Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan, known for its picturesque temples and shrines, traditional architecture, and geisha experiences. Visitors who come to Kyoto seeking Japanese culture and hospitality often stay in ryokan, or traditional Japanese inns. One of the most sought-after accommodation experiences in Japan is staying in a ryokan with a private onsen. Kyoto is an exceptional city to book this experience in!
Ryokan are famous for evoking historic Japanese vibes with their old-fashioned interior, traditional rooms, and Japanese omotenashi, or hospitality. Guests staying at ryokan in Japan can often enjoy kaiseki or multi-course Japanese meals, as well as soak in an onsen, or hot spring bath on the property. Because public onsen in Japan are enjoyed in the nude too, guests may prefer staying in a ryokan with an in-room private onsen.
Blend the tradition of Kyoto and the hospitality of a fabulous ryokan stay at one of these ryokan in Kyoto with private onsen!
20 Ryokan in Kyoto with Private Onsen
This list of ryokan in Kyoto with private onsen includes everything from incredibly luxurious ryokan to vacation home rentals with Japanese rotenburo (hot tubs) as well. They all have private onsen to soak your stresses away, and often offer a number of other amenities for their guests as well.
The Kyoto ryokan listed below are ordered by price (USD) at the time of writing (lowest to highest). If you’re traveling to Kyoto on a budget, it’s best to stick to the private onsen options at the top of the list. Make sure to check Booking.com to confirm the latest rates.
In a rush to pick your perfect Kyoto ryokan with private onsen?
Here are my top three recommendations:
- TabiTabi Stay Moonlight – a budget-friendly option where you can rent an entire ryokan-style townhouse with a private onsen. Perfect for families.
- Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St. – an entire Kyoto alleyway preserved in the traditional style and converted to ryokans. The luxury rooms here all have private onsen.
- Ryokan Seryo – a traditional Kyoto ryokan which offers rooms with private onsen. Try out the ultimate luxurious ryokan experience here.
Just a note before we start, the cheapest private onsen options here are $233 USD per pair (Tabitabi Stay), $294 per pair (Onya Matsu), then $425 per pair (Hanaikada), and cost just goes up from there. If you’re looking for budget-friendly hotels with private onsen, check out my lists for Beppu, Hakone, Nagano, and Mt. Fuji area for cheaper options.
That being said, it’s definitely worth taking a peek at the luxurious private onsen options at the bottom of my list. Consider splurging during your Kyoto itinerary at one of the best Kyoto ryokan with private onsen. You won’t want to leave once you’re checked in!
So, here’s my complete list of Kyoto ryokan with private onsen!
Kyoto Ryokan with Private Onsen by Price (Lowest to Highest)
1. Tabitabi Stay Moonlight (whole house)
Two-Bedroom House – $233 USD per night for two people and $342 for four people. The maximum number of guests at this house in Kyoto with private onsen is five adults and two (small) children, making it perfect for large groups of friends and family. Although no food is included in the price, with bakeries, convenience stores, fast food joints, and restaurants nearby, you’ll have no trouble finding your meals in the surrounding neighborhood.
Tabitabi stay is the most budget-friendly Kyoto hotel with private onsen, located in the heart of the city near Nijo JR Station and Nijo Castle. This traditionally designed two-bed, two-bath home comes with air conditioning, a small Japanese garden, a kitchenette, and beautiful tatami floors.
The large private onsen here is a rotenburo, or hot water bath (not fed by hot springs). But with a semi open-air view of the Japanese garden and being surrounded by wooden panels, you’ll still be able to soak all your stresses and aches of the day away.
Check out the latest prices here.
2. Onya Matsu, 京町屋 御屋・松 (whole house)
Holiday Home – Two night minimum: $1,175 for four people for two nights, $1,575 for eight people for two nights, no meals included. (That equates to $294 per night per person for four people!)
Onya Matsu is another vacation home rental in Kyoto with private onsen, found in a renovated traditional Japanese home. The home has three bedrooms, a full kitchen, living and dining areas, a bathroom with bath tub, a coffee maker, laundry facilities… and even a massage chair! The most gorgeous feature of this property is the open-air private onsen on the property. The cypress wood tub is not fed by hot springs, but the rotenburo overlooks a small Japanese garden and is the perfect place to unwind after a long day.
This hotel in Kyoto is perfectly situation a 3-minute walk from the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, known for its massive vermillion torii gates that line a number of walkways up to the summit of Mt. Inari. Staying close to this shrine means you can visit early in the morning before the crowds of people arrive, or late at night when the main buildings are lit up with lanterns.
