Ryokan Japan Guide 2026: What’s Included, Prices and 60 Ryokan to Book
A ryokan in Japan usually includes a multi-course kaiseki dinner, breakfast, access to the hot-spring or communal baths, a futon bed laid on tatami and a yukata robe, all in a rate charged per person. In 2026 a mid-range onsen ryokan with both meals costs roughly ¥18,000–¥40,000 per person a night, and the big names cost far more.
This hub explains what you get, what it costs, how to book and what to do with tattoos. Then it lists 60 ryokan and Japanese hotels by region, from ¥7,000 Kusatsu inns to Hoshino Resorts and Gora Kadan, with the nearest station, a price band and a booking link checked in October 2026.
14:30–15:00
Typical check-in (KAI, HOSHINOYA, Naraya)
11:00–12:00
Typical check-out
¥200–¥10,000
Kyoto lodging tax per person per night since 1 Mar 2026
60
Ryokan and hotels in our directory
What does a ryokan in Japan actually include?
A standard ryokan rate is “ippaku nishoku”: one night, two meals. Room-only (sudomari) and breakfast-only plans exist, but many traditional onsen inns only sell the full package. Prices are quoted per person, so double them for two people sharing.
| What you get | What to expect | Real example (official or booking page) |
|---|---|---|
| Kaiseki dinner | Seasonal multi-course meal, served course by course, often in a private room | Naraya, Kusatsu: about 10 courses in private dining rooms; last dinner seating ends at 21:00 |
| Breakfast | Japanese set: rice, miso soup, grilled fish, pickles, tofu | Hiiragiya, Kyoto: yudofu, grilled fish and pot rice; Western breakfast on request |
| Baths | Shared indoor and outdoor baths split by gender; some rooms have their own | HOSHINOYA Tokyo: an onsen open to hotel guests only |
| Futon and tatami | Staff lay out futons on the tatami while you eat, or they are ready in the room | Ask for a bed room if you need one: many inns now sell Western-bed rooms too |
| Yukata | Cotton robe for the room, the baths and, in onsen towns, the street | Wear it left side over right |
| Check-in and out | Mid-afternoon in, late morning out | KAI: 14:30 / 11:00. HOSHINOYA: 15:00 / 12:00. Naraya: 15:00 / 11:00 |
Dinner is timed: arrive on time
Dinner usually starts between about 18:00 and 19:30, and some inns fix your seating at check-in. If your train gets in late, tell the ryokan when you book. Naraya says dinner must finish by 21:00 and food cannot be taken back to your room.
Allergies and diets
Kaiseki is built on fish stock (dashi). Ask for vegetarian, halal or allergy meals in writing when you book, not on arrival. Temple lodgings such as Ekoin on Koyasan serve shojin ryori, Buddhist vegetable cuisine, which is the easiest route for vegetarians.
How much does a ryokan in Japan cost per person in 2026?
Ryokan rates are per person, per night, and swing hard by date. Saturdays, autumn-leaf season, cherry blossom and New Year cost the most. A weekday in January or June costs the least.
| Type of stay | Typical 2026 rate per person, per night | Example from our directory |
|---|---|---|
| Budget onsen inn, room only or simple meals | under ¥15,000 | Daitokan, Kusatsu (lowest listed ¥6,950) |
| Mid-range ryokan, dinner and breakfast | ¥18,000–¥40,000 | Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan, Takayama (lowest listed ¥21,631) |
| High-end onsen ryokan | ¥30,000–¥60,000+ | Naraya, Kusatsu (lowest listed ¥34,303); Hatsuhana, Hakone (¥50,850) |
| Flagship luxury ryokan | Rates on the official site, often well above ¥60,000 | Gora Kadan, HOSHINOYA, Beniya Mukayu, Hiiragiya |
The “lowest listed” figures are the cheapest rates shown on Rakuten Travel, tax included, on 19 October 2026. Treat them as floors: they are often a room-only plan or a quiet date. The middle bands follow the guide ranges published by Japan Ryokan Guide. For how a ryokan fits a whole trip budget, see our Japan travel cost guide.
