Any suggestions for hotel in...

Hi everyone, if anyone has suggestions for good places to stay in these cities, I have done a lot of research but personal experience seems to be the best approach
Kyoto and Miyajima are the hardest to pick out
thanks.
Kyoto
Miyajima
Osaka
Kanazawa
Takayama
Nagoya

I recommend the following website which systematizes personal experiences into an easy-to-use database:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/

But if you want to have a random personal opinion, here are my favorites:

Kyoto - Tawaraya Ryokan:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298564-d310306-Reviews-Tawara...

Osaka - Ritz-Carlton:
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Osaka/Default.htm

Nagoya - Marriot Associa:
http://www.associa.com/english/nma/

I am still searching for favorites in the other location listed.

The Tawaraya is very expensive. If you budget is limited, I recommend the Granvia Kyoto next. Very convenient:
http://www.granviakyoto.com/

In Miyajima I (and my friends on a different occasion) had bad experiences with the Iwaso. I can't recommend it:
http://www.iwaso.com/e_introduction.html

But I enjoyed both my stays at the Arimoto Grand Hotel:
http://www.miyajima-arimoto.co.jp/english/

And at the recently opened, elegant (but somewhat sterile) Kurayado Iroha:
http://www.iroha.to/english/

Both are very well located.

In Kyoto I staid at the Chrsythium Hotel. It was a little ways away from JR station but easy to get there on a bus. The hotel is very nice and the people who run it are amazing and friendly. It also gives you more of an idea of what life away from tourist area is like. And is within walking distance of the golden temple.
In Nagoya I stayed at a chisun business hotel right beside the JR station very comfortable and very affordable and close to everything

Uju would know better, but my family have stayed at these places and loved each


Kyoto - Hyatt Regency (not very Japanese, but superb nonetheless)
Miyajima - Grand Hotel Arimoto
Osaka - not sure, stayed at the Sheraton a night or 2, 5 years back, it was nice
Kanazawa - Hakuchoro. That one is a really strong recommendation, it is a lovely hotel with great onsen facilities, next to the castle park, and the staff are brilliant (not much english spoken)
Takayama - for Ryokan we have stayed twice at Tanabe Ryokan, which is very pleasant, great food and good rooms, Tanabe-san is a champion. We have also stayed at the Hotel Associa a little out of town, it has the biggest onsen facilities I've seen, and the rooms are very nice (not much english spoken)
Nagoya - we've stayed at the Westin Castle hotel. it was surprisingly good, far better than I expected because I had heard it was getting tired

hope this helps

On Miyajima, the Miyajima Grand Hotel is very nice also. Great location with nice views, however can be very expensive.

I stayed at Kuwatinaya minshuku in Takayama http://www.kuwataniya.com which was very good. In Kyoto I have stayed at both the Co-op Inn and Mystays Shijo and both were perfectly adequate large hotels.

This is great, I will check out these right away,
in Tokyo it seems that Century Tower Southern is the choice for most.
I am guessing that the major Hotels will have in room safes but I am wondering how do the Rokans deal with security for guests computers and other valuables that you wan to leave in the room ?

Have stayed at and liked:

Kyoto - nagomi ryokan yuu

Osaka - ark hotel

Takayama - rickshaw inn

Also stayed at chisun Shinsaibashi, but thought it to be too small compared to other budget options

In Takayama I stayed at Minshuku Uenoya. It had only public baths, no private ones, but it was clean and the lady who ran it was very nice and greeted me every time I came in or left for the day.

My room was also a very generous size for one person in Japan (not sure if this was a fluke or if all the rooms were huge like this, but in Tokyo on a previous trip I was in a group of three and our room at a Ryokan was about the same size), and in the evenings I would find a kettle full of hot water to use for tea outside my door (the room had tea and senbei in it)

In addition, it's pretty much in the middle of the old town area (this does mean it gets loud in the mornings, but at night it's very quiet). It also has a family mart down the road, and nearby a cafe with free wifi (since Uenoya has none).

I have never worried about luggage safety in Japan. I have a discrete lock on my suitcase (I wouldnt want the owners to think that I dont trust them) & just put my laptop etc in there when I am away from the room.

In Tokyo I always go to the same ryokan and I wouldn't change it for anything. The name is "Keiunsou", and is only 2 minutes from Shinjuku Sta. I had the best experience and they are very helpful. Luggage is safe in Japan, but specially at this place.

In Nagoya "The b Nagoya" the room are big and the breakfast very very good. It is also central, by subway Sakae Sta :)

Best luck ^ ^