This ryokan in Kyoto with private onsen is perfect for large groups and large families, because it can accommodate up to eight people for a great price! Check the latest prices here.
Source: Onya Matsu
3. nol Kyoto Sanjo
Superior Twin Room – $329 per night for two people, no meals included. A suite is available for four people for $884 per night, also without meals.
nol Kyoto Sanjo is a refined, modern Kyoto ryokan that offers a relaxing and vintage atmosphere inside a renovated historic building. All of the rooms available here come with a hiba wood, onsen-style bathtub. The Superior twin room comes with a unique tsubo, bowl-shaped hiba tub for single users. Others have more spacious tub options. Each room also has extra amenities like a kitchenette and washer-dryer, making this an amazing Kyoto ryokan with private onsen for longer stays.
The Sanjo neighborhood where nol Kyoto is located is a more residential area, making it a great place to experience Kyoto has a local. Just three blocks south however, is the popular Nishiki market and Teramachi shopping district.
Check the latest availability and rates here.
4. Hanaikada Ryokan
Japanese Style Room with Hot Spring Bath – $425 per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included. If you’re interested in an Open-Air private onsen, upgrade to a Suite for four people for $1,450 per night.
Hanaikada is located in western Tokyo near the Arashiyama bamboo groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tenryu-ji Temple. This Kyoto ryokan with private onsen is self-proclaimed the only ryokan in Kyoto which offers gender-segregated onsen experiences with water fed from the Arashiyama natural hot springs.
The rooms here are mostly Japanese style, sleeping on tatami mats, however limited Western room options with a bed are available. Breakfast here is enjoyed in the common dining area, and dinners are brought to guests’ rooms for a private kaiseki (multi-course meal) experience. A public hot spring onsen is available here as well, one for men and one for women, as well as a kashikiri private onsen that can be rented for an additional fee. Yukata rentals are also available for guests at Hanaikada.
Check the latest availability and rates here.
5. Kyonoyado Gekkoan / Kyoto Ryokan Gekkoan
Luxury Suite – $460 USD per night for two people, $500 if breakfast is included, and $652 if breakfast and dinner are included. All meals are ryokan-style, Japanese kaiseki multi-course meals. Vegetarian options are available.
Kyonoyado Gekkoan is a fully-equipped historic home in Kyoto, divided into two luxurious suites, the Luxury Suite comes with a private onsen. Other amenities here include a small Japanese garden, a kitchenette, small dining area, seating area, air conditioning, TV, laundry facilities, and coffee machine. The semi open-air onsen hot tub basin is made from Shigaraki regional pottery, as are the tiles at the base of it.
This ryokan in Kyoto with private onsen is located within walking distance from Nijo Castle and Nijo JR Station.
Check out the latest prices here.
6. Kyoto Machiya Fukune (whole house)
Kokyu Japanese Style Double Story Suite with Open-Air Bath & Garden – $473 per night for two people, $505 for four. $521 and $601 per night respectively if kaiseki multi-course breakfast is included.
This Kyoto ryokan with private onsen is located in a spacious, renovated two-story townhouse located walking distance from Karasuma Station, Nishiki Market, and the Museum of Kyoto. The accommodation blends old-world Kyoto with sleek modern amenities and interior design. Guests have the entire townhouse to themselves.
Out of the four townhouses available under the Kyoto Machiya Fukune name, all four have an open-air onsen bath, and an indoor hinoki bath, and scenic Japanese garden. Guests can also enjoy a complementary Japanese tea ceremony, order kaiseki dinner services, and use in-room yukata.
Check the latest prices and availability here.
7. Kamishichiken Oku
Superior Double Room with Open Air Bath – $491 per night for two people, no meals included. $529 for two people with breakfast included (vegetarian options available).
Kamishichiken Oku is a 3-star ryokan located to the northwest of Kyoto city center in the direction of Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion, and near the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.
This Kyoto ryokan offers a geiko and maiko experience, where a performance is arranged for guests at the property’s on-site restaurant.
The rooms here with private onsen have outdoor tsuboburo (ceramic pot) onsen, as well as indoor baths that can open up to a private Japanese garden. Free toiletries, yukata rentals, and minibar with complementary drinks is also available to guests in each room.
Check out the latest prices and availability here.
8. Gion Kawasemi, Kyoto (whole house)
Two Bedroom House – $540 USD per night for two people, no meals included. Up to five people can stay in this Kyoto villa with private onsen for $675 USD per night.
