Onsen Ryokan near Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka
DISCOVER EVERYWHERE I’VE STAYED NEAR THE GOLDEN ROUTE
Onsen & Ryokan Stays for First Time Japan Travellers
Japan has been calling! You’ve booked the iconic cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, but would love to include an onsen and ryokan experience to have some time to soak in an onsen, taste delicious kaiseki and just have some restful, peaceful time after all the chaos of exploring — but you only have so many days and so much travel time — so where can you fit in such a stay?
Below are all the stays I’ve personally enjoyed that are accessible from either Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. Some only require one train ride, others may need a couple transfers - but all are possible. Eventually I hope to write up an in-depth personal review article on each accommodation and link it here, but for now hopefully this help inspires your upcoming Japan travels.
DISCOVER MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES NEAR THE GOLDEN ROUTE
NEAR CENTRAL TOKYO
BETWEEN TOKYO & KYOTO/OSAKA: SHIZUOKA
WITHIN KYOTO
NEAR KYOTO & OSAKA
JUMP TO FIND THEM ON THE INTERACTIVE MAP
Please Note: This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a reservation through one of these links,
I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Every property and destination featured on this website has been personally experienced by the writer, and are their personal thoughts and opinions.
NEAR CENTRAL TOKYO
There are several options in both the Greater Tokyo area or the surrounding prefectures where one can enjoy an onsen ryokan stay throughout your travels.
Which one would you choose for an onsen, shukubo, ryokan getaway?
Tachikawa Station: Sorano Hotel & Spa - modern onsen hotel
From Shinjuku station: ~35-40mins - JR Chuo Line Rapid/Special Rapid ~530JPY One Way
Okutama Station: (part of West Tokyo - a pristine natural environment of beautiful mountains, rivers and lake)
From Shinjuku station: ~2hrs via JR Chuo Line to Tachikawa/Ome station then transfer JR Ome Line ~1230JPY One Way
OR ~1.5hrs via Holiday Rapid Okutama (Weekend Direct Line - no transfers, not available on weekdays0
Hakone Yumoto Station (most popular for first time travellers, but with that popularity comes premium pricing and crowds)
From Shinjuku station: ~1.5 hrs via Romancecar train ~2500JPY One Way (must buy both the basic fare and limited fare tickets)
Yugawara Onsen Station (charming quieter, retro onsen town that many people skip for popular Hakone)
From Tokyo station: ~ 1hr 15mins via the Limited Express Odoriko ~2710JPY One Way
OR ~ 1hr 45mins JR Tokaido Line (Local or Rapid) ~ 1690JPY One Way
Mt Oyama (travel to Isehara station exit via North exit - then local bus from bus platform 4)
From Shinjuku station: ~60-70mins via Odakyu Odawara Line (rapid or express train) ~ 600JPY One Way
then ~30mins - Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu Bus (bound for Oyama Cable Car) ~300-370JPY One Way
Nikko Area (famed for Kinugawa Onsen, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Oku-Nikko National Park, Lake Chuzenji - perfect for short trips)
Kinugawa Onsen
From Asakusa station: ~2hrs via Tobu Railway Limited Express (Spacia or Revaty) ~ 3040-3330JPY One Way
From Shinjuku station: ~2hrs via JR-Tobu Limited Express (Kinugawa or Spacia Kinugawa) ~4140JPY One Way
Oku Nikko National Park - Tobu Nikko station (depends which area of the park you plan to explore, connecting buses are available at the station - also consider the NIKKO Pass All Area - valid for 4 days)
From Asakusa station: ~1hr 40mins via Tobu Railway Limited Express (Spacia / Revaty / Spacia X) ~2840-3540 JPY One Way
From Shinjuku station: ~2hrs via JR Tobu Limited Express (Kinugawa or Spacia Kinugawa) ~4140JPY One Way
TOKYO
SORANO HOTEL & SPA
Tachikawa
KANAGAWA
AURA TACHIBANA
Hakone Onsen
review | website | private onsen
check availability
KANAGAWA
FUKIYA RYOKAN
Yugawara Onsen
review | website | private onsen
check availability
KANAGAWA
OYAMA RYOKAN ASADA
Mt Oyama Shukubo
review | website | mountain spring bath (not onsen)(availability: official website)
TOCHIGI
HATCHONOYU
Oku-Nikko Area
review | website | private onsen
check availability
TOCHIGI
TSUGANOKI
Kinugawa Onsen
review | website | private onsen
check availability
BETWEEN TOKYO & KYOTO, OSAKA: SHIZUOKA
For many travellers, the route one takes from Tokyo to Kyoto and/or Osaka will be the Tokaido Shinkansen (named after the ancient old Tokaido trade route) — where one can put in a stop off at one of my favourite prefectures: Shizuoka. Beloved for its green tea, wasabi, abundant seafood, quieter views of Mt Fuji — it’s also home to some of the best onsen areas in the country. This is where I always go to whenever I want an easy, accessible onsen staycation from Tokyo - I love the Izu Peninsula!
One can either take the Tokaido shinkansen or the Odoriko Limited Express or even the local JR Tokaido Line to reach Shizuoka. Depending on the onsen area, you may have to transfer to a local line or bus afterwards or have a shuttle bus pick up.
