – Stay over with your pet and reserve a place at the natural hot springs

The “dog-friendly relaxing spa hotel” Murphy is located in Shizuoka Prefecture and offers a 1-day overnight stay for up to 4 people, and you can take your cat, dog or other small animal with you. Every room has a living room with plenty of space for big dogs and comes prepared with amenities for your pet. Besides the bedrooms, you can also eat in the dining room and spend time with your pet on the terrace with an unbroken view of the ocean. The hotel even has open-air natural hot springs that you can reserve, and guests can use the available pet bath tubs at the washing area if they so wish. Both you and your pet can take a dip together, or if your pet isn’t too good with baths they can sit and wait in the changing room.

2^nd Place: “Kominka Shokudo Rokudaime Heiji”

Kominka Shokudo Rokudaime Heiji can be found in Tochigi Prefecture, just a 15-minute walk from Yunishigawa-Onsen Station. This facility accommodates one person for one night and provides an earthen floor for pets to sleep on. They have a plan available where you can walk together with the site’s two front of house dogs, Ikari Musume-chan and Damu-kun, which has proven popular. Those that have used the plan comment how much fun it is to walk and run together with Damu and Ikari Musume who are very lively.

3^rd Place: “Brand-new Day” – A tiny tucked away lodge in Izu-Kōgen

Brand-new Day is in Shizuoka Prefecture and comes with four ocean-facing rooms. Guests can stay in the same room as their small dog, and this place also has rentable open-air hot springs and doggy bath tubs. People comment how although they were worried about travelling with their dogs for the first time, choosing Brand-new Day was the absolute right way to go, and compliment the lodge for their kind consideration.

4^th Place: Hotel Resta

Situated in Tochigi Prefecture, Hotel Resta is another dog-friendly location. If guests use a cage they can enter the lounge without worry. One person praised the accommodation, saying “I stayed for a couple of days with my chihuahua and family. It was my first long-distance trek with my dog, so I was a little anxious, but there was a dog enclosure I could use at nighttime, so my mind was put at ease. My dog also become accustomed to the room and relaxed well.”

5^th Place: “Ashiato no Mori” – A rentable overnight pet villa

Ashiato no Mori is in Shizuoka Prefecture and was revamped and reopened in July 2016 to accommodate 3 people per night without meals. As well as their ‘dog run’ where your beloved dog can enjoy playing to the fullest, each room caters not only to the owner, but the pet too, filled with dog amenities to make the stay for both the dog and the owner a pleasant experience. The villa has been praised for its attentiveness and amenities for both parties, as well as the hospitality towards pets and consideration of guests.

6^th Place: “Maure Sanso” – Maruseppu Hot Spring

Maure Sanso is a North American style hotel that sits in the middle of a quiet forest in Hokkaido. A cottage complete with hot springs, Maure Sanso is another pet-friendly site that enables guests to stop over with their pets. There’s facilities to cook for yourself making it perfect for long stays. And because there are large public baths where you can enjoy simple alkaline hot springs, it’s a great opportunity for people that want to travel with their pets but also want to enjoy a relaxing time in the onsen.

7^th Place: “Guest House Bern”

Guest House Bern is located atop Kurumayama 1,600m above sea level in Nagano Prefecture. It caters not only to small dogs but bigger ones too thanks to the large spaces available. Guests can enjoy spending precious time with their dogs on a fun dog run or during dinnertime where your dog can join you.

8^th Place: “Hamadoraku” in Nishiizu

If you have a cage or crate available, then you can get an overnight room with a small dog at Hamadoraku in Shizuoka Prefecture. If the weather is good you can catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji while you ease your fatigue in the open-air baths. One guest said, “We went as a husband and wife with our dog. It’s not a new hotel, but we were pleased with the immaculate state of the rooms and futons.”

9^th Place: “Daikokukan”

Gunma Prefecture’s Daikokukan not only has bedrooms, but a food area too where you can go with your dog. There’s a playroom that can house up to around 20 dogs, so they can have fun even if it’s raining. As well as cats and dogs, the site can also lodge various birds such as parrots and Java sparrows. The hotel has been praised by guests for stocking necessary amenities for pets as well as the pet playroom, the dog run and open-air baths. They also compliment the site for creating a space where dogs can still enjoy themselves even if it’s raining, and for providing rooms where you can take your pets and have fun talking with the other guests.

10^th Place: “Ishinoue” – A villa with rooms all equipped with open-air baths

The final site is in Shizuoka Prefecture, which welcomes dogs, rabbits, ferrets, cats and more. It’s a particularly cat-friendly hotel as it comes with “cat rooms” too. Ishinoue has been commented for the staff’s attentive interactions and communication and as a wonderful experience for people staying overnight with their pets for the first time. The food has also been applauded for being delicious and the cat rooms as a welcome addition for spending a pleasant time with pet cats.