Taxes and extras on the bill
- Kyoto lodging tax (from 1 March 2026): ¥200 per person per night under ¥6,000; ¥400 for ¥6,000–¥19,999; ¥1,000 for ¥20,000–¥49,999; ¥4,000 for ¥50,000–¥99,999; ¥10,000 at ¥100,000 or more. The band is set by the room charge, excluding meals and consumption tax (Kyoto City).
- Bathing tax: onsen towns add a small per-person bathing tax, usually paid at check-out.
- Private baths and drinks: charged on top. At Naraya a private bath slot runs 45 minutes for a fee.
- Direct-booking deals: Nishimuraya Honkan in Kinosaki advertises ¥33,000 off per room (two guests) when you book on its own site, on most plans.
How do you book a ryokan in Japan?
Book a ryokan in Japan on its official site first. Many now run English booking engines, and direct rates can beat the big sites. Use Rakuten Travel or a similar site when the inn has no English booking page, or to compare prices.
- Book early for peak dates. Autumn weekends, cherry-blossom weeks and New Year sell out at popular inns months ahead.
- Check age limits. Nishimuraya Honkan takes guests aged 10 and over only (since 1 April 2024).
- Don’t phone Hoshino Resorts to book. KAI Beppu and KAI Yufuin say they do not take reservation or availability enquiries by phone; use the online “Check Availability” page.
- Some inns still prefer phone or email. Hiiragiya in Kyoto takes bookings online, by phone (+81 75 221 1136, 8:00–21:00) or by email.
- Arrange transfers. Many rural inns run free shuttles from the station, but only if you book them. Nishimuraya Honkan and Tsurunoyu both ask you to arrange pick-up in advance.
- Send your bags ahead. In Kinosaki, the station guide office forwards luggage to your inn for ¥200 per item.
Planning a Hakone stay? Our one-night Hakone itinerary shows how to fit a ryokan night around the loop.
Can you stay at a ryokan with tattoos? Private baths explained
Yes, at most ryokan in Japan, if you plan the baths. Policies on tattoos in shared baths vary by inn, and many say nothing on their websites, so ask before you book. The easy fix is a room with its own bath, or a private family bath (kashikiri) you can reserve.
- Room with its own bath: Nishimuraya Honkan lists several room types with private open-air baths.
- Bookable private bath: Naraya in Kusatsu charges for 45-minute private bath slots.
- Guests-only onsen: HOSHINOYA Tokyo’s Otemachi Onsen is closed to day visitors, so it is quieter than a public bath.
For the bathing routine, towel rules and the Japan Tourism Agency’s guidance on tattoos, read our onsen etiquette and tattoos guide.
Best ryokan in Japan: 60 ryokan and hotels by region
Each ryokan in Japan below was checked on its official site or booking page. How to read the table: the price band uses the lowest rate listed on Rakuten Travel on 19 October 2026, tax included. ¥ = under ¥15,000; ¥¥ = ¥15,000–¥29,999; ¥¥¥ = ¥30,000 or more. “See official site” means the hotel does not list on Rakuten or shows no public rate, which usually means top-tier pricing. Booking links go to the official site or booking engine where we could confirm one, otherwise to the Rakuten Travel listing.
Choosing the town first? Our best onsen towns in Japan guide compares 40 towns by region, with bath passes and tattoo policies. This directory is about where to sleep.
도쿄
| Ryokan or hotel | Town | Nearest station / access | Price band | 예약 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOSHINOYA Tokyo Ryokan tower with guest-only onsen | Otemachi, Tokyo | Tokyo Station (Marunouchi North Exit), about 10 min walk | See official site | Official site |
| Homeikan Morikawa Annex Old-style wooden inn, budget | Hongo, Bunkyo | See the inn’s access page | See official site | Official site |
Homeikan note: the Honkan and Daimachi buildings closed for renovation on 30 April 2026 with no reopening date. The Morikawa Annex is still taking bookings. For design-led Tokyo hotels, see our Tokyo design hotels guide.
