Japan Travel Review Grand Prix: Editors’ Curated Top Picks

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From July 1 (Mon) to July 20 (Thu), 2024, we held the campaign [Kodawari Review Grand Prix! 2024 SUMMER]. Here, we introduce the Best Review Award winners and their hotels, carefully selected by our editorial team!!

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1.Hotel New Katsura <Sado Island>

Hotel New Katsura <Sado Island>

Address: 696-1 Harakuro, Sado City, Niigata 952-0016, Japan
Access: Approximately 5 minutes by car from Ryotsu Port (Sado Kisen Ferry Terminal)

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First up is “Hotel New Katsura <Sado Island>” in Niigata Prefecture, known for its delicious meals and beautiful views.
See photos of the dining and the hot springs here!

Here are the most attractive highlights from the Kodawari Review ✨

【Room】
The living area was clean and well maintained, with a full view of the lake, allowing us to relax and enjoy our time comfortably.

【Dining】
It felt like dining was the main highlight of this accommodation.
Dinner was a traditional kaiseki meal, and breakfast was served buffet-style.
What left the strongest impression was how fresh and delicious the sashimi was.

【Breathtaking View from the Rooftop】
A spectacular viewpoint where you can enjoy both the sea and the lake at the same time.

★Editor’s Comment

It’s a wonderful hotel where you can fully enjoy both ocean and lake views!
Although the dining menu is listed on the website, comments about the freshness of the sashimi and the scenery are insights you can only get from guest reviews!

For full reviews and hotel details, see here ✨

2.Richmond Hotel Nagasaki Shianbashi

Richmond Hotel Nagasaki Shianbashi

Address: 6-38 Honsekai-machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki 850-0901, Japan
Access: About 10 minutes by streetcar from Nagasaki Station (get off at Shianbashi stop, 1-minute walk) / About 10 minutes on foot from “Shinchi Chinatown” bus stop via airport limousine bus from Nagasaki Airport

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Next is “Richmond Hotel Nagasaki Shianbashi” in Nagasaki Prefecture, famous for its high-speed Wi‑Fi.
See photos of the entrance and guest rooms here!

Here are the most attractive highlights from the Kodawari Review ✨

This hotel offered excellent value for money!
After arriving in the room, we immediately set up the Wi-Fi—connection was quick and smooth as instructed, with no issues in speed.
The bathroom and toilet were very clean, and the breakfast selection and quantity were impressive—hard to believe it’s a business hotel!

★Editor’s Comment

A hotel with unbeatable value and fast, smooth Wi-Fi is truly appealing ✨
Cleanliness in areas like the toilet and bathroom is something many people worry about before booking, and this review described those points very carefully!
Highly recommended for travelers who value quality, even when choosing a business hotel!

For full reviews and hotel details, see here!

3.Tabino Hotel Hida Takayama

Tabino Hotel Hida Takayama

Address: 13-1 Matsunoki-cho, Takayama City, Gifu 506-0802, Japan
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by free shuttle bus from JR Takayama Station / About 14 minutes by car from Takayama IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway
Guests traveling by car can also use the free shuttle bus to reach the city center

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Next is “Tabino Hotel Hida Takayama” in Gifu Prefecture, popular for its shuttle bus service and morning curry.
See photos of the dining and the hot springs here!

Here are the most attractive highlights from the Kodawari Review ✨

There is a waiting area for the hotel in front of the station, and free shuttle buses depart from there.
If you’d like to explore the city before check-in or after check-out, they will store your luggage free of charge. Umbrellas are also available for loan on rainy days.
Breakfast doesn’t have a huge variety, but everything tasted great—especially the curry, which stood out.
The large public bath isn’t extremely spacious, but you can check how crowded it is on the TV in your room, which is very convenient.
Welcome drinks and late-night ramen are also provided.

★Editor’s Comment

Information like umbrella rentals and free luggage storage really shows the value of guest reviews!
This review clearly explained the highlights of the services based on real experiences ✨
The popular breakfast curry and late-night ramen are especially tempting!

For full reviews and hotel details, see here!

4.Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel

Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel

Address: 5-6 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo 650-0042, Japan
Access: Free shuttle bus operates daily between JR Sannomiya Station and the hotel / About 20 minutes to Osaka / About 15 minutes on foot from JR Motomachi Station (a pleasant walk while sightseeing)

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Next is “Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel” in Hyōgo Prefecture, where you can feel like royalty.
See photos of the guest rooms and breakfast venue here!

We stayed one night in the largest and most expensive suite room at the hotel.
Breakfast was included as well!
It was an ultimate experience—perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime moment!
Not only was the room outstanding, but the staff’s thoughtful hospitality made us feel truly pampered, like celebrities.

★ Editor’s Comment

Opportunities to stay in a suite are rare, so reading this review made it feel as if we had stayed there ourselves!
The reviewer also shared actual photos of the room, making it a wonderful review that truly conveyed an amazing experience ✨
I would love to try the suite’s breakfast someday!