Onsen town street at blue hour

Best Locations

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Japan offers ryokan experiences across all 47 prefectures, but certain destinations are especially renowned for their hot springs, scenery, and traditional culture.

Hakone

Kanagawa

Just 90 minutes from Tokyo, Hakone offers stunning views of Mount Fuji, open-air baths, and world-class ryokans. The most accessible onsen town from the capital.

Top Ryokans in Hakone

Hatsuhana

Hakone, Kanto

10$$$
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Hakone Gora Byakudan

Hakone, Kanto

9.4$$$
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Suiun

Hakone, Kanto

9.4$$$$
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Kyoto

Kansai

The cultural heart of Japan. Stay in a machiya-style ryokan surrounded by temples, geisha districts, and centuries of history.

Top Ryokans in Kyoto

Tawaraya Ryokan

Kyoto, Kansai

9.8$$$$
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Gion Hatanaka

Kyoto, Kansai

9.7$$$$
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Hiiragiya Ryokan

Kyoto, Kansai

9.6$$$$
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Kinosaki Onsen

Hyogo

A charming onsen town with seven public bathhouses. Stroll between them in your yukata — the quintessential onsen town experience.

Takayama

Gifu

A beautifully preserved mountain town in the Japanese Alps. Known for Hida beef, sake breweries, and stunning autumn colors.

Top Ryokans in Takayama

Ryokan Kutsuroginoya Yuu

Takayama, Chubu

9.6$$$
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Yathusankan Over 6 years old, Non Smoking

Takayama, Chubu

9.5$$$
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Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan

Takayama, Gifu

9.4$$$$
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Beppu

Oita

Japan's hot spring capital with more hot spring water than anywhere else in the country. Famous for its "hells" — spectacular natural hot springs.

Top Ryokans in Beppu

Sanso Murata

Beppu, Kyushu

9.8$$$$
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Seiryuso

Beppu, Kyushu

9.1$$$
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Suginoi Hotel

Beppu, Kyushu

8.8$$$
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Kusatsu Onsen

Gunma

One of Japan's top three onsen. The yubatake (hot water field) at the town center produces 4,000 liters of hot spring water per minute.

Browse by Destination

Kyoto→Hakone→Tokyo→Osaka→Kinosaki Onsen→Beppu→Yufuin→Takayama→Arima Onsen→Kanazawa→Near Mount Fuji→Nara→

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