Where to Stay– category –

Shibu Onsen Kokuya is a 400-year-old inn in the middle of Shibu Onsen, Nagano, with nine indoor baths fed by its own springs. Before you book: there is no elevator, all meals are in a dining room, and the bath system is described differently across its pages. From the official pages.

Nisshinkan is an 11-room inn just below Yubatake in Kusatsu Onsen, with roots over 300 years old. Before you book: the baths draw water straight from Yubatake and are open 24 hours, the online booking page works in Japanese, and cancellation fees start 7 days out. From the official pages.

Mahoroba is a small wooden inn at Nakao Onsen in Okuhida, Takayama. Before you book: its four stone private open-air baths are free with no booking, dinner is Hida beef in the dining room, and the site and booking page are in Japanese only. 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.

Oyado Kokoro is a nine-room, room-only inn in Takayama with three free private baths and an izakaya downstairs. Before you book: bath slots are claimed on a board at the inn, young children cannot stay, and the last check-in is 21:00. From the official pages.

Yamada Bessou is a three-room inn in a 1930 villa, an 8-minute walk from Beppu Station. Before you book: breakfast is the only meal, rooms share the onsen baths, and late arrival costs extra after 21:00. From the official pages.

Hobikan is a small wooden inn in Shin-Hirayu Onsen, Okuhida, taking up to three rooms a day. Before you book: all four baths are private and free, payment is cash only, and children must be elementary-school age or older. From the official pages.

Hotel Luna Park is a two-building hotel about a minute on foot from Dogo Onsen Honkan in Matsuyama, with a rooftop open-air bath and sea-bream dinners. Before you book: no tattoos in the baths, set latest check-in times, and fees from 5 days out. From the official pages.

Onga is a ryokan in Kusatsu Onsen built around staying with your pet. Before you book: dogs up to 15 kg, a pet fee of 2,750 yen per night, cash payment, and no changes to meals for allergies. From the official pages.

Ryokan Tamura is a small family-run inn in Kusatsu Onsen, next to the Jizo public bath and three minutes on foot from the Yubatake. Before you book: two private baths are free without booking, meals are served in a private dining room, and the website is in Japanese only. From the official pages.