15 Cheap Ryokan with Private Onsen in Japan

Photo courtesy of KAISYU

Ryokan with private onsen are generally on the expensive side.

It is not uncommon to spend about 50,000 JPY (about 500 USD) on luxury ryokan when it includes a private onsen.

If you’ve been researching these types of lodges, you might be thinking the following.

“I’m not really looking for all the fancy traditional food, nice beds, or Japanese garden. I just want to experience a private onsen for cheap!”

In this article, we’ll be introducing 15 cost-effective ryokan with private onsen that will fit your needs and be within your budget.

The Sakura Mobile Blog Team has researched multiple sources and come up with a list of 15 ryokan and hotels with private onsen that you can stay at for only 4,400 JPY to 14,000 JPY a night.

We will be introducing these ryokan according to their location, so feel free to use the table of contents to jump to the area you are most interested in.

Table of contents

• Types of private onsen
• About the fees introduced in this article
• Ryokan with private onsen around Tokyo
  1. Yugawara Ohnoya Ryokan
  2. Kounso
  3. Seikanso
  4. NASU ICHIYA HOTEL
  5. HOURAIYA
• Ryokan with private onsen around Kyoto and Osaka
  1. KAISYU
  2. HOTEL HANAKOYADO
  3. for REST RESORT
  4. WATARASE ONSEN
• Ryokan with private onsen around Hakone
  1. Ichinoyu Honkan
  2. Yoshiike Ryokan
  3. Tensui Saryo
• Ryokan with private onsen in other areas of Japan
  1. HanaYashiki
  2. Mamesentaietsu
  3. Daimaru Besso
• Conclusion

Types of private onsen

Before we begin, here is a description of the types of private onsen that you might find in a ryokan or hotel.

Private onsen can be separated into two categories.

• Rentable baths: Called “Kashikiri Buro” in Japanese, these are indoor and/or outdoor private baths available for guests to rent out for a specific amount of time
• Rooms with private outdoor baths: Large, spacious indoor baths or outdoor baths that are attached to your hotel suite

The following are the pros and cons of each type.

In this article, the private onsen we will be introducing all fall into the “bath for rent” category. This is because rooms with private outdoor baths can be very pricey.

Out of our recommended ryokan, there will be some that offer rooms with private onsen, but we advise that you avoid booking them because they will cost much more.

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About the fees introduced in this article

This article includes price estimates for each ryokan/hotel. These prices are determined by the following factors:

• A plan with no meals included (the room fee only)
• The cheapest room available at the ryokan
• The time of year with the least amount of visitors

Keep in mind that during high vacation season (a season with many national holidays) there is a possibility that prices could reach 5 times the amount written in this article.

In terms of the cheapest days of the week, there is a tendency for Mondays to be cheaper.

Next, we will start our introduction of some of the cheapest ryokan with private onsen in Japan.

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Ryokan with private onsen around Tokyo

1. Yugawara Ohnoya Ryokan (ゆがわら大野屋)

Yugawara Ohnoya Ryokan is a ryokan that allows you to get the onsen experience while surrounded by nature. One of the selling points of this ryokan is the large public bath. If you are interested in trying out as many different types of baths as possible, we recommend that you spend a night or two here.

The private onsen (pictured above) at Yugawara Ohnoya Ryokan will cost you 2,200 JPY per 45 minutes. The bath is located on the top floor, giving you a nice view of the area down below. From Atami, you will also be able to see the stars very well.

At a price point of about 19,000 JPY for two per night at its cheapest, you will be looking at paying half of that at 9,500 JPY for this ryokan.

This ryokan is located in Atami, which is a popular onsen town. Depending on the mode of transportation, it should only take you about an hour and a half to get there from Tokyo. It is very close to the ocean, so you can enjoy seaside walks and other beach activities.

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

2. Kounso (光雲荘)

Kounso is a ryokan located in Tochigi Prefecture, an hour and a half to two-hour ride away from Tokyo. The rooms at this ryokan retain a very Japanese feel with tatami mats and seats that rest on the ground, but also give you options for a more westernized room with beds and raised dining room seats.

Like some other ryokan, Kounso has both a private (pictured above) and a public bath. The private onsen has a sauna attached, and you do not have to pay extra for it. You will be able to use it whenever it is not in use by anyone else.

Kounso prides itself especially on the health benefits of its hot spring water. You can even drink the water, as it has many different minerals in it. This ryokan also allows you to experience making and eating “onsen eggs” which are boiled eggs soaked in the hot spring water.

