Hotels in Kobe,Japan

Famous for its beef, Kobe is a busy port city that exhibits an eclectic mix of cultural influences. Located just south of Okinawa on the island of Honshu, Kobe is one of Japan's most important ports with a cosmopolitan flavor and diverse attractions. Kobe became a port city in the 19th century when international trade embargoes were lifted. Immediately, the city began to absorb both eastern and western influences – European houses sprang up in clusters, Chinatown blossomed and churches and synagogues dotted the city. Today's Kobe is proud of its multicultural make-up – the Western-style housing suburbs are a major attraction for domestic tourists – but those wanting a traditional Japanese experience still have plenty of opportunities.One authentically Japanese aspect of Kobe is its sake. The Nada district close to the port is one of the leading sake producing regions in the world and many of the breweries there are open for tours, tastings and souvenir shopping. A more salubrious slice of Japan can be experienced at the seaside Samaura Park or Oji Park, two optimum sites for enjoying the cherry blossom festivals in the spring. Kobe, being a harbor city, experiences much activity port-side. The waterside Meriken Park (deriving from 'American') features the red cylindrical Kobe Port Tower with viewing platform at 90 meters, the sail-shaped Maritime Museum and a memorial to those lost in the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. The Mosaic complex, just across the harbor, offers more commercial froms of entertainment with shops, restaurants, some amusement rides and cinemas. In terms of food, it would be remiss of visitors to Kobe to ignore its signature beef. From pampered wagyu cattle (reportedly fed beer and massaged with warm sake), this fatty marbled beef must conform to the tightest regulations before it can be considered authentic. For something less high-end, travelers can go for some soba – the regional specialty here is sobameshi, an inexpensive dish of fried rice and noodles. Accessing Kobe is possible by air or overland. Kobe Airport only accepts domestic flights, so international travelers will usually arrive via Osaka International Airport, 40 minutes' drive away. Bullet trains are also available from Tokyo – a trip of about three hours.

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Hotels in Fuji-san,Japan

Choose from our selection of over 83 hotels. We offer lots of promotions such as early bird offers and last minute deals. Many areas, each with a distinctive atmosphere, are just waiting to be discovered across the city. Fuji-san has many attractions to explore with its fascinating past, intriguing present and exciting future. Whatever your plans are, do not miss these things to do: Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, Kawaguchiko Tenjoyama Park Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway, Fuji Visitor Center. Save time and money with our customer-friendly booking engine that guarantees you the lowest price on hotels.

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Hotels in Nagoya,Japan

Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city, but it seldom lands on tourists' itineraries. This is great news for the relatively few tourists who do wander in, only to find that they have the city's attractions and amenities largely to themselves. Founded four centuries ago by Japan's first shogun, Nagoya has a great deal to offer those who appreciate the big-city atmosphere but could do without the hectic pace of life in Tokyo. The main tourist attraction in Nagoya is the stately Nagoya Castle, built by shogun Tokugawa. Construction was completed in 1612, and the building went unscathed until WWII. The castle was faithfully restored in the 1950s, and it's still as magnificent as ever.Aside from visiting the castle, there are many other things for tourists to do in the Greater Nagoya Area. Hotels in Nagoya can provide information on local gardens and cultural sites like the outdoor architectural museum. Cormorant fishing is a fascinating local activity in which trained birds dive into the sea to retrieve small trout for local fishermen. Boats set out after dark, and several organizations let tourists go out with them.Noodles – udon – are ubiquitous in Japan and the local specialties here are kishimen and miso nikomi udon. Restaurants in Nagoya also benefit from a large expatriate community, with several cafés and Western-style restaurants in or near the city center.Chubu Airport is the newest airport in Japan. It enjoys excellent public transport links courtesy of Meitetsu Airport railway. The older facility, Nagoya – Komaki Airport, still receives domestic traffic. Again, the best way to connect to the hotels in Nagoya is by rail.

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Hotels in Hakone,Japan

From high end international chain hotels to family run guesthouses, demands of all travelers are met. Whether traveling for business or leisure, Hakone is an outstanding city to visit with over 68 hotels to choose from. The vibrant city plays host to some of the country's most famous landmarks such as Ashinoko Lake, Mt. Hakone, Hakone Gora Koen. Hakone has many attractions to explore with its fascinating past, intriguing present and exciting future. Hakone is a flourishing city with 1 parks and gardens such as Hakone Begonia Garden.The economy of Hakone is strongly dominated by the tourist industry. Hakone is noted for its onsen hot spring resorts, which attract both Japanese and international visitors due to its proximity to the greater Tokyo metropolis and to Mount Fuji. Sights include the volcanically active Owakudani geysers and Hakone Shrine on the shore of the lake, as well as the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands. In April the cherry blossoms and in autumn the Miscanthus sinensis are noted sights.

