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Japan is a country that doesn’t just welcome travellers — it stays with them. Every visit feels like a blend of tradition and innovation, serenity and excitement, craftsmanship and modern luxury. But nowhere is that duality more beautifully experienced than in the country’s hotels. From peaceful ryokans tucked away in quiet neighbourhoods to sky-high urban sanctuaries with views that seem unreal, Japan’s best stays offer something far more meaningful than just a place to sleep. They create moments you carry with you long after the trip ends.
This list highlights five exceptional properties that exemplify Japanese hospitality in distinctly different ways. Whether you’re seeking to escape into nature, indulge in sophisticated city luxury, or immerse yourself in the serenity of traditional design, these hotels offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences worth planning your trip around. If you’re dreaming of Japan — or returning for your next adventure — these are the accommodations that should be at the very top of your list.
1. Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku – Tokyo
Few places capture the balance between tradition and modern living like Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku. Hidden in one of Tokyo’s busiest districts, this ryokan provides an escape that feels worlds apart from the surrounding skyscrapers. Inside, the design is minimalist and calming, with tatami textures, warm wood accents, and gentle lighting that immediately relaxing. Guests can experience genuine Japanese hospitality and peaceful hot-spring baths while enjoying tranquil rooftop views that make you forget you’re in the heart of the city. The open-air onsen is the highlight — a calming soak against the Tokyo skyline that feels almost surreal. Unsurprisingly, the ryokan is consistently fully booked, thanks to its intimate size and growing international reputation. For travellers seeking a traditional yet accessible introduction to Japanese wellness culture, this is the perfect place to start.
Occupying the upper floors of Midtown Tower, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo offers some of the most stunning views in the city — a sweeping panorama that extends across Shinjuku’s skyline and reaches all the way to Mount Fuji on clear days. The hotel combines modern Tokyo luxury with subtle Japanese touches, from elegant washi-inspired interiors to deep-soaking marble bathtubs that overlook the city below. Service is exceptional, as expected, and every interaction feels polished, warm, and quietly attentive.
And if you’re looking to elevate your stay in Tokyo, this is the place that sets the standard. Dining options range from Michelin-starred tempura to expertly crafted cocktails served above the city’s glow, while the spa and lounge areas provide a calm, refined escape from the urban rush. Whether you’re relaxing with live jazz or simply taking in the skyline from your room, The Ritz-Carlton transforms your trip into something unforgettable — a luxurious, cinematic experience from start to finish.
Hoshinoya Fuji redefines what a nature escape can be. Set deep within a peaceful forest overlooking Lake Kawaguchi, this luxury glamping resort offers front-row views of Mount Fuji from the moment you wake up. Each minimalist cabin opens onto a private terrace, perfect for slow mornings, quiet reading, and evenings spent under the stars. The architecture integrates seamlessly into the landscape, allowing the tranquillity of the forest to speak for itself.
If you want to escape city life and experience Japan’s natural landscape in its most peaceful form, this is the place to visit. Wood-fired meals, guided mountain adventures, and cozy communal spaces create a retreat that feels both adventurous and indulgent. It’s the rare kind of stay that slows you down in all the right ways — a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. Hoshinoya Fuji is a destination you visit once and carry with you long after you leave.
Perched above Lake Kawaguchi with Mount Fuji looming in the distance, this luxury glamping retreat offers one of Japan’s most stunning nature escapes. Minimalist cabins open onto private terraces designed for relaxed mornings, quiet reading, and evenings beneath a blanket of stars. If you’re craving a break from city life and want to experience Japan’s natural landscape at its most tranquil, this is the ideal getaway. Wood-fired meals, guided mountain activities, and warm communal spaces create a stay that feels both adventurous and indulgent — a rare retreat that stays with you long after you leave.
