Naoshima
A stay at this unique Ando-designed hotel-museum is a treat for art and architecture enthusiasts. Accommodation is in four different wings – Museum, Oval,…
Must-see hotels in Western Honshū
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Western Honshū
This restored farmhouse in the Okayama countryside offers four large tatami rooms, a shared bathroom and kitchen, and bicycles that are free to use. In…
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Hiroshima Region
Hotel Cycle, within the large U2 complex right on the waterfront boardwalk, is aimed at both the cycling crowd and those with an eye for design. The dark,…
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Miyajima
The Iwasō, open since 1854, offers a grand ryokan experience amid exquisite gardens. There are three wings; a stay in a lovely 'Hanare' cottage will set…
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Onomichi Guesthouse Anago no Nedoko
Hiroshima Region
Within a traditional old wooden house restored as part of an NPO project to give life to vacant dwellings, Anago is a budget option with character. As…
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Hiroshima Region
As young people abandoned the island, an Ōmi-shima family converted a deserted schoolhouse into this boutique guesthouse under the guidance of famous…
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Western Honshū
A refined inn on the edge of the lake, Minamikan has a choice of 'modern', 'retro' and 'classic' rooms, all with broad views across the water. The top-end…
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Western Honshū
By the canal in the heart of the historic district, this is the best ryokan in town, incorporating several beautifully restored Edo-period buildings. The…
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Hiroshima
At this fine traditional inn, kick back in a yukata (light cotton kimono) and enjoy city and park views from your tatami room, or while lazing in the…
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Western Honshū
The finest inn in Hagi, the historic Tomoe offers gorgeous Japanese rooms with garden views and luxurious baths, and beautifully prepared cuisine. Prices…
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Western Honshū
Amazing views of the straits and welcoming service make this one of the best youth hostels in western Honshū. You can take a bus from the station to the…
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Western Honshū
At this waterfront ryokan, you can laze about in the outdoor saltwater bath while watching boats sail by. The rooms are spacious, the shared indoor…
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Western Honshū
Kōraku has classy touches such as local museum pieces displayed on each floor, and pampering extras such as complimentary aroma pots for your room. Beds…
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Hiroshima
K's House has a great location not far from the station. There are small dorms and comfortable tatami rooms with shared shower rooms, or you can pay a…
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Western Honshū
Operated by a friendly family, Nishino-shima's best lodging features rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bay and a communal bath sharing…
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Hiroshima
With its satiny coverlets and backlit headboards, Hotel Active tries for a little more style than the average business hotel. It's right in the heart of…
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Naoshima
Perfectly placed on the beachfront, not far from the Benesse Art Site area, is this encampment of Mongolian-style pao (yurt) tents. Cosy tents sleep up to…
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Western Honshū
The black facade suggests you've arrived at an art-house cinema, but this is KAG, shaking things up in the Kurashiki hostel scene by offering designer…
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Western Honshū
Although the single hotel-style rooms all have shared toilets and bathrooms, you might just love this fresh, young conversion of a business hotel, next to…
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Western Honshū
At this centuries-old, now-modernised ryokan, you can bathe in history – right in the tub where once dipped the plotters of the Meiji Restoration. The…
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Western Honshū
At the base of Kasa-yama, this solid tourist hotel has wonderfully friendly yet formal staff who'll do anything to assist, even if English is a challenge…
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Western Honshū
You'll get a warm, family welcome at this big, creaky minshuku located a minute from the station. The tatami rooms are spacious and there's a shared…
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Western Honshū
Whilst not in Izumo at all, this modern ryokan in Tamatsukuri Onsen, about 9km southwest of downtown Matsue, has a minimalist but traditional aesthetic…
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Hiroshima
Hana has a choice of Japanese- or Western-style private rooms, some with a private toilet or full (if very small) en suite. Cosy lamp lighting and…
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Miyajima
This charming good-value inn is built in traditional style with wooden interiors. There are both tatami rooms with futons and rooms with beds, all…
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Western Honshū
Tottori's only hostel has smart male- and female-only capsules with thick mattresses, flat-screen TVs, safes and, instead of bunks, cavernous personal…
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Western Honshū
You'll find a warm welcome and simple tatami rooms at this family-run inn, opposite a shrine. The owners speak a little English and can collect you from…
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Western Honshū
Opposite Matsue Station, Urban Hotel is a total ugly duckling, resembling a tenement from the outside, but transforming into a sleek, modern hotel inside,…
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Western Honshū
Walk out of Higashi-Hagi Station and straight into this modern hotel. The large rooms have some quirky features – the magnetic dartboard and puzzles will…
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Western Honshū
Satoyama has a spectacular countryside setting. The Japanese-style rooms have mountain views and strong wi-fi, though neglected shared bathrooms. The…
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Western Honshū
This minshuku-style lodging has no wi-fi or mod cons, but offers large, clean tatami rooms with washbasins and shared bathrooms. From Tottori Station's…
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Hiroshima
Stylish Candeo has good-sized carpeted rooms with plush beds, impressive smart TVs, spacious desks, and small bathrooms with tech touches such as anti-fog…
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Western Honshū
New in 2016, this towering 195-room, all-tatami (take off your shoes in the lobby) hotel looks like it has been plopped in the middle of nowhere. Popular…
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Western Honshū
This polished-up Japanese house, just two minutes from the beach, has a cute garden and soft bunk beds for a tranquil rest. The well-travelled owner…
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Western Honshū
The Hibari building boasts a gallery, bookstore and coworking space, and the dorms are suitably attractive in dark wood with cream privacy blinds and USB…
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Hiroshima
Its carpeted halls make Santiago feel hotel-like, but the sociable kitchen-lounge space promotes swapping travel tips, while being large enough to keep to…
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Shiraishi Island International Villa
Western Honshū
This great-value villa is a large house atop a hill, with spacious living areas and kitchen, and an outdoor deck with views of the sea. There are four…
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Hiroshima
Curves and concrete are the features at this riverside hotel. Standard rooms are small, but there is a more spacious maisonette and high-ceiling room…
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Western Honshū
Artistic and quirky touches in the rooms and common areas, which were decorated by staff, and a large lounge-cafe-bar area on the ground floor make this a…
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Hiroshima Region
Elegantly old-fashioned Uonobu is a good ryokan experience, but it's probably best if you can speak a little Japanese, although the hosts are welcoming…