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Hotels in Sapporo,Japan

Less than 150 years old, Sapporo is one of Japan's newest cities. It was developed by the Japanese under the advisement of dozens of foreign experts, and as a result, Sapporo has a distinct Western atmosphere. With its parks, museums and annual festivals, Sapporo is a high priority for tourists in the northernmost island of Hokkaido.Early every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is a particularly busy time in the city. It began in the 1950s when a few ice sculptures were placed in Odori Park. In many ways, the Snow Festival has grown into Sapporo's defining event, with sculptors and spectators pouring in from around the world. Beautiful, glittering ice sculptures and more than 10,000 snowmen fill parks and front local businesses. Hotels in Sapporo city center are especially busy in this season, so it's important to book early.At other times during the winter Sapporo is popular with skiers, as world-class facilities have existed here since the city hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972. This aside, tourism is still greatest in the summer months, when visitors can enjoy the city's botanical gardens and forest parks. Museums in Sapporo are another major attraction, especially the Historical Village of Hokkaido, the Museum of Modern Art and the joint botanical gardens and museum operated by Hokkaido University. The major commercial district is south of Sapporo Station. The dining scene includes a range of delicious seafood restaurants and simple noodle shops. The larger hotels near Sapporo boast their own set of international restaurants as well. Those who don't arrive via train at Sapporo Station will enter the region through Sapporo - Chitose Airport. Hotels near the airport are convenient for late arrivals, while the Skybus shuttle and a commuter train transfer passengers to the city center during regular hours.

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Hotels in Fukuoka,Japan

Fukuoka is an exciting and modern city on the island of Kyushu. Thanks to its modest size and comprehensive rail network, it's one of the easier Japanese cities to explore, and is a gentle introduction to the country for first-time visitors. Fukuoka Airport is only two train stops away from the city center, though many visitors arrive via the famous shinkansen – the bullet train. The city is divded in two by the Hakata River, along which many Fukuoka hotels are located. Fukuoka has many attractions to offer travelers – everything from golden sandy beaches to Kabuki theater to baseball. For something different, travelers can head to the Sky Dream Ferris Wheel – at 120 meters it's one of the tallest in the world and offers amazing panoramas of the city. Another great site of Fukuoka is the innovative 'green' building, the ACROS Fukuoka Symphony Hall. Engineered by Argentine architect, Emilio Ambasz, the ACROS's 15 terraces are covered in trees and plants, giving it the appearance of an urban mountain.There are two important festivals held every year in Fukuoka: the Dontaku festival and the Yamakasa festival. The Dontaku, held in May, attracts upwards of 2 million visitors a year and involves huge parades and elaborate costumes. July's annual summer festival - Yamakasa - attracts about a million spectators. The highlight of this is the pre-dawn race where teams of men in Sumo-style loincloths complete a five-kilometer course carrying a large float (the yamasaka). These are two of Japan's oldest and most popular festivals, so travelers are advised to book a hotel early if arriving during the summer. Fukuoka is also home to a handful of beautiful beaches, easily accessible by train. Beginner-class surfing is possible around Mitoma during the winter months, and all year 'round travelers will find a devoted surfing community.

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Hotels in Okinawa,Japan

Japan's southernmost prefecture, Okinawa, is remarkably different from the rest of the archipelago. It offers a temperature climate, excellent beaches and insight into the little-known Ryukyu Kingdom. A tour begins in Naha, where the reconstructed Shuri Castle waits to be explored. Originally built by the Ryukyu Kingdom, it's one the few reminders of Okinawa's ancient inhabitants. A selection of shops, restaurants and hotels is on 'International Street', running from the city center toward the castle. There are some great outdoor activities away from the main island. Guests can check in with the front desks of hotels near Okinawa to inquire where the best snorkeling is found, how to book whale-watching tours and where to go swimming with manta rays. For an extra dose of adventure, take a side trip to the Yaeyama-shoto island group for trekking in the mountainous jungles.It's hard to visit Okinawa without getting caught up in the history of WWII. The last battle between Allied and Japanese forces was staged here, and it ended up being the bloodiest showdown in the Pacific. Most of the memorials to the battles waged here are around Naha. Tourists are often surprised to find that Okinawa has some exceptional white-sand beaches. A few are found on the main island, but the best beaches in Okinawa are small islands like Miyako-jima and the Keramas. Some of the finest accommodation in Okinawa is here on secluded, beachfront property. Okinawa Airport is near Naha on the main island. It operates a single runway but stays busy. Flights connect to dozens of cities across Japan as well as to regional international cities including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei. The best hotels serving the airport are in Naha.