Gion Kawasemi is a two-story Kyoto machiya townhome which has been designed to evoke a traditional ryokan stay. It’s located in the alleyways of the famous Gion district, near the Shirakawa river. The ryokan-style townhome comes with a spacious semi open-air private onsen as well as an adjoining Japanese Zen rock garden. Gion Kawasemi is a spacious accommodation option in Tokyo, with multiple lounging areas, perfect for relaxing after a long day of exploring.
Guests can use a kitchenette, coffee maker, washer-dryer, and fridge on-site. A free mini bar is also available where guests can try different local sake, wine, and juices.
Check out the latest prices and availability here.
9. Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi (whole house)
Machiya Suite Open-Air Bath – $658 per night for two people, $708 with breakfast included. $752-892 USD per night for four people, without and with breakfast included respectively. This private townhome accommodates up to five people.
Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi is located in a historic 3-bedroom Kyoto townhome, near Kyoto landmarks like Kyoto National Museum and the Chisaku-in temple.
The interior of this tea-themed villa has been renovated with interesting architectural elements, including a rock garden in the bedroom and a glass floor tea ceremony space. The outdoor private onsen tub also sits within a modern Japanese garden.
Check availability and the latest prices here for this ryokan in Kyoto with private onsen.
10. Saka Hotel Kyoto
Deluxe Double Room with Private Open Air Bath – $660 per night for two people with breakfast and dinner included. The Grand Twin room also has a private open-air onsen in the room and fits up to four people. It costs $1004 per night for four, with breakfast and dinner included.
This sleek Kyoto hotel offers a select number of rooms with a stone private onsen in an enclosed outdoor space. You won’t miss out by staying in the cheaper double or twin rooms either though, where beautiful cypress baths are available in each room. Guests all receive a bottle of Fushimi Sake in their rooms to add to their bath water – a secret ingredient for soft and supply skin! With an on-site restaurant serving amazing kaiseki multi-course meals, this is the perfect, serene getaway from the bustle of everyday life. Although no communal onsen is available here, a kashikiri private onsen can be rented on-site too.
Saka Hotel Kyoto is also located steps away from Kiyomizu Temple and Sannenzaka, some of the most popular photography spots in the city. Staying here will give you a head start on these popular tourist spots in Kyoto!
Check out the latest prices here.
11. Kishoan (whole house)
Villa with Garden View – $2,800 USD for four nights (equal to $700 per night), for two people. This accommodation has a four-night minimum stay, which is the perfect amount of time to enjoy a Kyoto itinerary plus a day-trip to Nara! This villa accommodates up to six people, making it an awesome Kyoto ryokan for large groups.
Kishoan is an impressive, two-story Kyoto villa with a private onsen. It’s centrally located in Kyoto near the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and walking distance from the Kamo River.
The outdoor tsubo, or ceramic, onsen outdoors at Kishoan as well as a small patio overlook a sculpted Japanese garden. Both Western-style beds and a large tatami room for futons are available. Guests have full use of a stainless steel kitchen and dining area, as well as many traditional Japanese-style tatami seating areas.
Find the latest availability, photos, and prices here.
12. Soraniwa Terrace Bettei Kamogawa
Queen Room with Spa Bath – $710 per night for two people with no meals, $800 per night with breakfast included.
This ryokan in Kyoto with private onsen is perfect for travelers who want to be centrally located, and who are looking for modern design and amenities. Bettei Kamogawa is located near Kyoto Kawaramachi station, which means walking distance from the Kamo River, Gion district, Ponotocho Alley, and Nishiki Market. All must-see spots on a Kyoto itinerary!
All of the rooms here have a large rotenburo, perfect for relaxing in after a long day. Most of the rotenburo, including in the Queen Room listed above, are located near the window or on the terrace so an open-air feel can be enjoyed. The rooms also have Western-style beds and sofas, TVs, a desk, and come with a yukata for guests to wear, plus complementary snacks and green tea.
Other facilities here include an open-air public onsen fed from natural hot springs, a guest lounge with free drinks and ice cream, a restaurant on-site, and a hot spring footbath. My favorite part about this Kyoto ryokan with private onsen is the beautiful rooftop terrace which overlooks the Kamo River, the historic districts of Kyoto, and the rolling hills that surround the city. Complete with fire places, a welcome drink, and couches, you’ll never want to leave!
Check out more photos and the latest prices here.
13. Rangetsu (Ryotei Rangetsu)
Japanese-Style Deluxe Twin Room with Open-Air Bath – $751 per night for two people with breakfast only, $905 for breakfast and dinner.
