11 of the Most Luxurious Ryokan in Japan

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Between frenetic cities and inevitably jam-packed days, you’re going to want to disconnect and recalibrate during your Japan trip. And if you have a couple days to do it, there’s no better place to relax than at a ryokan. These traditional inns date back to the 8th century A.D. and many of the earliest ones were located along the Tokaido route, which connected current-day Tokyo and Kyoto, providing respite for nomadic samurai and traders. Now, however, they are a preferred lodging option for locals and tourists alike.

Accommodations are characterized by tatami mat flooring, low wooden tables, shoji screens, tokonoma alcoves, and futon bedding—a masterclass in traditional Japanese design. But the real perks of staying at a ryokan are the impeccable hospitality (omotenashi), multicourse kaiseki dinner (and ensuing breakfast spread) that’s typically built into room rates, and, not always but sometimes, access to a nearby or on-site onsen (hot spring). These bathing facilities are traditionally communal and separated by gender. They’re not for the modest, but thankfully a growing number of properties also offer private onsen options so that even the most easily abashed guests can benefit from these soothing and restorative waters.

For those who really want to soak in Japan’s age-old customs, traditional ryokan are certainly the way to go. And even if you’re seeking modern conveniences, the past few years have seen an increase in contemporary options that still embody many of the same principles. Whether you prefer old or new, we’ve picked out some of the most luxurious ryokan and ryokan-inspired hotels for you to unwind at on your next trip to Japan.

Zaborin (Kutchan, Hokkaido)Photo: Courtesy of Christina Liao

Surrounded by a birch forest in the Hanazono woods of Hokkaido, Zaborin is a modern ryokan that consists of only 15 villas. It’s easy to access, but the intimate property feels remote thanks to its natural surroundings: Rooms look out onto rolling meadows and the bar is a front-row seat to Mt. Yotei. Upon arrival, you’ll get the chance to watch a tea master expertly prepare your complimentary cup of matcha. The ceremony takes place next to the hotel’s library, where you’ll find a variety of books and DVDs at your disposal. The building wraps around and encircles a private garden, home to the only public onsen on the grounds, where you can enjoy an alfresco foot bath. Unlike other ryokan, where communal bathing facilities are the highlight, Zaborin places a focus on privacy and has equipped each accommodation with two hot spring baths. One serves as the indoor bathtub while the other is located outside on the balcony and is made from either wood or stone (opt for the latter). Most of the spacious rooms are Western in style, with beds rather than futons, and trade in tatami mats for wooden flooring. It’s all chic and tranquil, and you’ll find that your meals, prepared by chef Yoshihiro Seno—with a focus on locally sourced vegetables and seafood—are truly unforgettable.

Amanemu (Shima, Mie)Photo: Courtesy of Amanemu / Aman Resorts

While Amanemu may not bill itself as a ryokan, it has all the makings of a modern take on one. Located in Mie Prefecture overlooking Ago Bay, the resort features 24 spacious suites and four two-bedroom villas with minimal interiors awash in neutral hues and wood. All of the accommodations come with a furnished deck and deep bathtubs with hot spring water on tap, while the villas have the added luxury of a separate onsen area. To fill your free time, bike around the grounds, grab a lounger by the 108-foot infinity pool, or head to the spa, the hotel’s pièce de résistance. The outdoor public area of this serene oasis is made up of two large hot spring-fed pools and a furnished sunken pit with a fireplace. It’d be easy to spend a day here, relaxing in the mineral-rich waters or lazing away in the sun, but make sure you don’t skip the complimentary afternoon tea at the lounge or an exceptional dinner (both à la carte and multicourse menus are available—the former includes Japanese, Chinese, and Western offerings) at the restaurant.

Hoshinoya Tokyo (Tokyo)Photo: Courtesy of Hoshinoya Tokyo

Hoshinoya Tokyo is a sanctuary from the bustling city and its very crowded streets. Upon entering, you are asked to remove your shoes, which will be stored in one of the chestnut and bamboo cubbies that line the left side of the corridor. You’ll find that tatami mats are prevalent throughout the hotel, even in the elevators, evoking a very authentic vibe. There are 84 guest rooms in total, with only six on each floor, meaning that you rarely bump into another guest when wandering the halls or grabbing a snack in the ochanoma lounge, which is fully stocked with complimentary morsels and drinks at all times (onigiri and coffee are also served in the mornings).

Meals aren’t included in room rates here, but complimentary soba is offered in the evenings. Nevertheless, the traditional Japanese breakfast, delivered straight to your room, is certainly worth a try, as is the dinner-only restaurant, where seasonal local ingredients delivered daily are prepared with French techniques. And while there is certainly plenty to do and see in Tokyo, you’ll have to make time for the indoor-outdoor onsen or, for a dose of culture, the occasional evening gagaku performance, complete with complimentary sake.

