The Most Luxurious Ryokans in Japan

Discover Japan's most luxurious ryokans in Hakone, Kyoto, and Hokkaido

Japan’s ryokans—traditional Japanese inns—are a quintessential way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. Ryokans are found across Japan, often in scenic locations such as hot spring (onsen) towns, mountainous regions, and coastal areas. They continue to uphold traditional Japanese hospitality, offering guests a unique cultural experience that sets them apart from modern hotels.

Key features of ryokans include tatami-mat flooring, futon bedding, yukata robes, and multi-course kaiseki dining that highlights local, seasonal ingredients. Many ryokans also feature private or communal onsen baths. Here are our top luxury Ryokans in Japan, from Kyoto to Shizuoka.

Gora Kadan – Hakone

Located in the heart of Hakone’s hot spring region, Gora Kadan is a former imperial retreat turned luxury ryokan. Enjoy elegant rooms with tatami floors, open-air onsen (hot spring baths), and serene garden views. Its kaiseki dining showcases seasonal ingredients in meticulously crafted multi-course meals.

Gora Kadan is steeped in history, as it was once a retreat for the Kan’in-no-miya imperial family. Located within the grounds of Hakone National Park, the ryokan offers a tranquil escape surrounded by greenery and scenic mountain views. The carefully restored buildings retain their historical charm while featuring luxurious amenities such as private open-air baths and tatami-mat rooms.

Hoshinoya Kyoto – Arashiyama, Kyoto

Located along the Oi River, Hoshinoya Kyoto is a modern take on the ryokan tradition. Accessible by boat, this inn combines minimalist design with exquisite attention to detail. Enjoy private boat rides, riverside tea ceremonies, and refined Kyoto cuisine in a setting that feels like stepping into a Japanese painting.

The property dates back over a century and was originally a private villa for a wealthy merchant family. In 2009, it was transformed into a luxurious ryokan by the Hoshino Resorts group, meticulously preserving the villa’s historical charm.

Asaba – Shizuoka

Asaba is one of Japan’s most historic ryokans, set in the hot spring town of Shuzenji on the Izu Peninsula. The property is arranged around a pond and traditional Noh stage, with rooms looking across the water and access to natural onsen baths.

Kaiseki dining is central to the experience, with menus built around seasonal ingredients from the region. Asaba is especially known for its seasonal kaiseki, which draws heavily on ingredients from the Izu Peninsula and changes throughout the year.

Shuzenji itself has a long association with hot spring bathing, with its onsen history traditionally linked to the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi more than 1,200 years ago.

Amanemu – Ago Bay

Amanemu sits within Ise-Shima National Park overlooking Ago Bay. It is not a traditional ryokan, but a luxury onsen resort heavily influenced by ryokan design and Japanese bathing culture. Its suites and villas use timber, stone and restrained interiors, and each has a private onsen supplied by nearby hot springs.

The spa is a major part of the stay, with communal onsen-style bathing, treatment rooms and a yoga studio. Dining focuses on ingredients from the surrounding region, including seafood from Ago Bay and produce from Mie.

Amanemu also works particularly well as a base for exploring Ise-Shima. Ise Grand Shrine is nearby, while the coast has a long connection with the ama free-divers who traditionally harvested shellfish and pearls from these waters.

The History of Ryokans

The roots of the ryokan can be traced back more than 1,300 years to the Nara period, when simple rest houses provided food and shelter for travellers making long journeys across Japan. Over time, inns developed along major routes such as the Tokaido, which linked Kyoto with Edo, now Tokyo.

As travel became easier, ryokans evolved into a distinct style of Japanese accommodation, with tatami rooms, futon bedding, communal bathing and meals based around regional and seasonal ingredients. Many modern ryokans retain those traditions while adding private onsen, larger suites and more contemporary design.