Japan is a country which is full of life, advanced technology, deeply entrenched traditions, and is practically an explosion of the senses.
People have expectations when they come here. The wild rumours about robot restaurants with crazy flashing lights, maids beckoning you to be waited on, and salary men drinking until the early hours of the morning just to fall asleep on the trains – it’s all true.
So you won’t be surprised to know that there are some unique and special hotels that exist only in Japan. We’re not talking 5-star – we’re talking epic hotel themes that are an experience in itself!
Let’s go through some of the 10 best unique and cool hotels in Japan.
1. Keio Plaza Hotel Tama (Hello Kitty Hotel)
If you’re a big fan of all things kawaii, check out the Keio Plaza Hotel Tama in Tokyo. From outside, it’s depicted as just another ordinary hotel. However, the inside of this 4-star hotel is decked out with a collection of adorable Hello Kitty rooms!
From Hello Kitty walls to Hello Kitty furniture, the room features the famous character emblazoned across multiple items.
Whilst the rooms are quite an experience alone, the hotel itself is no joke. It features a karaoke room on the 47th floor as well as a stunning rooftop pool.
Book It Here: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
2. Book and Bed Tokyo Shinjuku
The Book & Bed Tokyo, located in Shinjuku, is one of the most popular themed accommodations. As its name suggests, it’s a hotel where you can book a bed to sleep in amongst thousands of novels – you literally sleep amongst the shelves!
Think of it as pretty much sleeping in a library, but a very aesthetic, dimly lit, romantic-vibes kind of library.
The concept is fantastic and this is one of the cheaper options as well.
Book It Here: Book & Bed Shinjuku
3. Henn Na Hotel Kyoto
Being tended to by dinosaurs at the front desk of a hotel? Where do I sign up!
Henn Na Hotel in Kyoto, that’s where.
Named as the world’s very first hotel staffed by robots, you can expect this one to be pretty special. At this hotel, the first thing you will notice is that the dinosaurs, which are multilingual by the way, will greet you, check you in, and even carry your luggage to your room!
Another fun feature of this hotel is the fact that they have keyless entry, so you don’t have to worry about carrying around and losing your key card.
Book It Here: Henn Na Hotel Kyoto
4. Park Hotel Tokyo (Gorgeous Artist Rooms)
Are you after a unique hotel experience that isn’t too eclectic? In that case, the Park Hotel Tokyo is a wonderful and affordable option! The 4-star hotel is exceptionally positioned in Tokyo, offering some fantastic views of the city.
Its unique aspect is that it has a dedicated floor (31st) full of rooms that are exquisitely decorated by contemporary Japanese artists.
Think of designs inspired and characterized by such things as Japanese culture, Nature and even Geisha.
Each artist paint only one room so all the hotel rooms are unique and different from each other. After the success of the artist rooms, Park Hotel Tokyo continues to invite more artists to create new amazing pieces of art that you can sleep in!
Book It Now: Park Hotel Tokyo
5. Hotel Gracery Tokyo (Godzilla Head)
As one of the most iconic Japanese characters, you can’t not expect there to be a Godzilla-themed hotel – and the Hotel Gracery Tokyo is exactly that!
Read More: 10 Giant Monsters in Tokyo
From the majestic Godzilla statue sitting atop the building to the Godzilla head sitting in the 8th-floor lobby, you just get the feeling that this hotel does not cut any corners.
And they absolutely don’t.
The rooms themselves are interactive and furnished with Godzilla posters and decor, in more ways than you can imagine, and you’re provided with themed treats during your stay.
Book It Here: Hotel Gracery Tokyo
6. Grand Chariot Awaji Island (Naruto Themed Cocoon)
Grand Chariot Awaji Island is a hotel that is located close by to Nijigen No Mori theme park. It’s a popular option for those looking to spend some extra time exploring the island after visiting the park itself.
The hotel is made up of ‘cocoons’, or large wooden huts. All of the huts are round in shape, with a straw-look roof, and offer a clear half-dome window at the tip of the roof to allow you to view the stars at night.
One of the cocoons is a dedicated Naruto-themed one, complete with posters, bedding, and even decor in the washroom! There are plenty of memorabilia offered by the hotel that you can take home as well.
Book It Here: Grand Chariot Awaji Island
7. Artist Hotel – BnA STUDIO Akihabara
If your friends often described you as artsy, a stay at the BnA STUDIO Akihabara will fit perfectly with your persona. This small and intimate hotel, located in the creative district of Koenji, features rooms that are decorated with artwork made by local artists.
The hotel offers a small cafe and in-house restaurant, but they only have a limited number of rooms! If this special hotel sounds like your kind of stay, we recommend getting your bookings in, stat!
Book It Here: Artist Hotel: BnA STUDIO Akihabara
8. Nine Hours Otemachi-Imperial Palace
Nine hours really should need no introduction; however, if you haven’t heard about this eclectic capsule hotel chain, you’re in for a treat!
This nine hours hotel is situated within walking distance of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, and really lives up to the brand’s reputation of being super sleek, minimalistic, aesthetic and simply just cool.
All capsules are made to feel like you’re sleeping in a futuristic bed. You’re provided with your own kit when you arrive, including slippers, a robe, toothbrush, and the bathrooms are all well-equipped.
Book It Now: nine hours Otemachi-Imperial Palace
9. HOTEL Us Keibajo
HOTEL Us Keibajo is the only love hotel that’s made this list, but all for the right reasons. This hotel, located in Niigata, is an expansive building of 7-stories filled with 50 rooms.
The unique aspect of this love hotel is that it offers many themed rooms for its guests. They include a ‘classroom’ theme complete with bell sounds, a black and white board and student chairs and furniture; a hospital room with a stethoscope, hospital beds and curtains, and a x-ray viewer; and even a construction site themed room, with traffic cones and traffic tape.
This hotel is truly unique and almost every themed room will leave you with a memorable experience!
Book It Here: HOTEL Us Keibajo
10. Hotel Public Jam Osaka
Hotel Public Japan is a funky and affordable hotel located in the Minami district of Osaka. It offers 27 guest rooms, some with far-fetched and eye-catching decor.
Take, for example, their guest room that comes complete with a car coming out of the wall, full wall mirror behind the bed, and a lamp post in the middle of the room.
Or what about their Disney-inspired room, decked out with famous characters such as Mickey and Minnie mouse figurines and wall decor? You’ll even see them as your laying down in bed, as they’re also printed onto the ceiling!
Book It Here: Hotel Public Jam Osaka
Were you aware that there were that many unique and cool hotels across Japan? From technologically-advanced to throwbacks to the past and everything in between, any one of these hotels will surely provide you with a memorable experience!
For a more traditional stay in Japan, feel free to check out our recommended Ryokan in Japan.
I love the artist hotel
👍