Japan: A Journey Through Cities, Culture, and Coastline
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June 29, 2026
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A destination defined by contrast, Japan invites you to experience vibrant cities alongside centuries-old tradition. You can move from the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the historic districts of Kyoto, then unwind along the clear, beach-lined shores of Okinawa, all within one trip. Along the way, you’ll find a food scene shaped by regional specialties, from street-side ramen to multi-course kaiseki dining, making each stop feel distinct. You’ll find no shortage of standout hotels across the country, from skyline-view stays in the city to tranquil retreats set among mountains, gardens, and the sea.
Platinum Cardmembers get access to exceptional benefits at over 3,000 hand-picked hotels around the world with Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection. Representative 685.3% APR variable. Annual fee and terms apply.
American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Cardmembers can enjoy elevated benefits at more than 1,300 hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection. Representative 85.8% APR variable. Annual fee applies after the first year and terms apply.
Best Time to Visit
March through May and September through November are ideal times to visit Japan, with cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant foliage in autumn. Summer brings festivals and coastal escapes, though it can be warm, humid, and occasionally affected by typhoons.
Getting There
Search and book flights to Japan through American Express Travel. Save on select tickets with the International Airline Program, use Pay with Points for added flexibility, and earn Membership Rewards® points on eligible bookings. Terms apply.
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
Daily breakfast for two
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
US$100 credit to use towards eligible charges2
Complimentary Wi-Fi
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
*,3
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
US$100 credit to use towards eligible charges2
Late check-out, when available
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
As Japan’s capital, Tokyo is defined by its scale, energy, and constant contrast between modern life and tradition. Districts like Shibuya and Shinjuku showcase the city’s fast-paced side, while areas such as Asakusa are anchored by landmarks like Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. From standout dining to waterfront views around Tokyo Bay, the city offers a dynamic introduction to Japan’s urban culture.
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Tokyo, Japan
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Perched high above Tokyo's historic Nihonbashi district, Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo offers sweeping skyline views and a serene retreat inspired by Japanese design and craftsmanship. Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with vistas stretching to Tokyo Skytree and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. Culinary experiences range from the globally acclaimed The Pizza Bar on 38th, ranked among the world's best pizza restaurant, to sophisticated Cantonese dining at Sense, while the award-winning spa invites guests to embrace Japanese-inspired wellbeing rituals.
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Tokyo, Japan
Hilton Tokyo
Located in the heart of Shinjuku, Hilton Tokyo offers a modern stay with subtle Japanese design influences in one of Tokyo's most dynamic districts for business, entertainment, shopping, and dining. With direct access to the Tokyo Metro, major areas including Ginza, Shibuya, and Roppongi are easily reached. Rooms and suites feature city or park views, with select accommodations offering soaking tubs and separate living areas. Dining experiences range from sushi and teppanyaki at Junisoh to Chinese cuisine at Dynasty and cocktails at ZATTA Bar and St. George's Bar. Guests can also enjoy an indoor pool, spa, and 24-hour fitness centre for relaxation and wellness.
A short journey from Tokyo, Hakone offers a scenic mountain escape with a noticeably slower pace. Set within a national park, the landscape is defined by forested hills, the calm waters of Lake Ashi, and volcanic areas like Owakudani. On clear days, views of Mount Fuji add to the setting. Known for its hot springs, Hakone blends nature and relaxation, making it a peaceful contrast to the city.
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Hakone, Japan
ESPACIO The Hakone Geihinkan Rin Poh Ki Ryu
Surrounded by Hakone’s misty hills and volcanic landscape, ESPACIO The Hakone Geihinkan Rin Poh Ki Ryu offers a private, villa-style retreat rooted in nature and ritual. Each villa features indoor and open-air onsen baths, a plunge pool, and valley views, along with curated art and handcrafted design details. You can enjoy Kyoto-style kaiseki served in your villa, soak in mineral-rich hot springs, or walk nearby forest paths and gardens that change with the seasons.
