Japan Hotel and Ryokan Stays I Loved So Much I'd Stay Again
Kanaguya, Shibu Onsen
One of my favorite parts of traveling around Japan is discovering memorable places to stay. After more than four years living in Japan and many trips across the country, I wanted to share this collection of hotels and ryokans that I've personally stayed at and enjoyed so much that I would happily book them again. From traditional ryokans in historic hot spring towns to unique hotels in cities and nature retreats, these places left a lasting impression on me, to the point that I would love to return there someday to relive these special experiences again.
This article is by no means an exhaustive list. As I continue to explore new corners of Japan every year and discover new fantastic hotels and ryokans, I'll keep regularly updating this article.
K’s House Ito Onsen, Ito (Shizuoka)
Type: Hostel & Onsen Guesthouse | Budget: $ | Best For: Budget Travelers
For its welcoming atmosphere and excellent value in the heart of Ito.
If you’d like to visit the Izu Peninsula and are looking for the best value for money, I highly recommend K’s House Ito Onsen. This historical building located in Ito turned into a hostel offers an authentic and budget-friendly ryokan experience, with its long labyrinth-like corridors and traditional tatami rooms of different sizes. The nicest ones have a balcony over the Matsukawa river and their own private toilets. Facilities include a common kitchen, a dining room, a comfortable lounge, and onsen bathes with natural hot spring water (shared and private). The staff speak English and were very friendly during my visit.
As it is an old traditional building, the sound insulation is not very good (earplugs are even provided in the rooms with a little note about this, which I found nice), which is something to bear in mind if you are sensitive to noise. But this didn't bother me personally and I was very pleased with my 3-night stay at an unbeatable price!
🛏️ Book your stay: Booking.com | Agoda | Hostelworld
➡️ Planning a trip to the Izu Peninsula? Read my complete Ito travel guide.
Rekishi No Yado Kanaguya, Shibu Onsen (Nagano)
Type: Historic Hot Spring Ryokan | Budget: $$$ | Best For: Traditional Ryokan Stays
For its unforgettable historic charm and one of the most atmospheric ryokan experiences I've had in Japan.
Located in the main street of Shibu Onsen, in Nagano Prefecture, Rekishi-no-Yado Kanaguya is a traditional ryokan that is said to be over 250 years old. I have been to this ryokan three times taking family and friends, and I would return again and again for this ultimate ryokan experience.
The building’s exterior and interior are stunning, and are said to have been one of the locations of inspiration for Hiyao Miyazaki's film "Spirited Away". There are numerous onsens baths, both indoor and outdoors, including 5 private baths, each with its own atmosphere. The kaiseiki dining experience is also very memorable!
➡️ I wrote a more detailed review in a dedicated article if you’d like to learn more.
🛏️ Book your stay: Trip.com
➡️ Planning a trip to Shibu Onsen? Read my guide to Shibu Onsen and the Snow Monkey area.
Kami-Suwa Onsen Hama no Yu, Suwa (Nagano)
Type: Hot Spring Ryokan | Budget: $$$ | Best For: Relaxing Getaway
For its exceptional hospitality, beautiful lake views, and memorable onsen baths.
The two times I visited Suwa, I’ve stayed at Kamisuwa Onsen Hamanoyu (浜の湯), a large ryokan with hot spring facilities in Kamisuwa onsen, simply because I had such a wonderful experience the first time I stayed there that I couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else. The interior is magnificent, and the staff embody the best of omotenashi, Japanese well-known hospitality. The hotel has a large indoor and outdoor onsen area with several baths and sauna, perfect for relaxing after a day of walking or hiking. The room I stayed in was a large, comfortable Japanese-style room with a beautiful view of Lake Suwa, which meant I could even watch the summer fireworks directly from my room. The lobby is a calm and lovely space to relax, there is a little shop in the hotel where you can buy omiyage and you have the option of including a kaiseki dinner or Japanese-style breakfast if you’d like. It’s another ryokan I would return to again and again for a relaxing stay in Suwa, a hidden gem in Nagano prefecture.
🛏️ Book your stay: Booking.com | Agoda | Trip.com
➡️ Planning a trip to Suwa? Read my complete Suwa travel guide.
Kirishimaya Ryokan, Kusatsu (Gunma)
Type: Historic Hot Spring Ryokan | Budget: $$ | Best For: Value for Money
For its historic charm and excellent location in one of Japan's best hot spring towns.
I love small, cozy and welcoming ryokans that combine traditional charm with local hospitality. Located in a quiet area a few minutes walk from the main streets of Kusatsu Onsen, Kirishimaya Ryokan offers comfortable tatami rooms, a tasty breakfast, and small hot spring baths. The ryokan was founded in the Edo period, and you can feel its rich history in the objects you can see displayed in the inn. I found that it had a great value for everything it offered, and I loved the little lounge area with the manga shelves. It is the kind of small family-run ryokan that has a unique atmosphere that I find so authentic and memorable.
