Originally Posted by
geilux
I see plenty of nice hotels (SPG, HH, IC, Hyatt...) in Tokyo, Osaka, and some other big cities.
However, according to tripadvisor, it seems somehow difficult to find adequate lodging in "smaller" cities (i.e. Nara or Nikko, Hiroshima).
I've never heard this. What is your definition of a nice hotel?
If you only want to stay at SPG, HH, IC, and Hyatt properties, then you'll find that most of your options are in the largest cities. But just about any city will have at least one up-market Western style hotel - albeit without the opportunity to earn points that you can use back home. If you expand your criteria to include traditional Japanese inns, you'll find very comfortable lodgings in every corner of the country.