If you’re thinking of travelling to Japan with your pet, then be sure to make use of this top 10 list to make your trip a comfortable and stress-free one.

Choosing a hotel is not easy and everybody wants to stay in a nice hotel. In this article, I will introduce to you some unique “concept hotels” in Japan.

SAMURAIS HOSTEL ikebukuro (Tokyo / Ikebukuro)

The concept of the hotel is “Samurai/Ninja × Art.” The hotel can be enjoyed as an entertainment facility which offers rooms created under the theme of “wall art” and “castle.” Various events using open spaces, body-armor-wearing/photo-taking experience can be experienced. The fee differs depending on the season but the price range per person is 3,000 yen to 6,000 yen per night. It is a hostel where visitors can enjoy the culture of Japan at a reasonable price.

Detailed information:Enjoy a relaxing stay at the new samurai and ninja-themed hostel which has just opened in Ikebukuro

BOOK AND BED TOKYO（Tokyo / Asakusa)

This is hostel that has two different sections that is, “a book shop where you can sleep” and “a bar where you can sleep.” Full-fledged café bar menus such as original cocktails and coffees will be offered to guests staying overnight and to daytime guests.

Also, cool original pajamas can be rented. It is a special space where you can read books and sleep.

Detailed information: A book store where you can stay overnight, “BOOK AND BED TOKYO” will open in Asakusa

Tune Hakodate Hostel & MusicBal (Hokkaido/Hakodate)

A facility that includes a guest house, a share house and a music bar. The music bar has a stage where performers can hold live concerts. Sound engineers, light engineers and DJ booths are installed and they offer craft beers and wines produced in Hokkaido from 500 yen. They also offer organic vegetables and low-sugar menu items. A cheap accommodation which music fans will love.

Detailed information: Vacant building undergoing renovation in Hokkaido’s Hakodate city will reopen as accommodation for travelers

Hoshino Resort Tomamu (Hokkaido)

Hoshino Resort will offer “Kohri no Hotel (Ice hotel)” for a limited time offer (2018,01,13 to 02,28). The size of the Kohri no Hotel (dome-shaped) is 8.5m in diameter and 3.5m in height, with a wall thickness of 15 to 20cm. The beds, chairs and tables installed inside the hotel are all made of ice. They have sleeping bags which can be used in temperatures of up to minus 30 degrees so you don’t have to worry about the coldness. The hotel is very quiet and therefore you can enjoy a unique stay.

Hotel New Otani (Tokyo)

A new room with a whole new concept “Shin Edo Single” was opened. In this room, you can experience a superb stay with a cypress bath which heals and warms your body with its fresh smell and soft texture. The Japanese garden which is 400 years, used to be the compounds of Kiyomasa Kato who is known as a general during the Sengoku Era, the compounds of the Ii family and  Fushimi Palace.

Detailed information:“Shin-Edo Single Rooms” to be offered at Hotel New Otani. Let’s experience a traditional Japanese bath

Did you find a hotel you are interested in? If so, why not make travel plans and visit one of these unique hotels.

Please check the following article, “Manners you must keep to enjoy hotels in Japan.”

Have a nice trip!

We all know that staying in a hotel can be pretty expensive. But if you’re looking to stay somewhere that is stylish and clean with the benefit of being cheap, then look no further. Here are 5 affordable hostels and capsule hotels located in Tokyo.

BOOK AND BED TOKYO (Asakusa)

“BOOK AND BED TOKYO” is a hostel designed around the concept of being able to stay in a bookshop. There are 4 branches of BOOK AND BED TOKYO, with the fourth and latest set to open in Asakusa. The hostel comes with an authentic cafe bar menu serving original cocktails, coffee and more from bookshelves to both overnight and daytime guests. From just ￥3,800, you can look forward to the pleasure of books and rest in the very special experience of staying overnight at a book store.

Full Details: http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/67896

IMANO TOKYO HOSTEL

IMANO TOKYO HOSTEL is located 10 minutes from Shinjuku station and 3 minutes from Shinjuku-Sanchome Station by foot, right by the Hanazono Shrine. The hostel has both normal rooms and traditional Japanese style rooms. A big highlight of the hostel is the cafe & bar on the first floor. (Cafe – 8:00-17:00 / Bar – 18:00-23:00). Accommodation prices from ￥3,500.

