Rich with both nature and tradition in Japan, there are traditions that people still enjoy even now, for its comfort, relaxing and traditional ambience that you can’t get anywhere else besides Japan. It is their traditional Japanese inn, The Ryokans. The ryokans offer a unique window into Japanese culture, which blends between history, hospitality, and undisturbed relaxation. Their roots date back centuries with the earliest mentions dating back to Nara period, where they were first established and served as rest stops for travelers journeying along ancient highways. But as the time passes, ryokan now has evolved into cherished havens for weary travelers and locals offering a glimpse into the traditional Japanese way of life while taking their time and relaxing under the welcoming service and relaxation from the surrounding beauty of nature.

Renowned for their hospitality, ryokan is the type of accommodation that prioritize guest comfort and ensure the seamless experience, from providing the guests with yukata which is a japanese traditional outfit to wear during their stay to assisting with their luggage, and even every detailed from the beautiful traditional japanese garden is meticulously considered. And the most iconic facilities that you can enjoy here is their traditional hot springs bath, the onsen where you can soak into these mineral-rich waters that is believed to offer numerous health benefits and is a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience together with breathtaking views of the beauty of the entire while they unwind.

Traveloka has listed some of the best ryokan spread over Japan from the 4-star ryokans to 3-star ryokans with each having their own unique experience. You might want to list down some of the ryokans below for your next trip to Japan. Don’t forget to reserve all of these places in advance, because most of them are very popular and full, which makes you only able to experience them on reservation.

1. Hoshinoya Tokyo

Address: 1-9-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Chiyoda, Kanto, Japan, 100-0004

A ryokan chain hotel which always offers the best of their service and accommodation. Hoshinoya Tokyo is located only 0.79KM away from Tokyo Station which is one of the main stations of the main transportation in Tokyo that makes it an ideal place for those of you who plan to move around from one place to another a lot in Tokyo. Besides, it is also close to a number of popular tourist destinations in Tokyo such as the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower. Each of the rooms provided here are all decorated with traditional Japanese ambience featuring traditional Japanese tatami flooring, shoji screens that even some of them offer a private balcony with stunning city views.

2. Nishimuraya Honkan

Address: 469 Yushima, Kinosaki-Cho, Hyogo, Toyoka-shi, Kansai, Japan, 669-6101

A luxurious 4 star lodge located in Hyogo Prefecture which boasts over 160 years of tradition is one of the best luxurious ryokan in all of Japan. The rooms provided are all designed in traditional Japanese style, featuring tatami mat, traditional shoji screens and many other furniture made in traditional Japanese style. Many of the rooms also have their own private gardens and balcony overlooking the main beautiful Japanese garden. If we’re talking about ryokan, then there must be the onsen or the hot spring. The onsen provided here is a naturally made onsen with either indoor and open-air baths while offering stunning views of the surrounding mountain making a truly relaxing experience.

3. Zaborin

Address: 76-4 Hanazono, Abuta-gun, Kyowa-cho, Iwanai, Hokkaido, Japan, 044-0084

Another ryokan that is strategically positioned close to public facilities which will give you the unforgettable experience by its exclusive service and full range facilities to cater all your need during your stay, Zaborin is one of the popular ryokan located in Hokkaido that is famous for its tranquil and relaxing ambience surrounded by Hanazono wood that offer a serene escape for travelers. Embracing the fusion of modern and traditional Japanese elements, each of the rooms are provided with their own indoor as well outdoor hot spring bath, allowing guests to soak and unwind in complete privacy while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

4. Gora Kadan

Address: 1300, Gora, Kanagawa, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanto, Japan, 250-0408

Once a summer villa owned by a member of the imperial family, Gora Kadan is now built into a luxurious and popular ryokan located in Hakone. The ryokan itself offers a unique blend of Japanese tradition and modernity, making it popular among the travelers who are looking for peace and relaxation. The guest room features traditional Japanese decoration and interior, where some of the rooms have open-air baths with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The service and facilities provided are spa treatments which are designed in order to give relaxation and rejuvenation to the guest, and they would also help you in arranging excursions to nearby attractions such as Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi.

