Adjacent to Tokyo Station, Shangri-La Tokyo is ideally located and features oversized rooms with breathtaking views of the city and superb service. If you want to be in the heart of the vibrant Roppongi district, try Grand Hyatt Tokyo and select a room with views of Mt. Fuji.

Also with a great location, Hyatt Regency Kyoto is a superbly run, modern hotel. For travelers who want a more luxurious property with oversized accommodations and gastronomic dining, The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, convenient to the Gion district, is an excellent choice. And for those who prefer a smaller, more intimate hotel in a peaceful setting, opt for the Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto, with just 39 guestrooms and inspired by Japanese design.

Maza highly suggests at least one night in a ryokan, an experience unlike any other. At Miyajima Island, his top choice is Iwaso, a storied, traditional ryokan located on the banks of the Momijidani River. This rustic ryokan has its own hot spring and has hosted royalty and heads of state since opening in 1900.