13 Best Ryokan with Private Onsen in Osaka

Photo courtesy of Matsuba Onsen Taki-no-yu

Osaka is the second-largest city in Japan, so you might imagine that it is difficult to find ryokan with a private onsen. However, you’ll discover that if you do your research, there is a surprisingly large amount.

Both the northern and southern parts of Osaka are surrounded by mountains. If you travel about an hour by train from the metropolitan area of the prefecture, you can find many ryokan and hotels surrounded by nature.

In this article, we will be introducing you to 13 of our favorite ryokan and hotels in Osaka where you can enjoy a private onsen.

We have chosen some of the best lodges; some include a view from the bath, some with traditional Japanese-style rooms, and others with great access to USJ (Universal Studios Japan). After reading this article, we can guarantee that you will find a ryokan or hotel that you are interested in.

A night at one of these lodges with a special someone or with your loved ones is sure to make an unforgettable trip.

Let’s get started!

Table of contents

• Types of private onsen
• 13 best ryokan and hotels in Osaka with a private onsen
  1. Fudouguchikan
  2. Yamanoberikyu
  3. Matsuba Onsen Taki-no-yu
  4. Nanten-en
  5. Fushioukaku
  6. Kanponoyado Tondabayashi
  7. Sansuikan
  8. Konjaku-So
  9. The Singulari Hotel & Skyspa
  10. MINOO SANSOU Kazenomori
  11. Okumizuma
  12. WORK HOTEL ANNEX TENJINNNOYU
  13. Nobetsuruhashi
• Conclusion

Types of private onsen

Before getting into the details of each ryokan, let’s go over the types of private onsen that you can find.

There are two types in particular.

• 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 is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each type of private onsen.

If you are looking to travel on a budget but still want to experience a private onsen, we recommend you look for a ryokan that has a rentable bath available. On the other hand, you should consider getting a room with a private onsen if you want a luxury ryokan experience.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

13 best ryokan and hotels in Osaka with a private onsen

We will now start our introduction of the 13 best ryokan and hotels with private onsen in Osaka.

1. Fudouguchikan (不動口館)

Fudouguchikan is located a 45-minute train ride from the city area of Osaka in an area called Inunakisan. Known for its hot springs and the extensive trees and mountains surrounding, you are sure to enjoy a relaxing getaway.

This ryokan not only offers many different types of hot spring water but also seasonal foods and local sake for guests to try. If you are traveling with many people, the staff of Fudouguchikan can organize a dining room that fits your party, whether you are a group of 4 or a group of 40.

Fudouguchikan has rooms that include a private onsen (pictured above). Because the guest suites are all Japanese-style, you will find that the interiors are made out of wood and have a warm and homely feeling. The baths, also wooden, are located outside so you can relax while filling your senses with the great outdoors.

Outside of the guest suites, you can also find a rentable bath (pictured above) which is available for 3,500 JPY per 60 minutes. For those who want to avoid the high price that comes with renting a room with an outdoor bath attached but still want to spend time privately in the bath alone or with their loved ones, we think that this is a great option.

Inunakisan is a popular area for travelers all over the country. The hot spring water that originates from the mountain is said to not only have physical healing effects but also to provide rejuvenation for the mind and soul.

Fudouguchikan pulls this very hot spring water, natural and straight from the source. You might find that it helps greatly if you are suffering from joint or nerve pain, overwork, or poor blood circulation.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

2. Yamanoberikyu (山辺離宮)

Yamanoberikyu is located in the northernmost part of Osaka in a town called Nose. The journey to this area from the inner-city parts of Osaka will include about an hour-long train ride. It is very far away from the loud and bustling city, giving the impression that you have escaped to another world deep in the forest.

When you stay in a room at Yamanoberikyu, you are getting more than just a room. Each of the suites, named “Kaede no Yakata,” “Hiiragi no Yakata,” and “Katsura no Yakata” are separate buildings, so you will have a spacious area with complete privacy.

This ryokan is a great choice for those who are traveling on a higher budget and are looking for something a little more luxurious.

You can find outdoor baths (pictured above) attached to all of the guest suites of Yamanoberikyu. They contain 100% natural hot spring water, so you can enjoy all the health benefits of the onsen from the comfort of your room.

Plus, because you do not have to worry about time restraints or extra fees, you can use the bath early in the morning or late at night, as many times a day as you would like.

We recommend visiting Yamanoberikyu with your friends or family for a trip on your days off; however, take note that because this ryokan aims to provide the most relaxing space possible, children in elementary school and younger will not be allowed to stay.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

3. Matsuba Onsen Taki-no-yu (松葉温泉 滝の湯)

Matsuba Onsen Taki-no-yu is a ryokan located a 40-minute drive from the inner-city areas of Osaka. A river called the “Kogi River” flows through the premises of the lodge, so guests can listen to the sound of the flowing water throughout their stay. It should be noted that children that have not yet entered middle school will not be permitted to stay at this ryokan.