Set within the peaceful greenery of Shiba Park, this understated luxury hotel offers one of the most unique vantage points in the city — with many rooms framing Tokyo Tower so perfectly it feels like a living postcard. The atmosphere is calm and spacious, providing a refreshing sense of breathing space despite being minutes from Roppongi, Ginza, and other major districts. Featuring multiple dining options, elegant rooms, and one of Tokyo’s most impressive in-house onsen facilities, the hotel balances convenience with tranquility. If you’re looking for a stay that combines city access with peaceful surroundings — and a skyline view you’ll never forget — The Prince Park Tower Tokyo is an unbeatable choice.
These recommendations are based on thorough research, expert insight, and personal travel experience. I travel frequently and have come to understand what modern travellers truly value — from thoughtful design and attentive service to authenticity, comfort, and a sense of place. Each hotel on this list has been assessed not only for its reputation but also for the quality of experience it offers, whether that’s a peaceful retreat, a cultural immersion, or a luxury stay that feels genuinely meaningful. The aim is simple: to provide you with a curated selection of hotels in Japan that stand out for all the right reasons, helping you choose with confidence.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
Our team of editors and experts thoughtfully chooses each product. If you decide to buy through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Want to know how we test products? Click here for more details
Gaming isn’t slowing down anytime soon, nor are the consoles that power it. From the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X to the Nintendo Switch OLED and handheld beasts like the Steam Deck or ASUS ROG Ally X, there’s never been more ways to play than ever before. The question is—how do you choose the right one?
Sure, the PlayStation versus Xbox rivalry remains active, but it’s not just about choosing sides anymore. Graphics, exclusives, portability—each console offers something different to the table. And if you’re serious about upgrading your gaming setup, knowing which one is truly worth your time (and money) makes all the difference.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 5 best gaming consoles worth buying right now. From cinematic single-player epics to casual co-op nights and gaming on the go, one of these machines is ready to be your next upgrade.
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD (expandable with Seagate Storage Expansion Card)
Price: USD $600
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s powerhouse and easily one of the smoothest gaming experiences you can buy right now. This thing was built to impress — with 12 teraflops of GPU power, near-instant SSD load times, and support for silky 120fps gameplay. Fire up something like Forza Horizon 5 or Halo Infinite and you’ll see exactly why people call it the “beast” of this generation. It’s not just about flashy specs — it actually feels different in your hands. Load screens that used to take minutes now disappear in seconds, and switching between multiple games with Quick Resume makes gaming feel seamless.
But the real MVP here is Xbox Game Pass. With a price similar to a Netflix subscription, you get access to a vast library of AAA games, new releases on launch day, and indie titles you might have missed. It’s a feature that seems optional at first but becomes indispensable once you experience it, making you wonder how you ever played without it.
Design-wise, the Series X resembles a sleek piece of home technology more than a toy — that minimalist tower fits perfectly next to a modern TV setup. Some gamers still argue PlayStation has the edge in exclusives and fair play, but in the real world? If you value performance and the best deal in gaming, the Xbox Series X is hard to beat.
The PlayStation 5 is more than just a console — it’s a cultural icon. From the moment it launched, it became the device everyone wanted to get their hands on, and in 2025, it’s still leading the way. Sony’s lineup of exclusives is unmatched: Spider-Man 2, God of War Ragnarök, The Last of Us Part I, and more that push the PS5’s hardware to its limits. When you start a game, the lightning-fast SSD nearly eliminates load screens, allowing the action to flow seamlessly from cutscene to gameplay.
But here’s where the PS5 really shows off: the DualSense controller. It’s not just a gimmick — adaptive triggers and haptic feedback let you feel every draw of a bowstring, every rev of an engine, and every clash of steel. It adds an immersion level that no other console currently matches.
Sony also refreshed the PS5 with the Slim model, reducing the bulky original design into something sleeker form that easily fits inside most entertainment units. Some players complain about its storage space being a little tight compared to Xbox, but thanks to expandable SSD options available, that’s less of a deal-breaker these days.