Hakone
| Ryokan or hotel | Town | Nearest station / access | Price band | 예약 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujiya Hotel Classic hotel (1878 brand), in-room spring water in some rooms | Miyanoshita, Hakone | Miyanoshita Station, 7 min walk | ¥¥ (from ¥27,775) | Official booking |
| Gora Kadan Luxury ryokan | Gora, Hakone | Gora (1300 Gora) | See official site | Official booking |
| KAI Hakone Hoshino Resorts onsen ryokan | Hakone-Yumoto | Hakone-Yumoto Station, 7 min by car (no shuttle) | See official site | Official site |
| Hakone Yumoto Fujiya Hotel Onsen hotel | Hakone-Yumoto | Hakone-Yumoto Station, 3 min walk | ¥¥ (from ¥22,000) | Rakuten Travel |
| Hotel Kajikaso Riverside onsen ryokan | Hakone-Yumoto | Hakone-Yumoto Station, 5 min walk | ¥¥ (from ¥15,800) | Rakuten Travel |
| Tensui Saryo Ryokan, private baths | Gora, Hakone | Gora Station, 3 min walk | ¥¥ (from ¥23,100) | Rakuten Travel |
| Kinoyu Setsugekka Onsen ryokan | Gora, Hakone | Gora Station, 1 min walk | ¥¥ (from ¥27,445) | Rakuten Travel |
| Hatsuhana High-end onsen ryokan | Hakone-Yumoto | Hakone-Yumoto Station, about 10 min by bus | ¥¥¥ (from ¥50,850) | Rakuten Travel |
Mt Fuji and Izu
| Ryokan or hotel | Town | Nearest station / access | Price band | 예약 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOSHINOYA Fuji Glamping-style resort facing Lake Kawaguchi | Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi | Kawaguchiko area; no hotel shuttle | See official site | Official site |
| Gora Kadan Fuji Luxury resort | Subashiri, Oyama, Shizuoka | Car or taxi (no station nearby) | See official site | Official booking |
| Asaba Classic ryokan with Noh stage | Shuzenji Onsen, Izu | Shuzenji Station, then bus or taxi | See official site | Official booking |
Kusatsu and Kanto
| Ryokan or hotel | Town | Nearest station / access | Price band | 예약 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naraya Historic onsen ryokan, kaiseki in private dining rooms | Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma | Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, 25 min JR bus + inn shuttle | ¥¥¥ (from ¥34,303) | Rakuten Travel |
| Hotel Ichii Large onsen ryokan by Yubatake | 쿠사츠 온천 | Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, 25 min bus | ¥¥ (from ¥18,700) | Rakuten Travel |
| Yubatake Sensui Small onsen inn | 쿠사츠 온천 | Bus terminal, 5 min walk; 1 min from Yubatake | ¥¥ (from ¥15,250) | Rakuten Travel |
| Hotel Sakurai Big onsen hotel | 쿠사츠 온천 | Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, 28 min bus | ¥ (from ¥14,300) | Rakuten Travel |
| Osakaya Ryokan Family-run ryokan | 쿠사츠 온천 | Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, 25 min JR bus | ¥ (from ¥13,000) | Rakuten Travel |
| Mukashigokoro no Yado Kanemidori Traditional inn | 쿠사츠 온천 | Bus terminal, 5 min walk | ¥ (from ¥11,495) | Rakuten Travel |
| Daitokan Budget onsen inn | 쿠사츠 온천 | Bus terminal, 5 min walk | ¥ (from ¥6,950) | Rakuten Travel |
| Yubatake Soan Budget inn with dorm-style options | 쿠사츠 온천 | Bus terminal, 5 min walk (no shuttle) | ¥ (from ¥7,200) | Rakuten Travel |
| KAI Kinugawa Hoshino Resorts onsen ryokan | Kinugawa Onsen, Tochigi | Kinugawa-Onsen Station, about 15 min walk | See official site | Official site |
Kusatsu has no train station. Every route ends with a bus from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station to the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal, about 25 minutes.
