5 Ryokan In Kinosaki That Will Make You Feel Like Royalty

There are more than 70 ryokans and hotels available all throughout Kinosaki Onsen.

With so many options available, choosing the perfect place to call your home base can be overwhelming, especially since many ryokans only have websites in Japanese or are difficult to book if you’re not a local. Some are much older than others, some are harder to get to on foot than others.

After doing hours upon hours of research for my very own 2-night stay in Kinosaki, I’ve created a short list of ryokans that stood out the most to me. And I’m pretty picky when it comes to accommodations!

Despite *attempting* to travel on a budget most times, I like to be as comfortable as possible, which sometimes means splurging on accommodations!

To make your travel planning easier, I’ve done all the heavy-lifting for you. I’ve handpicked some of the most exceptional ryokans that not only provide an authentic Japanese experience but also make you feel like royalty with their impeccable service, relaxing surroundings, and top-notch food.

Still planning your Kinosaki itinerary? If you need guidance on what to do while you’re in town, check out our 2-day Kinosaki travel guide here.

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!

Table of Contents

Where To Stay In Kinosaki Onsen

When choosing a place to stay in Kinosaki Onsen, it helps to understand the layout of the town and what different areas offer.

If you prefer convenience and being in the heart of the action, you should aim to stay close to the town center. You’ll have easy access to shops, restaurants, and bathhouses, making it effortless to explore Kinosaki’s charming streets and hop between bathhouses on foot.

The central area is perfect for those who enjoy strolling through town in their yukata, sampling local delicacies, and immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere.

On the other hand, if you seek tranquility and a more secluded vibe, there are plenty of ryokans located a bit further out. These offer a peaceful retreat with beautifully green and lush surroundings. Staying in these more remote locations means you can truly get away from it all.

These farther-out ryokans provide shuttle services to the main town center so you can still easily enjoy all the attractions and amenities Kinosaki has to offer while retreating to a quieter, more relaxing environment at the end of the day.

Best Ryokans In Kinosaki, Japan

Sensui

My Top Pick / Where I Stayed

After hours of research, this was the hotel we chose to stay at for our 2 nights in Kinosaki. We loved it so much!

Quietly set one block back from the hot spring town’s main street, Sensui is just a 6-minute walk from the train station. It was so conveniently located for strolls through the town and visits to the open-air public bathhouses!

Unlike other ryokan that have public baths, Sensui has a total of 3 private baths, free for guest usage any time it’s vacant. They also provided us with Yumepa Tickets, all-access passes for all the seven public bath houses, for the entire duration of our stay.

What I really liked about Sensui was that they had Western-style beds. Many traditional ryokans only offer futon beds on tatami flooring, which meant being a lot closer to the floor than we’re used to.

While you could opt for a room-only stay, you really shouldn’t stop there. I’d 100% recommend you opt for the half-room-and-board so you can have the full ryokan experience!

In total, we had 2 kaiseki dinners and 2 delicious breakfasts at the hotel. Everything we ate, prepared by the one and only head chef, was amazing! They even had free self-serve sake tasting each night.

Sensui - Where To Stay In Kinosaki Japan - 2

Ayuri and Peco, two of the staff members at Sensui were also so sweet. They did everything they could to accommodate us, make us comfortable, and make our stay completely memorable. Including drawing us as cartoons on little table placards each night!

CHECK FOR AVAILABILITY

Nishimuraya Honkan

This traditional ryokan is everything you could hope for in a traditional Japanese inn experience. Located just a 2-minute walk away from Goshono-yu Onsen (the most famous bathhouse in town), this is convenience and luxury all wrapped up into one.

There are 34 guestrooms at Nishimuraya Honkan, with a lush Japanese garden at the center of the property. Most of the rooms of Nishimuraya look out onto the garden of tall ancient pine trees, moss-covered stone statues, intricately trimmed bushes, and gentle ponds full of koi fish.

The ryokan maintains all of the traditional elements to ensure you get a truly authentic experience — expect tatami mat floors, sliding paper window doors, wooden terraces, and seasonal kaiseki meals. There is both a large indoor bath and outdoor bath set in a bamboo grove.