Note that the ryokan is located at the top of a small hill, so it might be a bit challenging for visitors with limited mobility.
🛏️ Book your stay: Booking.com | Agoda | Trip.com
➡️ Planning a trip to Kusatsu? Read my Kusatsu Onsen travel guide.
Umekoji Potel Kyoto, Kyoto
Type: Hotel | Budget: $$ | Best For: Modern and Elegant Stay
For its unique concept, stylish design, and relaxed atmosphere away from Kyoto's busiest areas.
Umekoji Potel Kyoto is a hotel that truly stands out for its elegant and modern design, convenient location, and thoughtful facilities. There is a strong artistic touch throughout the property, from the interior design to the beautifully created common spaces, making it a place where you’ll want to spend time rather than just use as a base for exploring Kyoto.
One of the things I loved most was how many small details encouraged guests to slow down and enjoy the hotel. There are morning coffee and afternoon drink and snack stations, a beautiful on-site bath house included in your stay, and even game areas to relax in. The rooms are also surprisingly spacious compared to other Kyoto hotels I’ve stayed at in a similar price range.
The location is also convenient. Just one JR stop from Kyoto Station, Umekoji Potel Kyoto offers easy access to the city while being tucked away next to Umekoji Park, giving you a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere compared to staying in busier areas of Kyoto.
One thing to keep in mind is that this hotel is very family and baby-friendly. If you are looking for a quieter adults-only style stay or a hotel with a no-children policy, this may not be the right fit.
🛏️ Book your stay: Booking.com | Trip.com
➡️ Exploring Kyoto? Browse my Kyoto travel guides and itineraries.
Kyo no Minshuku Ohara no Sato, Ohara (Kyoto)
Type: Minshuku & Onsen Inn | Budget: $$ | Best For: Countryside Escapes
For its peaceful countryside setting and relaxing baths surrounded by nature.
As part of my visit to the countryside town of Ohara from Kyoto, my stay at Kyo no Minshuku Ohara no Sato Onsen was one of the most memorable parts of my most recent trip to Japan. From the warm welcome when I arrived to the cozy room with a kotatsu, the whole experience felt so special and comforting.
I especially loved the evening atmosphere: enjoying a delicious miso hot pot dinner while looking out at the illuminated garden, followed by a relaxing soak in the onsen surrounded by nature. Combined with the friendly hospitality, peaceful setting, lovely outdoor onsen and excellent Japanese breakfast the next morning, Kyo no Minshuku Ohara no Sato Onsen is a place I would happily return to for another relaxing countryside escape.
Please note that this is not a luxury ryokan experience, but a traditional minshuku stay. Guests are expected to set up their own futon before sleeping, and some rooms have shared bathroom facilities outside the room.
🛏️ Book your stay: Booking.com | Agoda | Trip.com
➡️ Planning to visit Ohara? Read my guide to Kyoto's peaceful countryside retreat.
Osaka Hinode Hotel Nipponbashi, Osaka
Type: Hotel | Budget: $$ | Best For: Value for Money
For its excellent value, convenient location, and thoughtful amenities for travelers.
Osaka Hinode Hotel Nipponbashi quickly became my favorite hotel stay in Osaka thanks to its incredible value for money. I loved the combination of comfortable rooms, a convenient location in the lively Shinsekai area, and the many thoughtful extras included in the stay. From the modern public bath and rooftop terrace to the free drinks, evening ramen, and cultural activities, the hotel offers so much more than a typical city hotel experience.
It’s an excellent choice for travelers who want a convenient base for exploring Osaka while still having a relaxing place to return to after a long day of sightseeing. It’s a hotel I’ve already stayed at twice and I would happily stay at again on my next Osaka trip.
➡️ I liked this hotel so much that I wrote a dedicated review which you can read here.
🛏️ Book your stay: Booking.com | Agoda | Trip.com
➡️ Visiting Osaka? Browse my Osaka travel guides and itineraries.
Kosenkaku Yoshinoya, Totsukawa Onsen (Nara)
Type: Hot Spring Ryokan | Budget: $$ | Best For: Off-the-Beaten-Path Japan
For its riverside location, soothing hot springs, and remote mountain setting.
Located in Totsukawa Onsen in Nara Prefecture, this traditional ryokan offers a peaceful escape surrounded by nature, with the sound of the river flowing nearby.
The highlight of my stay was definitely the beautiful onsen experience, especially the outdoor baths where I could relax while enjoying the natural surroundings. Combined with the warm hospitality and delicious meals featuring local ingredients, Kosenkaku Yoshinoya felt like the perfect place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience a quieter side of Japan. It’s a remote destination (only accessible by car), but that is exactly what makes it so memorable and a place I would happily return to.
🛏️ Book your stay: Agoda
Matsushima Koumura, Matsushima (Miyagi)
Type: Ryokan | Budget: $$ | Best For: Local Hospitality
For its warm hospitality and easy access to one of Japan's most famous coastal landscapes.
