A major Japanese hospitality group has recognised the growing trend of people cherishing their time alone, and how their perception around solo travel has shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic.
HOSHINOYA, a revered brand by Hoshino Resorts believes that solo journeys allow travellers to truly be themselves—free from concern about companions or schedules.
The brand has received numerous accolades and international recognition for its high-calibre portfolio of unique properties that blend luxury and Japanese hospitality with the local climate, history and culture.
According to a survey on solo awareness and behaviour conducted by the Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living (HILL), approximately 56% of respondents stated that they prefer spending time alone over being with others[1].
In response to the expanding solo travel market, HOSHINOYA has tailored accommodation plans that allow guests to immerse themselves in the local culture and surroundings at their own pace—from an all-inclusive stay focused on health and beauty, a deep sleep stay on a remote island to soaking in a natural hot spring in the centre of Tokyo’s vast metropolis.
For travellers considering a luxurious solo experience in Japan, here are three hotels to consider:
HOSHINOYA Okinawa in Yomitan Village, Okinawa Prefecture
Located along the natural coastline in Yomitan Village on Okinawa’s main island, HOSHINOYA Okinawa offers a 3-day, 2-night stay for solo travellers to immerse themselves in cultural activities and enjoy a rejuvenating spa experience that draws on the healing power of Okinawa’s natural environment.
This all-inclusive plan includes a dinner course inspired by the Ryukyu Dynasty’s “Kusuimun” teachings, the concept that food is medicine. The “Ryukyu Gastronomia – Bellezza” course fuses both Okinawan and Italian culinary techniques, and focuses on the nutritional benefits of each ingredient, promoting radiant health and beauty.
There is also a special in-room dinner featuring plant-based dishes, so that guests can experience the traditional Okinawan wisdom for living a long and healthy life.
At the dojo within the resort, special activities allow guests to learn about Ryukyu culture as well as interact with the local people for a fulfilling and enriching experience. The plan includes participation in one program of their choice, such as “Ryukyu Dance” or “Ryukyu Classical Sanshin Music” taught by a master instructor. Guests can also experience morning horse riding, inspired by the region’s history, where horse racing was once popular.
All rooms at HOSHINOYA Okinawa are oceanfront so that guests can sleep peacefully to the soothing sound of gentle waves and wake up to a full view of seaside scenery.
HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island in Taketomi-cho, Okinawa Prefecture
Located in Okinawa Prefecture’s Taketomi Island, HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island offers a 2-night, 3-day stay to enrich a solo traveller’s quality of sleep by aligning with the natural rhythms of the remote island and helping to reset daily routines that often become unbalanced due to the busyness of everyday life.
Here, guests can immerse themselves in nature through the sound of waves and starlit skies that engage the senses and promote relaxation.
For breakfast, guests are served a local specialty hot pot made with island vegetables and tofu, which is believed to be rich in components that help produce hormones essential for good sleep.
Afterwards, guests can visit a garden within the facility that cultivates nuchigusa (life-sustaining herbs of Okinawa) where they can learn about traditional crops, and where Okinawan traditions remain deeply rooted.
After lunch, guests are served herbal tea made with neebui grass and can relax in a hammock chair prepared in their room for a peaceful afternoon nap. Letting go into the slow passage of island time fosters deep relaxation and freedom from worrying about companions.
In the morning, guests can practice gentle breathing and stretching exercises while basking in the sunrise at Aiyaruhama beach, located about five minutes from HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island. This light movement before breakfast helps wake the body gradually and provides mild fatigue that supports deeper relaxation at night.
In the evening, guests can take part in deep breathing beside the pool under the starry sky. Through deep breathing and slow stretching, the mind and body are gently calmed, guiding guests smoothly into a deep, restful sleep.
HOSHINOYA Tokyo in Otemachi, Tokyo
Situated in the heart of Tokyo’s prestigious Otemachi district, HOSHINOYA Tokyo is a traditional Japanese ryokan offering solo travellers a 1-night, 2-day mindful escape where they can unwind, soak in an onsen, and simply be.
In recent years, the demand for solo travel experiences has been increasing with hot springs consistently ranking among the top reasons for such trips. At the same time, mindfulness—focusing on the present moment without judgment or distraction—has gained attention to reduce stress.
The Otemachi Onsen at HOSHINOYA Tokyo is a natural hot spring rich in ancient seawater minerals, drawn from deep underground. This rejuvenating water soothes both body and mind, offering deep relaxation from the stress and noise of daily life. The bath space includes a cave-like indoor bath that leads to an open-air bath where you can gaze freely at the ever-changing Tokyo sky—designed to help you fully experience the present moment.
Once home to samurai estates, Tokyo’s Otemachi district is now a forest of office towers. The “Sky-High Morning Kenjutsu Practice” is a unique activity on the rooftop of a nearby skyscraper 160 meters above ground where guests can refresh their body and mind.
From this open-air space, guests can take in panoramic views of Tokyo—from the dense clusters of buildings in Shinjuku and Ikebukuro below to the iconic Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower on the horizon. In the fresh morning air, guests practice mindful movement with a sense of exhilaration and clarity—a rare moment to reconnect with themselves in an expansive setting overlooking one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
The “Awakening Breakfast” is a thoughtfully crafted Japanese breakfast emphasises harmony in every detail—from the seasonal ingredients to the balance of the five tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy), five colours (red, yellow, green, white, and black), and five cooking methods (raw/sliced, simmered, grilled, steamed, and fried).
Each dish is served in beautifully lacquered vessels, handcrafted by artisans, engaging all five senses and gently awakening both body and mind. It’s a mindful start to the day—savouring each bite and each bowl with intention—making it the perfect breakfast experience to begin a day of quiet reflection and balance.
Overview of HOSHINOYA solo travel plans
HOSHINOYA Okinawa – Health and Beauty All-Inclusive Stay Overview
Period: March 1, 2025 – December 26, 2025 (blackout dates apply)
Price: From ¥199,700 per person (including tax and service charges)
Includes: 2 nights / 3 days accommodation, 2 dinners and breakfasts, HOSHINOYA Spa (Nagi or Haru), activities (choose between Morning Horse Riding or Ryukyu dance & Sanshin Music), Okinawan tea and sweets in the room, and a ticket for use at BANTA CAFE & OLU Grill.
Reservations: Available until 7 days in advance via the official website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/hoshinoyaokinawa/
*Note: Activity options may vary depending on availability.
HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island – Solo Deep Sleep Nibui Stay Overview
Period: March 10, 2025 – December 26, 2025 (blackout dates apply)
Price: From ¥109,218 per person (including tax and service charges) *Standard reservations require a minimum 2-night stay.
Includes: 2 nights / 3 days accommodation, chair hammock in the guest room, guided explanation about nuchigusa in the garden and neebui herbal tea, Island Tofu Hot Pot breakfast
Reservations: Available until 14 days in advance via the official website:
https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/hoshinoyataketomijima/
*Solo traveller discount (room only): From ¥49,610 per night (tax and service charge included).
HOSHINOYA TOKYO – Mindful Solo Hot Spring Stay Overview
Period: April 1, 2025 – December 26, 2025 (blackout dates apply)
Price: From ¥87,470 per person (including tax and service charges) *Standard reservations require a minimum 2-night stay.
Includes: 1 night / 2 days accommodation, “Awakening Breakfast”, “Sky-high Morning Kenjutsu Practice”
Reservations: Available until 5 days in advance via the official website:
https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/hoshinoyatokyo/
*Solo traveller discount (room only): From ¥71,740 per night (tax and service charge included).
