Best Ryokan in Japan

There are countless reasons to love Japan. Everything, from their neon-lit streets to scrumptious cuisine, leaves an indelible experience long after your trip. But even with these few quirks, we barely scratch the surface of what the make of this beautiful country is really all about.

If you’ve ever dreamt of time-traveling back to feudal Japan—but with plumbing—then a ryokan is your dream come true. These traditional Japanese inns have been perfecting the art of hospitality since long before your Airbnb host left you that passive-aggressive “thanks for not stealing the towels” message.

But before you pack your samurai sword and walk into your ryokan expecting a samurai showdown, let’s talk expectations. Here’s your unofficial (but highly accurate) guide to surviving and thriving in a ryokan. We shall also list the best ryokan to stay in across the country.

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What are ryokan?

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn that dates back to the 8th century. These offer guests a culturally immersive experience with features like tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and public areas. While in ryokan, visitors often wear nemaki (light cotton robes) to reflect the ancient era of Japan.

Originally serving travelers along Japan’s historic highways, ryokan are now most commonly found in scenic areas, especially near natural hot springs. While they can be harder to find—and more expensive—in large cities like Tokyo, some urban ryokan still offer competitive rates. Many have even been beautifully restored to reflect their original charm, offering a timeless alternative to modern hotels.

Best Ryokan in Japan

Ryokan come in all shapes and sizes, from cozy, family-run inns with just a handful of rooms to sprawling, hotel-like establishments boasting hundreds of guests. The range of styles and prices is just as wide—some ryokan offer simple, no-frills lodging for budget-conscious travelers, while others cater to the ultra-wealthy with luxury amenities and impeccable service.

While the cost can vary dramatically, a typical ryokan stay averages between 15,000 and 25,000 yen per person, per night ($100–$170 USD). But in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, you’ll pay a lot more (think $300+). Though not the cheapest accommodation option, staying in a ryokan is often considered a once-in-a-trip splurge that’s well worth it.

This price usually includes a beautifully presented multi-course dinner and a traditional Japanese breakfast—both of which are experiences in themselves. Without further ado, here are the 5 best ryokan in Japan;

Konuka-Yakushi Temple, Kyoto

In a city where temples outnumber traffic lights, Konuka-Yakushi Temple offers something rarer than serenity in Kyoto—it lets you live the serenity. This former temple-turned-luxury stay wraps you in ryokan-style elegance from the moment you pass under its grand “resting hill” roof. Inside, light streams into your apartment, where five bespoke floorbeds, a private toilet, and a semi-equipped kitchenette blend tradition with thoughtful modernity.

Highlights include a show-stealing glass-topped coffee table in the tearoom (etched with Japanese engravings) and a peaceful garden nook with bamboo benches. This is ideal for morning matcha or existential reflection. With complimentary services like laundry and luggage storage, and room for five to sleep comfortably, this stay doesn’t just whisper of Kyoto’s history—it invites you to live in it, if only for a night.

Kominka Mitsuhama, Matsuyama

Staying at here feels like stepping into a serene painting where every brushstroke whispers calm. While many ryokans pride themselves on ornate interiors, it’s the gardens that steal the show at this accommodation. Here, three mossy sanctuaries are threaded with babbling creeks and stepping stones with darting native fish addind a splash of life to the lush greenery.

Inside, nature follows you in. Dining tables fashioned from reworked tree trunks sit beneath vivid red parasols, while indoor palm and blossom trees blur the line between indoors and out. Two cozy futons rest in the center of the room, gently kissed awake each morning by sunlight filtering through pastel curtains and silk-draped glass walls.

Minshuku Aoiso, Yamanashi

Staying here feels like stepping into a lovingly preserved slice of old Japan, with Mount Fuji photobombing your every glance. This family-run ryokan has been perfecting the art of hospitality for over forty-five years, offering service that’s refreshingly unfussy yet warmly authentic.

Mornings begin in the shared lounge with complimentary coffee, green tea, and a curated backdrop of fine art and elegant garments. The vintage-style room features three futon beds dressed in shiny floral bedspreads.

Beyond the sliding shoji doors, two wooden chairs and a low coffee table offer front-row seats to the snowcapped majesty of Fuji-san. Communal bathrooms and a modest onsen keep things cozy and traditional. But modern touches like a microwave, fridge, and toaster gently remind you that you’re still in the 21st century—barely.

Kinse, Kyoto

With 250 years of hospitality under its obi, this ryokan takes authenticity seriously (starting with a strict no-shoes policy). The private suite is perched above an ikebana studio and it offers a thoughtful blend of East and West. Essentially, one lounge channels the quiet elegance of a Japanese tearoom, while the other nods to a classic Western parlor.

Bedrooms are separated by delicate paper screens and kept blissfully uncluttered, with tatami mats underfoot, futon beds for sleeping, and deep soaking tubs for the full ryokan experience. There’s no full kitchen—just a kettle and mini fridge. But you’re within walking distance of the best dining spots in Kyoto. Downstairs, the quirky café housed in the same building serves up fresh bagels amid stained glass and live music.

EK House Hakone Shushinso, Hakone

For those craving a ryokan experience with a twist of privacy and a dash of modern comfort, EK House Hakone Shushinso is your best shot. Tucked deep within the tranquil woods of Hakone, this secluded villa is perfect for large families or groups of friends. The sleeping quarters are charmingly spartan, with seven floor mattresses spread across two minimalist rooms, where decoration is limited to a lone, graceful scroll.

Slide open the paper doors, however, and nature crashes the party—lush woodland views burst through the windows. Down the tatami-lined hall, things take a turn for the contemporary: a leather sofa, sleek marble coffee table, and a zingy lime-tiled kitchenette offer a cozy contrast.

Conclusion

Staying in a ryokan isn’t just a night’s lodging—it’s a cultural immersion wrapped in yukata and served with matcha. You’ll bow more than a bobblehead, bathe more thoroughly than you ever have, and come away with a new appreciation for minimalism. It may be humbling, it may be strange, but one thing’s for sure: you’ll never look at a hotel mini bar the same way again.