Casa Brutus no. 294 - The 100 Best Design Hotels

Casa BRUTUS first highlighted design hotels in 1999 as a quarterly magazine, later publishing the landmark book DESIGN HOTEL 100 in 2002. At that time, the spotlight was largely on international properties, with Japanese design hotels making only a modest appearance.

Fast forward 25 years, and Japan has transformed into a global hub for design-forward accommodations. The past decade has seen an explosion of foreign luxury hotel chains, innovative lifestyle hotels, and ryokans crafted by renowned architects. Kyoto, in particular, has become a hotspot for high-end, design-centric stays, experiencing a surge in new openings.

Explore the evolution and discover the top design hotels in Japan from the past decade, reflecting the nation's rise as a powerhouse in design hospitality.