u/RyokansOfJapan

If you are looking for a luxury ryokan while in Japan, Fufu is one of the brand that stands out. Everything feels high end while they keep a strong traditional Japanese identity in all their ryokans.

If you are still wondering if it's worth it, we wrote a full review on Fufu Kyoto here.

If you want to experience a Ryokan stay in Kyoto but you have a limited budget, I recommend you to stay at this Ryokan! You can book it online here.

It has a nice local vibe with the usual traditional features of a Ryokan but the rates here are lower than similar options in Kyoto. At this price, you still have an onsen but it's a bit small.

Ryokans in Kyoto are pretty expensive so check this guide if you want to discover more affordable ryokans in Kyoto.

If you are traveling to Hokkaido and want to visit a hot spring town, head to Noboribetsu Onsen! It has gorgeous ryokans and I would specially recommend Ryotei Hanayura that you see in the pictures above.

You can also check out more ryokans in Noboribetsu Onsen here.

I hear a lot of people asking where to do a tea ceremony in Japan.

I did mine in Uji and loved it.

It’s a small town right outside Kyoto, known for matcha. You can visit Byōdō-in, walk around the town, try matcha everything, and eat really well.

If you’re already going to Kyoto, I would definitely add Uji to the itinerary.

Would you try a mixed-gender onsen in Japan? This tradition, called konyoku, was once a normal part of Japanese bathing culture, especially in remote hot spring towns. It has become much rarer today, but it still survives in some rural areas, including parts of Tohoku, where it remains part of local onsen heritage. Some spots now even offer modesty garments to make it more comfortable for visitors. Would this be on your Japan bucket list, or not for you?

Miyama Ouan is one of the ryokans I’d recommend around Takayama if you want that classic mountain onsen feel. It has a beautiful setting, relaxing baths, and a cozy traditional style that works really well after exploring the area.

You can book it easily here: Miyama Ouan Ryokan.

You can also find more ryokans in Takayama with private onsen here.

Kinosaki Onsen is one of the most tattoo-friendly onsen towns in Japan, with all seven of its public bathhouses officially allowing tattoos of all sizes without requiring guests to cover them.

A lot of its ryokans also accept people with tattoos. In the pictures above, it's the Ryokan Ginka.

You can also find more tattoo friendly onsen ryokans in Japan here.

That sound of the water flowing into your onsen is a therapy by itself!

This was a private onsen in this ryokan in Shimane prefecture: Saginoyusou Ryokan

More ryokan recommendations in Japan at Ryokan of Japan.

If there's one thing I love about staying at a ryokan in Japan, it's the rotenburo baths (outdoor onsen ) that are surrounded by nature.

You disconnect completely from everything and you are back where to mother nature!

If you want to stay here, you can book it here: Kurokawa Onsen Oku no Yu.

It's located in Kurokawa Onsen in Kyushu. You can also find more ryokans in Japan with private onsen here.

Hakone is one of the most popular location to see Mt Fuji! And as it has a lot of hot springs, some ryokans offer onsen baths with a Mt Fuji view. This one is Hotel Green Plaza.

You can find more ryokans in Hakone with Mt Fuji view here.

Oomaki Onsen Ryokan in Toyama is not the kind of ryokan you simply arrive at by car or train. To get there, I had to take a boat through the Shogawa River gorge, which already made the whole stay feel special before even reaching the property. The ride is part of the experience, with quiet water, steep green mountains, and the feeling that you’re slowly leaving everything behind.

When the ryokan finally appears by the river, it really feels hidden in the middle of nature. There are no roads leading to it, which gives the place a rare sense of isolation. Staying there felt peaceful and almost unreal, like discovering a secret onsen retreat that you can only access if you know where to go.

If you want to stay here, you need book it on Rakuten as other platforms don't offer it.

Sumiya Kihoan is a peaceful countryside ryokan near Kyoto that combines a traditional Japanese atmosphere with a more refined, luxurious feel. It is set in the mountains around Kameoka, so the whole place feels calm and removed from the city, while still being relatively easy to reach from Kyoto.

The ryokan is especially known for its onsen, Japanese-style rooms, and beautifully presented kaiseki meals made with local ingredients. Some rooms also come with private open-air baths overlooking the forest, which makes it a good option for a more relaxing and intimate stay.

Find more luxury ryokans in Kyoto here.

This ryokan is absolutely gorgeous! It's located in Ito Onsen and what I love is that they offer affordable dormitory options. You would have to share the room with other travelers but if you don't mind less privacy, this is an amazing opportunity to try the Ryokan Experience for an affordable price.

I usually book this ryokan on Booking platform: K's House Ryokan Ito.

We made a full review of Gora Kadan Ryokan here.