"The Luxury Japan Award" honors Japan's leading luxury hotels, ryokan, and restaurants. The “Luxury Japan Award” was launched in 2022 as an initiative to promote Japanese luxury to the world's affluent people, and this is the Fourth time it has been held.
Based on the original selection criteria, the best 10 hotels and restaurants in each category are selected by the selection committee chaired by Kengo Kuma, and the best 10 facilities will be awarded the titles of Hotel of the year and Restaurant of the year.
Located on the shores of Lake Kinrin at the foot of Yufuin, this celebrated ryokan is widely regarded as the finest in the region. While preserving a century of tradition and thoughtfully cultivated hospitality, the property has recently undergone major renovations. Some guest rooms were combined into larger suites, creating an even more luxurious environment.
Set across a sprawling 10,000-tsubo (approx. 33,000 sq) forested estate with views of majestic Mount Yufu, the ryokan features 11 detached villas and six Western-style rooms scattered throughout the grounds. The independent villa layout and the surrounding natural landscape offer a stay that is truly one-of-a-kind. Maintained stable operation during the pandemic are a testament to the exceptional quality it upholds. With ample space and comfort for international luxury travelers, while still allowing guests to fully appreciate the elegance of a traditional Japanese inn, KAMENOIBESSO stands out as extraordinary.
A pioneering presence redefining the boundaries of Japanese cuisine, Myoujyaku continues to captivate discerning diners from Japan and abroad. Chef Hidetoshi Nakamura is known for his uncompromising philosophy: he constructs his dishes using the natural umami of each ingredient itself, with almost no reliance on kombu or katsuobushi—the classical foundations of Japanese stock.
After honing his craft in Kyoto at “Maruta” and “Aoyagi,” Nakamura served as head chef at “Karaku” for 12 years before opening Meijaku in 2022. Each dish at Myoujyaku is a direct expression of his deep reflection and culinary thought. The cuisine is delicate and clear in taste, yet the course as a whole leaves a profound and lasting resonance, creating an unforgettable experience for every guest.
The Selection Committee members nominated candidates based on the following selection criteria, and all Selection Committee members cast their votes in advance from among the nominated candidates. After disclosing the results of the voting, all members of the selection committee deliberated and decided on the 10 best hotels in each category. The establishments with the highest scores were selected as Hotel of the year and Restaurant of the year.
Luxury Japan Tourism Organization is an organization established to promote luxury tourism in Japan by attracting wealthy travelers from around the world.
It hosts the Luxury Japan Virtual Travel Market (LJTM), a B-to-B platform for luxury travel, and has more than 85 overseas travel agents and 40 leading accommodation providers in Japan as members.