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Hakone, Japan
Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora
Along the Haya River in Hakone, Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora brings a contemporary take to the region’s onsen culture. Rooms feature Japanese design details like latticework and paper screens, along with private hot spring soaking tubs in every accommodation. You can dine at Riverside Kitchen & Bar, where wood-fired dishes highlight local ingredients, or sip tea and sake by the water. After a day exploring Hakone’s railways and open-air museum, recharge at the thermal spa or riverside lounge.
In Shizuoka, expect a destination shaped by nature, where coastal views meet mountain scenery. Set along Suruga Bay, the region is known for its expansive tea fields and some of the most iconic views of Mount Fuji. Scenic spots like Miho no Matsubara highlight the area’s blend of coastline and cultural significance, creating a setting that feels both relaxed and distinctly local.
Shizuoka, Japan
Fuji Speedway Hotel
Overlooking the iconic Fuji Speedway with Mount Fuji in the background, Fuji Speedway Hotel places you at the centre of Japan’s motorsport culture. Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, breathtaking panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and of the track, along with deep soaking tubs. You can visit the on-site motorsports museum, dine on Italian fare at Trofeo or robata at OYAMA, or relax at the spa with indoor and outdoor onsens and a driving simulator.
Once Japan’s imperial capital, Kyoto is defined by its deep cultural roots and collection of historic temples and shrines. Landmarks like Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its thousands of torii gates, reflect the city’s spiritual traditions, while districts such as Gion preserve traditional streets and tea house culture. Throughout Kyoto, temples, gardens, and seasonal landscapes create a calm, immersive setting that highlights Japan’s heritage.
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Kyoto, Japan
Aman Kyoto
Tucked within a secluded garden, Aman Kyoto offers a quiet, forested retreat near Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion. Minimalist, ryokan-style rooms and suites feature expansive windows overlooking moss-covered paths and maple trees. Start the day with forest bathing or a guided garden walk, before a ceremony at the Tea House Senkutsu—named by a 16th-century Grand Master of Chado (the Japanese ‘Way of Tea’). By night, enjoy seasonal omakase at Taka-An restaurant or dine on The Living Pavilion’s terrace. Natural onsen hot springs and spa treatments complete the experience.
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Kyoto, Japan
Hilton Kyoto
In Kyoto’s central Kawaramachi Sanjo district, Hilton Kyoto places you within easy reach of Gion, Nijo Castle, and the city’s shopping streets. Rooms reflect Kyoto’s textile heritage with layered textures, wood finishes, and deep soaking tubs in select accommodations. Start your day with breakfast at Teori, head to Cloud Nest for rooftop cocktails and city views, or recharge with a swim in the indoor pool after exploring nearby temples and historic districts.
As Japan’s first capital, Nara is known for its cultural heritage and collection of significant temples and shrines. Landmarks like Todai-ji, home to one of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statues, highlight the city’s historical importance. Open spaces such as Nara Park, where deer roam freely, add to the setting, creating a calm and scenic environment shaped by tradition.
Nara, Japan
JW Marriott Hotel Nara
The JW Marriott Nara welcomes guests to enjoy sophistication with a personal touch. The hotel features 158 gracefully appointed guest rooms, including 16 suites, offering a complete range of modern amenities and conveniences. The Nara luxury hotel offers an array of dining options, including the multi-concept restaurant 'Silk Road Dining', specialty Japanese restaurant 'Azekura', and the lounge bar 'Flying Stag'. Enjoy a refreshing workout in the 24-hour fitness centre, a swim in the indoor pool, or get pampered with a massage, facial, or other treatments at the hotel's luxury spa.
Known for its energy and food culture, Osaka offers a more playful, fast-paced contrast to Japan’s historic destinations. Areas like Dotonbori are defined by neon lights and street food, reflecting the city’s reputation as a culinary hub, while landmarks such as Osaka Castle add a sense of history. From lively neighbourhoods to local dining scenes, Osaka is shaped by its bold personality and welcoming atmosphere.
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Osaka, Japan
Waldorf Astoria Osaka
Rising above Osaka's skyline, Waldorf Astoria Osaka offers a refined urban retreat where timeless elegance meets contemporary Japanese luxury. Spacious rooms feature panoramic city views, spa-inspired bathrooms, award-winning dining at Tsukimi and Speakeasy bold cocktails at Canes & Tales. Moments from Osaka's finest shopping and cultural attractions, guests can unwind with serene wellness facilities, personalised service, and exclusive curated experiences.