During the off-season, this ryokan is priced as low as 24,000 JPY for two people. Considering that you do not have to pay extra for the private bath, this is a very good deal.

3. Seikanso (市川別館 晴観荘)

Looking out on the Akagiyama and Tanigawa mountains in Gunma Prefecture, Seikanso is a traditional Japanese-style ryokan that values the essence of Japan’s four seasons and is beautiful all year round.

Seikanso has three whole baths that are available to rent out, free for guests. These include two outside stone baths and one half-outdoor wooden bath (pictured above). There are no time limits on these, so you can enter as long as no one else is using them. Aside from the private baths, Seikanso has two public baths as well.

For a travel package that does not include meals, you will be expecting to pay around 20,000 JPY for two.

Seikanso’s selling point is the surrounding view. Located in Gunma and more specifically onsen town Ikaho, you will be able to take a stroll around town in yukata and take in the surrounding nature. Seikanso will even let you know what time the sun rises each morning so you can watch the sun climb over the mountains.

4. NASU ICHIYA HOTEL (那須いちやホテル)

NASU ICHIYA HOTEL aims to be a lodge that is not too expensive or too cheap, a place that is affordable for everyone, and is a familiar place where guests feel like they can continuously visit.

All the private onsen (pictured above) at NASU ICHIYA HOTEL are free to use for guests and are available for 40 minutes at a time. These baths are on the top floor of the building, so you will be able to enjoy a view of the sky, mountains, and forests while in the bath.

There is a time of day from 5:30 to 9:30 am where the bath is free to enter without any prior reservation. Although it is quite early in the morning, it might be a great experience to hop in the bath just as the sun is rising.

NASU ICHIYA HOTEL is a hotel that retains many elements of a traditional ryokan, from its selection of food to its room decor. This lodge offers yukata for its guests and there are multiple colors and patterns to choose from.

5. HOURAIYA (蓬莱屋旅館)

HOURAIYA was founded during the Meiji era and has continued to offer its guests the same hospitality for many years afterward.

The private onsen (pictured above) at this ryokan is free for guests to use. Unlike others on this list, HOURAIYA only has one bath available, but it is very spacious and sits on the top floor so you should be sure to take advantage of it.

Two of the public baths are located outside as well and have a view of the ocean. With long hours from 3 pm to 11 pm and again from 5 am to 11 am, you will have many opportunities to get the full onsen experience.

Known for its view of the ocean, HOURAIYA is a ryokan located in Chiba prefecture, which neighbors Tokyo. This lodge sits next to the ocean, so it will take about two hours from Tokyo Station.

You will be looking at an 18,000 JPY price point per night for two, which is considerably cheap considering this ryokan’s close distance to Tokyo.

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Ryokan with private onsen around Kyoto and Osaka

1. KAISYU (白浜温泉　浜千鳥の湯　海舟)

A spacious hotel that overlooks the ocean, KAISYU is a Japanese-style hotel in Wakayama Prefecture. This lodge emphasizes the sea with fresh seafood and views of the sea from the baths and guest suites.

KAISYU has three rentable baths (one of which is pictured above) available that are free for guests staying at the hotel. Each of them is shaped differently and made of different materials, but they are all outside and have a stunning view. The public bath also has many options and is worth checking out.

You can expect to pay around 28,000 JPY per night for two at this lodge. Although it is on the more expensive side of our list, we think that for the high quality you should not regret the investment.

Although this area is quite far away from any of the heavily populated city areas, there is a multitude of activities to keep you entertained on the premises. With an observatory to view the ocean, lounges, souvenir shopping, and many options for food, you will have plenty to explore at KAISYU.

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

2. HOTEL HANAKOYADO (有馬温泉　ホテル花小宿)

HOTEL HANAKOYADO is located in Kyoto Prefecture in Arima Onsen, is one of the oldest and most well-known hot spring towns in Japan. Reflective of this, HOTEL HANAKOYADO features smaller, old-fashioned rooms and a very traditional feel to the building.

There are two private onsen available for rent, free for guests staying at the ryokan. One (pictured above) is even wheelchair accessible, making it easier for all guests to experience the onsen.

There is another public bath that is located a 3-minute walk from the lodge. Even those who are not spending the night at HOTEL HANAKOYADO are permitted to use the bath, but they must pay a separate fee of 1,650 JPY to do so.