Full Details: http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/34372

IMANO TOKYO GINZA HOSTEL

“Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel” is also located in Shinjuku. The hostel features a comfortable lounge for guests staying the night where they can enjoy chatting together. It’s a place that recognises and seeks to preserve that “one-in-a-lifetime encounter” while on a trip. As well as a female-only floor, Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel offers a wide range of different bedding types and room types, from family rooms which the whole family can enjoy together to cost-effective dormitory rooms. Accommodation prices begin at ￥3,400.

Full Details: http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/59036

GLANSIT AKIHABARA

“GLANSIT AKIHABARA” is a capsule hotel located just 3 minutes’ walk from Akihabara Station, making it easily accessible, standing at 10 stories high. At every turn of the hotel, from the earthen-coloured bedding area and lounge, is placed materials associated with nature, showing the hotel’s hospitality not just in its functional aspect but its make up too. Beds are fitted with original mattresses provided in joint development with bedding manufacturer Tokyo Nishikawa. Accommodation prices start at ￥3,500.

Full Details: http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/58782

FromScratch TOKYO

“FromScratch TOKYO” is an accommodation aimed at foreigners located close by Sumiyoshi Station, a 20 minute train journey from Shinjuku Station via the Toei Shinjuku Line. It includes a shop that rotates services – during the daytime it’s a cafe that serves Japanese tea, while at nighttime it turns into a bar serving Japanese alcohol. Artists are invited to display their latest works and live events are also hosted. FromScratch TOKYO enables guests to immerse themselves in Japanese culture with Japanese tea and alcohol served with with art, music, or on its own.

Full Details: http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/60179

Do any of these hotels and hostels peak your interest? Each one of them serves up their own slice of originality, promising a unique experience to whichever you visit. Pick which one suits your needs most during your travels to Japan!

Since 2017 October 14^th Hotel New Otani is offering its guests redecorated rooms with a new concept, that is the “Shin-Edo Single Room.” Anticipating a great increase in the number of foreigners visiting Japan up to the year of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, and to meet the needs of such foreigners who want to experience true Japanese hospitality, Hotel New Otani has redecorated rooms with the theme of “traditional Edo culture.” These rooms will also be equipped with state of the art technology that Japan can be very proud of.

The Japanese Garden inside the Hotel New Otani grounds has been ranked at No. 6^th in TripAdvisor’s top 20 list of “Best Free Attractions in Japan” following “Katsurarikyu” in Kyoto which ranked in at 5^th place. In addition, this same garden was also selected at as one of the “Top 10 ‘oasis’ sites in Tokyo.”

With a history of more than 400 years, the garden had been the property of various samurai lords such as, Kiyomasa Kato’s compound, Ii family’s compound and Fushimi Court.

The 10-acre garden is known to be a power spot where a spring wells up and it features antique stone lanterns which convey the tradition and heritage of this garden. In addition, the tea ceremony house, “Waraku-an” is also located in the garden. This tea ceremony house was built by Kimura Seibei to hold a tea ceremony to commemorate the Crown Prince’s (present Emperor) returning from his attendance at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation ceremony.

The night time lighting of the garden has been undertaken by Motoko Ishii, a leading Japanese lighting designer. She designed the lighting of the garden to express Japan’s spirit of hospitality and the garden can be enjoyed from the guest rooms. She comments on this project as follows, “I wanted to express the lighting culture of Japan. To do this I took particular attention to the various graduations of light and shadow, and I have designed the lighting so that it is changed by season. I wanted the foreign guests of the hotel to feel the history of Japanese garden culture.”

For foreign visitors to Japan, of course visiting tourist sites, going shopping and eating Japanese cuisine is very popular but another favorite is visiting a spa or having a traditional Japanese bath.

One of the Japanese bath experiences and food experiences is the one glass of alcohol after taking a bath.

Chilled sake selected by the hotel sommelier – or a premium non-alcoholic beverage – is offered as a complimentary amenity exclusively in this room type. The selected sake is called “Jinmai Ginjyo Hakkaisan.” This sake is a highly acclaimed sake getting 94 points out of 100 points in the Ultimate Beverage Challenge 2017 held in the US.

The Japanese have pursued perfection from a limited space from long ago like a Sado and Bonsai arts.

“Shin-Edo Single Room” is advocated as a concept that the fact that the space alone is not proportional to the richness and convenience, that the necessary space is available in a limited space, and convenience brings true comfort.

These redecorated rooms are equipped with the necessary elements for a pleasant stay, strategically laid out in its 26 square meter space. Exclusive amenities, along with the Japanesque theme, offer a stay enriched with tradition, comfort, and technology.

It was designed by a Japanese designer living in Kyoto, who depicted old Japanese patterns and lanterns.

Why not experience a traditional Japanese bath at Japanese historical building?