Cover The Machiya Suite Twin Room at Nazuna in Kyoto comes with a private onsen for dwellers. (Photo: Nazuna)
The Machiya Suite Twin Room at Nazuna in Kyoto comes with a private onsen for dwellers. (Photo: Nazuna)
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Indulge in old-world Japanese charm as you discover Kyoto’s most coveted private onsen experiences
Japanese ryokans have an endearing history. Many of the earliest ryokans were located on the Tokaido route, which connected current-day Tokyo and Kyoto. Now, it is Japan’s greatest charm for tourists looking for traditional lodging options (and a good onsen affair). Characterised by tatami mat flooring, low wooden tables with equally low beds, shoji screens, and yukata robes, the ryokan is where to soak in Japan’s age-old customs.
And if you’re seeking modern comforts, ryokans have adapted to the times, embodying tradition whilst keeping up with the age. The true allure of ryokans? The impeccable Japanese hospitality and access to a nearby or on-site onsen. While onsens are generally communal and separated by gender, the modest may take a bit of encouragement. We have good news, though, as these ryokans offer onsens in the privacy of your own room, to be enjoyed with the people closest to you.
Read more: The best things to do in Kyoto, Japan
Suiran
Kyotsukikoto Premium Japanese Guest Bathroom (Photo: Suiran)
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A contemporary resort in the foothills of Kyoto’s mountains, Suiran offers the perfect escape. The hotel has 17 rooms reserved for guests who prefer rest and relaxation in the privacy of an in-room onsen fed by natural Arashiyama hot springs water. The onsen tub is made with Japanese cypress wood and overlooks either a Japanese garden or the Arashiyama hills.
Its facilities include a spa, gift shop, a cafe and lounge, and a dedicated 24-hour reception. Beyond the onsen, guests will enjoy dining at Kyo-Suiran, a reimagined space that was once a summer residence during the Meiji Restoration. Given new life, the restaurant prepares innovative dishes drawing upon the fusion of Japanese culinary traditions and the French style, using the freshest local ingredients.
Suiran
Address: Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8385, Japan, +81 75-872-0101
Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo
The Machiya Suite Twin Room (Photo: Nazuna)
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Minutes away from Nijo Castle, the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period, Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo is a tea-themed ryokan with refined modern comforts. The Machiya Suite Twin Room is particularly attractive. The restored room retains the decorative details of the original structure, and is the most spacious at the hotel. The room is steeped in traditional Japanese architecture and accompanied by a large semi-open-air bath crafted with Japanese cypress.
Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo
Address: 580 Kusuriyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0066, Japan, +81 75-253-6877
Yunohana Resort Suisen
Dubbed the perfect starting point to visit Kyoto’s tourist destinations such as the Golden Pavillion, Arashiyama, and Sagano, Yunohana Resort Suisen is the ultimate Japanese getaway. In addition to the draw of its attractive location, the resort takes luxury one step further by providing guests with a private open-air bath. Their Japanese-style room exudes a modern Japanese atmosphere with tatami-matted floors and wooden furnishings.
Yunohana Resort Suisen
Address: Kameoka, Hiedano-cho Ashinoyama Inoshiri 6-3, Kyoto, 621-0034 , Japan, +81 771-22-7575
Kyoto Machiya Fukune
Kyoto Machida Biwa suite (Photo: Kyoto Machiya)
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This Kyoto ryokan boasts an open-air onsen bath, and indoor hinoki bath (Japanese cypress wood bath), and a scenic Japanese garden for guests to enjoy at any time of day. The interiors feature a compelling blend of modernity and tradition, offering a quintessential Japanese experience. The hotel houses four suites named after traditional Japanese musical instruments: Kokyu, Kinsho, Biwa, and Sangen. The hotel also offers a complimentary Japanese tea ceremony for guests to experience the old Japanese charm.
Kyoto Machiya Fukune
Address: 105-3 Nishirokkakuchō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto, 604-8217, Japan, +81-75-211-6001
Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi
Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi accommodates up to 5 guests (Photo: Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi)
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A Kyomachiya (traditional Kyoto-style townhouse) renovated into a tea-themed private villa, Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi comes with an indoor and outdoor garden, featuring an open-air bath. Enter Honmachi and you’ll be transported to Japan’s old glamour era with a hint of modernity. Venture upstairs and those unafraid of heights get to marvel at the indoor rock garden while standing on a transparent floor. Your stay also comes with green tea from Wazuka, a small town that has been specialising in tea production for over 800 years.
Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi
Address: 187-1 Honmachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0981, Japan, +81 50-1807-3013
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