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Osaka, Japan
Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda
In Osaka’s energetic Umeda district, Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda puts you within walking distance of major train stations, shopping complexes, and the green space of Grand Green Osaka. Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, rain showers, and design touches inspired by the city’s culture. Start your day with Osaka-roasted coffee at Bean There, UMEDA, then head up to JaJa! Bar for sunset cocktails and skyline views, or explore the neighbourhood on complimentary Canopy bikes.
In Okinawa, expect a slower pace and a distinctly tropical side of Japan, where clear waters and white-sand beaches take centre stage. Known for its coral reefs and relaxed island atmosphere, Okinawa offers easy access to scenic shores like Nishihama Beach. Days are shaped by swimming, snorkelling, and coastal views, with a culture and cuisine that feel uniquely different from mainland Japan.
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Okinawa, Japan
Rosewood Miyakojima
Set along the clear, reef-lined shores of Miyako Island, Rosewood Miyakojima blends Ryukyu heritage with a quiet, design-led coastal setting. Villas open to private pools, floor-to-ceiling windows, and uninterrupted ocean views. Beyond your villa, you can snorkel over coral reefs, kayak along the shoreline, or join a hands-on pottery session inspired by traditional Okinawan craftsmanship. Dining ranges from fresh seafood at MAAS to poolside drinks at YUKUU, while the spa draws on local ingredients and island rituals.
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Okinawa, Japan
Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island, Okinawa
Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the East China Sea, Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island, Okinawa offers a relaxed beachfront escape on a private island connected to Okinawa’s main island by bridge. Rooms and suites feature bright, minimalist interiors and balconies overlooking the ocean or lagoon. Spend your days snorkeling off Seragaki Beach, kayaking around the island, or unwinding by the waterfront pool. Dining ranges from sushi and teppanyaki at Shirakachi to Italian dishes at Cucina Serale, while Spa Hanari offers restorative treatments inspired by Okinawan botanicals.
Relax, Recline and Save
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Membership Rewards® Programme
Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards® programme will earn one additional bonus Membership Rewards point in addition to their standard earn rate (for a total of 2 points) for every full £1 spent on flights, prepaid hotels, car hire and experiences booked through the American Express Travel website americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/. Specific Card products or limited time promotions may offer additional Membership Rewards points, please see individual Card or promotion Terms and Conditions for more information. Additional Membership Rewards points cannot be earned on products which are not prepaid but are paid directly to the supplier, including cruise bookings and select hotel bookings. These bookings will not earn two Membership Rewards points for every £1 spent but will be earned at the normal rate of one point for every £1 spent. Full Terms and Conditions apply, please visit americanexpress.com/uk/travel/terms-and-conditions/.
International Airline Program
American Express reserves the rights to change these conditions from time to time with 21 days prior notice and/or to discontinue the whole program.
1. *These savings are reduced fares as compared with fares otherwise available to non-Platinum Card and Centurion Members through American Express Travel. Airlines reserve the right to change, cancel or restrict flight operations without notice. IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares may be limited by airlines to certain flights and/or dates (“blackouts”). IAP is subject to the terms and conditions of each participating carrier. American Express does not guarantee that seats or tickets will be available. Cabins of service and discounts vary by airline and route. Discounts are applicable to adult fares however some airlines extend savings to child fares.
2. To qualify for the IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares:
a) Your journey must start and end at the same port as designated by the participating airline and be completed within the period during which your selected carrier participates in the program. You will be advised of any applicable dates at the time of booking;
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d) IAP tickets are non-transferable and non endorsable.
3. Any travel on non-participating airlines must be ticketed and paid for separately and is not part of the IAP. Certain code share or flights on the worldwide partners of the participating airlines may not apply.
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7. IAP is available to Platinum Cardmembers from a variety of participating airlines each with specifically designated ports of departure and arrival. Please refer to the Platinum Travel Service for details of participating airlines, applicable routing and timetables and fares in force at any particular time.
8. Other International Airline Program Terms & Conditions may apply.