At the end of the day, if exclusives are your thing and you want the console that defines this generation of gaming, the PS5 remains the top choice. It’s powerful, polished, and offers experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else.
A/V Hookups: HDMI (via dock), USB-C, USB ports on dock
Video Output: Up to 1080p docked, 720p handheld
Storage: 64GB internal (expandable via microSD)
Price: Around $399 USD
Now, Nintendo Switch OLED proves that you don’t always need raw power to succeed in gaming. What it lacks in teraflops, it compensates with versatility and fun. Dock it to your TV for a classic living-room setup, or slide it out and take it anywhere — planes, cafes, or just the couch. The upgraded 7-inch OLED screen truly makes a difference: colours stand out, blacks are deeper, and handheld gaming finally feels premium.
And then there are the games. Nintendo’s exclusives are essentially cheat codes in the console wars — The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons — titles that aren’t just best-sellers but cultural moments. Add in the ever-growing library of indies and retro classics through Nintendo Switch Online, and you have a console that combines nostalgia and innovation in one swift swipe of a Joy-Con.
In the real world, the Switch OLED has become the favourite for casual players and serious gamers alike. Families enjoy it for its social appeal, while solo players value being able to grind through Zelda on the train. It’s not the most powerful console on this list, but it doesn’t have to be — it’s the one that brings people together.
Valve’s Steam Deck OLED takes what was already one of the most talked-about handhelds in years and makes it even better. The OLED upgrade improves the experience — colours are richer, blacks are deeper, and every indie platformer or AAA RPG feels more vivid in your hands. Additionally, with the larger battery and lighter design, it’s not just more attractive, but also more practical for everyday gaming.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t a traditional console. It functions as a portable gaming PC, allowing access to your entire Steam library and supporting launchers like Epic Games and Xbox Game Pass, though some setup may be required. This means your collection of games isn’t confined to a console stuck under your TV — it’s portable and travels with you.
This is why gamers love it in the real world: it feels like freedom. One minute, you’re exploring Baldur’s Gate 3 in handheld mode; the next, you’re docking it to a monitor and playing with a controller like a full PC rig. It’s not without quirks (yes, some games need tweaks to run smoothly), but as a mix of portability and power, the Steam Deck OLED is a game-changer — literally.
CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1 GHz)
GPU: RDNA 3 graphics, up to 8.6 TFLOPS
RAM: 24GB LPDDR5X
Optical Drive: None (digital only)
A/V Hookups: USB-C, ROG XG Mobile Interface, headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.3
Video Output: Up to 4K @ 120Hz (via external display)
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD (expandable via microSD)
Price: Around $799 USD
The ROG Ally X isn’t just an upgrade; it’s ASUS refining the handheld formula. Larger battery, more RAM, and a sleeker design show this isn’t a minor refresh. The 7-inch 120Hz screen looks incredible in use, delivering the smooth motion that you’d expect from a high-end PC monitor, even during fast-paced shooters and racing games.
Unlike the Steam Deck, this device runs Windows 11 straight out of the box. That means no workarounds — just install Xbox Game Pass, Steam, or Epic, and you’re ready to go. And for gamers who like to push their limits, the Ally X’s compatibility with ASUS’s external GPU dock transforms it into a desktop-class beast with just a single cable. It’s the kind of feature that makes you rethink what “portable” gaming really means.
Gamers who have tried the Ally X often mention two main points: comfort and flexibility. The redesigned grips feel more comfortable during long sessions, and the expanded RAM ensures demanding titles run much more smoothly. It’s pricier than its competitors, of course, but if you dislike compromises, the Ally X seems like the all-rounder that can keep up with you — no matter where you’re gaming.