Ryokan Kurashiki (Kurashiki, Okayama)Photo: Courtesy of Christina Liao

Located in the quaint Bikan Historical Quarter of its eponymous city, Ryokan Kurashiki has been open since 1957. This intimate property consists of eight individually designed accommodations, three of which were added in 2018 and boast canal views, a rarity for the area, while the original five recently underwent a significant refresh. Rooms are a beautiful mix of old meets new following the extensive renovation, with modern amenities such as heated floors, kitchenettes, and thoughtfully designed kneeling chairs, while still paying homage to traditional ryokan aesthetics with shoji screens, tatami mat floors, private gardens, and cypress tubs. And if you book the Okuzashiki Suite—where Sophia Loren once stayed and the largest at the ryokan—you’ll also have the added benefit of an in-room washer-dryer. (For those who want added privacy, there are also two new loft-style residences around the corner from the ryokan.)

During your stay, a stroll around the beautifully preserved district is a must, but the ryokan can also arrange some extraordinary exclusive experiences, such as a visit to a temari (embroidered hand ball) studio or a tour of Kojima’s most prized denim factories. After a busy day, book a private 50-minute session in Harayu, the inn’s large bath boasting an Aji stone tub, or relax in the lounge with some complimentary drinks and snacks while taking in the property’s beautiful Edo-era garden. No stay at a traditional inn would be complete without an indulgent kaiseki meal and Ryokan Kurashiki does it right, with a seasonal menu that highlights the best of local ingredients. But if you’re staying for more than a night and want to switch things up, the property can customize a meal or arrange a reservation at one of Kurashiki’s most sought-after restaurants.

Gora Kadan (Hakone, Kanagawa)Photo: Courtesy of Christina Liao

About two hours by train from Tokyo is the highly regarded hot spring resort town Hakone. A number of ryokan are spread throughout the region, but Gora Kadan is arguably the most famous. It previously served as the former summer villa of the Kanin-no-miya imperial family and was transformed into an inn in 1952. The Relais & Châteaux property has 39 rooms of varying types and sizes, but the most prized ones come with outdoor spaces and open-air baths. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see Mt. Fuji from any vantage point, but there are still mesmerizing views of the surrounding landscape, which can be observed from the numerous balconies.

There’s also the Salon, which doubles as a library and has either massage chairs or curved loungers for you to recline in. And while communal onsen are available, there’s also a private option with a steam room tucked away in the garden that you can reserve. Your dedicated attendant brings breakfast to your room at a prearranged time, but there’s the option to have dinner in the original Elizabethan-style building should you want to stretch your legs.

Nishimuraya Honkan (Kinosaki, Hyogo)Photo: Courtesy of Nishimuraya Honkan

As soon as you arrive, it’s easy to understand the irresistible allure of Kinosaki. A willow-lined canal runs through this picturesque onsen town where its visitors are encouraged to wear their yukata and geta shoes to roam around. At one end of the main road, you’ll find Nishimuraya Honkan, a traditional ryokan founded in 1860.

Following a recent refurbishment, select accommodations were updated and enlarged, reducing the number of rooms from 32 to 29. But fret not, aside from replacing futons with Western-style beds in some of the quarters, they all still embody classical ryokan archetypes, such as tatami mat floors, low tables and legless chairs, an ornamental alcove (tokonoma), and sliding shoji screens. While you’re here, make sure to stroll through the manicured garden, where you’ll find a pond of koi fish among the sculpted trees and stone lanterns, and soak in one of the property’s own hot spring baths. They also provide guests with a pass to the town’s seven public onsen, but if you’re looking for a private option, reserve a tub at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei, the ryokan’s newly refreshed sister hotel just across the street.

The Shinmonzen (Kyoto)Photo: Courtesy of the Shinmonzen

Tucked away on a quiet street in the heart of Gion, the Shinmonzen is one of Kyoto’s best hotels. Opened in January 2022, this ryokan-inspired boutique property designed by famed architect Tadao Ando blends elements of traditional Japanese inns with modern sensibilities. This concept is beautifully represented from the moment you pass through the entrance’s noren curtains where a lengthy foyer features Ando’s signature concrete on one side and is juxtaposed by light wood on the other, framing a singular work of art at the end of the hallway that changes throughout the year.

On the ground floor, you’ll find the Riverside Lounge where guests are invited to enjoy a matcha latte while perusing the collection of contemporary art, a nod to its sister property Villa la Coste in the South of France. It also doubles as the reception area where the friendly and attentive staff members who personify omotenashi set up shop, ready to craft bespoke experiences or take you on a tour around the neighborhood. Upstairs are just nine suites, all individually designed, all impossibly chic. Accommodations with Western-style bedding feature plush hand-woven carpets while futons are set atop tatami mats. Shoji screens wrap around the interiors and balconies overlook the Shirakawa River. The majority of the rooms also boast oversized hinoki cypress tubs and sumptuous bathrooms are stocked with luxurious amenities like skincare sets and a Dyson hair dryer. Breakfast is included, best taken in the comfort of your own digs or downstairs on the terrace, and there’s also an on-site Jean-Georges restaurant that marries the world-renowned chef’s fare with local ingredients.