As HOTEL HANAKOYADO is a more traditional ryokan. you will not be getting the type of high-class room like you might find at a luxury ryokan or a luxury hotel. This makes the price more affordable, at 19,000 JPY per night for two. We recommend this ryokan to those who are looking to get the full ryokan immersion experience.

3. for REST RESORT (るり渓温泉　こぶし荘　花あかり)

for REST RESORT is located in Hyogo Prefecture a bit separated from the city of Kobe. The most unique feature of the resort is the multiple types of baths and various activities outside of your hotel room. A barbeque area, a large park, and a farm are just some of the attractions in the resort that you can experience.

There are two private onsen available for rent; those who are staying the night at the ryokan can enter the bath for free. One of the baths is made specifically for families to bathe together, so it is very spacious. The other (pictured above) includes both an outdoor and an indoor bath, so you can experience both during your 40-minute time slot.

True to its name, for REST RESORT is a large area with many different options for lodging. You could stay in one of two glamping areas (one pictured above), Japanese-style rooms, or Western-style rooms.

Unlike other traditional ryokan, for REST RESORT has other types of baths as an onsen pool, an outdoor onsen that you can enter with your swimsuit, and a jacuzzi onsen. There are also four different saunas and even a negative air ionization therapy room. for REST RESORT is the perfect choice for families who are looking for a fun getaway.

4. WATARASE ONSEN (けやきの杜　わたらせ温泉)

Located in the forests of Wakayama Prefecture, WATARASE ONSEN provides its guests with a beautiful nature-accented experience in the onsen. In the afternoon, you can look out onto miles of green forests, and at nighttime up to a starry sky. If the season is right, you may even be able to see fireflies.

There are four private onsen, which is more than any other ryokan or hotel on our list. We recommend WATARASE ONSEN to those who are looking to fully enjoy hot springs through private onsen.

If you are just looking to make a day trip, you can reserve the rentable baths at WATARASE ONSEN for a separate fee. Reserving the family bath (pictured above) will cost you 1,600 JPY per person and the large outdoor bath is 900 JPY per person.

There are multiple lodges on the premises of WATARASE ONSEN. With a large outdoor open area, cycling, golf, and long relaxing nature walks are all options. For a separate fee of 1,100 JPY, you can also rent a yukata and walk around the area.

You can expect to pay around 18,000 JPY for two per night at this lodge. For a nice nature getaway and many options for private onsen, we think that this is a very affordable price.

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Ryokan with private onsen around Hakone

1. Ichinoyu Honkan (塔ノ沢 一の湯本館)

Ichinoyu Honkan has a very rich history with its roots in the year 1630. As a result, all the rooms are Japanese-style and feel very traditional. Keep in mind that the cheapest rooms do not have bathrooms, which means you will have to share a public one.

The private onsen (pictured above) at Ichinoyu Honkan is made from Italian tile imported in 1917. It is a spacious bath meant for families and can be rented out for free to those staying the night.

If you are bathing anytime from 1 pm until midnight, you will have to reserve a time at the front desk. In the morning from 5:30 to 9:00, however, you can use it whenever you want as long as it is not occupied.

Neither the public onsen nor the rentable bath are outside, so those looking for an outdoor bath will need to reserve a guest suite that has one attached (making costs more expensive). However, if you are looking to spend a night at a traditional ryokan with affordable options for private onsen, we believe this is a very good choice.

One night for two at Ichinoyu Honkan starts at around 8,000 JPY. This will only include one meal a day, but you will have full access to a public and rentable onsen, plus a very traditional ryokan for a very affordable price.

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

2. Yoshiike Ryokan (吉池旅館)

Yoshiike Ryokan is a ryokan located a quick 7-minute walk from Hakone Yumoto Station. Being close to the station has its advantages; for one, you will have easy access to other parts of the area by train. Especially for those who have trouble eating very traditional Japanese food, you can also find many options for food around the station.

There are two private onsen (one pictured above) at Yoshiike Ryokan that are spacious and made for families. Keep in mind you will need to pay an extra 2,200 JPY per 45 minutes to use them. Be sure to make your reservation beforehand.

Yoshiike Ryokan is one of the slightly more expensive lodges on our list at around 22,000 JPY for two per night. Although it would not necessarily fall into the category of a luxury ryokan, we recommend this lodge to those who are looking for a high-quality experience.

This ryokan prides itself in its onsen quality, pulling water from six different hot spring sources. The water has all sorts of health benefits such as helping with joint/muscle pain and blood circulation.

