11 Best Ryokan and Hotels in Nikko

Photo courtesy of FUFU Nikko

In this article, we will be going over some of the best ryokan and hotels in Nikko.

Nikko is located in Tochigi Prefecture, which is only about two hours out from Tokyo. This makes it a great vacation spot for those who are looking for a quick getaway from the city.

We will be breaking down each lodge along with a video and timestamps so you can get the full picture of each hotel.

Let’s get started!

Table of contents

1. Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel
2. Nikko Hoshinoyado
3. THE RITZ-CARLTON NIKKO
4. ASAYA HOTEL
5. SHELTER GARDEN NIKKO
6. FUFU Nikko
7. Auberge Hanabusa Nikko
8. Hotel Hana-An
9. Hotel Okunikko “Mori no hotel”
10. Kyukamura Nikko-Yumoto
11. Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa
12. Conclusion

Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel (中禅寺金谷ホテル)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:09~
Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel is more on the western side with reminiscence of a log cabin. It is located in the middle of a forest, giving you a taste of the great outdoors that Nikko has to offer. There is a lounge on the second floor and a library.

0:48~
The room that is featured in this video is one of the Deluxe Twin suites, but Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel has many options for guests to choose from. You can see that the room is spacious (especially compared to other Japanese hotels which are known to be quite small) and has many amenities. All rooms have a wooden balcony outside.

3:10~
On the second floor, there is a lounge where guests can enjoy free coffee or tea. If you look outside and get lucky, you might even be able to spot a monkey or two.

4:09~
Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel serves different dinner courses that you can choose from based on how much you can eat or what you want to eat in particular. The food is French and includes all sorts of meats, vegetables, and grains.

6:26~
Although Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel is very western-styled, there is an onsen area with both indoor and outdoor baths. We recommend that you try the outdoor bath which pulls water from a local hot spring with a cloudy texture.

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Nikko Hoshinoyado (日光 星の宿)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:33~
Nikko Hoshinoyado is located closest to Tobu-Nikko station and by contacting the hotel ahead of time, you can ask them to pick you up with a car. It is also just over a 20-minute walk if you feel like enjoying the scenery.

2:06~
The room featured in this video is one of the special suites, making it one of the most high-quality that Nikko Hoshinoyado has to offer. You will notice that the suite is very large with multiple rooms. Everything is very Japanese-style with tatami; there are no raised beds so you should expect to sleep on a futon on the floor. Although not shown in the video, there is a public bathing area that is open all day except from 12 to 12:30 am.

6:49~
The main dish at Nikko Hoshinoyado is called “yuba,” which is a tofu dish that consists of the top film of soy milk as it boils. You will get the chance to cook the yuba yourself, an experience that is hard to find anywhere else.

7:41~
While the yuba is consistently served at dinner, there is an assortment of changing menu items. These consist of all sorts of fresh vegetables and other ingredients according to the season. Similarly, breakfast is a balanced Japanese meal featuring seafood.

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THE RITZ-CARLTON NIKKO

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:19~
The Ritz-Carlton chain of hotels is infamous, and being a popular vacation spot for both international and local travelers, Nikko is the perfect place for a luxury hotel. Depending on the plan that you choose, you may have the chance to enjoy afternoon tea with all sorts of drinks and sweets.

4:50~
In this video, you can find an extensive room tour of the three biggest rooms at the hotel. Up to three people can sleep in the biggest suites at THE RITZ-CARLTON NIKKO (but there is also a table to seat eight) which are 277 square meters in size. You will notice how all the rooms have a beautiful view of the nature in Nikko and many amenities. The biggest suite even has a gym.

16:58~
Although The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is an American group, THE RITZ-CARLTON NIKKO has an onsen, fully equipped with both an indoor and outdoor bath. Despite there being multiple Ritz-Carleton hotels in Japan, this is the only onsen you will be able to find. Be sure to reserve the spa as well if you are looking for some top-class massages.

18:04~
There are two restaurants on the premises, one for Japanese-style food and one for western-style food. Western-style is featured in this video, eaten in a luxurious lounge-like area. Breakfast served in the Japanese-style restaurant features a traditional breakfast, with some added treats like different types of drinks and deserts, as well as assorted types of bread.

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ASAYA HOTEL (あさやホテル)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:00~
ASAYA HOTEL is located in the onsen town of Kinugawa, which is located north of Nikko but still very accessible if you are using a car (about an hour if you are using public transportation). You will notice that the hotel itself has a very large and luxurious interior.

1:09~
The hotel has a mix of both Japanese and western-style rooms that are all quite spacious no matter the price. The bath uses hot spring water, so you can still get the onsen experience even if you do not want or cannot use the public bathing area.

