Japan’s Top 5 Most Highly Rated “Hidden Gem” Hotels — Perfect for Relaxation and Doing Nothing

Nestled in the mountains, “Kurakake Onsen” ranks second on the list, offering travelers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. (Photo provided by Rakuten Travel)

After a busy year, why not treat yourself to a relaxing getaway at the end of the year? A popular Japanese booking website recently released its 2017 ranking of highly rated secluded hotels, selecting hidden retreats across Japan. From the popular Okinawa to places like Akita, Shizuoka, Yamagata, and Tokushima, you can find inn-like accommodations that offer quietude, allowing you to savor the other beautiful aspects of life and truly relax your body and mind.

Rakuten Travel’s booking website announced the 2017 ranking of highly rated secluded hotels, with “Hotel Cava,” located in a rural area of Okinawa Prefecture, taking the top spot. This accommodation, situated near the ocean and surrounded by sugarcane fields, only accepts three groups of guests per day. All room types are standalone cottages, and the hotel only accommodates guests aged 13 and above, providing a simple and peaceful local experience. The rooms also feature sea-view balconies, allowing guests to enjoy and have the scenery all to themselves in private.

In addition to its excellent location close to the beach, which has earned high praise from guests, the specially made sandwich platter — made with smoked bacon from wild boar and local vegetables — is another standout feature that travelers rave about. Hotel Cava is located on Kouri Island in the northern part of Okinawa Main Island, about a 1-hour and 30-minute drive from Naha Airport.

Ranking second is “Kurakake Onsen” in Akita Prefecture. Located in the Mizusawa Onsen Village on the slopes of Mount Kurakake, the hot spring is hidden between two streams and surrounded by natural landscapes. Private open-air baths are available by the stream, allowing guests to fully enjoy the hot springs and mountain scenery, leaving the busyness and worries of the city far behind. Guests can also breathe in the forest’s phytoncides, recharging their energy, uplifting their mood, and improving their spirits.

Guests have said, “Today is my fourth stay here. It’s so peaceful, and the hot springs are the best.” The food is also excellent, with “Kurakake Onsen” serving dishes made from local ingredients, such as the famous “yam hot pot” from Lake Tazawa and the local specialty “soba noodles” from Akita, both receiving high praise.

Ranking third is “Shuzenji Onsen Ne no Yu Tai Mountain Villa,” which features 11 uniquely designed Japanese-style rooms. (Photo provided by Rakuten Travel)

The third place goes to “Shuzenji Onsen Ne no Yu Tai Mountain Villa,” which offers just 11 unique rooms. Architect Shōji Kagawa designed the rooms with the concept of being “new yet nostalgic,” placing antique items in four different spots to showcase a Japanese style that blends history with modernity. Additionally, soft, indirect lighting is used in the bathrooms, guest rooms, and private dining areas, allowing guests to fully experience a serene and private stay.

Also making the list are “Zao Onsen Iwaki Mizu Ryokan Ki no Sato” in Yamagata Prefecture and “Valley Retreat Sukeroku Bijin” in Tokushima Prefecture.