If you are eager to immerse yourself in Japan’s rich traditions, a ryokan is the perfect choice. I live in Japan, and the best way to truly disconnect is to escape for a weekend to a ryokan with an onsen. Everyone in Japan does it and I want to share with you the top ryokans in the country, with onsen and exquisite kaiseki, so you can also enjoy the authentic side of Japan.
Ryokans are a traditional Japanese inn with a history which can be traced back to the Nara Period (710-794 AD), although they became more prominent during the Edo Period (1603-1868 AD). Originally, ryokans served as simple accommodation along long travel routes. Over time, they evolved to incorporate more than just a place to sleep. Today, ryokans are located in a serene and picturesque setting with incredible amenities and luxuries.
Many ryokans come with tatami floors and futon bedding, and provide guests with yukata robes. Preferred ryokans also come with onsen (hot springs) which draw their water from underground. Almost all ryokans offer kaiseki dinner as part of their stay, so you can experience a multi-course meal with locally sourced ingredients.
Whether you are a local or a visitor to Japan, I’ve picked out some of the most luxurious ryokans with onsen, so you can truly make the most out of your trip.
No.10 Fugaku Gunjo
From the moment you enter Fugaku Gunjo you are greeted by the ambiance of a high-end art gallery and a stunning water garden, you realize this is not just a stay—it’s an experience.
Fugaku Gunjo offers eight exclusive rooms, each a private sanctuary featuring its own deck terrace and luxurious open-air bath. These accommodations are designed to allow you to fully immerse in the serene moments of sunrise and sunset, enjoying splendid views of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay.
The ryokan elevates the dining experience to an art form, focusing on Japanese kaiseki cuisine that incorporates the freshest local ingredients from Kawaguchiko.
No.9 Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Bessou AO no ZA
Since its opening on May 1st, 2019, Tsuruga Bessou Ao no Za has set a new standard for luxury in the Tsuruga Group. Each suite was crafted to provide world-class comfort and hospitality, all while offering stunning views of Lake Shikotsu.
Accommodation at Ao no Za includes four types of luxurious suites, each featuring a private onsen, blending privacy with panoramic beauty. The Executive Suite Villas are the pinnacle of luxury, offering apartment-style living on sprawling grounds, perfect for families or small groups of five. Suite Villas and Suite Sky Resorts boast sunrooms and large balconies, perfect for soaking in the serene lake vistas, while Suite Resorts offer spacious balconies and plush seating for ultimate relaxation.
The wellness experience is centered around the private onsens available in every suite, ensuring guests can enjoy the natural hot spring waters with complete privacy and comfort.
No.8 Sagasawakan
Located in the heart of central Izu, just a couple of hours from Tokyo, Sagasawakan offers a tranquil retreat along the serene Kano River.
Each of Sagasawakan’s guest rooms provides stunning river views, creating a soothing atmosphere that complements the natural beauty of the surroundings. Choose from three types of accommodations: Japanese-Western Rooms that merge modern comfort with traditional design, including open-air baths; Traditional Japanese Rooms, which offer an authentic experience with the luxury of private baths; and Spacious Tatami Rooms, perfect for those who enjoy the calming sound of the river.
Wellness at Sagasawakan is centered around its comprehensive spa facilities, which include a variety of natural hot spring baths. You can indulge in outdoor, public, or private baths, and even enjoy detoxifying rock bed baths.
No.7 Kawaguchiko Fufu
Kawaguchiko Fufu is the type of Japanese ryokan that embraced modernity but still keeping touch with the local environment. From the ground floor Komorebi Stylish Suite with its natural hot spring bath and bioethanol fireplace, to the top-floor Kozue Precious Suite with sweeping views of Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji. Every suite is designed to provide a tranquil yet luxurious experience. The pinnacle of this luxury is the FUFU Luxury Premium Suite on the fourth floor.
The onsen and wellness offerings are centered around the Nishikawa Hot Spring – Reiho no Yu, a luxurious natural hot spring bath lined with volcanic stone from Mount Fuji. This facility includes separate communal baths for men and women, complemented by a Finnish-style dry sauna and a mist sauna, respectively.
No.6 Bessho Sasa
If you’ve ever dreamt of a ryokan with a stunning open air bath that overlooking Mount Fuji, then Bessho Sasa Ryokan emerges as a premier choise for you.
