About

Mari Ryu experiencing a Japanese onsen

Hello! I’m Mari, a passionate enthusiast of Japanese ryokans and onsens. I live in Tokyo, Japan, and like many foreigners living here, I’m obsessed with Japanese food and culture.

Ryokans and onsens are very special to me. I’m fascinated by the peaceful atmosphere of ryokans and the healing powers of onsens. This website is where I share what I learn about them. Every time I visit or research, I find out something new.

I enjoy peaceful gardens, a good cup of tea, and learning about Japanese culture. One day, I hope to be fluent in Japanese. Right now, I’m at N3 level but learning new kanji everyday.

I made this site to share my experiences and talk with others who love Japanese ryokans and onsens. Understanding the challenges international visitors face, many ryokans often feature websites only in Japanese, making it difficult to uncover these hidden gems based on specific preferences.

Many ryokans only have websites in Japanese, which can make it hard for international visitors to find what they’re looking for. I sure know from experience! At Japanese-Onsen, I aim to fix this problem. This website is in English and lets you easily find ryokans by location and the type of onsen experience, like communal or private baths.

My ever-growing director helps you find the right ryokan, whether you want a quiet spot in the mountains or by the sea.

Check out our resources and start your journey to a peaceful and traditional stay. Come explore Japan’s natural beauty with me, one ryokan at a time.