From healing waters to traditional decor, and exquisite seasonal cuisine, immerse yourself in the true essence of Japanese hospitality with the best Japanese ryokans and onsens to stay at in Japan!
Imagine stepping into a world where time slows down, and every moment is an opportunity to indulge in blissful relaxation. That’s the essence of a ryokan — a traditional Japanese inn that offers a captivating blend of hospitality, cultural heritage, and natural beauty. Each ryokan is a serene oasis that embraces the essence of Japanese aesthetics — with tatami mat floors, sliding shoji doors, and futon beds to ensure nights of restful sleep. For Japan-bound travellers embarking on a journey of tranquillity and cultural immersion, look no further than the enchanting world of ryokans and Japanese onsens!
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Types Of Ryokans
There are several different types of ryokans in Japan, each offering its own unique experiences. Here are some of the more common types of ryokans you can choose between when finding one that best suits your needs:
Image Credits: YOUinJapan.NET
1️⃣ Traditional ryokans: Embodies the essence of Japanese tradition and culture. Features traditional architectural elements like tatami-matted rooms, sliding doors, and communal baths. Guests can enjoy traditional Japanese meals, futon bedding, and attentive service for a fee.
2️⃣ Modern ryokans: A blend of traditional elements with modern amenities and design. They offer a more contemporary atmosphere while still maintaining the core principles of a ryokan. May include Western-style beds, private baths, and a fusion of traditional and international cuisines.
3️⃣ Luxury ryokans: Provides a high-end experience with lavish accommodations, top-notch service, and exceptional amenities. They often feature spacious rooms, private open-air baths, gourmet dining, and impeccable hospitality.
4️⃣ Family-friendly ryokans: Caters to families with children and offer family-friendly amenities and activities. Usually provides larger or interconnected rooms, kids’ play areas, and special meals for kids. These ryokans aim to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for guests of all ages.
5️⃣ Theme ryokans: Offers an immersive and unique stay based on various themes such as nature, art, history, or even pop culture.
6️⃣ Onsen ryokans: Known for their hot spring facilities, guests can soak in mineral-rich, geothermal waters that are believed to have therapeutic properties. Onsen ryokans often have both indoor and outdoor baths, and some may even have private or gender-segregated baths for a more intimate experience.
7️⃣ Boutique ryokans: Small, intimate establishments that offer personalised service and attention to detail. They often have a limited number of rooms and focus on creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere for guests. They’re perfect for those seeking a more private and exclusive experience.
The Best Japanese Onsens And Ryokans To Stay At In Japan 2023: Psst, for the best deals on your ryokan accommodations, check out YouTrip Perks & get sweet cashback and discounts when booking on Trip.com, Expedia, Agoda, and Booking.com
Onsens Etiquette 101
When visiting an onsen or communal bath in a ryokan, it’s important to follow certain etiquette and rules to ensure a respectful and comfortable experience for everyone. Here are some rules to keep in mind:
1️⃣ Wash thoroughly and rinse your body in the designated shower area before entering the baths (even if you feel clean!)
2️⃣ Although not the most comfortable feeling, In most onsen and communal baths, nudity is required to ensure cleanliness and relaxation. So remember to leave your bathing suit and clothing behind before entering the bath!
3️⃣ For our tattooed friends, it’s advisable to check the ryokan’s policy before entering a bath as some traditional onsens have restrictions on guests with visible tattoos due to their historical association with the yakuza (Japanese organised crime).
4️⃣ Keep your towels out of the water! You may wrap your towels around your head but avoid dipping them into the bath to maintain cleanliness and respect towards others sharing the bath.
5️⃣ For ladies (and men) with long hair, tie your hair up to prevent loose hair from entering the bath. Additionally, please refrain from using toiletries or soap in the bathwater as it’s meant for soaking and not washing.
Onsens & Ryokans To Stay In Japan:
1. Gora Kaden (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Image credits: Selected Onsen Ryokan
At Gora Kaden, every moment is designed to transport you to a world of pure bliss. Picture yourself stepping into your private oasis, complete with open-air baths that invite you to soak away your cares while being enveloped in nature’s embrace. Gentle steam rising from your skin, carrying with it the soothing aroma of hinoki wood, creating an ambience that’s both calming and invigorating to the body and soul. But it’s not just the hot springs that will leave you spellbound. Gora Kaden takes pride in its commitment to culinary excellence, offering a gastronomic journey that’ll tantalise your taste buds!