Nestled against the majestic backdrop of Mount Fuji, each room at Bessho Sasa Ryokan is a harmony of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modern comforts. From the Kihinshitsu VIP Room, which includes a private open-air bath and dedicated chef, to the newly unveiled Hosoritei Sesaragitei Sasanari with its luxurious open-air bath, the accommodations ensure privacy, comfort, and a deep connection to the serene landscape.
The onsen at Bessho Sasa Ryokan offers a rejuvenating retreat, highlighted by the Fujisan Outdoor Bath, which is the most popular thanks to its uninterrupted views of Mount Fuji.
No.5 Nishimuraya Shogetsutei
The accommodations at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei feature authentic Japanese-style rooms with tatami, futon beds, and classic decor that echo the tranquil landscape outside. For those seeking an extra touch of luxury, select rooms include a private open-air bath, offering a secluded spot to enjoy the hot springs while surrounded by picturesque views.
Dining at the hotel is an experience in itself. Each dish is crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients, highlighting the local flavors and the culinary finesse of the chefs. From November through March, the hotel specializes in exquisite crab dishes.
No.4 Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku
Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku is located in Gunma, and it’s incredibly well known mainly for its Maka Bath, often highlighted in TV programs and magazines
The accommodations at Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku showcase traditional Japanese aesthetics, crafted from aged pine wood and modern materials to create a rustic yet comfortable environment. From the Main Hall to the East Building, each room is outfitted with tatami mats, yukatas, and options for both private and shared baths, ensuring a stay that blends authenticity with relaxation.
The onsen facilities are the heart of Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku, featuring some of Japan’s largest and most picturesque outdoor baths. These include the gender-mixed Maka and Kodakara baths, and the Maya bath exclusively for women, each set against stunning natural views and designed to provide therapeutic relaxation with the natural hot spring waters.
No.3 Zaborin
Zaborin is by far one of my favorite ryokans to recommend guests looking for a unique stay in Japan. Zaborin is located in the birch forests of Hokkaido’s Hanazono woods and this accommodation is very special because it doesn’t provide rooms, but villas.
Zaborin has 15 exclusive villa suites, each crafted to ensure the utmost privacy and relaxation. Renowned architect Makoto Nakayama and creative director Shoya Grigg have seamlessly integrated Japanese and contemporary design elements. Villas feature both indoor and open-air baths filled with volcanic hot spring water sourced directly from beneath the ryokan. Guests can choose from Japanese-style ‘washitsu’ with tatami mats or Western-style ‘yoshitsu’ accommodations, with some villas also offering extra tatami space, perfect for families.
No.2 Gora Kadan
Gora Kadan is a luxurious ryokan located on the historic grounds of the former Kan’in-no-miya Villa, once a summer escape for the Imperial Family. This exquisite retreat is conveniently located in Gora, Hakone, making it very accessible for guests visiting from Tokyo.
Accommodations at Gora Kadan include sophisticated suites like the Bettei Suite Akatsuki and rooms with open-air baths and panoramic wooden baths, each designed for ultimate relaxation and luxury. Select rooms also feature Jacuzzis, steam saunas, and private balconies, enhancing the tranquil experience. What makes Gora Kadan special is that it’s one of the very few ryokans with rooms that come with a stunning rock bed hot bath.
Dining at the Kaiseki Restaurant Kadan is a highlight, where you will indulge in a monthly-changing menu that reflects the seasonal bounty, enjoyed in a setting of historic charm.
No.1 Nishimuraya Honkan
The title for the top ryokan in Japan goes to no other but the ultra-luxury Nishimuraya Honkan. Tucked away in the picturesque heart of Kinosaki Onsen, Nishimuraya Honkan offers a serene retreat that marries traditional Japanese culture with over 160 years of refined hospitality.
The ryokan consists of a selection of rooms, each a sanctum of classic Japanese design, from tatami mats to sliding paper doors, overlooking exquisite gardens that invite tranquility into every corner. Choose between cozy standard rooms or expansive suites, some featuring private open-air baths where you can soak under the stars, enveloped in the warmth of natural hot springs. Sounds perfect, right? That’s because it is!
Upon arrival, you’ll dive into a culinary adventure with Nishimuraya Honkan’s signature Kaiseki cuisine. Each meal is a celebration of local flavours and seasonal ingredients, like Matsuba crab and Tajima beef, the ancestor of Kobe beef.
Are you ready to stay in a traditional ryokan? Let me know which one you’ll pick. Alternatively, have a look at my location specific onsen and ryokans.
