As a photographer based in Japan, I spend a lot of time in hotels, from no-frills business stays to historic ryokan and high-end retreats. I started compiling a mental list of some of my favorite places, so I’ve decided to write about a few of them here in the hopes of inspiring travelers to include them on their itinerary. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, eat, or simply experience the best of omotenashi, the accommodations on this list are definitely worth checking out.

Japan’s highly skilled workforce and advanced manufacturing capabilities make it an attractive location for U.S. firms to source production. As an industrial factory photographer based near Tokyo, I frequently work with U.S. and other international companies operating facilities in Japan.

When editors at National Geographic Traveller (UK) approached me with a proposal for a five-day train trip to photograph northeastern Japan, I was immediately on board.