If you’ve been longing to return to Japan, there is plenty to look forward to this year with several notable new hotels and attractions opening across the country. Towering over Shinjuku’s entertainment district, Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is a sleek, large-scale complex that houses two separate luxury hotels alongside an expansive entertainment precinct. The development includes Zepp Tokyo, a concert hall with a 1,500-person capacity; a Bandai Namco amusement center; a lively food hall; and two full floors dedicated to live theaters and cinemas. Conveniently close to multiple metro and subway lines, the two hotels set to open in spring are the fashion-forward 538-room Hotel Groove Shinjuku and the classic-chic Bellustar Tokyo, which offers 97 guestrooms including five penthouses.
© Hoshino Resorts Kai Izumo
Bulgari Hotel Tokyo occupies the top seven floors of a new skyscraper and offers 98 guestrooms and luxurious suites, along with the brand’s signature amenities. Guests can enjoy the Bulgari Bar, a cozy fireplace lounge, Il Ristorante and the Il Cioccolato boutique. Designed by the Italian studio Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the hotel also features an 82-foot indoor pool and a full-service Bulgari Spa, blending Italian elegance with refined Japanese hospitality.
Also arriving soon is Janu Tokyo, situated in the same development as the new Aman Residences Tokyo. Janu Tokyo will provide 120 rooms with views into a central parkland square and promises an extensive wellness offering—Japan’s largest spa—together with six restaurants, a café and multiple bars, creating a comprehensive urban retreat.
© Hoshino Resorts Kai Tamatsukuri
In addition to international brands, several intimate Japanese properties have recently opened. Hoshino Resorts has expanded its KAI Ryokan collection with three new locations: KAI Izumo, a 39-room property with views over the Sea of Japan and the Hinomisaki lighthouse; KAI Tamatsukuri, a 24-room ryokan situated at an ancient spring in Shimane Prefecture; and KAI Unzen, set within Unzen-Amakusa National Park and known for its mineral-rich hot springs. Each KAI property emphasizes regional culture, seasonal cuisine and traditional onsen experiences for a restorative stay.
If you’re planning a trip this winter, consider timing it with the Sapporo Snow Festival, running Feb. 4–11. The festival features massive snow and ice sculptures, ice skating, snow rafting and a wide array of local food stalls. Events are held across three main sites: Odori, Tsudome and Susukino, offering something for families and winter-sports fans alike. Also opening this year is the brand-new Ghibli Park on Nov. 1, located within Aichi’s Expo Memorial Park (Moricoro Park) in Nagakute City near Nagoya. Ghibli Park provides immersive experiences inspired by the films of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki, bringing beloved animated worlds to life for visitors of all ages.