However, do take note that those staying at Gora Kaden have to abide by a few rules at the onsen, including rinsing your body before entering the baths and tying up long hair. Plus, onsens are traditionally enjoyed in the nude as it allows for the full therapeutic benefits of the hot spring water to seep into your body, so don’t be too surprised when asked to leave your swimwear behind!
Address: 1300 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0408, Japan
Price: Starts from ¥ 46,700 (~$460.58 per guest) per night
The Best Japanese Onsens And Ryokans To Stay At In Japan 2023: Find out more here
2. Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto Prefecture)
Image credits: Voyapon
For locals, Kurokawa Onsen is one of Kyushu’s best-kept secrets, raking in high numbers of domestic travellers every year. Thanks to the efforts of the entire local community, the onsen (and the whole town) is still standing in its original form with wooden materials, earthen walls, cobblestone stairs, and curved roofs. With no commercialised hotels, colourful signs, and skyrise buildings in view, travellers can soak in the beauty of pure and simple Japanese aesthetics while being surrounded by luscious forests and mountains, with a calming river babbling through the town.
With the “Yumeguri Tegata” system, visitors can purchase special passes to enjoy multiple onsen baths in different ryokans throughout the area. It’s a fantastic way to experience the diverse flavours of hot spring waters and find your favourite without having to pay a fortune! For visitors who prefer a dip in a private bath, private onsens can be rented by the hour on a first-come-first-served basis at many of the ryokans.
Address: Manganji, Minamioguni, Aso District, Kumamoto 869-402, Japan
Price: ¥1,300 (~S$ 12.82) for Yumeguri Tegata
The Best Japanese Onsens And Ryokans To Stay At In Japan 2023: Find out more here
3. Ryokan Miyukisou Hanamusubi (Hyogo Prefecture)
Image credits: Hanamusubi Japan
Themed after flowers, Ryokan Miyukisou Hanamusubi allows weary travellers to heal and soak away their worries in the enchanting town of Arima Onsen. Renowned for its healing hot springs and serene atmosphere, the onsen is said to be the oldest spring in Japan and is particularly effective in relieving muscle aches, fatigue, and neuralgia.
Revered for being a healing inn for both women and the elderly, the public baths in Ryokan Miyukisou Hanamusubi allows one to meditate against the graceful bearings of mountains while experiencing the timeless beauty of Arima Onsen. As you step into this elegant ryokan, you’ll be greeted by a meticulous blend of traditional and modern elements throughout the entire room. From the soft tatami flooring to the sliding shoji doors, each room exudes a sense of tranquillity and serenity. And of course, the highlight of your stay will be the private open-air Kinsen baths.
For travellers who are unable to walk from the station to the ryokan, simply give the place a call and they’ll fetch you from Arima Onsen station with a private car!
Address: 351 Arima, Kita-ku, Kobe
Price: Starting from ¥17,100 (~S$168.65) per person per night
Price on Agoda: S$98.17 per person per night (Get an additional 7% off with YouTrip Perks)
The Best Japanese Onsens And Ryokans To Stay At In Japan 2023: Find out more here
4. Yunoshimakan (Gifu Prefecture)
Image credits: Trip.com
Registered as a tangible cultural property in 2010, Yunoshimakan is one of the oldest ryokans in Japan and consists of a three-storey wooden building built in 1931. With a long history of being a sacred hot spring since ancient times, the onsens in Gero are not to be missed for any weary traveller looking to have a relaxing dip.
Standing proud in the mountains above Gero Onsen, visitors can enjoy a warm private bath and take in the gorgeous aerial views of the surrounding mountains. At Yunoshimakan, guests can enjoy a dip in either an indoor or outdoor hot spring bath or a separate private ‘family bath’.
The great thing about this ryokan is not only do they use water from the hot springs for private baths, but they also use the same water in the shower and baths of the guest rooms as well! One thing to note at Yunoshimakan is that they charge a hot spring tax of ¥150 per guest above the age of 12 in their reservation costs.
Address: 645 Yunoshima, Gero, Gifu 509-2207, Japan
Price: Starting from ¥29,700 (~S$292.92) per person
Price on Booking.com: S$371 per person per night (Get an additional 15% cashback with YouTrip Perks
The Best Japanese Onsens And Ryokans To Stay At In Japan 2023: Find out more here
5. Tawaraya (Kyoto Prefecture)
Image credits: Audley Travel
Unlike some ryokans in modern Japan, Tawaraya is a famous ryokan in Kyoto with a history dating back to more than 300 years ago in the Edo period. Visited by aristocrats and daimyos, this inn only consists of 18 tiny rooms with no lobbies, pools, or restaurants. However, don’t let its shabby appearance fool you as this ryokan is notoriously difficult to book and can only be reserved by phone calls.