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Hotels in Kyoto,Japan

Kyoto is a very important city in Japan's history, being the former imperial capital. Many of the buildings and palaces in Kyoto are thousands of years old and the city is regarded by many to be the most beautiful in Japan. Kyoto has 17 areas listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, most of them temples and shrines. Kyoto Station is a popular entry point into the city and, as with most of Japan, the rail network provides access to all the city's most important sites. The two most impressive imperial retreats, Imperial Palace and Sentō Imperial Palace, are located in central Kyoto. The gardens are extensive and particularly beautiful in cherry blossom season and in autumn when the colors of the leaves change.Katsura Imperial Villa is located in Western Kyoto and Shugakuin Imperial Villa is located in the north. It is important to note that while admission to all of the palaces is free, reservations must be made beforehand. Kyoto is one of the only places in the world that still practices damascening. Damascening is where one metal is inlayed into another – usually gold or silver into a dark metal background. In Japan, this is known as zouban, and around Kyoto are many stores selling damascene jewelry, vases, and decorative plates. Souvenir seekers will also find a great range of Japanese weapons and kimonos in the Kiyomizudera area of the city. Kyoto's nightlife is concentrated around the Kiyamachi area in central Kyoto. There are hundreds of bars ranging from pubs to exclusive host/hostess bars all throughout the area, as well as restaurants and night clubs.

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Hotels in Osaka,Japan

Osaka started garnering attention in the 1500s when its grand castle was built. Along with the castle an affluent merchant class arose, and the city outgrew its humble roots in short time. Japan's second-largest city is still a place where locals appreciate the value of fine foods and designer goods. While Osaka can't compete with Tokyo in terms of scale, it certainly has a reputation for refined living. Most of the hotels in Osaka are in Umeda, near the Osaka bullet train station. These include many major international names set in prominent entertainment districts. These hotels are convenient choices for business travelers as well as tourists.The city's cosmopolitan atmosphere isn't as obvious as Tokyo's, but it doesn't take long for Osaka to gain visitors' respect. On the surface it looks like any other big city, but hides a mammoth shopping arcade underground. A couple of these are among the largest malls in Japan, and they're completely out of sight. Above-ground boutiques are also located in Namba and Shinsaibashi districts. It's easy to see why Japanese tourists come here with shopping on their shortlist of things to do.International tourists are more likely to come to visit Osaka Castle. A few other attractions widen the scope, namely a Universal Studios theme park and the enormous Osaka Aquarium. These are joined by other parks and historic sites to account for at least two or three days' worth of activities. Osaka's international gateway is Kansai Airport, which is also important for Kobe and Kyoto. The main terminal is a mile long and is well-equipped with dining and shopping facilities. The airport is close to a few Osaka hotels, but it also features excellent rail links to the city center.

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Hotels in Tokyo,Japan

This high tech, high impact city is an endlessly exciting destination. One of the most livable and technologically advanced cities in the world, Tokyo fascinates in myriad ways. Juxtaposing the traditional against the futuristic, Tokyo is a true alpha city – economically forceful, culturally strong and progressive in arts and sciences. Sitting on Tokyo Bay on the island of Honshu, Tokyo prefecture has a population of 12 million. Divided into 23 special wards – each with its own distinct characteristics – Tokyo is linked by a hyper-efficient rail network. Most Tokyo hotels are within a few minutes' walk of a train station, if not two or three, so exploring the city via rail is easy to master, even for first-timers.Tokyo's most popular areas for travelers lie along the JR Yamanote train line. These include Shinjuku, Shibuya and Shinagawa, the latter of which is a major interchange and connects directly via rail to Narita Airport. Shinjuku is where much of Tokyo's business and administration takes place and as such offers a high concentration of executive class hotels, shops and noodle bars. By contrast, Shibuya is a vibrant shopping and nightlife area popular with the younger set. The main street buzzes with udon restaurants, fashion stores and cool bars, and the iconic Shibuya scramble crossing lies just outside the train station. Fashion-forward travelers head to Harajuku, where boutiques line narrow streets and costumed teens converge en masse. For something spiritual, the Meiji Shrine occupies a serene position in the middle of a 175-acre evergreen forest right next to Harajuku station. Another exciting stop on the Yamanote line is Akihabara – electric town. Here, shoppers can find block after block of cameras, notebooks, games consoles and phones. After dark, many travelers head to Roppongi , where embassies, clubs, malls and bars share territory. Owing to the amount of foreigners and diplomats here, a lot of its services are geared towards them, with a wide range of tastes and budgets catered for. Tokyo has two main airports – Haneda, which handles mostly domestic flights, and Narita, which lies around 60 kilometers from Tokyo city. Narita hotels are frequently used by travelers making quick stopovers, as Narita airport is one of the world's busiest hubs for air travel. 

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