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Best Ryokans in Shikoku

Shikoku is the smallest of Japan's four main islands and the one most travellers skip. Its ryokans cluster in four places: Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, which claims the oldest hot spring in Japan; the Iya Valley in Tokushima, where inns hang above a gorge crossed by vine bridges; Kotohira in Kagawa, at the foot of the 1,368 steps up to Kotohira-gu; and Kochi, on the Pacific side. These are the Shikoku ryokans in the catalog, ranked by guest rating.

Bettei Oborozukiyo#1

Bettei Oborozukiyo

Matsuyama, Shikoku

9.4$$$$

**Bettei Oborozukiyo** in Matsuyama, Shikoku, is a serene haven that weaves together the region's rich cultural tapestry with the tranquility of nature. This enchanting ryokan is perfect for travelers seeking a deep connection with Japan's authentic traditions, whether it's a couple celebrating a special moment amidst the gentle beauty of the Seto Inland Sea or a solo traveler drawn to the solitude and inspiration of Shikoku's landscapes. A signature experience here might be a morning stroll through the nearby temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, followed by a traditional tea ceremony overlooking the lush gardens, embodying the essence of both the ryokan and its prefecture.

Private OnsenAlkaline simple hot spring — colorless, odorless, silky-smooth bijin no yu (water of beauties)Couples seeking romantic retreat
  • All 19 suites with private open-air onsen baths
  • Alkaline spring from Japan's oldest hot spring source
  • Monthly rotating kaiseki with Ehime's finest ingredients

Recommended stay: 2 nights — two different kaiseki menus, Dogo town, Matsuyama Castle, and Ishiteji Temple.

Yamatoya Honten#3

Yamatoya Honten

Matsuyama, Shikoku

9.2$$

Elegant 1868 ryokan adjacent to Japan's oldest hot spring bathhouse in historic Dogo Onsen.

Private OnsenSimple alkaline spring (pH 9.1)Cultural travelers wanting to experience Japan's oldest hot spring
  • Steps from Dogo Onsen Honkan — Japan's oldest and most iconic bathhouse
  • Established in 1868 with over 155 years of hospitality tradition
  • Gentle pH 9.1 alkaline "beauty water" spring

Recommended stay: 1-2 nights

Dogo Onsen Yamatoya Besso#4

Dogo Onsen Yamatoya Besso

Matsuyama, Shikoku

9.1$$$

A refined boutique ryokan in Dogo Onsen — Japan's oldest hot spring, referenced in 8th-century records — with private garden baths and a serene atmosphere.

Private OnsenAlkaline simple thermal spring with exceptionally soft, skin-clearing waterHistory enthusiasts drawn to Japan's oldest and most historically documented hot spring
Iya Onsen Hotel#7

Iya Onsen Hotel

Miyoshi, Shikoku

8.8$$$

A uniquely dramatic ryokan perched on a clifftop above the Iya Valley gorge, with an outdoor cable car descending to riverside hot spring baths.

Simple thermal spring emerging from the ancient schist riverbed of the Iya ValleyAdventure travelers seeking Japan's most dramatically situated ryokanOff-the-beaten-path explorers — the Iya Valley receives a fraction of Kyoto's tourist volumes

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