From the sacred forests of Nikko to the snow-covered serenity of Niigata, the riverside calm of Yamaguchi to the forested charm of Takayama, each ryokan in this guide is a way into the culture of its own corner of Japan.
These handpicked inns embody omotenashi in its purest form: heartfelt hospitality, deep respect for nature, and a reverence for time-honoured tradition.
Each ryokan promises a memorable, culturally enriching stay brimming with local charm, craft, and comfort. So kick off your shoes, don a yukata robe, and step into a world where time slows down and every guest is treated like family. Get ready for an immersive ryokan experience with our favourite picks, most of them members of The Ryokan Collection, that will deepen your love for Japan.
2. ryugon: Minamiuonuma, Niigata
5. Bettei Otozure: Nagato, Yamaguchi
7. Anabuki Tei: Takamatsu, Kagawa
1. Hiiragiya: Kyoto
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
📍 Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (Kansai Region)
🔗 https://www.ryokancollection.com/ryokan/hiiragiya/
A family ryokan in central Kyoto since 1818
Hiiragiya is one of Japan’s most storied ryokans, a sixth-generation, family-run business founded in 1818, when its first owner, Shogoro, settled here and set up as a carrier and seafood merchant. The family made taking in guests its main trade in 1861. Nestled among Kyoto’s traditional machiya townhouses, it offers refined tranquillity just minutes from iconic sites like Nishiki Market and Nijo Castle. With more than two centuries in the same family, Hiiragiya embodies Kyoto’s spirit of omotenashi.
Personal service is at the heart of Hiiragiya. The proprietress and her team, descendants of the original family, create a seamless and welcoming experience. Dinner is a private kaiseki meal served in-room, seasonal Kyoto dishes presented with grace, often beside a warm kotatsu or with the garden doors open to nature’s soundtrack.
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
28 rooms across the sukiya-zukuri main building and the 2006 new wing
Blending the historic and the contemporary, Hiiragiya has two wings: the main building, in sukiya-zukuri style with rooms dating from the late Edo period to the early Showa period, and a new wing completed in 2006. Each of the 28 guest rooms (21 in the main building and 7 in the new wing) is distinct, styled with tatami mats, fusuma art panels, and antique furnishings. Many overlook a peaceful courtyard garden, and some feature hinoki cypress baths. Several main building bathrooms have stained glass windows by Sanchi Ogawa, a pioneer of stained glass art in Japan. Seasonal décor and thoughtful design evoke timeless elegance.
Two-day artisan tour of Nishijin weaving, embroidery and Nishiki Market
Guests can join a two-day guided experience exploring traditional crafts, including visits to the Watabun Orinasu House and Nishijin textile studios, where kimono fabrics are handwoven, as well as to the Nagakusa embroidery atelier and Mr Noguchi’s gold thread workshop, where thread for Nishijin textiles is made.
The journey continues with a matcha and wagashi tea break, strolls through Nishiki Market, and stops at heritage craft shops like Kaikado (tea caddies), Ando Doll Shop (Hina dolls), and Seikado (pewterware). With direct access to master artisans and cultural landmarks, this experience offers a rare, hands-on glimpse into Kyoto’s living traditions.
2. ryugon: Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
📍 Niigata Prefecture (Chubu Region)
🔗 https://www.ryokancollection.com/ryokan/ryugon/
A Snow Country ryokan in Minamiuonuma
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Japan’s snow country, ryugon blends centuries-old architecture with refined modern design. Located in Minamiuonuma, a region famed for its deep winters, mountain views, and prized Koshihikari rice, ryugon reimagines the traditional ryokan experience through a creative and cultural lens.
Restored farmhouse mansions with modern villa suites
Made up of restored mansions that once belonged to wealthy farming families, among them an early 19th century farmhouse, ryugon’s historic wooden structures are filled with contemporary touches: minimalist furniture, soft lighting, open-air baths, and panoramic views of snowfields or rice paddies. Loft layouts, fireplaces, and deep soaking tubs add to the sense of quiet luxury.
Throughout the inn, curated art installations, reading nooks, and hearthside lounges reflect the mood of the seasons and the surrounding Uonuma landscape. Interiors draw from the region’s winter palette, cool tones, natural textures, and filtered light, creating an atmosphere that’s both contemplative and cosy.
Sake tastings, tea ceremonies and snowshoe walks in Uonuma
ryugon offers immersive cultural programming: sake tastings with Niigata brewmasters, morning yoga with a mountain view, seasonal tea ceremonies, and even guided snowshoe walks in winter. Meals are crafted from local ingredients, mountain vegetables, river fish, game, and served kaiseki-style with modern flair.