Like most ryokans, visitors are not allowed to wear shoes inside. However, no fret! There is an area where you can keep your shoes, and one staff member will always be present and is exclusively responsible for your shoes! Not only does the staff help you in and out of every pair, but they’ll also dry and polish your shoes if you’d like. Moving onto the main star of the show, every room gets a private onsen bath for guests to lie back and unwind.
The ryokan’s dedication to wellness extends to its therapeutic spa treatments as well, with a range of treatments extending from anma (a traditional Japanese massage) to facials, and luxurious body wraps. In addition to the spa experiences, Tawaraya also offers guided meditation and yoga sessions for those seeking inner peace and tranquillity.
Address: 278 Nakahakusancho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8094, Japan
Price: Starting from ¥45,000 (~S$443.82 ) per person
The Best Japanese Onsens And Ryokans To Stay At In Japan 2023: Find out more here
6. Notoya Ryokan (Yamagata Prefecture)
Image credits:gltjp
Step into a world of pure bliss and whimsy at Ginzan Onsen! This hidden treasure is like a time machine that transports you into a fairytale village straight out of a storybook. Imagine strolling down the charming streets, lined with adorable wooden ryokans that look like they belong in a Ghibli film. The soft glow of the street lamps adds a magical touch, and you can’t help but feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret paradise.
As you relax in one of Ginzan Onsen’s hot mineral springs, get ready to be treated like royalty at Notoya Ryokan where every corner is filled with wonder. Filled with a touch of elegance, the rooms carry plush futons, soft tatami floors, and a legendary kaiseki meal. Like all ryokans, you get your own private hot spring at Notoya which is surrounded by snowy mountains all year round.
Address: 446 Ginzashinhata, Obanazawa 999-4333 Yamagata Prefecture
Price: Starting from ¥19,000 (~S$ 187.38) per person
The Best Japanese Onsens And Ryokans To Stay At In Japan 2023: Find out more here
7. Hoshinoya Tokyo (Tokyo Prefecture)
Image Credits: TripAdvisor
Want to experience the tranquillity of hot springs in a bustling city centre? Look no further than Hoshinoya Tokyo, an establishment occupying a compelling liminal space between a city hotel and traditional Japanese ryokan.
With only six rooms per floor, the idea is that every level feels like its own mini ryokan inn centred around a tatami-lined tea room where sweets and snacks are readily on offer. The one allowance for a bit of fusion is in the lounge attire offered to guests — a hybrid of Western and Japanese sensibilities — comfy shirts and yukata-esque robes. Despite the modernity of the city, Hoshinoya Tokyo transports you back to old-time Japan with its hot spring baths. The ryokan stands on top of warm mineral-rich water, and although the 17-storey building might not contain the traditional charms of other ryokans mentioned in this article, the powerful healing properties of the water in their crowning hot tubs might speak differently.
Address: 1 Chome-9-1 Otemachi, Tokyo 100-0004
Price: Starting from ¥59,670 (~S$588.46) per person
Price on Trip.com: S$780 per person (Get an additional 5% cashback with YouTrip Perks)
The Best Japanese Onsens And Ryokans To Stay At In Japan 2023: Find out more here
8. Hakone Yutowa (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Image Credits: Hakone Yutowa
Located in the heart of Hakone, this ryokan offers a contemporary twist on the traditional ryokan experience. Hakone Yutowa combines modern design with Japanese hospitality, giving guests a peek into the world of traditional ryokans while catering to the needs and preferences of modern travellers.
The rooms, while still incorporating traditional wooden elements, feature modern comforts like air conditioning, private bathrooms, and WiFi access.
The ryokan also has an on-site restaurant offering a fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with modern twists, showcasing the innovative culinary creations that Hakone is known for. Hakone Yutowa also offers various recreational facilities, including relaxing hot spring baths and a modern fitness centre, allowing guests to indulge in both traditional and contemporary forms of relaxation
Address: 1300-27 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0408, Japan
Price: Starting from ¥31,150 (~S$ 307.20) per person
Price on Trip.com: S$193 per person (Get an additional 5% cashback with YouTrip Perks
The Best Japanese Onsens And Ryokans To Stay At In Japan 2023: Find out more here
Soak Your Worries Away!
Image Credits: KimKim
And that’s it, folks! With this list of the best Japanese ryokans and onsens to stay at, you’re ready to embark on a journey of tranquillity and Japanese tradition when in Japan! And as usual, while booking those plane tickets and ryokan stays, don’t forget to make use of your YouTrip Card to lock in those wholesale exchange rates and skip those pesky bank fees!
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