Looking for Kyoto ryokans with private onsens and baths to stay in? This post is for you!
For an authentic experience in Kyoto, I highly recommend staying in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) instead of a standard hotel, especially with a private onsen in your room or bathhouse you can reserve!
Dipping your body in steaming, hot spring water feels amazing for your feet, legs, and back. Long days of exploring Kyoto without taking breaks call for a rewarding soak.
My husband Cecilio and I spent 11 days in Japan with 2 nights in Kyoto at Ryokan Sakura Urushitei. Our ryokan had two private bathhouses that you can reserve. This was perfect as we wanted to soak our bodies after they ached from non-stop exploring in Japan.
We also didn’t want to share our space with others (our hotel in Osaka had two public onsens separated by gender though).
Whether you are willing to splurge on an upscale ryokan or are seeking a budget-friendly stay, I have compiled a list of ryokans with private ryokans and/or bathhouses at all price points!
Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links, which means I make a commission if you book through this post. If you do decide to book using my links, thank you so much for your support!
Editor Picks
Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo
- Private open-air onsens
- Rooms with futon beds or Western-style Simmons beds
- Breakfast cooked with irori, Japanese fireplace
- Sukiyaki dinner
- Kimono rentals
- In-room massages
- Easy access to Kyoto Station
Ryokan Sakura Urushitei
- Private bathhouse available for reservation
- Rooms with futon beds or Western-style beds
- Choice between traditional Japanese or Western breakfast
- Kimono rentals
- Activities like sake tasting, flower arranging, and calligraphy
- Easy access to Kyoto Station
Kyoto Machiya Fukune
- Suites with indoor hinoki bath
- Private garden with open-air onsen
- Kitchenette with fridge, microwave, cutlery, tea kettle
- Bathroom amenities
- Breakfast and dinner upon request
- Complimentary tea ceremony
- Complimentary luggage storage
Must-Stay Kyoto Ryokans with Private Onsen and Baths
Luxury Kyoto Ryokans with Private Onsen and Baths
1. Seryo
For a secluded and luxurious experience in the Japanese countryside, look no further than booking your stay in Seryo.
Located in Ohara, a small rural town in the mountains an hour away from the Kyoto station, Seryo is the perfect ryokan for couples who want a relaxing, romantic getaway and to get away from touristy parts of Kyoto like Gion.
Seryo has four onsens: two of them are public and separated by gender. But two of the nicest guestrooms, the Sakura no ma and the Kaede no ma, have a balcony with a private open-air onsen overlooking the mountains.
Ohara snows in the winter, making it cozy and magical when dipping in the onsens.
In Seryo, you can enjoy different food options, like kaiseki meal (traditional Japanese multicourse dinner), shabu-shabu (Japanese hot pot), botan nabe (wild boar meat hot pot), and a healthy breakfast with boiled tofu and seasonal vegetables.
⭐️ Rating: 9.3 stars | 📍 Location: Ohara | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
2. Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St.
Nanzuna is a luxury accommodation chain operating ryokans and villas all over Kyoto and Obi (Southern Japan) in renovated buildings over 100 years old.
Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St. is one of their most popular stays, and they have 23 rooms themed off of 5 elements: TAKE (bamboo), MIZU (water), IWA (stone), HANA (flower), and HA (leaf).
For example, the TAKE rooms have bamboo incorporated in parts of the ceiling and the wall, and the HANA rooms have cherry blossom wallpaper on one of the walls.
The rooms have a sleek, contemporary design blended with an earthy aesthetic based on their respective elements.
All rooms have semi-open-air baths, tatami flooring, and free WiFi, and some have air conditioning and flat-screen TVs. The property has 24-hour front desk service and security, so you can expect to be taken care of no matter what time you arrive.
For breakfast, you can choose to have dashi chazuke (bonito flake broth poured over cooked rice) with sides or a Western breakfast consisting of toast, pork sausage, hard-boiled egg, salad, and 9 samples of Kyoto-made jam. And you can indulge with melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef at the on-site restaurant, Wagyu Ryotei Bungo.
Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St. also offers fun and pampering activities like kimono rentals and massages. It’s close to Kyoto Station, Nishiki Market, and Nijo Castle.