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
Snow Country heritage at the foot of Mount Sakado
Set at the foot of Mount Sakado, it offers a deep sense of place rooted in Japan’s Snow Country culture. What sets ryugon apart is its mission to preserve and share this regional heritage through immersive experiences, seasonal cuisine, and thoughtful design. The ryokan also leads in sustainable practices, such as using natural well water for cooling, demonstrating a commitment to both tradition and the environment.
3. Gora Kadan: Hakone
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
📍 Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture (Kanto Region)
🔗 https://www.ryokancollection.com/ryokan/gora-kadan/
The former summer villa of the Kan’in-no-miya imperial family
Gora Kadan is a grand ryokan in Hakone, once the summer villa of the Imperial Kan’in-no-miya family. Now one of Japan’s most celebrated luxury inns, it offers a regal experience amidst the lush nature of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Every element, from its serene gardens to its refined kaiseki meals, reflects a dedication to omotenashi and everlasting elegance.
Service at Gora Kadan is impeccably polished yet personal. Each meal is a culinary journey, with seasonal ingredients from the Hakone region prepared in the kaiseki tradition and served in private dining rooms. Think: Odawara seafood, Akaushi beef, and mountain vegetables, beautifully plated and thoughtfully timed.
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
Villa rooms and new annexes with private onsen baths
This historic estate blends noble heritage with understated modernity. Guest rooms and suites, some in restored villa structures, others in sleek new annexes, feature private onsen baths, shoji screens, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Tatami floors, washi-paper accents, and antique tansu chests create an atmosphere that is both tranquil and sophisticated.
Lake Ashi, Owakudani and day trips to Mount Fuji
Gora Kadan is the perfect base for exploring Hakone and the surrounding Mt. Fuji region. Guests can enjoy scenic drives to the Mt. Fuji 5th Station, wander through the sacred grounds of Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine, or take guided treks through the Aokigahara forest and Hoei Crater during summer months.
In Hakone, a day might include cruising Lake Ashi with Fuji views, riding the Hakone Ropeway to the volcanic Owakudani valley, or visiting world-class art destinations like the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Whether it’s nature, culture, or wellness, the area offers unforgettable experiences, complemented by the peaceful retreat awaiting back at Gora Kadan.
A full spa menu from aromatherapy to Dead Sea salt therapy
Gora Kadan offers an expansive range of exclusive wellness treatments rarely found in traditional ryokans, such as aromatherapy, thalasso therapy, Italian foot and leg treatments, and Dead Sea salt therapy.
This comprehensive spa menu, paired with architecturally stunning spaces featuring panoramic valley views and cavernous mineral baths surrounded by natural rock formations, makes Gora Kadan a place to care for body and mind as well as a traditional inn.
4. FUFU Nikko: Nikko
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
📍 Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture (Kanto Region)
🔗 https://www.fufunikko.jp/en/
A 2020 boutique ryokan beside Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa
Located within walking distance of Nikko’s UNESCO World Heritage shrines and next to Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park, FUFU Nikko offers a refined ryokan experience inspired by the cosmopolitan elegance of Japan’s Meiji Era. FUFU Nikko is no longer a member of The Ryokan Collection, so book it through its own website. Opened in October 2020, this boutique property blends East and West through luxurious design, seasonal cuisine, and attentive hospitality, all set against the spiritual backdrop of Nikko’s sacred forests.
Guests are treated to a creative kaiseki dinner that celebrates Tochigi’s regional ingredients, served with artful presentations reflecting Nikko’s seasonal landscapes. The ryokan’s small scale allows for personalised service, and the tranquil lounge and bar provide serene spaces to relax after visiting nearby shrines.
Suites with private open-air hot spring baths
Designed to evoke Meiji-era sophistication, FUFU Nikko incorporates traditional Japanese elements like shoji screens and cedar detailing alongside modern Western touches, such as stained-glass accents and European furnishings. Every room is a suite with its own open-air bath, filled from the hotel’s private Tamozawa Onsen hot spring source, and a log fire burns in the FUFU Lounge.
Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji
Visitors can explore the ornate Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, and the atmospheric Nikko-zan Rinnoji Temple complex. Nature lovers can enjoy scenic walks through Nikko National Park, with highlights like Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, and the winding Irohazaka road offering stunning mountain views. Seasonal experiences, such as autumn leaf viewing or snow-covered temple strolls, are especially magical in this area.