A unique aspect of Matsuba Onsen Taki-no-yu is that there are only four rooms available for guests. Each has a private onsen attached (pictured above), plus a view of the river. They are all extremely spacious and with all kinds of amenities from free DVD rentals to a massage chair, you are sure to spend a relaxing vacation at this ryokan.

Matsuba Onsen Taki-no-yu features water from a Radon hot spring, which is said to have many health benefits such as helping your immune system. Something that you will not be able to find at other ryokan is a station where you can actually take the Radon water home to use in your own bath. It is sold for 100 JPY per 20 liters.

Another selling point of this ryokan is its food menu. With many choices for extravagant meal courses, you will be able to try a multitude of seasonal and locally-grown ingredients. Naturally, all the seafood served is fresh and the crab, in particular, has a very sweet flavor.

Traditional food that comes in such large portions may be slightly daunting for some. However, Matsuba Onsen Taki-no-yu accommodates all sorts of prices when it comes to food; you can find meals as expensive as 11,000 JPY or as cheap as 600 JPY.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

4. Nanten-en (あまみ温泉 南天苑)

The ryokan Nanten-en is the work of Tatsuno Kingo, a famous Japanese architect, well known for buildings such as Tokyo Station and the Bank of Japan building. As such, you can expect that the design of Nanten-en has many aesthetically appealing aspects of Japanese architecture. A Japanese garden is also located on the premises; we suggest that you try on a yukata and take a stroll through.

The guest suites at this ryokan are all simple in design and use lots of wood and the paper sliding doors that are so heavily associated with Japanese culture, giving them a very traditional feel to them.

Keep in mind that there is only one private onsen available at Nanten-en, located in a guest suite which is also it’s own separate building. This detached building is not only large but also faces a river and has an extraordinary view of the surrounding area. You should consider renting it out if you are traveling with a larger group or on a larger budget.

Nanten-en is located a ways away from the city area of Osaka, but not too far out that it is difficult to get to. If you are traveling from Osaka station, it should only take you about an hour to get to Nanten-en. Thus, we recommend this lodge to anyone who does not want to go too far out of their way for a vacation but still wants the experience of a quiet and luxurious ryokan.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

5. Fushioukaku (伏尾温泉 不死王閣)

Fushioukaku is located just a quick 30 minutes by train or by car from inner-city Osaka and only a 50-minute train ride to Kyoto for those who want to do some sightseeing. The convenient location also makes for a good spot for those who are thinking of making a quick and relaxing day trip to an onsen.

There are no rentable baths at Fushioukaku, but you can stay in a guest suite that has a private onsen attached. The public bath is also very large and the hot spring water is said to have various positive effects on your health, so we suggest checking it out if you can. If you are planning on just making a day trip, you will be looking at paying 1,600 JPY to use the public bath.

All 20 rooms with private onsen are located on the 6th and 7th floor of the ryokan. You might try bathing at different times of the day; an early morning bath will give you a view of the scenery down below, while a bath late at night will allow you to soak under a starry sky.

While you will most likely find traditional Japanese food and lots of seafood at other ryokan, Fushioukaku has the option for a barbeque course. By reserving in advance, you will get all the ingredients and utensils that you need for a barbecue. For bigger groups of travelers who want to have fun cooking their own food or those who are not as familiar with traditional Japanese food, this is a perfect choice.

↑ Click to play YouTube video

↑ Go back to the table of contents

6. Kanponoyado Tondabayashi (かんぽの宿 富田林)

A complete getaway from the busy city life, Kanponoyado Tondabayashi looks out onto the top of Dakeyama, a mountain in the southern part of Osaka. There is no way to get to this ryokan by train, so you will have to rent a car if you do not have your own.

Unfortunately, the pump that carries the hot spring water broke late last year (2021), causing the establishment’s onsen to change from a natural hot spring to a manmade one. The bath is nonetheless worth giving a try, as it is large and has a beautiful view.

There are also rooms with private outdoor baths available. We recommend these to anyone who is looking to enjoy the bath in privacy or with their friends or family. In a location that is so remote, you may feel as though you have escaped from the rest of the world.