Naoshima Ryokan Roka (Naoshima, Kagawa)Photo: Kenji Kudo

Naoshima is arguably the most famous of Japan’s art islands and now there’s even more reason to visit. When Naoshima Ryokan Roka opened its doors in 2022, it became the isle’s first luxury ryokan and one of the country’s most special gems. The intimate property creates a space to help guests connect with nature and truly unwind, which becomes immediately apparent upon arrival with its manicured Zen garden dotted with contemporary artwork that fittingly reflects the destination. It should also come as no surprise that the main building—which serves as the hotel’s lobby, café, bar, and restaurant—also resembles that of a gallery.

The unobtrusive buildings are made from local materials and there are just 11 minimalistic suites with a modern Japanese aesthetic. Rooms also feature new works by emerging artists, which change twice a year and are available for purchase. After a busy day exploring the island’s world-renowned art institutions, soak your tired limbs in your en-suite, open-air onsen while enjoying the view of a landscaped garden. Then head to Restaurant En for either a seasonal kaiseki or sushi course (included in the room rate) that highlights local ingredients and the bounty of the Seto Inland Sea. And if you’re interested in a nightcap, order a cocktail or grab a complimentary drink from your minibar and enjoy it by the alfresco firepit.

Beniya Mukayu (Kaga, Ishikawa)Photo: Beniya Mukayu

About an hour outside of the city of Kanazawa, Beniya Mukayu is a 16-key ryokan shrouded in forest that’s ideal for those looking to unplug and relax. While it dates back to 1928, the property combines time-honored craftsmanship with contemporary furnishings, appealing to the modern-day traveler. Each of the posh digs looks out to lush greenery and features open-air hot spring baths. In addition to your private onsen, guests are also invited to spend time in the property’s communal facilities at the spa. You’ll be highly encouraged to embrace a slower way of life with garden walks and time spent in the library; otherwise, consider opting for one of the many activities such as washi-making classes or a hike to the nearby Ozuchi village.

Azumi Setoda (Setoda, Hiroshima)Photo: Courtesy of Azumi Setoda

In the small town of Setoda on Ikuchijima—one of the islands in the Seto Inland Sea that’s connected by the famed Setouchi Shimanami Kaido cycling course—just steps from the ferry terminal and Shiomachi Shopping Street, you’ll find a pleasantly surprising modern ryokan. Once the home of affluent merchants, the 140-year-old estate has been renovated into the 22-key Azumi Setoda. The spacious accommodations are a beautiful blend of traditional materials and modern sensibilities, where cedar furnishings, cypress tubs, and shoji screens meet thoughtful touches like heated granite floors and low bedroom benches that look out to a small garden. Complimentary minibars are stocked with local delights, including bottles of sweet and tart orange juice, a ubiquitously grown citrus, alongside lemons, in this corner of Japan.

The dining room, where both breakfast and dinner are served, looks out to the property’s garden, with additional viewing seats on the second floor. There’s also a private pavilion that can be transformed to meet guests’ needs, whether it be for tea, meals, or yoga. You’ll also have access to Yubune, a public bath with beautiful mosaics just across the street that’s used by both locals and visitors. And if you didn’t come to the island by bike, both rentals and guiding cycling tours are available and well worth the effort to explore the island or even visit a neighboring isle for the athletically inclined traveler.

Four Seasons Hotel Osaka (Osaka)Photo: Ken Seet / Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Osaka

Osaka has been in need of a new luxury hotel and the city finally got one this past August in the form of a Four Seasons. Located on the 28th floor is Gensui, a level fully dedicated to the property’s contemporary ryokan experience, a first for the brand. Here, you’ll find a collection of 21 rooms and suites that put a modern spin on ryokan accommodations, complete with tatami mats, Japanese futons, and deep stone tubs. Yukata are also exclusively provided in these rooms and guests are welcomed to don them to Sabo, the floor’s dedicated lounge that serves a traditional Japanese breakfast in the morning and a wide range of teas and beverages throughout the day. Beyond Gensui, make sure to also stop by the hotel’s spa, complete with a 52-foot swimming pool with skyline views, a 24-hour gym, sauna rooms, and more. The restaurants are also worth a visit, too, particularly Jiang Nan Chun for Cantonese fare by Hong Kong-born chef Raymond Wong Wai Man and Sushi L’Abysse, a unique sushi concept by renowned chef Yannick Alléno that melds French savoir-faire with the art of sushi by chef Yasuda Itaru.