With ultra-luxurious rooms and amenities come with a hefty price tag, averaging around $800-$1200 a night. If you have the dough to splurge, why not?!
⭐️ Rating: 9.2/10 stars | 📍 Location: Central Kyoto | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
3. Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo
Here’s another Nazuna-operated ryokan where you can expect top-notch service, comfort, and plush amenities (with a hefty price tag).
Like the Tsubaki St. ryokan, Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo has themed rooms, but the themes are based on different types of tea. Each room has handcrafted antiques and artwork, made by local artisans in Kyoto.
All the rooms have semi-open-air onsens, flat-screen TVs, a fridge, a safety deposit box, and a tea kettle.
You can enjoy breakfast cooked from irori, a sunken Japanese-style fireplace with charcoal. The dishes fired from the irori are made from local, seasonal, and healthy ingredients.
For dinner, Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo offers sukiyaki with toppings like wagyu beef, shiitake mushrooms, tofu, and vegetables. The sukiyaki comes with a glass of sparkling wine to toast and sherbet for dessert.
You are minutes away from Nijo Castle, Kyoto International Manga Museum, and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
⭐️ Rating: 9.4/10 stars | 📍 Location: Nakagyo Ward | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
4. Toshiharu Ryokan
Toshiharu Ryokan was built during the Meiji Period 1909 and is only 10 minutes away from the Kyoto Station and Kyoto Tower.
There are 5 rooms, and only one of them, the Satsuki no Ma, is only available in May. All the rooms do not have their own restroom, so you will need to reserve and share the restrooms with other guests. That’s something you need to be aware of because not everyone is comfortable sharing bathrooms.
Regardless, the ryokan is squeaky clean and well-maintained.
There is a small private onsen available for reservation, and guests raved about how relaxing it was to soak in after a long day of exploring. The onsen has a shower stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
The hospitality at Toshiharu Ryokan is unmatched; upon checking in, they will offer you matcha tea and sweets. While they do not provide dinner, they will recommend the best restaurants in Kyoto along with attractions for sightseeing. They will even provide tea etiquette tips if you’re interested!
They serve a fantastic traditional Japanese breakfast with rice, miso soup, grilled fish, konjac noodles, dashimaki (Japanese rolled omelet), steamed vegetables, and clam tsukudani.
⭐️ Rating: 9.5/10 stars | 📍 Location: Shimogyo Ward | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
5. Kamishichiken Oku
Luxury travelers who love being pampered and extra personal attention are going to enjoy Kamishichiken Oku. There are only 6 guest rooms, so you’ll get 1-on-1 service.
If you are looking for a good soak, reserve either the Koubai R101 or the Hakubai R102 guest rooms, since those are the only rooms with the outdoor tsuboburo (pot bath) on the terrace.
The rooms are clean with a modern design while maintaining traditional architecture. All rooms have mini-fridges stocked with beer, soft drinks, and water.
The amenities Kamishichiken Oku provides will leave you feeling spoiled! You can eat at their in-house restaurant, Kurosuke, and book an arrangement for a geisha or maiko (young geisha-in-training) to entertain you with singing, dancing, and games. You can also order room service from Kurosuke.
In-room massages are available for you to reserve for 1-2 hours.
If you are celebrating an anniversary or a birthday, the staff will gift you a flower bouquet and a bottle of champagne.
They will even arrange a taxi tour with a guide showing you around Kyoto with the top attractions and best eateries. So all you need to do is kick back and relax; no need to stress over getting lost!
Located in Kamishichiken in the Nishijin area, the oldest geisha district in Kyoto (even older than Gion), Kamishichiken Oku is a bit far from the city center. But guests and couples love the ryokan regardless because it means you’re away from the noise and crowds.
⭐️ Rating: 9.0/10 stars | 📍 Location: Nishijin | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
6. Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo
Yachiyo is near the Nanzenji Temple, Kyoto City Zoo, and Heian-jingu shrine. There is also a Blue Bottle Coffee (an SF-based coffee shop) around the corner for your morning caffeine fix!
While Yachiyo has public onsens, the suites have a garden with a soaking tub made out of hinoki, Japanese cypress wood.
