Where to Stay– category –

Yama no Ryosha Nakaodaira is a six-room hot spring inn run by a couple at the far end of Nakao Kogen, Okuhida. Before you book: six private baths need no booking, children under school age are one family a night, and bookings are online only. From the official pages.

Shinkiya Ryokan is a small, family-run inn of eight Japanese rooms in Kannawa Onsen, Beppu. Before you book: all three baths are private and free, dinner starts at 18:00, and two rooms have no toilet of their own. From the official pages.

Ikariya Ryokan is a nine-room inn founded in the Meiji era in the middle of Shibu Onsen, near the snow monkeys. Before you book: every room shares the toilet and bath, the hot-spring bath runs from 15:00 to 9:00, and dinner is a Shinshu pork or beef course. From the official pages.

Yamatoya Besso is a 19-room sukiya-style inn in Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama, where room attendants serve dinner and breakfast in your room among haiku scrolls. Before you book: dinner starts by 19:00, several Wednesdays are room-only nights, and one room is adults only. From the official pages.

Kashoutei Hanaya is a 21-room inn in Noboribetsu Onsen with 100% source sulfur water and dinner served in your room. Before you book: the free station shuttle needs a booking by the day before, the baths close 1:00 to 4:30, and exterior repair work runs to December 10. From the official pages.

Club Kinkei is a training and recreation facility in Jozankei Onsen, Sapporo, that takes general guests from October. Before you book: 6,000 yen per adult with two meals, shared toilets, a 22:00 curfew and a booking request form. From the official pages.

Wakamatsuya is a ryokan in Zao Onsen, Yamagata, founded in 1655 and linked to the poet Saito Mokichi. Before you book: every bath is its own acidic sulfur spring and open 24 hours, two private baths are free without booking, and dinner plans need you by 18:00. From the official pages.

Yufuin Kotobuki Hananosho is a 50-room onsen ryokan a 5-minute walk from Yufuin Station, with a 2,000-tsubo garden and a Noh stage floating on a pond. Before you book: check in by 18:00, the shared baths close at midnight, and there is no bookable private bath. From the official pages.

Ryokan Nanjoen is a 12-room inn on a hill in the center of Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto, open since 1964. Before you book: only three rooms have their own bath, two private family baths are free for guests, and breakfast starts at 8:15. From the official pages.

Shunran no Yado Sakaeya is a ryokan founded in 1927 in Shibu Onsen, near the snow monkeys. Before you book: free station pickups run at set times by reservation, a private sauna bath costs extra, and bath hours changed in 2026. From the official pages.

Mori no Yu Sanseikan is a family-run inn of 18 Japanese-style rooms in Karurusu Onsen, a small spa village about 8 km from Noboribetsu Onsen. Before you book: credit cards are not accepted at the inn, the doors close at 21:00, and the free station shuttle must be booked by 18:00 the day before. From the official pages.

Ginzan Onsen Fujiya is an eight-room inn in the middle of Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata, redesigned by Kengo Kuma's office. Before you book: all five baths are private and need no booking, check-in closes at 18:00, and busy dates fill fast. From the official pages.