4:40~
One of the best things about ASAYA HOTEL is that there are many things to do inside the hotel for people of all ages. You can find a karaoke area, multiple bars and lounges, pool tables, and even a video game corner.

7:54~
Unlike many other ryokan that will serve you a full course of Japanese food, ASAYA HOTEL provides a buffet to its guests. You can eat as much or as little as you like, with all sorts of appetizers, meats, drinks, and desserts to choose from. This is the perfect choice for picky eaters who are hesitant to eat raw foods or traditional Japanese dishes.

11:04~
There are two public bathing areas, one on the first floor and one on the rooftop. We recommend the rooftop bath because of the view of the night sky that you can get from the bath. It is the public bath at the highest altitude in Kinugawa, and surrounded by a beautiful garden, is a perfect way to wrap up the night.

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SHELTER GARDEN NIKKO (シェルターガーデン日光)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:16~
A 12-minute drive from Nikko Station, SHELTER GARDEN NIKKO is situated in a location that overlooks the forests of Nikko. There is a taxi service to and from the hotel if you are not using a rental car. You will receive fancy champagne as a welcome drink.

0:36~
The room introduced in this video is the “River View Twin,” which is on the smaller side out of all the guest suites available at SHELTER GARDEN NIKKO. All the rooms are made to be as comfortable as possible, with the highest quality of mattresses and bedding, a large minibar, and a spacious bathroom. You can also use YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Spotify on the TV so it will feel like you are right at home.

3:12~
The food at this hotel uses local ingredients prepared into French dishes; many of the drinks are free and all-you-can-drink, so be sure to take advantage of them. There is also a lounge that is open until 10 pm where you can enjoy music and drinks. In the morning, breakfast is a large combination of Japanese and western-style dishes.

6:25~
SHELTER GARDEN NIKKO is close in proximity to many notable tourist spots in the area such as famous temples, shrines, and nature spots. Make sure to check out some of the locally owned small businesses as well.

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FUFU Nikko (ふふ日光)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:14~
FUFU Nikko is part of a chain of luxury hotels all across Japan in places like Nara and Hakone. As expected of a hotel at this level, everything is clean and sleek in appearance. The most expensive plans at this hotel can cost up to 130,000 per night.

1:23~
This room tour is of the “Comfort Suite,” which comes in a variety of combinations of interior design, lots of space, and even free beer in the refrigerator. Every room at FUFU Nikko comes with a private onsen, big enough to fit two people with room to spare. There is a small bag (to put your small items in) and a set of clothes to wear inside the hotel which you can take to the public bath.

6:06~
You will notice how FUFU Nikko is surrounded by green; this scenery is beautiful all year round, with red and orange leaves in the fall and snow in the winter. The public bath is also spacious and surrounded by trees. When you get out of the bath, you can enjoy some free ice cream or spend some time at the lounge, where free drinks are served from 4:00 to 7:30 pm.

8:37~
For dinner, you can choose between Japanese food and “teppanyaki,” a style of cooking where food is cooked on an iron plate in front of you. At both restaurants, you will get a course of all different types of food using ingredients local to Nikko.

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Auberge Hanabusa Nikko (オーベルジュはなぶさ日光)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:11~
Auberge Hanabusa Nikko is located a 10-minute walk from Tobu-nikko Station. It features only six guest suites each located separate from the hotel lobby area, making each one feel like its own small vacation home. The room featured in this video is called “Nagi,” which was built with the concept of wood and stone in mind. Each guest suite has its own theme, so make sure to check them all out on the official website and see which one you want to stay in.

0:54~
You will not find a public bath at Auberge Hanabusa Nikko. In return, each room has its own private onsen attached. Some of these are half-outdoor and others are fully outdoors; some suites even have two baths or a garden attached as well. The water is taken from Nikko Onsen and it is said to help with physical ailments such as bad blood circulation and joint and muscle pain.

1:01~
The food is one of the biggest selling points of Auberge Hanabusa Nikko, but keep in mind that they cannot change the menu for those with many dietary restrictions. You have a choice between two courses, the more expensive one featuring same-day-delivery-level fresh seafood. We recommend that you try some of the local sake that the hotel has in stock to go with your food. Fresh fish is said to go extremely well with Japanese sake.

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Hotel Hana-An (ホテル花庵)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:00~
Hotel Hana-An is a lodge that prioritizes in providing relaxation and a healing environment to its guests. It is located a 45-minute bus ride from Nikko Station and sits close to Lake Chuzenji. The public bath is something not to be missed out on, with indoor and outdoor baths which are both very large.

