The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Japan

Where to Stay if You've Never Been to Japan

Fukuoka, Japan Fukuoka, Japan

If it's your first trip to Japan for the activities and sightseeing, then you're in for a treat. But the biggest question is often where to stay for a first time visitor to Japan. With so many amazing hotels to choose from, it can be tough to make a decision to make the most of your first trip here. That's where we come in! In this comprehensive guide, we'll help you find the best hotels for first-timers in Japan. After analyzing all of the hotels based on price, location, amenities, ratings, and more, we have come up with our list of the best hotels in Japan for first time visitors. We'll cover everything you need to know about these hotels, including the amenities, location, prices and ratings. So, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or as a couple on a romantic getaway, you'll find the perfect hotel if you've never visited Japan beofre. So check out these terrific hotels, many of which have sparkling swimming pools, delicious restaurants, and top-notch amenities, along with the perfect balance of comfort, location, and affordability. So, let's get to it and discover the best hotels in Japan for your first trip!

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Appi Life is Beautiful

Hachimantai, Japan
Bed & Breakfast with prices starting at $65 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Japan
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Located at Appi Kogen 605-126, Appi Life is Beautiful has great rooms from $65 (before taxes). It offers skiing, a restaurant, a bar, hiking, and mountain views. It has a terrific 9.00 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only a short distance from the city center, first time visitors will especially love laundry services, golf, city views, cooking classes, and a hot tub at this relaxing hotel. We love relaxing in a hot tub after a long day, and the one here is really nice. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator


Hakuba Hotel Ougiya

Hakuba, Japan
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $225 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

A great place to stay is Hakuba Hotel Ougiya which has nice rooms starting at $225. Offering skiing, a restaurant, scuba diving, a bar, and a kid-friendly buffet, it also has a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 6680 Hokujyo. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers hiking, mountain views, cooking classes, a spa and wellness center, and free parking which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just a short drive from the city center. Unwinding at the restaurant after sightseeing is a nice way to end the day.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Horse riding
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Tennis
  • Refrigerator


B&B Santana Hakuba

Hakuba, Japan
Bed & Breakfast with prices starting at $104 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for first time trip hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

We found B&B Santana Hakuba to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $104. We loved that is has skiing, a restaurant, a bar, breakfast, and hiking, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.00 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at Kamishiro 22203-152. You'll also find mountain views, laundry services, a free breakfast, cooking classes, and a game room which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just a quick trip from the center of town. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis


Hotel Okura Kobe

Kobe, Japan
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $60 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Japan
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly
  • Heated pool

With terrific rooms from $60, Hotel Okura Kobe, at 2-1 Hatoba-cho provides an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. Its terrific guest rating is 8.95 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers parking, mountain views, child care, laundry services, and city views. It's located just a short distance from the city center, too. Nothing says relaxation like having room service delivered. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Heated pool
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo Autograph Collection

Tokyo, Japan
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $196 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo Autograph Collection has a great guest rating of 8.90 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. The great rooms here start at $196 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 3-13-1 Takanawa. Furthermore, it also offers parking, child care, laundry services, city views, and a hot tub, which is nice for first time visitors. Just a short drive from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. Everyone loves a nice pool, and you won't be disappointed with this one.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Bears Den Mountain Lodge

Hakuba, Japan
2-star Hotel with prices starting at $270 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Japan
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

The great guest rating of Bears Den Mountain Lodge is 9.80 out of 10. This place has skiing, a restaurant, a bar, hiking, and mountain views. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $270, and it's located at Kamishiro 22213-6. We also love the cooking classes, a hot tub, a game room, free parking, and kids meals which are great for visitors. And since it's just a quick trip from the center of the town, the location is great, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms


Yuzawa Toei Hotel

Yuzawa, Japan
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $76 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.

A cool place is Yuzawa Toei Hotel because it has great rooms that start at $76. It has skiing, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and a kid-friendly buffet, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.40 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 3459. Only a short distance from the city center, travelers will especially love hiking, mountain views, city views, a game room, and free parking at this convenient hotel. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground


Hotel Seamore Shirahama Key Terrace

Shirahama, Japan
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $97 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Japan
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.

Hotel Seamore Shirahama Key Terrace offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, scuba diving, and snorkeling which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $97 (before taxes). It's located at 1821 Shirahama-cho and has earned a guest rating of 8.20/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, mountain views, a game room, and a spa which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just a short drive from the city center. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator


The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa

Nago, Japan
5-star Hotel with prices starting at $400 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool

Located at 1343-1 Kise, The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa has great rooms from $400 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a water park, a restaurant, and a fitness center. It has a terrific 9.10 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, and mountain views which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just a quick trip from the center of town. The indoor pool at this hotel is very nice, and is a great place to unwind and relax on your trip.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Water park
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Heated pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Kinosaki Onsen Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei

Toyooka, Japan
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $263 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

A great place to stay is Kinosaki Onsen Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei which has nice rooms starting at $263. Offering an outdoor pool, a pool bar, a restaurant, a bar, and mountain views, it also has a great guest rating of 9.10 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 1016-2 Yushima, Kinosaki. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers city views, a hot tub, a spa and wellness center, a spa, and free parking. It's located just a short distance from the city center, too. We love a fun pool bar, and this one is a nice spot to chill and relax by the pool.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Spa
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator


For more terrific hotel ideas in Japan, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Japan, Best Beach Hotels in Japan, Best Cheap Hotels in Japan, Best Luxury Hotels in Japan, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Japan, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Japan, Best Hotels for One Week in Japan, Best Hotels for One Night in Japan, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Japan, Best Adults Only Hotels in Japan, Best Party Hotels in Japan, Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Japan, Best Hotels for Skiing in Japan, or Best Business Hotels in Japan.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Japan?

Japan Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$115

After analyzing 2132 first time trip hotels in Japan, we found the average first time trip hotel price to be a remarkably economical $115. Naturally, this destination has many fantastic first time trip accommodation options with a variety of prices. The price will vary by the hotel's amenities, available dates, and the general location. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Japan.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $260
  • 4-star hotels: $165
  • 3-star hotels: $103
  • 2-star hotels: $78


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