The above image is the view from Kanponoyado Tondabayashi. It is hard to find a nighttime cityscape as stunning as this anywhere else. This is thanks to the ryokan’s tucked away location. The nearest convenience store is quite a ways away, so you might have reservations about staying somewhere so far away from the city. However, we think that if it is accessible to you, an adventure to the mountains would be an unforgettable experience during your trip to Japan.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

7. Sansuikan (花の里温泉 山水館)

Sansuikan is in a very convenient location, 30 minutes from both Osaka and Kyoto. This ryokan is in the Settsu-Kyo region, where there are a multitude of nature-related activities to partake in depending on the season.

In the spring, around 230 sakura trees are full of blossoms in the nearby park. In the fall, the leaves on the trees are a vibrant orange color, and visiting during this time of the year to enjoy the leaves is the Japanese tradition called “kouyo.” Additionally, there are hiking trails and a river that you can swim in.

There are two baths available for rent, one that is half outdoors and another that is fully indoors. Guests of Sansuikan can use it for 60 minutes at a time for 3,300 JPY. If you are not staying at the ryokan but want to use the rentable baths, it will cost you 7,150 JPY for the hour. Both of the baths are very spacious, so you can enjoy it not only by yourself but with the family and friends you are traveling with.

For couples and families who want to enjoy the bath without having to worry about any time restraints, we recommend reserving a guest suite with a private outdoor bath. There are some rooms with half-outdoor baths and full-outdoor baths. Both allow a great view of the surrounding nature and the sky.

↑ Click to play YouTube video

↑ Go back to the table of contents

8. Konjaku-So (今昔荘)

Konjaku-So is neither a hotel nor a ryokan. The concept is a rentable guest house where you can have the whole house to yourself. There are a total of 6 properties in Osaka, a few of which are located in the most crowded and lively areas of the city such as Dotombori, Tsuruhashi, and Shinsaibashi.

If you are planning to travel with a large group of your friends or family, we highly recommend looking into Konjaku-So. Because there are multiple houses, we have chosen to focus the following information on the property located at Dotombori.

Of the building at Dotombori, the 2nd to the 5th floors are available for rent. Both the 4th and 5th floors have a private outdoor bath attached. Each floor includes beds, a kitchen, and a projector. Although the rooms all have a modern feel to them, they still incorporate Japanese-style elements into their design.

Dotombori is in a very convenient location of Osaka, so you can spend your time exploring the city and trying out the local restaurants.

Konjaku-so is not your typical ryokan or hotel so there is no meal service, but you will receive welcome drinks of sake, beer, as well as non-alcoholic soft drinks. After spending a night out trying the food in Osaka it would be a fun time to have a relaxing evening with your friends and family with some drinks.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

9. The Singulari Hotel & Skyspa (ザ シンギュラリ ホテル&スカイスパ)

This is a hotel that is very close to Universal Studios Japan. As Universal Studios is one of the major selling points of Osaka, we recommend that you stay in this hotel if you are thinking of visiting.

The Singulari Hotel & Skyspa has a large public bath, a sauna (pictured above), and an outdoor bath that all have a reputation of being very clean. The outdoor bath in particular is known for having a beautiful view of the city at night.

Because the guests staying at The Singulari Hotel & Skyspa are mainly Universal Studios patrons, the public bath (pictured above) tends to be very crowded a bit after the park closes. There are also specific times that the bath is open (the public bath being from 3 pm to 11 am the next day and the sauna from 2 am to 6 am), potentially making it difficult for some to use the bath during the time they want.

For individuals who would like to enter the bath without any time restraints, we recommend reserving a guest suite with a private onsen.

The Singulari Hotel & Skyspa is located in the inner city, which means the rooms tend to be slightly less spacious than you might find at other out-of-the-way hotels or ryokan. However, they have a nice modern feel and are a cozy space, perfect for yourself and a few close friends or family.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

10. MINOO SANSOU Kazenomori (みのお山荘 風の杜)

MINOO SANSOU Kazenomori is located a 40-minute train ride away from Osaka. This makes it easy to access from other places in the Kansai region such as Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara. As it is not too far from civilization, from the windows of your room at this ryokan, you can take a look out onto the sprawling cityscape.

MINOO SANSOU Kazenomori has two outdoor baths (one pictured above) available for rent. You will be expecting to pay 2,200 JPY per 45 minutes. Also, note that there are only a select amount of time slots per day that you will be able to rent them.

If you are willing to spend more money on a larger and more luxurious room, two special guest suites also have spacious baths. While these are not outdoors, they do are situated so that you have a nice view of the city.

One of the other selling points of MINOO SANSOU Kazenomori is the seasonal food. The menu consists of “kaiseki,” or a traditional course-style Japanese food that changes depending on the time of year. Every season you will have the option to choose from many different types of kaiseki that use ingredients of that particular time of the year.

You also have the option for hot pot year-round, which can be enjoyable for those who are hesitant to try traditional Japanese foods.

