Located in Nagano Prefecture, Yatsugatake Grace Hotel is one of the highest hotels on the list, at 1,300m above sea level. From beginner stargazer to pro, you can gaze up at the starry night skies, guided by expert stargazer staff. Sit back and relax as they point out top constellations, from Orion’s Belt through to Leo and Aquarius. In fact, the location of Yatsugatake Grace Hotel is so good for stargazing that the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) Nobeyama radio observatory is a mere 6-minute drive away.

The Yatsugatake hosts star-gazing events all year round, such as the Valentine’s Day starry night party - perfect for lovers and close friends alike! The hotel has a planetarium onsite, which means that even if it is raining or the weather isn’t prime for stargazing outdoors, you are still able to enjoy a starry night in comfort.

In second place is Ōedo Onsen Monogatari Kimitsu no Mori, quietly nestled on a hilltop near the center of the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, close to Tokyo. Ōedo Onsen Monogatari Kimitsu no Mori has an abundance of artificial hot springs, and its location - high up in the beautiful Japanese countryside - means reduced light pollution and more chances for stargazing.

Relax in the warm open-air baths at night, admiring the stars in tranquil surroundings. Why not time your visit with the moon tides, to spot a full moon from one of their mineral-rich springs?

According to Rakuten Travel, this particular hotel is particularly popular with families living in Tokyo. With something to please the whole family, from a game corner to karaoke booths and shogi chess tables, young children through to grandparents will be more than satisfied!

Coming in a close third is Otogitei-Kofu Hotel in Achi Village, Nagano, which runs popular star-gazing tours throughout the year. Otogitei-Kofu is officially counted as one of the best places to stargaze in Japan by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment. The hotel is a firm favorite among star-crossed lovers - according to the Rakuten survey, the majority of guests visited in couples. Guests can head over to gaze at the stars, whether on the official tour or through one of the hotel’s own telescopes.

The hotel’s official pre-booked star tour, available only in Japanese for the time being, covers all the bases for star fans, featuring a ride to the site in your own private booth on the hotel’s ropeway, which runs for 2,500m, followed by a relaxing guided star-gaze. On a clear night, punters will be surrounded by fantastically starry skies as a local stargazer talks through the constellations to be seen. Loan some binoculars for a closer look, or simply appreciate the starry night as it is. Gaze at the galaxies that can be seen clearly from an unrivaled vantage point.

Guests who fancy a mellow stargazing experience will be able to stargaze from the outdoor bath, kept softly lit in order to fully experience the starry skies overhead.

In fourth place is Hakonenomori Okada hotel, a short 100-minute trip away from Japan’s capital, in neighboring Kanagawa Prefecture. Located at one of the highest points of the famous Hakone Onsen village, the sky stretches for miles around. Experience the vast skies from the guest rooms or even from the hotel swimming pool.

The hot springs at Okada are plentiful, with many located outside, meaning that stargazing from a bath is practically a given. In fact, the standard rooms at Okada even come with their own foot baths located on the veranda, so guests can look out at the stars whilst warming their feet from the comfort of their own room. Talk about indulging yourself!

Hakonenomori Okada is located only 3km from Kanagawa Prefectural Science Museum of Natural History, meaning that science buffs can get their science fix easily. With stargazing at night and a trip to the local science museum during the day, the itinerary is already planned.

Coming in at number five is the Urabandai Grandeco Tokyu Hotel in Fukushima. The area is known first and foremost for its snowy slopes in winter and clear skies.

Urabandai Grandeco makes the most of this by running starry night tours year round, including a Starry Night Snow Shoe Tour throughout winter. Come summer and the pool is open until midnight, meaning that you can stargaze whilst taking a dip.

At the Urabandai Grandeco, the food is exquisite, as guests are treated to a menu featuring French, Japanese and Western-style cuisine, both for the buffet breakfast (included in most starry night plans) and the dinner. Sit in the restaurant and admire the night skies from your table, before heading outside to get into nature and experience all the stars.

There is nothing like looking up to find a whole galaxy visible overhead and with these top-rated hotels—it’s practically a given. Let us know if you’ve been anywhere that has surprised you with its amount of stars! For a holiday to remember, make sure to get starry skies in there, too.

Source: PR Times
(Based on the ranking released in December 2021. Refer to the source for more information on the survey details)


Written by: Kim Kahan