Johsyuya Ryokan (also spelled Joshuya) is a family inn in Nikko, Tochigi, founded in 1913 near Nikko Toshogu Shrine. It sits on the main street, lined with places to eat as you walk, and the okami (landlady) who was born and raised at the inn is now handing over to the fifth generation. Before you book, three things matter: dinner is a set meal built around yuba, Nikko’s tofu skin; check-in runs only from 15:00 to 18:00; and the official site is in Japanese only, so questions go by phone or email.
Johsyuya Ryokan at a glance
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Address | 911 Naka-Hatsuishi-machi, Nikko, Tochigi |
| Founded | 1913 (Taisho 2) |
| Rooms | Traditional Japanese-Western rooms with tatami and air conditioning |
| Check-in / out | 15:00–18:00 / 10:00 |
| Hot spring | Alkaline simple spring, pH 8.5 or higher |
| Meals | Yuba set dinner; Japanese-Western breakfast |
| Extra charge | Bathing tax 150 yen per guest per night |
| Parking | Limited; reserve in advance |
| Phone | +81 288 54 0155 (bookings 9:00–20:00) |
From the official site, read October 21, 2026.
Rooms and check-in at Johsyuya Ryokan
What are the rooms like?
The inn describes its rooms as old-style Japanese-Western rooms with tatami, a calm and slightly nostalgic feel, air conditioning and careful cleaning. The official pages do not give the number of rooms, their size or capacity, whether they have their own bath and toilet, or whether you sleep on futons or beds. If any of these matter to you, ask the inn when you book.
When can I check in and out?
Check-in is from 15:00 to 18:00 and checkout is at 10:00. The site asks guests with questions to call. It does not state a curfew or a later arrival time, so call ahead if your train runs late.
Meals at Johsyuya Ryokan
What is dinner like?
Dinner is the Irodori gozen, a set meal of yuba, a Nikko specialty, with seasonal ingredients. The menu changes with the season and what the inn can buy, and the inn can suggest local Nikko sake. The okami’s homemade cooking is part of what the inn is known for. The official pages do not say whether you eat in your room or in a dining room.
What is breakfast like?
Breakfast is a Japanese-Western meal with grilled fish and small side dishes.
Can the inn handle allergies or a special diet?
For allergies, the inn says it depends on the details and asks you to tell the front desk when you book. The official pages do not mention vegetarian, vegan or halal meals.
The hot spring at Johsyuya Ryokan
The water is an alkaline simple spring of pH 8.5 or higher from the foot of Mount Tanze in Nikko. The inn calls it soft and gentle on the skin, a “beauty bath” that helps remove old skin.
Are there shared or private baths?
The official pages do not say whether there is a large shared bath, a private bath or an open-air bath, or when the baths are open. Ask the inn before you book.
Can I bathe with a tattoo?
The official pages do not mention tattoos. Ask the inn directly; our onsen bathing tax guide also explains the small extra charge added to hot-spring stays.
Is there a massage?
Yes, as a paid extra. The okami, who has worked as a massage therapist at a four-star hotel, offers aroma, body and foot treatments by reservation only, booked through LINE, with lower prices for hotel guests. For example, a 60-minute aroma treatment is 9,500 yen for guests. Treatments run from 10:00 to 16:00.
Prices and rules at Johsyuya Ryokan
How much does a stay cost?
The price table on the official site lists weekday prices for one night, from:
| Plan (weekday) | From |
|---|---|
| Dinner and breakfast, 2 adults or more | 11,500 yen per person |
| Dinner only, 2 adults or more | 9,500 yen per person |
| Breakfast only, 2 adults or more | 8,500 yen per person |
| Solo plan, dinner and breakfast | 13,500 yen |
From the official price table, read October 21, 2026. Whether tax is included is not stated.
On top, the inn charges a bathing tax of 150 yen, which matches Nikko City’s rate of 150 yen per guest per night.
What do children cost?
The official pages do not give child rates or an age limit. Ask the inn before you book with children.
What is the cancellation policy?
The official site lists 50 percent of the room charge the day before and 100 percent on the day or for a no-show. For groups of five or more, canceling from 10 days before costs 100 percent. Some plans may set other terms on their own pages, and there are no refunds after the stay. See our hotel cancellation guide for how these fees work in Japan.
How do I pay?
Pay at the front desk in cash or by credit card, or pay in full by card when you book online. The inn asks you to confirm which card brands it takes at the front desk.
Getting to Johsyuya Ryokan in Nikko
The nearest station is Tobu Nikko Station, about 3 minutes away by taxi. The official pages give more than one walking time, so check with the inn if you plan to walk with luggage. The inn is close to Shinkyo Bridge and the approach to Toshogu Shrine; our Nikko map and things to do in Nikko guide help you plan the day.
If you drive, parking is limited and must be reserved in advance, so say so when you book. The official pages do not mention a pickup service.
What foreign guests should know before staying at Johsyuya Ryokan
- The official site is in Japanese only. For questions, email info@johsyu-ya.co.jp or call +81 288 54 0155 between 9:00 and 20:00 Japan time.
- Arrive by 18:00, when check-in closes.
- Keep 150 yen per guest per night for the bathing tax.
- Reserve parking ahead if you come by car.
- A Japanese-style crepe shop, Nikko Chaya Tabanenoshi, runs on the inn’s grounds.
Frequently asked questions
What time is check-in at Johsyuya Ryokan?
Can I use the bath at Johsyuya Ryokan with a tattoo?
What is the cancellation policy at Johsyuya Ryokan?
Does Johsyuya Ryokan have an English website?
Can I park at Johsyuya Ryokan?
Bottom line (2026): Johsyuya Ryokan is a family inn founded in 1913 on Nikko’s main street, with a yuba set dinner and an alkaline hot spring. Arrive between 15:00 and 18:00, reserve parking if you drive, and ask the inn about baths and rooms, since the Japanese-only site does not cover them.
Sources
Every fact on this page is from Johsyuya Ryokan’s official pages: home (Japanese) and relaxation (Japanese), and Nikko City’s bathing tax page. All were read on October 21, 2026. Prices and rules change; check the official site before you book.
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