From Kyoto/Osaka - one has to change at either Shizuoka/Mishima/Atami stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, depending on your destination - generally Mishima works best to head to the Izu Peninsula/Ito and Shuzenji onsen towns.
The most popular and easiest Shizuoka onsen towns to reach direct from Tokyo are:
Atami Onsen ( ~35 - 60mins from Tokyo via Tokaido Shinkansen or Limited Express Odoriko)
Ito Onsen ( ~ 100mins from Tokyo via Limited Express Odoriko)
Shuzenji Onsen ( ~ 120mins from Tokyo via Limited Express Odoriko)
ATAMI ONSEN
THE LAYER ATAMI GARDEN
review | website | private onsen
check availability.
SHUZENJI ONSEN
YUKAIROU KIKUYA
review | website | private onsen
check availability
SHIZUOKA
TOFUYA RESORT & SPA
review | website | private onsen
check availability
IZU PENINSULA
ISARIBI
Okawa Onsen Area
review | website | private onsen adults only | check availability
IZU PENINSULA
HANAREYA ISHIDAYA
Kawazu
review | website | private onsen
check availability
IZU PENINSULA
IMAI-SO
Kawazu
IZU PENINSULA
NANADARU HOTEL
Kawazu
review | website | private onsen
check availability
IZU PENINSULA
VILLA GARDEN ISHINOYA
Izunagaoka Onsen
review | website | private onsen
check availability
IZU PENINSULA
SEIRYUSO
Rendaiji
review | website | private onsen
check availability
IZU PENINSULA
YUBANA MANKAI
Higashi Izu Onsen
review | website | private onsen
adults only | check availability
WITHIN KYOTO
If you’re truly limited on travel time and days, then within central Kyoto make the time for some sublime traditional ryokan stays along with modern onsen luxury properties. For a quieter stay, head to Arashiyama Onsen — yes where the famous bamboo forest is! Do adjust your budget accordingly, as Kyoto is a very popular area and the price of an onsen/ryokan stay will reflect premium pricing especially during peak season times like sakura’s cherry blossoms in spring and the beautiful changing leaves in autumn.
KYOTO
NISHIYAMA RYOKAN
review | website | ryokan
check availability
KYOTO
SORANIWA TERRACE KYOTO
KYOTO
SHIJO BETTEI KYOTO
review | website | private onsen
check availability
KYOTO
SUMIYA RYOKAN
review | website | ryokan
check availability
KYOTO
TOGETSUTEI
Arashiyama Onsen
review | website | private onsen
check availability
NEAR KYOTO & OSAKA
If you want to explore more of the Kansai/Kinki region - then Hyogo prefecture has some incredible onsen towns, like tattoo-friendly Kinosaki Onsen town that are easily accessible from Kyoto or Osaka via either Express trains or direct bus services.
Which one would you choose to travel to from Kyoto or Osaka?
Arima Onsen
From Kyoto Station: ~ 1hr 15 mins via the Hankyu’s Highway Bus Kyoto Arima Onsen Liner ~1850JPY One Way
From Osaka’s Hankyu Osaka Umeda Bus Terminal: ~ 1hr via the Hankyu Expressway Bus ~1400JPY One Way
From Osaka Itami Airport (ITM): ~30 - 40mins via the Hankyu’s Highway Bus Osaka Arima Onsen Liner ~1400JPY One Way
Kinosaki Onsen
From Kyoto or Osaka stations: ~ 2hrs 45mins - take the Limited Express Kounotori train ~ 5000 - 6600JPY One Way
Shiota Onsen (take the train to Himeji station - Ueyama Ryokan has a fixed timed shuttle service available )
From Kyoto station: ~45mins via either Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari or Nozomi - 4500 - 5500JPY One Way)
OR ~ 1.5hrs JR Special Rapid Service (~2310JPY One Way)From Osaka station: ~60-65mins via the JR Kobe Line ~1490JPY One Way
HYOGO
GOSHO BESSHO
Arima Onsen
review | website | private onsen
check availability
HYOGO
NISHIMURAYA HONKAN
Kinosaki Onsen
review | website
check availability
HYOGO
HOTEL SHOGETSUTEI
Kinosaki Onsen
review | website | private onsen
check availability
HYOGO
SENSUI RYOKAN
Kinosaki Onsen
review | website | private onsen
check availability
HYOGO
UEYAMA RYOKAN
Shiota Onsen
review | website | private onsen
check availability
FIND AVAILABILITY, PRICING & OTHER OPTIONS ON THE INTERACTIVE MAP BELOW
WHAT ELSE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED?
Not sure how a stay at an onsen ryokan goes?
Read the indepth explanation of a night’s stay - from check in to check out.
First time onsen-ning? Feeling nervous?
Our complete onsen etiquette guide will have you bathing like a local
Still trying to decide if an onsen ryokan stay is worth it?
Read my breakdown of why an onsen ryokan stay should be on your Japan itinerary.
Ready to be inspired for your next onsen adventure?
Take a look at my favourite traditional onsen ryokan stays in Japan
Looking to experience onsen ryokan just outside the Golden Route?
These are perfect for returning travellers
Planning to visit in the winter? Dreaming of a snowy onsen stay?
Here are my favourite snowy winter onsen stays so far