If you have the money to go all out, you can book the Japanese-style sauna suite, the Yugiri. Yup, that’s right, you get an onsen and a sauna! Whoever reserves that, can you adopt me? 😉
Yachiyo’s interiors are earthy with panels of elements of hinoki. While the rooms and suites maintain that Japanese style with the tatami mats, they all have Western-style beds with a bed frame, plush mattresses, and headboards.
There’s an in-house restaurant, Washoku, where you can have a fancy kaiseki dinner for 18,975 yen ($127.28 USD). You will need to make reservations a day in advance so they can prepare it for you since it’s a 12-13 course meal. You can also order it as room service, but it costs an extra 2,530 yen ($16.97 USD).
If you’re not up to a multi-course dinner, Washoku also serves sukiyaki for 12,650 yen ($84.86 USD). You will also need to reserve in advance, and you can order room service for that extra cost.
⭐️ Rating: 7.9/10 stars | 📍 Location: Sakyo Ward | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
7. Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Ryokan Togetsutei
Togetsutei is a 3-story ryokan located near the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and is a short walk away from the Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama and Katsura River.
The ryokan has two guest rooms with open-air onsen overlooking Arashiyama’s lush greenery, and 1 guest room with a semi-open air private bath. There’s a public onsen that allows people with tattoos to take a soak (most onsens in Japan aren’t tattoo-friendly due to their association with the yakuza).
Having the biggest banquet hall in the area with 135 tatami mats, Togetsutei takes celebrations and meals seriously. They host events like reunions, anniversaries, and memorial services with kaiseki involved.
For lunch, you can enjoy a bento box (or bowl), kaiseki, a celebration meal for a special event, and hot pot during the winter. Children also have their own dishes, which are smaller bento boxes.
And of course, only kaiseki is served for dinner. You can even reserve geisha or maiko to come and keep you company.
⭐️ Rating: 7.9/10 stars | 📍 Location: Arashiyama | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
8. Hanaikada
Hanaikada is a charming luxury ryokan also located in Arashiyama. There are two guest rooms with private onsens, with one being open-air and another being semi-open-air.
If you’re not shy about getting nude, Hanaikada provides two gender-segregated public onsens. There is also a private onsen that requires a reservation and a fee of 1500 yen (and 100 yen in tax) for 40 minutes. It’s totally worth booking for the views of the Togetsukyo Bridge and Katsura River.
As far as the food, you can expect gourmet meals with fresh ingredients that the master chef sources from the market daily. You have your Japanese breakfast with grilled fish, steamed rice, and veggies. Dinner is a choice between a meticulously prepared kaiseki or a hot pot meal. For lunch, you can try a variety of tofu dishes, especially yudofu, which is a soft tofu warmed up in soy milk and bonito-based broth.
⭐️ Rating: 9.2/10 stars | 📍 Location: Arashiyama | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
Mid-range and budget Kyoto Ryokans with Private Onsen and Baths
9. Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei
Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei is one of Kyoto’s popular mid-range ryokans that feels extra luxurious. Each room features a private bath crafted from hinoki, providing a relaxing and pampering experience. Guests say that it smells amazing! The bathroom includes toiletries from L’Occitane such as mini shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and facial cleanser.
Upon checking in, guests receive a secure 6-digit code for room access instead of a key or a key card. This makes going in and out so much easier, without carrying one extra thing!
Like some of the other ryokans featured, Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei offers western-style Simmons beds instead of the usual futon. But there are still tatami mats on the floor, maintaining the authenticity of a traditional Japanese inn.
There is breakfast available as room service for 1,800 yen with, vegetarian options. And just around the corner, you can walk to the Kyoto Beer Lab for a refreshing pint.
The ryokan overlooks the picturesque Takase River, where the trees have stunning fall foliage. It’s also a few minutes away from the Kamo River, where you can cross the Shichijo Bridge and head to the Shichijo Station to take the train.
This makes it easy to visit other top Kyoto attractions like Gion, Nishiki Market, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Fushimi Inari.