If you’re planning to visit Matsushima in Miyagi prefecture, I can recommend Matsushima Koumura without hesitation. This charming Japanese-style hotel is very cozy and offers excellent value for the money. It is managed by a lovely couple who speak English and go out of their way to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. They also have two adorable dogs! After a day exploring Matsushima, I especially enjoyed relaxing in the small public bath. Each time I visited, I had the whole bath to myself. The location is also very convenient, with Matsushima’s main attractions and nearby train stations reachable within a 10–15 minute walk. For a cozy, authentic, and affordable Japanese-style stay, Matsushima Koumura is a place I would happily return to.
🛏️ Book your stay: Booking.com | Agoda
➡️ Planning a trip to Matsushima? Read my complete Matsushima travel guide.
Kotohira Onsen Kotosankaku, Kotohira (Kagawa)
Type: Hot Spring Ryokan| Budget: $$$ | Best For: Japanese Style Resort Stay
For its spacious baths, excellent facilities, and convenient location in Kotohira.
Located in Kotohira, Shikoku, Kotosankaku is a very large and welcoming hotel that offers excellent value for money. I was impressed by the beautiful interiors, spacious rooms, and the variety of facilities available to make the stay enjoyable and relaxing. The highlight for me was definitely the onsen experience. The hotel has two separate onsen areas, each with both indoor and outdoor baths. They are switched between men and women in the morning and evening, meaning guests have the opportunity to enjoy both bath areas during their stay. After a day exploring Kotohira and climbing Konpira-san, relaxing in the spacious outdoor baths was the perfect way to unwind.
The meals were another memorable part of the stay. Dinner was a full kaiseki course featuring local seasonal ingredients, while breakfast the next morning offered a generous buffet with both Japanese and Western options. The hotel also has plenty of facilities to enjoy, including an on-site izakaya, karaoke rooms, table tennis, a games corner, and more.
The location is another advantage, with Kotohira Station and the beginning of the Konpira Omotesando street just a short walk away.
🛏️ Book your stay: Booking.com | Trip.com
➡️ Visiting Kotohira? Read my guide to this charming town in Kagawa Prefecture.
Okyakuya, Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto)
Type: Hot Spring Ryokan | Budget: $$$ | Best For: Classic Onsen Town Atmosphere
For its authentic ryokan atmosphere and access to one of Japan's most charming onsen towns.
Okyakuya is a traditional ryokan dating back to 1722 located in Kurokawa onsen, a small and charming onsen town in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu. Everything was perfect about this stay: the staff were extremely kind and helpful, the food delicious, and the onsen experience memorable. It was fun to walk around the beautiful historic building that felt more like a maze. There are several public and private baths, and my favorite was “Sato-no-Yu”, a spacious semi-open-air bath with both a "lying bath" at the front, and a 130cm deep "standing bath" at the back. Kurokawa Onsen is definitely a destination not to miss for onsen lovers visiting Kyushu, and I can warmly recommend this ryokan if you’re considering staying overnight in Kurokawa onsen.
🛏️ Book your stay: Booking.com
Yama no Hotel Musouen, Yufuin (Oita)
Type: Luxury Hot Spring Ryokan | Budget: $$$$ | Best For: Outdoor Onsen Baths
For its breathtaking mountain views and some of the most memorable outdoor baths I've experienced in Japan.
Located in Yufuin, Oita prefecture, I first visited Yama no Hotel Musouen as a onsen day tripper and was fascinated by the magnificent view of Mt Yufu from the large open-air bath for women. At the time, I promised myself that if I had the opportunity to return to Yufuin, I would spend a night there, which I did on my second visit with my husband! During our stay, we stayed in a large traditional room with futons, had a delicious kaiseki dinner and breakfast, and enjoyed the open-air onsen and other private onsen as much as we wanted. It was a fabulous stay and one of the most memorable ryokan experiences I’ve had in Japan!
The only thing to keep in mind that the ryokan is a bit away from Yufuin’s main sights and train station, so it’s best if you have a car or don’t mind walking.
🛏️ Book your stay: Trip.com
➡️ Visiting Yufuin? Read my complete guide to this beautiful onsen town in Oita Prefecture.
To Conclude
Japan is home to thousands of incredible hotels and ryokans, and narrowing this list down wasn't easy. What these accommodations have in common is how memorable they were and how they became a special part of my experience of each destination. Whether it was because of exceptional hospitality, a beautiful location, relaxing hot springs, outstanding food, or simply an atmosphere that made me want to stay longer, each of these stays left a lasting impression and made me want to return.
A small note: these are not the most luxurious hotels or high-end ryokans you can find. I usually stay in budget to mid-range accommodations, and this list reflects places that offered a great overall experience, memorable moments, and excellent value rather than luxury.
As I continue traveling throughout Japan, I'll keep adding new favorites to this list. If you're planning a trip, I hope these recommendations help you find a stay that becomes one of the highlights of your own journey.
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