0:08~
This video provides a quick look at two high-quality suites at the hotel, the most expensive one featuring an outdoor private onsen. The design is modern Japanese with a beautiful view of the lake outside. There is a space by the window that is specifically meant for guests to look out at the moon and the nighttime sky. Equipped with a floor heater for the winter, this is a great space to lounge around after a day of traveling.

0:22~
The second room shown is again Japanese-modern, but this time features a “horigotatsu,” or a sunken kotatsu, which is a heater built under a hole in the ground. This is especially nice in the cold winter months. The room is big enough to accommodate a large party of people so it is perfect for families or those traveling with multiple friends.

0:29~
The food at Hotel Hana-An changes depending on the season. You can expect to be eating a traditional Japanese course-style meal packed with seafood and fresh vegetables. Make sure to let the hotel know ahead of time if you have food allergies or dietary restrictions.

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Hotel Okunikko “Mori no hotel” (奥日光森のホテル)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:52~
Hotel Okunikko “Mori no hotel” is located a 45-minute drive from Nikko Station. It is not close to the town area, making it a great nature getaway. You will take your shoes off at the entrance (there is a floor heater for the cold months) and then you can stop in the lounge for a cup of tea as a welcome drink.

1:59~
This video introduces the fanciest suite at Hotel Okunikko “Mori no hotel”. Equipped with a private onsen and three rooms at 39 square meters, it is the perfect size if you are looking for a bit of luxury for a special occasion. There is also a private rentable bath if you are not staying in a room with a private onsen but still want to use an onsen in private.

5:42~
The outdoor public bath at Hotel Okunikko “Mori no hotel” is available to use even if you are not staying the night. You will notice how pretty the bath looks in the winter; although the Nikko area is beautiful throughout the year, it is a real treat to be able to experience a warm onsen in the middle of the snow.

8:29~
Dinner is a course meal with seasonal vegetables and breakfast is a buffet, both with traditional Japanese-style foods. There are other delicacies that you can add to your dinner for an extra fee; if you want to try any of these, make sure to let the hotel know at least a week in advance. After dinner, you can relax at the bar counter and enjoy some cocktails or try some of the local sake.

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Kyukamura Nikko-Yumoto (休暇村日光湯元温泉)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:16~
Kyukamura Nikko-Yumoto is a hotel that borders Yuno Lake in Nikko. It is about a 45-minute drive from Nikko Station. This hotel offers free activities that get visitors out into nature like walking, stargazing, and bonfires. Upon entering, make sure you get a welcome drink made from local fruits.

1:05~
You can opt for a Japanese-style or western-style hotel room. The suite featured in the video is one of the larger Japanese-style ones. There is a QR code that leads to a page where you can check how crowded the public bath is. Keep in mind that there are no suites with private onsen, so you will need to use the public onsen when you want to take a bath.

2:18~
Kyukamura Nikko-Yumoto serves “yuba,” Nikko’s famous tofu dish for dinner as well as an assortment of pickled foods, vegetables, and seafood. Breakfast is a buffet and you can have French toast, fresh tofu, and the Japanese staple of raw egg over rice.

3:30~
A unique aspect of Kyukamura Nikko-Yumoto is that you can actually walk to see the hot spring where the hotel pulls the water from. It is just a short walk from the hotel so make sure you take a look at the water bubbling up from the ground.

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Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa (奥の院　ほてるとく川)

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

0:46~
Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa is a quick seven-minute drive from Tobu-nikko Station. When you check in, you can get a welcome drink of champagne. There are many guest suites available, from simple western-style hotel rooms to larger Japanese-style rooms; this video, however, features the large luxury suite that is located away from the main area of the hotel.

1:03~
This suite, called “Aqua,” was opened in 2016 to provide guests with a quiet, private, experience at the hotel. It is the most luxurious and expensive of the rooms available at Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa. There are multiple spacious rooms and a deck area so you can spend time outside. As expected, there is also a private onsen located outside.

5:44~
As Nikko is known for its nature, you will notice how the surrounding area is filled with greenery. Because Aqua has a water theme, you will notice many decorations and places where water is incorporated. The outside features a garden, which is the perfect area to take a stroll as a way to end the night.

6:21~
Dinner is a Nikko-style course, complete with meats, fish, and seasonal ingredients. There is also alcohol available that is specific to Tokugawa, which is a must-try for visitors. Breakfast is also Japanese food, with warm miso soup, fish, and an assortment of pickled foods.

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Conclusion

What did you think?

In this article, we introduced all kinds of lodges that you can find in Nikko, from traditional Japanese ryokan to luxury hotels.

Nikko is a great way to escape the summer heat and also makes a scenic snowy vacation in the winter, so we recommend looking into any of these hotels at any time of the year.

Enjoy your trip to Nikko!

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