⭐️ Rating: 9.4/10 stars | 📍 Location: Shimogyo Ward | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
10. Ryokan Sakura Urushitei (where we stayed)
This is the ryokan Cecilio and I stayed for 2 nights in Kyoto. I paid 40,000 yen ($269.53) for our whole stay. While it was a lot cheaper than the other ryokans featured here, it was cozy and had a small touch of luxury.
We stayed in a room with two futons and 6 tatami mats, and we absolutely loved how spacious our room was, especially with how cramped we were in our tiny room in Tokyo. We had more room to walk around, chill, and organize our stuff,
There was a private bathhouse you needed to reserve for 500 yen for 4 minutes that could fit 2 people max. Personally, I found the water too hot at first; I struggled to dip my whole body in the first few minutes.
Of course, I expected the water to be steaming hot, but it was a few degrees above my comfort level. I got used to it eventually, and it was just what I needed to soothe my aching joints and muscles from walking around all day.
Some of the rooms in Ryokan Sakura Urushitei have the traditional futon bedding with tatami mats, while others have the typical western-style beds. I will always advocate for trying something unique and recommend staying in the rooms with the traditional Japanese style!
Ryokan Sakura Urushitei has a lot of fun activities like kimono rentals, tea ceremonies, sake tasting, calligraphy workshops, and flower arranging. These all come at an additional cost.
I would’ve loved to participate in one of them (maybe except for the kimono rental since we already did it in Tokyo). I wish we could’ve spent an extra night or two in Kyoto so that we could’ve done one of the activities while still having enough time to explore.
Unlike other ryokans, Ryokan Sakura Urushitei does not provide a kaiseki dinner. Instead, you can request a bento box dinner and they will order it for you. This didn’t matter because we ate out both nights. Upon checking in, they give you a small map with a list of recommended restaurants.
They do provide a freshly cooked Japanese or Western-style breakfast that you will need to reserve a day in advance. And you eat it in the dining hall. It was super delicious!
The only downside about staying here is that it’s kinda far away from everything. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Kyoto station and 20 minutes away from Gion and Nishiki Market.
Kyoto has a decent train system, but it’s nowhere near Tokyo’s level. Also, attractions are much more spread out in Kyoto. Just something to keep in mind if you think about booking here (other than that, I LOVED it!)
⭐️ Rating: 8.9/10 stars | 📍 Location: Shimogyo Ward | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
11. Matsubaya Ryokan
If you want easy access to Kyoto’s attractions, eateries, and shopping centers, consider staying in Matsubaya Ryokan, It’s 10 minutes away from the Kyoto station by walking distance, but the Gojo Station is 5 minutes away and there are a lot of buses nearby.
While Matsubaya doesn’t have an onsen, they have a private bath that you have to pay and reserve, like Ryokan Sakura Urushitei.
Most of the guest rooms have the futon with tatami floors but there are a few western-style rooms as well.
Matsubaya does not serve dinner, but they are happy to recommend the best places to eat nearby.
They do serve breakfast in their lounge from 7:30-9:30 am, which you will have to reserve in advance the night before. The Western-style breakfast is around 500-900 yen ($3.37-$6.07 USD), but the Japanese breakfast costs 1,100 yen ($7.42). Not bad!
⭐️ Rating: 8.6/10 stars | 📍 Location: Shimogyo Ward | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
12. Hachi Inn
Hachi Inn is a modest ryokan that is 9 minutes away from Kyoto Station and within walking distance from Shosei-en Garden. There are 8 guest rooms (hence the name “hachi” which means 8) and all of them have Western-style beds.
The private open-air onsen is located on the top floor, offering epic views of the Kyoto cityscape. You can reserve it for 50 minutes for 1,000 yen.
Unlike the other ryokans, Hachi Inn does not provide breakfast or dinner. But the rooms have kitchenettes with a fridge, microwave, cutlery, and plates. So you can just go to your local 711 or Family Mart, buy some ready-made meals, microwave them, and eat in the comfort of your own room!
⭐️ Rating: 9.2/10 stars | 📍 Location: Shimogyo Ward | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
Kyoto Machiyas with Private Onsens and Baths
13. Tabitabi Stay Moonlight
This gorgeous 2-story machiya has traditional Japanese architecture paired with Japandi interior design. It’s apparent in the wooden and grey accents all over, and the dim lighting adds to the hygge effect.