Karuizawa, Takayama and Kanazawa (Chubu and Hokuriku)
| Ryokan or hotel | Town | Nearest station / access | Price band | 예약 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOSHINOYA Karuizawa Resort with two onsen | Karuizawa, Nagano | Karuizawa Station + resort shuttle | See official site | Official site |
| Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan Ryokan in the old town | Takayama, Gifu | Takayama Station, 10 min walk (free pick-up) | ¥¥ (from ¥21,631) | Rakuten Travel |
| Honjin Hiranoya Kofukan Sister ryokan, lower rates | Takayama | Takayama Station, 10 min walk (free pick-up) | ¥¥ (from ¥15,982) | Rakuten Travel |
| Hidatei Hanaougi Onsen ryokan | Takayama | Takayama Station, 10 min by car | ¥¥ (from ¥28,215) | Rakuten Travel |
| Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama Onsen ryokan | Takayama | Takayama Station, 8 min by car (shuttle, book ahead) | ¥¥ (from ¥28,215) | Rakuten Travel |
| Hoshokaku Hillside onsen ryokan | Takayama | Takayama Station, free shuttle (book ahead) | ¥¥ (from ¥18,150) | Rakuten Travel |
| Hida no Sato Ryokan Murayama Small ryokan by the folk village | Takayama | Sarubobo bus, about 10 min, then 1 min walk | ¥ (from ¥12,650) | Rakuten Travel |
| Takayama Ouan Onsen hotel, tatami floors | Takayama | Takayama Station, about 5 min walk | ¥ (from ¥8,400) | Rakuten Travel |
| hotel around TAKAYAMA Modern hotel | Takayama | Takayama Station, 4 min walk | ¥ (from ¥7,050) | Rakuten Travel |
| Beniya Mukayu Luxury ryokan | Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga, Ishikawa | Kagaonsen Station, then car | See official site | Official booking |
| KAI Kaga Hoshino Resorts onsen ryokan | Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga | Kagaonsen Station, about 10 min by car | See official site | Official site |
| Yuwaku Onsen Hyakurakuso Onsen ryokan | Yuwaku Onsen, Kanazawa | About 20 min by car; free shuttle from Kanazawa Station | ¥¥ (from ¥20,768) | Rakuten Travel |
| Kanazawa Hakuchoro Hotel Sanraku Hotel near Kenrokuen | Kanazawa | Bus to Kenrokuen-shita, 5 min walk; free shuttle from Kanazawa Station | ¥ (from ¥12,250) | Rakuten Travel |
Kyoto, Kinosaki, Nara and Koyasan (Kansai)
| Ryokan or hotel | Town | Nearest station / access | Price band | 예약 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiiragiya Classic Kyoto ryokan, Kyo-kaiseki | Nakagyo, Kyoto | Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station, 5 min walk | See official site | Official site |
| HOSHINOYA Kyoto Riverside ryokan reached by boat | Arashiyama, Kyoto | Private boat from Togetsukyo Bridge | See official site | Official site |
| Nishimuraya Honkan Historic ryokan, guests aged 10+ | Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo | Kinosaki Onsen Station, 15 min walk (shuttle, book ahead) | See official site | Official booking |
| Kinosaki no Yado Ryokufukaku Onsen ryokan | Kinosaki Onsen | Kinosaki Onsen Station, 3 min walk | ¥¥¥ (from ¥30,900) | Rakuten Travel |
| Akaishiya Ryokan next to Jizo-yu | Kinosaki Onsen | Kinosaki Onsen Station, short walk | ¥¥ (from ¥15,400) | Rakuten Travel |
| Hanakoji Saizuki Small ryokan | Kinosaki Onsen | Kinosaki Onsen Station, 3 min walk | ¥ (from ¥14,300) | Rakuten Travel |
| Tsuchiya Ryokan Family-run ryokan | Kinosaki Onsen | Kinosaki Onsen Station (walkable town) | ¥ (from ¥13,200) | Rakuten Travel |
| Fujimiya Budget ryokan | Kinosaki Onsen | Kinosaki Onsen Station (walkable town) | ¥ (from ¥8,800) | Rakuten Travel |
| Kiraku Budget ryokan | Kinosaki Onsen | Kinosaki Onsen Station (walkable town) | ¥ (from ¥8,250) | Rakuten Travel |
| Nara Hotel Classic hotel, opened 1909 | Nara | Kintetsu Nara Station, 15 min walk or 5 min taxi | See official site | Official site |
| HOSHINOYA Nara Prison Hotel in the former Nara Prison, opened 25 June 2026 | Hannyaji-cho, Nara | See the hotel’s directions page | See official site | Official site |
| Ekoin Temple lodging (shukubo) with morning service | Koyasan, Wakayama | Koyasan Station, about 15 min by bus | See official site | Official booking |
Kinosaki is best in crab season. Our Kinosaki crab season guide covers dates, crab kaiseki prices and the seven public baths.