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
Kaiseki at Setchu, teppanyaki at Kou and the FUFU Lounge
Its innovative cuisine marries traditional Japanese delicacies with luxurious Western ingredients, served on exquisite handcrafted porcelain, offering a multi-sensory dining experience. For dinner, choose a kaiseki course at the Japanese restaurant Setchu or a seat at the Teppanyaki Kou counter. The fireside FUFU Lounge, with classical music playing, serves FUFU’s own blend of black tea in the afternoon and FUFU Nikko cocktails in the evening, and the large public bath has indoor and open-air pools where you can hear the river.
5. Bettei Otozure: Nagato, Yamaguchi
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
📍 Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture (Chugoku Region)
🔗 https://www.ryokancollection.com/ryokan/otozure/
18 rooms beside the Otozure River in Nagato Yumoto Onsen
Hidden in the serene mountain village of Nagato Yumoto Onsen, the oldest hot spring town in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Bettei Otozure is a harmonious blend of traditional ryokan hospitality and contemporary design. With its setting beside the Otozure River, minimalist architecture, and refined sense of calm, it’s a sanctuary for travellers wanting to indulge in modern elegance rooted in Japanese aesthetics.
Service at Otozure is attentive yet discreet, allowing guests to fully unwind. Meals are served in a private dining space or your suite, with multi-course kaiseki showcasing local bounty, like fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, seasonal mountain vegetables, and handcrafted desserts. The ryokan’s sister property next door, Otani Sanso, offers additional wellness facilities, including a riverside onsen and spa.
Walnut, black cherry and stone interiors with forest views
Otozure’s design is a study in understated luxury. The ryokan features sleek lines, natural textures, and floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the line between indoors and the surrounding forested hills. Each of the 18 rooms is individually designed and has its own open-air hot spring bath, and three room types are two-storey maisonettes. Interiors blend walnut and black cherry wood, stone, and soft indirect light to evoke timeless serenity, and tatami floors throughout mean you can walk barefoot.
Tsunoshima Bridge, Motonosumi Shrine and Hagi pottery
Otozure is a perfect base for exploring the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Yamaguchi Prefecture. From scenic drives across Tsunoshima Bridge to the iconic red torii of Motonosumi Inari Shrine, the area offers stunning views and spiritual charm. Guests can visit Hagi, a historic castle town known for its samurai residences and renowned Hagi-yaki pottery, with options for private artisan studio visits.
Nearby, Akiyoshidai Plateau and Akiyoshido Cave offer dramatic limestone scenery ideal for hiking. Quiet luxury meets local flavour with experiences like stargazing, tea house strolls, and tasting specialities such as kawarasoba noodles and Dassai sake.
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
A private hot spring bath in every room and a Michelin Key
Tucked away in the serene beauty of Nagato Yumoto Onsen, Otozure offers an intimate escape defined by refined luxury and natural harmony. Every guest room features a private open-air bath fed by free-flowing natural hot spring water, allowing for quiet moments of relaxation with views of the surrounding landscape.
Awarded one Michelin Key in 2024 and again in 2025, Otozure exemplifies elegance, service, and the art of Japanese hospitality.
6. Wanosato: Takayama, Gifu
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
📍 Takayama, Gifu Prefecture (Chubu Region)
🔗 https://www.ryokancollection.com/ryokan/wanosato/
Eight rooms around a 160-year-old gassho-zukuri farmhouse
Wanosato is a secluded ryokan nestled in a forested valley near Takayama, set around a 160-year-old gassho-zukuri farmhouse with a thatched roof. With only eight guest rooms on around 45,000 square metres of grounds, it offers an intimate immersion into rural Japan’s charm, hospitality, and seasonal beauty. Surrounded by tall trees above the Miyagawa River, Wanosato is a haven of peace just outside one of Japan’s most scenic historical towns.
With heartfelt service from a small, dedicated team, Wanosato feels like staying with family. Meals celebrate Hida’s regional flavours: kaiseki-style feasts featuring Hida-gyu beef, foraged mountain vegetables, and char-grilled river fish, often cooked over the hearth. Staff go the extra mile to share local culture, from mochi-pounding demos to storytelling.
Irori hearths, Hida timber and thatched cottages
The main house exudes rustic elegance with soaring wooden beams, an irori hearth, and authentic Hida folk architecture. Guest rooms feature tatami mats, handmade furnishings, antique chests, and views of mossy gardens or the river. Some rooms have open-air baths. Lantern-lit paths connect to four suites in separate buildings scattered through the trees, creating a storybook setting year-round.