There’s a courtyard where you enter through the living room, with floor-to-ceiling doors and windows. The courtyard has a hot tub made out of Shigaraki-yaki, stoneware used to make pottery.
The first floor has a kitchen with a microwave, fridge, coffee machine, cutlery, plates, and a tea kettle. There is also a washer and dryer, so you don’t need to pack a lot of clothes.
The second floor has a bedroom with tatami flooring, a shower with toiletries, cotton towels, and a Dyson hair dryer.
⭐️ Rating: 9.1/10 stars | 📍 Location: Nakagyo Ward | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
14. Kyoto Machiya Zeniyacho
This machiya is a part of the Kyoto Machiya Collection. There are two suites in Kyoto Machiya Zeniyacho, both of which have an indoor hinoki bath and an open-air outdoor onsen.
Both have a patio with a private garden and can host up to 5 guests. The Shu suite has 2 single beds and 3 futon beds, while the Ai suite has 1 king bed and 3 futon beds.
Both suites provide a handful of amenities like air conditioning, heater, microwave, fridge, tea kettle, toiletries, yukatas (Japanese pajamas), slippers, and Lululemon yoga mats. Talk about fancy!
To top it off, Kyoto Machiya Zeniyacho provided breakfast and dinner upon request, and a complimentary tea ceremony experience!
You’d be in a prime location too; this machiya is 9 minutes away from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and 11 minutes away from Shosei-en Garden. The Gojo Station is only 2 minutes away, making it easy to get around and visit Kyoto’s other attractions.
⭐️ Rating: 9.0/10 stars | 📍 Location: Nakagyo Ward | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
15. Kyoto Machiya Fukune
Like Kyoto Machiya Zeniyacho, Fukune is also a part of the Kyoto Machiya Collection. They have 4 suites, which are slightly smaller than Zeniyacho’s at 60–70 m (Zeniyacho suites are 90m). But the Fukune suites can still accommodate 4–5 guests.
All the suites have an indoor hinoki bath and a private garden with a patio and open-air onsen. There is also a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, and tea kettle. Other amenities include WiFi, air conditioning, heater, safety deposit box, toiletries, Lululemon yoga mat, yukatas, and slippers.
And like Zeniyacho, Fukune also serves breakfast and dinner upon request, along with a complimentary tea ceremony. But what Fukune offers that Zeniyacho doesn’t is complimentary luggage storage. But there are a limited number of storages, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to get a locker.
Nearby, there are a lot of eateries, cafes, and convenience stores like 711 and FamilyMart. Fukune is also an 8-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station.
⭐️ Rating: 9.3/10 stars | 📍 Location: Nakagyo Ward | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
16. Machiya Maya Gion
Machiya Maya Gion is in one of the best locations, nestled in the heart of Gion, Kyoto’s geisha district. You’re near so many different eateries, souvenir shops, kimono rental shops, and attractions like Yasaka Shrine and Kodaiji Temple.
You’re also just a few blocks away from Ninenkaza, the famous sloped street filled with shops, geisha, and tourists strolling down.
This luxury machiya has two suites; the Temple Garden View Suite and the Kyoto Garden Suite. The Temple Garden Suite has views of Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto’s oldest Buddhist temple.
Machiya Maya Gion prides itself on blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with a Western twist. You’ll see tatami, shoji (paper blinds with a lattice frame), fusuma (Japanese sliding doors) with a TV, laundry, kitchenette, and Western dining table
Both suites have an ofuro bathtub and a large luxurious Western bathtub. The Temple Garden View Suite comes with a balcony furnished with a table for two and trees that act as privacy. This is where you can see the views of Kennin-ji Temple!
⭐️ Rating: 8.7/10 stars | 📍 Location: Gion | 🏩 Check prices and availability!
Wrapping it Up
No matter what your budget and location, this guide will help you find and book any of the best Kyoto ryokans with private onsens and baths. There’s nothing better than going back to your stay after a long day of exploring and soaking your whole body in piping-hot water. It heals your joints, muscles, and bones, and relaxes you for a better night’s sleep. Happy dipping!
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Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.