Nov 1, 2022, 6:01 pm
Last edit by: RichardInSF
Please also see this outstanding thread in which KI-NRT has reviewed a number of luxury ryokan:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2095029&referrerid=14479
And here's a link to the main thread discussing luxury hotels in Tokyo:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1910955&referrerid=14479
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2095029&referrerid=14479
And here's a link to the main thread discussing luxury hotels in Tokyo:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1910955&referrerid=14479
Luxury hotels of Japan (outside of Tokyo)
Jan 1, 2019, 7:24 pm
#646
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
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Arashiyama is really great. We enjoyed just hanging around the river and people watched. The mountains and river are really soothing. We got there around 7:30am to go check out the bamboo paths and it seemed to be just about right as there were only a few people around. By 8:30am, it was beginning to feel crowded.
Jan 2, 2019, 1:44 am
#647
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,053
I'm heading to Japan in May, and was able to secure 3 nights at the Suiran Kyoto on points (first time in Kyoto, so very excited about this). Any tips on managing a paid upgrade from the base reward room? How far is the property from the main sites in Kyoto that a first timer would likely want to see/do?
Many thanks in advance for helpful tips. Great thread!
Many thanks in advance for helpful tips. Great thread!
Jan 6, 2019, 4:00 pm
#648
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
Arashiyama is really great. We enjoyed just hanging around the river and people watched. The mountains and river are really soothing. We got there around 7:30am to go check out the bamboo paths and it seemed to be just about right as there were only a few people around. By 8:30am, it was beginning to feel crowded.
I agree that early morning is the best time to visit. We went twice during our 8 night stay at Suiran and it definitely was more crowded in the afternoon.
It may sound silly but it worked out great to take a rickshaw ride to the forest on our second visit. The driver knew the best route through the bamboo and he was able to take photos of us with our phone. He had practiced and knew how to get really good panoramic shots.
There are other things I highly recommend in Arashiyama-
the Monkey Park (the hike and view are beautiful), Gioji Temple, Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple , Tenryuji Temple, the Sagano Scenic Romantic Train and if you want to splurge on an amazing Kaiseki lunch or dinner- Kitchu.
Jan 7, 2019, 1:06 pm
#649
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 1,216
Shot in the dark, but has anyone stayed at Yakimochiya in Nagano City? Curious to hear about it!
Jan 7, 2019, 5:24 pm
#650
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
Jan 7, 2019, 9:21 pm
#651
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,053
This can happen at some ryokans. They're not squatter toilets but I'll never pay to stay somewhere and share a bathroom.
Jan 30, 2019, 10:10 pm
#652
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
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Posts: 17,398
Does anyone who's been to both have strong opinons on Hakone-Ginyu vs. Yama No Chaya? We have reservations at both at the moment - Roughly the same price for private onsen rooms, a Sora Room at Hakone-Ginyu and Ajisai at YamaNoChaya (with the extra sashimi meal plan 
). Looks like Hakone-Ginyu has the better view and YamaNoChaya has the upgraded meal plan going for it, but hard to say without knowing the quality of the food/rooms at either place! On pictures they both look amazing...
). Looks like Hakone-Ginyu has the better view and YamaNoChaya has the upgraded meal plan going for it, but hard to say without knowing the quality of the food/rooms at either place! On pictures they both look amazing...
Feb 8, 2019, 10:58 pm
#653
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
Ever Get out of Tokyo?
Thinking that those who frequent this thread may actually go north to Sapporo, I wanted to know if anyone has a recommended hotel or ryokan that is close to where the main Snow Festival activities are held each year.
Many thanks!
Many thanks!
Feb 8, 2019, 11:30 pm
#654
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
It's likely that the best accommodation in town is in the "Grand within Grand" section of the Sapporo Grand hotel. I've stayed there once and I thought the rooms were quite decent and, I suspect, dramatically different and better from the rest of the hotel, which likely is a not so good world. The problem is that the rooms are crazily overpriced when the Snow Festival is NOT on, so I cannot imagine what they would be charging when it is on. I am talking prices that are higher than the most expensive Tokyo hotels during the non-Snow Festival season -- Y80,000 a night and up for a 50sqmt regular room -- and again, these are the rates when the Snow Festival is NOT on.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Feb 8, 2019 at 11:37 pm
Feb 9, 2019, 12:53 am
#655
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
It's likely that the best accommodation in town is in the "Grand within Grand" section of the Sapporo Grand hotel. I've stayed there once and I thought the rooms were quite decent and, I suspect, dramatically different and better from the rest of the hotel, which likely is a not so good world. The problem is that the rooms are crazily overpriced when the Snow Festival is NOT on, so I cannot imagine what they would be charging when it is on. I am talking prices that are higher than the most expensive Tokyo hotels during the non-Snow Festival season -- Y80,000 a night and up for a 50sqmt regular room -- and again, these are the rates when the Snow Festival is NOT on.
Feb 9, 2019, 9:15 am
#656
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
No, I never had any contact with the concierge or indeed with management at all. I am not surprised that it might be sold out a year in advance but it is also the case that many Japanese hotels don't even open up most of their space that far in advance. A booking site like Rakuten travel also sometimes has space when the hotel site does not.
Feb 9, 2019, 10:18 am
#657
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
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Posts: 7,141
No, I never had any contact with the concierge or indeed with management at all. I am not surprised that it might be sold out a year in advance but it is also the case that many Japanese hotels don't even open up most of their space that far in advance. A booking site like Rakuten travel also sometimes has space when the hotel site does not.
Feb 9, 2019, 6:35 pm
#658
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
Bear in mind that while it is priced like a luxury hotel, it is not one, although the hard product in "Grand In Grand" is good and paying rack rate gets you access to a lounge.
Feb 11, 2019, 10:47 am
#659
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
curious how well best luxury hotel concierges do, and if some things do not have to cost a fortune
thetimes.co.uk/article/behind-closed-doors-in-japan-hs5ghhzd7
luxurique.com/img/media/thetilesluxx2018.pdf
thetimes.co.uk/article/behind-closed-doors-in-japan-hs5ghhzd7
luxurique.com/img/media/thetilesluxx2018.pdf
concierge company Luxurique not only creates individual packages for travellers, but has also been commissioned by the Japanese government to create VIP packages for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Feb 12, 2019, 8:50 am
#660
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: New York
Posts: 183
Anyone have any ryokan recommendations in the Kanazawa and Yamanouchi area? Working on a trip for December and trying to gather more info. Right now I'm considering Asadaya, Beniya Mukayu, Kinjohro, Kayotei for Kanazawa, and for Yamanoichi we were considering Sekiya, Myojinkan, and Kanaguya (more for the novelty). Ideally we prefer something with a good outdoor bath. We loved our stay at Asaba and were hoping for something similar.