At Many Men Magazine, we live and breathe gaming. Our team tests, researches, and compares consoles focusing on what really matters once you start playing — performance, exclusives, portability, design, and value for money. We also listen to the voices of real players across forums, communities, and long-term reviews to see how these machines hold up beyond launch day hype. Not every shiny new device makes it here — if it can’t deliver, it doesn’t make the cut. What you’re reading is a straightforward guide aimed at helping you find consoles that are genuinely worth your time and cash. We’ve done the homework, so all that’s left for you is to grab a controller and start gaming.
General Rules of Thumb for Choosing the Right Gaming Console
Choosing a gaming console isn’t just about picking the latest model; it’s about finding one that fits your lifestyle, budget, and long-term plans. Think of it as an investment in how you will enjoy your free time. A good console can last for years, provide reliable entertainment, and even serve as a multimedia centre for streaming, socializing, and more. To make the best choice, there are a few general guidelines worth thinking about.
Exclusive Games: A console’s true identity often depends on its library of exclusive titles. PlayStation focuses heavily on narrative-driven blockbusters like Spider-Man, The Last of Us, and God of War, while Xbox offers large franchises such as Halo and Forza, along with the broad selection of Game Pass. Nintendo stands apart with beloved series like Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon. These exclusives are significant — if a particular franchise shapes your gaming preferences, it may be the key factor in your choice.
Performance & Hardware: Specs matter, and not just for bragging rights. CPU speed, GPU power, RAM, and storage determine how well a console can handle demanding titles, now and in the future. High-performance consoles support higher resolutions, faster frame rates, ray tracing, and quicker load times — all of which enhance immersion and gameplay flow. Hardware longevity is also important: investing in a more powerful system now can result in fewer frustrations and less pressure to upgrade later as games become more demanding.
Portability vs. Home Setup: Think carefully about where and how you want to play. Do you want a dedicated home system for immersive sessions on the big screen, or require something more flexible and portable that can travel with you? Hybrid and handheld consoles provide versatility but might sacrifice some raw power.
Ecosystem & Online Services: A console is more than just its parts; its ecosystem shapes the entire experience. Online multiplayer access, digital storefronts, cloud gaming options, and subscription services like PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, or Nintendo Switch Online offer valuable long-term benefits. These services not only give access to extensive game libraries but also keep you connected with perks such as cloud saves, early releases, and cross-platform features. It’s important to consider how much ongoing value the ecosystem provides versus the initial cost of the console.
Budget & Longevity: Price is always a factor, but don’t focus solely on the upfront cost. Consider additional expenses like controllers, subscription services, and storage upgrades. Also, think about longevity: investing a bit more in a console that remains relevant longer can be more cost-effective in the end.
Ultimately, buying a console depends on balancing your priorities. Some players will value exclusives above all else, while others seek the highest performance or the flexibility of portable play. By focusing on the fundamentals — games, power, ecosystem, and value — you can choose a system that not only meets your needs today but continues to deliver over the years.
General FAQ’s
Still have questions? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
What Is The Best Gaming Console For Beginners?
If you’re just starting out, the Nintendo Switch OLED is an excellent choice. It’s easy to use, reasonably priced compared to other consoles, and features a library of games that attract both casual and hardcore players. Additionally, its portability makes it a versatile option for first-time console buyers.
How Long Should A Gaming Console Last Before I Need To Upgrade?
Most modern consoles are built to last about 6–8 years before they start to feel outdated, but that doesn’t mean they suddenly stop working. Instead, you’ll notice fewer new games being released for older systems as developers focus on newer hardware. Mid-generation updates, like the PS5 Slim or Xbox Series X upgrades, can prolong the lifespan and keep you current without needing a full replacement. The main point to remember is that as long as your console supports the latest games and system updates, there’s no urgent need to upgrade.
Are Digital-Only Consoles Worth Buying?
Yes, if you’re someone who doesn’t mind not having physical discs and prefers downloading games directly. Digital editions, like the PlayStation 5 Digital, are often cheaper and save space. But keep in mind, you’ll lose the ability to resell games, borrow discs, or build a physical collection.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