Beppu and Yufuin (Kyushu)
| Ryokan or hotel | Town | Nearest station / access | Price band | 예약 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAI Beppu Hoshino Resorts onsen ryokan | Beppu, Oita | Beppu Station, about 10 min walk | See official site | Official site |
| KAI Yufuin Hoshino Resorts onsen ryokan in rice fields | Yufuin, Oita | About 15 min by car from Yufuin IC; shuttle available | See official site | Official site |
| Yufuin Hanamura Onsen ryokan | Yufuin | JR Yufuin Station, 10 min walk | ¥¥ (from ¥26,000) | Rakuten Travel |
| Yufuin Hanayu Onsen ryokan with Mt Yufu views | Yufuin | JR Yufuin Station, 7 min by car | ¥¥ (from ¥23,760) | Rakuten Travel |
| Oyado Yufuin-tei Onsen ryokan | Yufuin | JR Yufuin Station, 5 min by taxi | ¥¥ (from ¥21,500) | Rakuten Travel |
| Enokiya Ryokan Onsen ryokan | Yufuin | JR Yufuin Station, 13 min walk | ¥¥ (from ¥20,240) | Rakuten Travel |
| Yama no Hotel Musoen Hillside onsen hotel | Yufuin | JR Yufuin Station, 5 min by car | ¥¥ (from ¥18,700) | Rakuten Travel |
| Yufuin Hotel Shuhokan Onsen hotel | Yufuin | JR Yufuin Station, 12 min walk | ¥ (from ¥11,395) | Rakuten Travel |
| Yufuin Sansuikan Onsen hotel | Yufuin | JR Yufuin Station, 8 min walk | ¥ (from ¥11,000) | Rakuten Travel |
| Yufuin Club Small inn | Yufuin | JR Yufuin Station, 5 min walk | ¥ (from ¥9,500) | Rakuten Travel |
Hoshino Resorts notes that its “Kyushu Reconstruction Support Discount” has closed at KAI Beppu and KAI Yufuin because the budget ran out, with no restart date.
Tohoku and Okinawa
| Ryokan or hotel | Town | Nearest station / access | Price band | 예약 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsurunoyu Remote onsen inn with milky baths | Nyuto Onsen, Akita | Tazawako Station, hourly bus to Alpa Komakusa + inn shuttle (call ahead) | See official site | Official site |
| HOSHINOYA Okinawa Beach resort | Yomitan, Okinawa | No rail; car from Naha | See official site | Official site |
| HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island Village-style resort | Taketomi, Okinawa | Ferry from Ishigaki | See official site | Official site |
Where else does Hoshino Resorts run KAI ryokan?
KAI is Hoshino Resorts’ onsen-ryokan brand, with 24 inns listed on its official brand page. Each serves a regional kaiseki and runs a free cultural activity in the evening. Beyond the ones in our tables, KAI has inns at:
- Hokkaido and Tohoku: KAI Poroto (Shiraoi), KAI Tsugaru (Owani, Aomori), KAI Akiu (Miyagi), KAI Zao (Yamagata).
