Consistently ranked among the world’s top destinations, Japan offers a wealth of attractions and experiences year-round. Whether it’s spring, summer, autumn, or winter, there’s always something unforgettable to discover.
BWH Hotels – Asia’s leading hotel group comprising WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels – has strategically expanded its footprint to match Japan’s versatility as a premier holiday destination. Guided by a commitment to deliver unrivalled value and comfort to guests, BWH Hotels provides the perfect home base in Japan’s most sought-after destinations.
Arriving late in Tokyo? Two check-in options – the Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport and the Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport – are directly connected to Terminal 3, and provide luxurious comfort. Spending a weekend in Yokohama? Head over to the prestigious Rose Hotel Yokohama, nestled within the port city’s bustling Chinatown district. All three properties are part of WorldHotels.
No matter the season, travellers can always find a reason to visit Japan. Here’s why:
Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport provides a stunning arrival experience, with views of the airport as well as Mt Fuji.
Spring: Stay amid nature in full bloom
Japan’s sakura season draws millions of tourists who descend upon riverside gardens, temples, and castles to catch the enchanting blush of pink that sweeps the country.
The vibrant heart of Nagoya can be experienced with a stay at Best Western Plus Nagoya Sakae, a 143-room property in the city’s central district of Sakae, a rebranding of the beloved Best Western Nagoya featuring upgraded appointments. Business travellers will appreciate the high-speed WiFi and a work desk, while families can easily explore nearby attractions like the Sky Boat Ferris wheel and the City Science Museum.
The centrally located Best Western Plus Nagoya Sakae is an ideal accommodation option for sakura hunters.
Plus, the hotel’s location puts guests at the epicentre of dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions – it’s a mere 45km from the Chubu Centrair International Airport and a five-minute walk to the Sakae subway station. Sakura enthusiasts will be delighted to know that the hotel is near the historic Nagoya Castle, where an abundance of cherry trees burst into pink blossoms each spring.
Summer: Dive into the heat of festivities
When temperatures rise, tourists spill out of Japan’s urban jungles and head over to places like Okinawa, where the subtropical climate promises glorious summer days. Renowned as a Blue Zone, Okinawa boasts one of the world’s highest life expectancies, offering a paradise of white-sand beaches, scrumptious cuisine, and vibrant festivals. The Great Tug-of-War Festivals – vibrant celebrations to mark prayers for a good harvest – stand out as a much-anticipated event on the Okinawa calendar.
Best Western Okinawa Onna Beach, on Japan’s island paradise, overlooks a tranquil bay.
The secret to enjoying Okinawa is diving into its lively festivals, then retreating to its serene and rejuvenating coast. The Best Western Okinawa Onna Beach, nestled along the popular Onna Coast, is an idyllic beachfront getaway. Low-rise and sprawling, it features oceanfront suites offering stunning vistas of the East China Sea. Meanwhile, Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach Hotel on Okinawa’s western coast of Nago, provides comfort and conveniences at a serene seaside location.
Autumn: Check into picturesque comfort
When autumn paints Kyoto, the old imperial capital, in picturesque hues of gold, orange, and red, there’s no better place to stay than the elegant 57-room KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle, BW Signature Collection. Nestled in the tranquil Nakagyo Ward, this low-rise boutique hotel offers maximum comfort with its cosy yet spacious rooms adorned in a serene palette of natural wood and slate, alongside raised flooring and screen windows that pay homage to traditional Japanese design. Each room features Simmons beds, coffee machines, while the ground floor restaurant offers a buffet breakfast featuring Western and Kyoto-style dishes.
The understated but elegant KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle, which is located just steps away from the heritage site of Nijo Castle.
Conveniently located just 15 minutes from JR Kyoto Station, KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle offers a true cultural immersion in this beautiful city. It’s the perfect home base for exploring Kyoto’s timeless attractions: Nijo Castle is a four-minute walk from the hotel, Nishiki Market is 30 minutes away on foot, and all around there are hundreds of temples and shrines to discover.
Winter: Snowy getaways and hot springs
In winter, Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido turns into a snow-blanketed wonderland. Famed for powder-soft snow called Japow and an extended ski season that lasts well into March, Hokkaido also offers a wealth of attractions including rejuvenating onsen or hot spring baths, mouth-watering seafood straight from the cold depths of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, and some of the world’s finest sake.
To make the most out of this spectacular island, book guests into the cosy and well-appointed rooms at the Best Western Sapporo Odori Koen in the capital of Sapporo. It doesn’t get more convenient than this – the hotel is just across the street from Odori Park where the magical Sapporo Snow Festival unfolds every year.
For guests who are just passing through, and have onward destinations within Hokkaido, a stay at the Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Chitose is a great option. It’s a short drive from the New Chitose Airport, the island’s main gateway, and just minutes away from Chitose Station.
Best Western Sapporo Odori Koen boasts an enviable location just across Odori Park, where the Sapporo Snow Festival takes place every year.
The secret to getting there faster
This year, BWH Hotels’ Best Western Rewards offers members the chance to an exciting opportunity to fast-track their journey to dream destinations in Japan and across Asia through its “Double Points, Double Joy”. Members earn double BWR points when they book and stay at participating BWH Hotels in Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam from 5 February to 4 May 2024.
This irresistible offer allows members to earn up to 30,000 bonus points across three stays, with 10,000 points per stay. Click here to learn more about Best Western Rewards and other inspiring ways to immerse in Japan with BWH Hotels.
This article is brought to you by BWH Hotels