5 design hotels in Japan to visit in autumn

Kyoto’s golden temples to crimson torii gates look more enchanting come autumn, when the maple and ginkgo trees are ablaze with colour. If you’re looking for a place that exudes the charm of a traditional Japanese inn but the comfort of a luxury property then Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto strikes the perfect balance. Designed by Andre Fu, the hotel is the epitome of quiet luxury and feels incredibly intimate despite having 161 rooms.

You don’t have to venture far to witness koyo as you’ll see it unfold in the hotel’s serene courtyard dotted with maple trees, stone lanterns, garden rocks and a Zen water feature. You can also step out and take in the autumn scenery at Nijo Castle, located next to the hotel. After a day spent exploring Kyoto’s treasures, schedule some me-time at the atmospheric thermal spring or private onsen—two of the best hot spring experiences in Japan.

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The mere mention of Hokkaido brings images of snow-filled landscapes to mind but the northern part of the country is also an ideal spot to engage in momijigari—the Japanese ritual that roughly translates to “autumn leaves hunting.” A good homebase would be Kai Poroto, a modern hot spring ryokan on Lake Poroto, just over an hour away from Sapporo and Niseko. 

The distinctive cone-shaped architecture is inspired by and a tribute to the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido. The rest of the decor touches and furnishings within the hotel are also a showcase of the Ainu culture. Onsen lovers are in for a treat with various bath experiences on offer: there’s the Sankaku-no-yu, a triangular onsen built after traditional Ainu architectural principles called “Ketunni”, as well as a the Maru-no-yu, a circular, cave-like bath with a skylight at the top of the dome.

Startlingly high skyscrapers, incessant crowds and the most intimidating train system in the world can make anyone feel lost in Tokyo. As soon as you step into the Imperial Palace grounds, however, the stress of navigating a megacity melts away. The same goes for when you enter The Palace Hotel, an oasis located at the edge of the Imperial Gardens. 

The property lives up to its name with palatial rooms most of which feature a balcony—a rarity in Tokyo. And while many city hotels offer a panoramic view, the Palace Hotel’s perspective is second to none. Peek into the ancient Otemon Gate from the comfort of your room or look straight to the buzzing Uchibori Dori avenue while dining at the French restaurant Esterre. Come autumn, you have a birds-eye view of koyo in the city, and you’ll be a steps away from the gardens and the tree-lined shopping avenues in Marunouchi. 

Ask locals for recommendations of places to visit during autumn and Nara will always make the cut. Apart from having Japan’s oldest temples and resplendent gardens, the country’s former capital is a firm favourite for autumn travels.

More often than not, Nara is done as a side trip from Osaka or Kyoto but the arrival of JW Marriott Nara, the first international luxury hotel to open and the brand’s first property in Japan, is a good reason to linger. The hotel’s design embodies the serenity of Nara itself, with spaces swathed in timber bronze and leather recalling traditional Nara houses and earthy tones that reference the Wakakusa Yamayaki festival. The famous senbei-eating Nara deer was also used as inspiration throughout the hotel—there's antler-inspired artwork in the bedrooms and it’s clearly referenced at the Flying Stag bar.

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