1. Naoshima Ryokan

Address: 1234, Naishima-cho, Kagawa, Kagawa-gun, Japan, 761-3110

A quite new ryokan that first opened in 2022, Naoshima Ryokan is a full-fledged ryokan with an unique theme that offers a unique experience that blends modern and japanese design with contemporary arts and a tranquil atmosphere. This ryokan is especially recommended for those of you who love art and would like to take a quiet relaxation while enjoying the masterpiece decorated around the ryokan building. Moreover, the ryokan is located amidst the woods that provides a serene escape from the hustle bustle, and if you’re lucky enough you might be able to get a sight of the mesmerizing morning mist rising from the nearby reservoir. The inn has 11 guest suites that are decorated in contemporary arts made by various artist throughout the facility and built in and traditional Japanese ambience in which all the materials used are made of woods, stone and even the earth for the garden are all sourced locally from the Sento Island area which immerse you deeper into the nature of Japanese tradition itself.

2. Ryokan Kurashiki

Address: 4-1 Honmachi, Okayama, Kurashiki-shi, Chugoku, Japan, 710-0054

A small but luxurious traditional Japanese inn, Ryokan Kurashiki is located in the heart of Kurashiki’s lovingly preserved historical quarter. Formerly being the home of a wealthy sugar merchant, even though it has changed into a beautiful inn, the ryokan maintains its exquisite craftsmanship and boasts on their fine antiques, creating an unique and warm folk-art ambience that differs it from the other conventional Japanese Ryokans. Being blessed and surrounded by a numerous-still-reserved traditional charm, it is a perfect place for those of you who want to jump and explore more about the traditional Japanese from the past.

3. Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei Tokyo Daita

Address: 2-31-26 Daita, Setagaya, Tokyo, Setagaya, Kanto, Japan, 155-0033

Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei Tokyo Daita is one of the unique ryokan where you can experience the blend of traditional Japanese charm of ryokan with the modern convenience of a city hotel. Giving a multiple choice of rooms that the travelers can choose from the standard double room, deluxe twin room, and even a maisonette twin room with stairs you can find it all in this ryokan. Same as the usual ryokan which most of them provide a private terrace or Japanese gardens, it also provides modern technologies such as flat-screen TVs and free toiletries. Besides that, Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei Tokyo Daita also offers a number of facilities such as indoor and outdoor onsen as well as refreshing and rejuvenating saunas.

4. Onsen Ryokan Yuen Sapporo

Address: 7-6, Kita 1 Jo Nishi Chuo, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, 060-0001

The Onsen Ryokan Yuen chain always provides the best services and amenities including this Onsen Ryokan Yuen Sapporo that is located in the Cuo District tha boast a central location with a walking distance to Hokkaido University Botanical Gardens and convenient access to public transportation, including the Susukino subway station, the Bus Center-Mae, and Kita-13-Jo-Higashi station. The ryokan offers a variety of room types such as single room, double rooms, Hollywood twin rooms, corner twin rooms, and maisonette double rooms all in order to cater the travelers needs. While here you cannot find the traditional communal onsen bath, each of the rooms features a bathtub filled with natural hot spring water that is transported from the Karurusu hot springs in Noboribetsu which allow guest to enjoy the benefits of onsen in more private situation on their own rooms.

Here are all the best ryokan from the 4 star ryokan to 3 star ryokan that you can find all around Japan. Most of them are situated in the best location close to numerous popular tourist attractions and offer a marvelous service as well as the healthy onsen that will refresh and rejuvenate both your mind and body. Ryokan is the best serene escape that you can have in Japan, it is a must-try activity and accommodates things you can only experience exclusively in Japan. If you would like to visit Japan soon, Traveloka are here, ready to help you to book the flight ticket, hotel, accommodation and even all the tourist attractions that have been mentioned above. Giving the best price with a number of combos, discount and promotion, only in Traveloka!