Takayama old town and day trips to Shirakawa-go
Wanosato places guests within easy reach of some of Japan’s most timeless and scenic experiences. Explore the charming city of Takayama, known for its Edo-era streets, morning markets, and cultural landmarks like Takayama Jinya and the Sanmachi Old Town. Nearby, the Matsuri-no-Mori Museum offers a glimpse into the region’s festival heritage.
For an unforgettable day trip, venture to the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, where gassho-zukuri thatched farmhouses transport visitors to centuries past. Whether admiring mountain views, strolling among artisans, or sipping local sake by the ryokan’s irori hearth, every moment here feels like stepping into a living postcard.
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
Hida seasons and a small number of guests
Rooted in the philosophy of living in harmony with nature, the ryokan sits on sacred ground that once belonged to the local shrine, imbuing the property with a sense of reverence and quietude. Each change of season shapes the guest experience, from the cuisine to the subtle décor accents that change with the months.
What truly sets Wanosato apart is its devotion to preserving tradition while offering thoughtful modern comfort. With just eight guest rooms, the ryokan keeps numbers small, ensuring an intimate and slow-paced experience where each visitor receives genuine care. Its secluded location allows for rare, undisturbed serenity, yet it’s only a short drive from Takayama’s historical district.
7. Anabuki Tei: Takamatsu, Kagawa
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
📍 Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku Region)
🔗 https://www.ryokancollection.com/ryokan/anabuki-tei/
A 1970 family home in Takamatsu for one group a night
Anabuki Tei is a unique luxury stay housed in a renovated mid-century family residence in Takamatsu. Hosting only one group per day, this private villa-style ryokan offers an exclusive, homelike experience tailored by Eitaro Anabuki, the owner and host. It’s a chance to live inside a storybook of Kagawa culture, surrounded by fine design, family history, and timeless traditions.
Eitaro curates each stay based on your interests, from art gallery visits to private udon-making classes. Meals are equally personal: you might have a private chef prepare dinner with local seafood, or head out with your host to a favourite izakaya. Breakfast can be Japanese or Western, served in the sunlit dining room. Every detail is deeply thoughtful.
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
Isamu Noguchi lamps and Kagawa lacquer art
The home was built in 1970 by Natsuji Anabuki, founder of Anabuki Construction, and lovingly preserved by his grandson Eitaro. Interiors feature a blend of Japanese and Western aesthetics, curved Scandinavian wood furniture, Isamu Noguchi lamps, and lacquer artworks by Kagawa artisan Kota Matsumoto. You’ll enjoy a full run of the house, which includes four bedrooms, a garden, veranda, and cosy living areas.
Ritsurin Garden, the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum and Naoshima
A stay at Anabuki Tei unlocks curated access to Kagawa’s rich traditions, crafts, and contemporary art scene. Guests can explore landmarks like the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum, Shikokumura open-air folk village, and Ritsurin Garden, all within a short drive. Workshops in bonsai, lacquerware, wasanbon candy-making, and kintsugi can be arranged via Eitaro’s personal network of local artisans.
For day-trippers, the art island of Naoshima is just a short boat ride away, while evenings may include dinner at a cosy Takamatsu restaurant with Eitaro himself. This is slow travel at its most intentional, every outing rooted in storytelling, local pride, and personal connection.
Stays planned by owner and host Eitaro Anabuki
Just one booking per night ensures your stay is entirely custom, guided by owner-host Eitaro Anabuki’s warm, insider perspective. Whether arranging design-led experiences with local artisans or guiding guests through Takamatsu’s best-kept culinary secrets, Eitaro makes each visit feel like returning to an old friend’s home.
The villa itself reflects this ethos, filled with meaningful objects, original architecture, and touches of artistry that quietly tell the story of the region. Here, hospitality means sharing the culture of Kagawa with every guest.
Seven ryokans from Kyoto to Takamatsu
Image Credit: The Ryokan Collection
From the sacred forests of Nikko to the snowy stillness of Niigata, these ryokans are living, breathing expressions of Japanese culture.
Each one reflects a distinct sense of place, deeply connected to the surrounding landscape, local craftsmanship, and centuries-old traditions. You’ll find hospitality that feels personal, meals that tell seasonal stories, and architecture that blends heritage with quiet elegance.
We hope this guide has inspired your next journey. Wherever you go, may your tatami room be warm, your yukata freshly folded, and the sound of the garden’s wind chime bring you a moment of stillness. 旅の無事を祈って: Safe travels.