- Kanto and Izu: KAI Kusatsu (Gunma), KAI Sengokuhara (Hakone), KAI Anjin and KAI Ito (Ito, Shizuoka), KAI Enshu (Kanzanji, Shizuoka).
- Nagano and Gifu: KAI Alps (Omachi), KAI Matsumoto (Asama Onsen), KAI Okuhida (Okuhida Onsengo).
- Western Japan: KAI Tamatsukuri and KAI Izumo (Shimane), KAI Miyajima (Hiroshima), KAI Nagato (Yamaguchi).
- Kyushu: KAI Aso (Oita), KAI Unzen (Nagasaki), KAI Kirishima (Kagoshima).
Which ryokan in Japan should you choose?
| If you want… | 예약 |
|---|---|
| A ryokan night in central Tokyo | HOSHINOYA Tokyo |
| Old-school Kyoto service | Hiiragiya |
| The classic onsen-town walk in a yukata | Kinosaki (Nishimuraya Honkan or a budget inn) or Kusatsu (Naraya) |
| Hakone with easy train access | Fujiya Hotel (Miyanoshita) or Hakone-Yumoto inns |
| A cheap first ryokan | Kusatsu or Kinosaki budget inns from under ¥10,000 |
| Vegetarian food and a morning ceremony | Ekoin, Koyasan |
| Remote, milky-water onsen | Tsurunoyu, Nyuto Onsen |
Ryokan Japan: know before you go
Rates are per person
A ¥25,000 rate means ¥50,000 for two. Check whether tax and service are included.
Tell them your arrival time
Dinner is cooked to a schedule. Late arrivals can miss it.
Book shuttles ahead
Rural inns run free station pick-ups, but only for guests who reserve them.
Ask about tattoos first
Policies vary by inn. A room with its own bath avoids the question.
Kyoto costs more in tax
Since March 2026 Kyoto's lodging tax runs up to ¥10,000 per person per night.
Pack light
In Kinosaki, send bags from the station to your inn for ¥200 each.
Ryokan Japan FAQ
What is included in a ryokan stay?
Usually a kaiseki dinner, breakfast, use of the baths, a futon on tatami and a yukata. Room-only and breakfast-only plans exist but are less common at traditional onsen inns.
How much does a ryokan cost per person in 2026?
Budget onsen inns start under ¥10,000. A mid-range ryokan with dinner and breakfast costs about ¥18,000–¥40,000 per person a night, and flagship ryokan cost much more.
What time is ryokan check-in?
Usually 14:30–15:00. KAI ryokan check in at 14:30 and out at 11:00; HOSHINOYA properties check in at 15:00 and out at 12:00.
Can I stay at a ryokan with tattoos?
Often, but policies vary. Ask before booking and choose a room with its own bath or an inn with a bookable private bath.
Is there a ryokan in Tokyo?
Yes. HOSHINOYA Tokyo in Otemachi is a ryokan with a guest-only onsen, about 10 minutes’ walk from Tokyo Station.
Do I have to eat dinner at the ryokan?
Not always. Some inns sell room-only or breakfast-only plans, but many onsen ryokan only offer dinner and breakfast together.
How much is the Kyoto accommodation tax?
Since 1 March 2026 it is ¥200 to ¥10,000 per person per night, depending on the room charge.
출처 및 확인 방법
We checked every rate, time, station and booking link between 19 and 21 October 2026 against the official ryokan and hotel websites, Hoshino Resorts, Kyoto City and Rakuten Travel listings linked above. Ryokan rates change daily, so confirm the price for your date when you book.
Book your ryokan with Japan Pro
Tell Japan Pro your dates, budget and diet, and we will help you choose and book a ryokan that fits your route.
다음 글
Department Stores in Tokyo and the Best Malls in Japan: 15 Worth a Detour (2026)
Shopping in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka by Station: 8 Areas, Streets and Shops (2026)
Hiking Near Tokyo 2026–27: Trails, Parks, Kayaking and Camping in Japan
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