3. Tensui Saryo (天翠茶寮)

A 5-minute walk from Gora Station, Tensui Saryo is a ryokan that emphasizes the idea of Japanese beauty in its interior, food preparation and arrangement, and guest suites.

There are two rentable private onsen available for free for guests. Both are outside and have a nice view of Myojogatake, a mountain in Hakone. They also have different types of hot spring water, so it would be worth it to try both.

Tensui Saryo also has a rentable “Ganbanyoku,” which is a form of hot stone spa originating in Japan. It is free for guests and is available for rent for 45 minutes at a time. You will not be able to find these for free at other ryokan, so we suggest that you take advantage of it.

Something that you will not be able to find elsewhere is the two-in-one cafe and bar on the premises of this ryokan. Although bars themselves are quite common, the one at Tensui Saryo has an “ashiyu,” or an onsen specifically for your feet. Enjoying food and drink at a bar counter while dipping your feet in water is an experience unique to Japan.

You can spend the night at Tensui Saryo for 22,000 JPY per night for two. We think this is a good price for those who are looking for a quiet, relaxed, and slightly more classy getaway.

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Other Areas

1. HanaYashiki (湯原温泉　湯快感　花やしき)

A ryokan known for its excellent customer service, HanaYashiki is a traditional Japanese ryokan located far off in the countryside. Its rooms are all Japanese-style and although the food is also traditional, there are other options for those who are not as comfortable with seafood or Japanese cuisine.

HanaYashiki has a private outdoor bath (pictured above) that is free for guests. It is located on the top floor of the ryokan, giving you a view of the surrounding forests and mountains. You will need to reserve your 35-minute time slot at the front desk.

This ryokan is located in Okayama Prefecture, which is situated in the western part of Japan and neighbors prefectures like Hiroshima and Hyogo. It is known for its many historical sites and Japanese gardens. We guarantee you will enjoy HanaYashiki if you are looking to spend time in the great outdoors.

One of the cheapest lodges on our list, HanaYashiki sits at around 8,800 JPY for two guests per night. We recommend this lodge for anyone looking to visit all the nooks and crannies of Japan.

2. Mamesentaigetsu (豆千待月)

Located in Aichi Prefecture, Mamesentaigetsu is a ryokan with more of a tropical taste to both its interior and exterior. Even though it does not have the traditional feel of a ryokan when you step in, you can enjoy complimentary tea and coffee in the lobby, as well as get changed into a yukata in true ryokan fashion.

There is an outdoor private onsen that is available for free to guests. You can look out at the ocean and the palm trees while relaxing in the bath. Enjoying the bath along with the sound of the waves sounds like an experience hard to get anywhere else.

All of the rooms at Mamesentaigetsu face the ocean, so you can expect a nice view no matter which room you decide to stay in. Rooms range from a typical Japanese-style room with tatami mats to more of an inn-like style.

One night for two at Mamesentaigetsu will start at around 18,000 JPY. Although the rooms are not as high-class as some luxury ryokan, we recommend this lodge for anyone interested in an oceanside vacation.

3. Daimaru Besso (二日市温泉　大丸別荘)

Daimaru Besso has a long history starting in 1865 but has been remodeled over the years to reflect a more modern style. It is located in Fukuoka in Kyushu, which is quite a distance to travel for those in Tokyo or other parts of eastern Japan.

There is a private onsen (pictured above) available free to those staying at this ryokan. However, it is exclusive to certain guests, so if you are planning to use it, be sure to reserve a guest suite in the building called “Taisho-tei.” Daimaru Besso also offers a very large public bath so be sure to check it out.

One of the most unique aspects of this ryokan is that each guest suite is equipped with a bath that flows with hot spring water. Although they are not outdoor baths, you will be able to get to experience an onsen in the comfort of your own room.

For one night, you will be looking at paying around 24,000 JPY for two at Daimaru Besso. Because of its out-of-the-way location, you can expect to get an experience closer to that of a luxury ryokan with very spacious rooms and a large onsen.

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Conclusion

What did you think?

Although ryokan with private onsen have an expensive image, we hope that through this article you have discovered a few options to plan out your vacation to be less costly.

Even if you are only planning a day trip, it would be wise to look into private onsen. For those with tattoos or those who are hesitant to enter the bath with strangers, bathing traditions in Japan can sometimes take a little getting used to.

However, there are many beautiful public baths in Japan available as well, so we hope that you will get around to trying everything that you can!

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