If it’s within your means, Nishimuraya Honkan is worth the splurge. Like many other ryokan stays in Japan, you’ll get exceptional service all throughout your stay.

CHECK FOR AVAILABILITY

Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei

Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei offers a lavish retreat with beautifully designed interiors, private bathrooms, rock saunas, and private open-air hot spring pools.

Secluded in the serene woods by Mount Kuruhi, this luxurious accommodation provides an idyllic escape just five minutes (by car) from Kinosaki-Onsen Train Station, accessible via a complimentary shuttle service.

For an especially indulgent bathing experience, guests staying at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei can choose between Japanese, Chinese, and Balinese-style interiors when booking a one-hour time slot in one of the three private spa houses.

The hotel offers a range of amenities to enhance your stay, including free drinks at happy hour, kaiseki dinners, and free bicycle rentals for exploring the charming town. Meals at the hotel often feature wagyu beef, with crab served in winter, and a traditional Japanese breakfast is available in the dining room.

Though slightly farther from town, the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service makes it easy to access local attractions.

CHECK FOR AVAILABILITY

Morizuya

For those looking to be in the middle of all the action, Morizuya is a highly-rated ryokan that offers an unbeatable central location. Facing the bustling central shopping street, this ryokan provides authentic Japanese-style accommodations, hot spring baths, and delightful Japanese dining experiences.

The inn features two distinct hot spring baths: an indoor cave bath and an outdoor stone bath. Guests can use these baths privately in the afternoon and evening, while they become public in the morning. Additionally, a short tea ceremony, held by the manager’s mother, can be enjoyed around check-in time!

Rooms at Morizuya come with futon bedding on tatami (woven mat) flooring and a cozy seating area, offering either city or mountain views. Meals are served in the privacy of the guestroom, allowing guests to enjoy meals in their own comfort.

As you can expect, the hospitality at Morizuya is nothing short of exceptional, with the owner and staff going above and beyond to exemplify Japanese hospitality.

While Morizuya may feel somewhat more touristy than other ryokans, it remains a fantastic option for those wanting to be in the middle of all the action in Kinosaki Onsen.

CHECK FOR AVAILABILITY

Onishiya Suishoen

Onishiya Suisyouen strikes the perfect balance between affordability, quality, and comfort, making it an excellent mid-priced option for your stay in Kinosaki Onsen. This charming ryokan features 28 traditional Japanese-style guest rooms, offering an elegant yet authentic experience.

The modern Japanese-style building is adorned with tatami mats (traditional straw mats) extending down the corridors. The central garden, with its gently trickling stream and torches, provides a picturesque setting, especially at night when the garden and Noh stage are softly illuminated.

For those wishing to explore Kinosaki’s famous open-air public hot spring baths, Onishiya Suisyouen provides a private shuttle service to and from town as well as free admission tickets to all the public bathhouses. The ryokan itself is equipped with its own open-air public hot spring bath and sauna, ensuring guests can indulge in the soothing waters without leaving the property.

In terms of bedding, you can choose between traditional Japanese rooms with futon beds and tatami flooring or Western-style rooms, all equipped with air conditioning, tea makers, private bathrooms, and satellite TVs.

CHECK FOR AVAILABILITY

PLANNING THE REST OF YOUR TRIP TO JAPAN?

Here are some of our other Japan travel guides to help you plan an incredible trip!

5 Ryokan In Kinosaki That Will Make You Feel Like Royalty

Where To Stay In Kinosaki Onsen

Best Ryokans In Kinosaki, Japan

Sensui

Nishimuraya Honkan

Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei

Morizuya

Onishiya Suishoen

PLANNING THE REST OF YOUR TRIP TO JAPAN?

Kyoto

Osaka

Tokyo Area

Japan In General

Other Posts You’ll Love:

Tokyo After Dark: 25 Unique Nighttime Activities

Shimokitazawa: Vintage Shops, Coffee, and The Artsy Side Of Tokyo

25 Unique Activities To Add To Your Kyoto Bucketlist

10 Effortless Day Trips From Tokyo For Your Japan Itinerary

A Perfect Day Trip Itinerary For Kawagoe, Japan (From Tokyo)

12 Other Cities Worth Visiting Near Tokyo, Japan

Leave a Comment Cancel reply