Luxury Japan Awards 2026

Kamenoi Besso in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture and Meijaku in Nishiazabu, Tokyo have won the 2026 Luxury Japan Awards which honor Japan’s most representative luxury hotels, inns and restaurants. Launched in 2022 as an initiative to promote Japanese luxury to the world’s wealthy, this year marks the fourth time the awards have been held.

Based on unique selection criteria, a selection committee chaired by architect Kengo Kuma (above) selects the top 10 in the hotel and inn categories and restaurant categories. The most outstanding facilities from the top 10 are awarded the titles of Hotel of the Year and Restaurant of the Year.

According to organisers, the Luxury Japan Tourism Organization, the world’s wealthy population is increasing year by year, and tourism demand from this demographic is also expanding. “To become a truly tourism-oriented nation, the nation must work together to develop services and facilities that meet the needs of this wealthy demographic. In addition, to prevent tourist destinations from becoming exhausted due to overtourism, there is a need to shift from focusing on “quantity” of tourists to focusing on quality and efforts to promote luxury tourism will become even more important in the future.”

The Luxury Japan Tourism Organization will not only disseminate the latest information on luxury tourism, but also provide online opportunities to match domestic and international buyers with domestic sellers, thereby contributing to the development of the entire luxury tourism industry.

Kamenoi Besso

Located on the shores of Lake Kinrin at the foot of Yufuin, this renowned inn (above) is said to be the best in the city. While maintaining its century-old traditions and thoughtful hospitality, the guest rooms have undergone extensive renovations in recent years, merging two rooms into one to create an even more luxurious space. The 33,000-square-meter site, surrounded by natural forests overlooking the majestic Mount Yufu, is dotted with 11 detached buildings and six Western-style rooms, and the independent buildings and natural surroundings offer a one-of-a-kind stay. Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the inn has continued to make new efforts and innovations, maintaining stable operations and demonstrating its high quality. It’s also wonderful that it offers ample space and comfort for wealthy international guests, while still allowing them to enjoy the elegance of a Japanese inn.

The other hotel winners are:

Happy Stay Eshikoto, Eiheiji Town, Fukui Prefecture
Zaborin, Niseko, Hokkaido Prefecture
Palace Hotel Tokyo, Marunouchi, Tokyo Prefecture
Enowa Yufuin, Yufuin, Oita Prefecture
The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Atami, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture
Amano Jaku, Kamiamakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture
The Okura Tokyo, Toranomon, Tokyo Prefecture
Hotel The Mitsui, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto Prefecture
Yamagataza Takinami, Nanyo, Yamagata Prefecture

Myoujyaku

This restaurant is captivating gourmets from Japan and abroad as it pioneers new horizons in Japanese cuisine. It adheres to a unique philosophy of using almost no kelp or bonito flakes, which are considered the foundation of Japanese cuisine, and instead creates dishes that draw on the natural flavor of the ingredients. Owner Nakamura Hidetoshi trained at Kyoto’s Maruta and Aoyagi, and served as head chef at Hanaraku for 12 years before going independent in 2022. The cuisine at Meijaku, where Nakamura’s thoughts are embodied directly on the plates, is light and clear on each dish, yet as a course meal it leaves a deep aftertaste that leaves a strong impression on customers.