↑ Click to play YouTube video

↑ Go back to the table of contents

11. Okumizuma (奥水間温泉)

Okumizuma is a lodge 50 minutes away from central Osaka by car. As such, it is surrounded by nature and has something to see every season. Sakura blossoms bloom in the spring, you can find fireflies in the summer, watch as the leaves turn color in the winter, or explore a snowy wonderland in the winter.

With baths made of stone that incorporate the Japanese architecture that contract light and shadow, you are sure to feel very relaxed in the public bath. The water is taken from a hydrogen carbonate spring, and it is known to have so many benefits–so many, in fact, that it is sometimes even called “miracle water.” We recommend that you try this out if you are interested in the effects that onsen can have on your health.

Although there are no options for rentable private onsen, you can choose to reserve the only room at Okumizuma with a private outdoor bath. It is a modern Japanese-style room with raised beds and a dining area, accommodating between two and five people.

The outdoor bath is not the most spacious but has a very nice view of the surrounding forest. However, take note that the water in the guest suite baths is not hot spring water, so if you are interested in the natural onsen you will need to visit the public bath.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

12. WORK HOTEL ANNEX TENJINNNOYU (ワークホテルアネックス天神の湯)

WORK HOTEL ANNEX TENJINNNOYU is a quick 3-minute walk from Takatsuki Station, which although slightly out of the way, connects to many major areas in Osaka and the surrounding prefectures. With good access to many historical sites popular with tourists and amusement parks, you can expect to enjoy sightseeing to the fullest while staying at this hotel.

In the public bath, you will be able to find all different types of baths including an “utase-yu” which acts like a massage, and a “denkiburo,” or an electric bath that expels low-frequency electricity (pictured above), helping to take away muscle pain and other symptoms of fatigue.

While other ryokan have a more natural feel to their bathing area by putting them outside or giving them views of the scenery, WORK HOTEL ANNEX TENJINNNOYU is particular about the interior of their baths. Nature is brought inside and decorates the walls and the area surrounding each bath. You will find that it is very spacious and clean, with an artistic sense of design.

There are two guest suites at this hotel for those who want to enjoy a private onsen in their room. Because this is a hotel and not a ryokan, you will find that the rooms are all western-style and feel less like a traditional Japanese environment. The rooms at WORK HOTEL ANNEX TENJINNNOYU are smaller than you might find at other locations, but if you are renting either of the suites with a private onsen, you should feel as if you are getting a good amount of amenities for the price.

For those who are traveling on a smaller budget, there is a private rentable bath for families to use as well. You should call and confirm in advance if you want to use it.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

13. Nobetsuruhashi (天然温泉　延羽の湯　鶴橋店)

Nobehatsuruhashi is different from the other ryokan and hotels on our list in the fact that it is a “super sento,” or a large public bathing facility. Because this is not technically a lodge, you should not be expecting to stay the night. It is located close to the main city, so we recommend Nobehatsuruhashi for those who have other sightseeing plans but still want a few hours to experience the onsen experience in Osaka with a private onsen.

The main selling point of Nobehatsuruhashi is the rentable baths for families. There are 11 private rooms for you and your travel group to relax in, each with a private bath attached that uses natural hot spring water. You will not be able to find such a large number of rentable private baths anywhere else. Expect to pay 3,900 JPY per hour for each room.

Despite not being able to spend the night, there are many options for entertainment and relaxation on the premises. Nobehatsuruhashi incorporates both Japanese and Korean elements, so there is a Korean sauna and spa available. There is also a restaurant serving both Japanese and Korean food if you get hungry or thirsty. Spending a few hours at Nobehatsuruhashi might include relaxing in the private bath, checking out the public bath, getting a massage, and grabbing a bite to eat.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

Conclusion

What did you think?

In this article, we introduced our 13 best ryokan and hotels in Osaka with a private onsen. There are a variety of lodges on this list, some of which are located in the inner city for convenience, and others that are tucked away in the mountains for those who are looking for a complete getaway.

Although onsen may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think Osaka, we hope that our recommendations gave you a better idea of what Osaka has to offer.

Many of the hotels and ryokan that we introduced today also have public baths worth checking out. You may feel wary at first to venture into the public bath, but we recommend trying it out once you are more comfortable.

Have fun on your onsen trip to Osaka!

Have you booked your SIM card or pocket WiFi for your trip to Japan yet?

In Japan, you’ll want to be connected without missing out on high speed data and internet!

By reserving online before departing, you can

• Lower your rental fees
• Avoid stock shortages at the airport

To learn more about data and WiFi options for your trip, check out our products below.

CUSTOMER’S VOICE

↑ Go back to the table of contents