Where to Stay– category –

Kinpukuso is a small family-run inn in the center of Shuzenji Onsen, Izu. Before you book: there is no dinner, payment is cash or PayPay only, and preschool children cannot stay. From the official pages.

Arai Ryokan is a Shuzenji Onsen inn opened in 1872, with 15 buildings registered as cultural properties. Before you book: the large baths are closed to tattoos, the inn asks guests to understand basic Japanese or English, and there is no shuttle. From the official pages.

Ginsho is a seaside onsen inn in Ibusuki, Kagoshima, built around couples’ trips. Before you book: new October and November bookings are room only, the private open-air baths are for junior high school age and up at 4,000 yen, and there is no shuttle. From the official pages.

Bangakuro is a small forest inn in Sengokuhara, Hakone, where every room has its own bath of free-flowing, milky hot spring water. Before you book: children are not accepted, dinner is served in your room at 18:00, and severe allergies cannot be handled. From the official pages.

Hanagokoro is an eight-room inn in Gora, Hakone, with milky hot-spring water from Owakudani. Before you book: the baths are private, the kitchen cannot serve vegetarian, vegan or halal meals, and the site and booking page are in Japanese. From the official pages.

Hinoharu Ryokan is an 11-room inn by Yunotsubo Kaido in Yufuin, with a Taisho-era open-air bath open 24 hours and free private family baths. Before you book: what the official pages say, and where they differ.

SORA Togetsusou Kinryu is a ryokan in Shuzenji Onsen, Izu, known for its open-air baths. Before you book: there is no shuttle from Shuzenji Station, the private open-air baths cost 2,000 yen for 40 minutes, and booking is on a Japanese-only page. From the official pages.

Yu no Yado Nagi is a small room-only inn at Unagi Onsen by Lake Unagi in Ibusuki, Kagoshima, with a hot-spring bath in every room. Before you book: no meals, no cards, and a car helps. From the official pages.

Hotel Katsuragi is a 25-room hotel just up the slope from Dogo Onsen Honkan in Matsuyama. Before you book: its two baths are piped from Dogo Onsen, guests with tattoos are asked not to use them, and all meals are served next door at its sister hotel. From the official pages.

Ryokan Tanabe is a Takayama inn founded in 1934, a few minutes on foot from the old town. Before you book: its two shared baths use hot-spring water indoors, food-allergy requests must be sent in writing in advance, and arrivals after 18:00 must call ahead. From the official pages.

Kadowaki-kan is a family-run Japanese-style guest house in the Nakao area of Nozawa Onsen, Nagano. Before you book: online plans are suspended so you book by phone or email, rooms share toilets and baths, and prices on the Japanese site are before tax. From the official pages.

Yukyu no Yado Shiraito is a small, family-run onsen inn in Jozankei, Sapporo, with four baths of free-flowing spring water. Before you book: the front door locks at 21:30, the booking page refuses guests with tattoos, and there is no English website. From the official pages.