Righa Royal Kyoto

US$200/night - Upscale busy tourist hotel in convenient location with busy convention space. We booked a non-smoking Standard Double Room - Executive Floor.

Pros- Frequent free shuttle to nearby central train station, good central location for walking around interesting nearby neighborhoods, very professional staff, and great amenities (some at no additional charge like self-serve foreign currency exchange kiosk in lobby -- and some for a per-use charge like gym/onsen bath facilities). Upscale restaurants.

Cons- It's a big, busy place -- might occasionally need a little patience at the elevators. 

Merveille Hakone Gora

In April 2018 we visited friends living not far from Yokohama, Japan. Looking for a three day getaway they suggested the Hakone region — easily accessible from the Tokyo metro area. We chose to stay in the village of Gora at the Merveille Hakone Gora hotel. It was a terrific choice and one of our Japan favorites. Check out our video review of the hotel and our experience in the region below.

US$166/night

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Hotel Okura Tokyo

We stayed two nights in central Tokyo at the five star Hotel Okura (property listing, we paid $330 per night including tax and service charge). Great location and excellent service. Pricey but worth it for a quick two night visit right in the heart.

Hotel MyStay Fuji Onsen Resort

We stayed three nights in a delightful resort area close to Mt. Fuji (property listing, we paid $283 per night including tax). Use of the public onsen (bath) is included. Breakfast is not included and must be reserved in advance of your arrival. We did not realize this but no additional breakfast reservations were available upon arrival requiring us to leave the hotel for breakfast. While the hotel is close to one of the train stations it is a several blocks walk to restaurants and shops. Most guests had cars. We did not. Taxis are available from the front desk.

Montein Hotel

We stayed one night at Montein Hotel (property listing, we paid $91 including tax and breakfast) in a small town at the height of their cherry blossom blooming. This was one of our favorite stops in Japan. The hotel is a reflection of snug, efficient Japanese accommodations.

Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage

We stayed three nights in the Akarinoyado area of Nikko (property listing, $140 per night including tax and breakfast). Our three nights visiting the forest temples of Nikko was an easy shinkansen train ride from the Tokyo area. Accommodations were simple, comfortable and affordable. Without a car, prepare to walk, taxi or bus. It is a pleasant 25 minute walk from here to the Nikko train station. Very well run family inn. Breakfast was a work of art! Onsen included in price.