Rangetsu is a highly-rated Kyoto ryokan with private onsen located in the western part of the city, near Arashiyama bamboo grove. This traditional ryokan has rooms with Japanese futon bedding on tatami mats, as well as traditional Japanese seating areas on zabuton cushions. The private onsen attached to some rooms are located on an outdoor terrace, and is fed from hot springs water from the Arashiyama hot springs. The private onsen overlooks the nearby Katsura River and the bamboo forest, and is surrounded by nature. The ryokan also has public indoor onsen for guests to use.
This Kyoto ryokan with private onsen is about as traditional as it gets, and is perfect for visitors seeking an authentic Japanese experience in Kyoto!
Check the latest rates and availability here.
14. Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St.
Luxury Room – $778 per night for two people with breakfast only, $983 for breakfast and dinner.
Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St. is an entire complex of modern Kyoto ryokan with private onsen. Unlike the other Nazuna properties, Tsubaki St. offers a full suite of ryokan-style room options. The luxury rooms here come with private onsen, either semi-open air or indoor.
The highlight of this property is the exterior, which features a traditional street with beautiful night-time lighting. The ryokan street seeks to evoke the vibes of traditional Kyoto geisha districts. Only guests 6 years and older can stay at this property.
Check the latest rates and availability here.
15. Suiran Luxury Collection
Yuzunoha Guest Room, 1 King, Garden View, Ground Floor – $880 per night for two people, no meals included, $1120 with breakfast included.
Surian Luxury Collection Hotel in Kyoto is an all-in-one ryokan located in western Kyoto, near the Arashiyama bamboo grove. It is steps away from Tenryuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge over the Katsura River. Facilities available for guests here include a spa, gift shop, a French and Japanese restaurant, a cafe and lounge, and 24-hour reception.
The private onsen available in the rooms here are fed by natural Arashiyama hot springs water, and the tub itself is made of Japanese cypress wood. The private onsen are located on the patio or terrace, overlooking either a Japanese garden on the ground floor or the Arashiyama hills on the higher floors. In addition to the private onsen in the rooms, guests can reserve a hot spring onsen for private use during certain hours of the day.
Check availability and the latest prices for this ryokan in Kyoto with private onsen here.
16. Nazuna Kyoto Gosho
Luxury Room with Outdoor Bath – $925 USD for two people per night, breakfast included. $1,123 per night for breakfast and dinner included.
Nazuna Kyoto Gosho is located near the Marutamachi station, walking distance from the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, and in the other direction, Nijo Castle. All of the rooms in this Kyoto townhome has a wagashi, or Japanese sweets and confectionary theme.
The Luxury Room at the Nazuna Kyoto Gosho encompasses the entire ground floor of a traditional Kyoto building, and has a king-size bed, private outdoor onsen tub, dining and seating area, and a private Japanese garden in the middle of the property as well. The breakfast and dinner that can be requested as part of the room rate is irori-style, or where meat and vegetables are grilled fresh over Japanese coal fire before serving.
Check availability and the latest prices here.
17. Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo
Deluxe Studio with Garden View and Open-Air Bath – $967 per night for two people, no meals included.
Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo is located in a Meiji-era residential villa, walking distance from Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto. This traditional ryokan only offers rooms with futon bedding on tatami mats, and has public onsen baths for guests to enjoy. Their on-site Japanese restaurant serves traditional and seasonal dishes, including vegetarian kaiseki options.
The rooms with private onsen here are all semi open-air in Japanese cypress tubs. The private onsen overlooks Japanese maple trees in the garden, making it a perfect place to stay in Kyoto in the autumn. If traveling with a larger group, a family suite with private onsen is also available, and rooms with saunas instead of onsen are also options at this ryokan.
Check the availability and latest rates here
18. Japanese Ryokan Seryo
Deluxe Studio – $1,010 USD for two guests, kaiseki breakfast and dinner is included. Ingredients used here include home-grown vegetables and seasonal Kyoto ingredients.
Japanese Ryokan Seryo is located in the Ohara region north of Kyoto city center. This Kyoto ryokan with private onsen draws its natural onsen waters from the Ohara hot springs. The property has shared open-air onsen with Japanese garden views, and an indoor onsen as well. A Japanese traditional restaurant, Hinasato, is located on-site.
The beautiful Deluxe Studio has a private outdoor onsen attached. It sits on its own patio surrounded by pristine Japanese gardens. Both Western and Japanese-style futon beds are available for guests, as is a Western seating area, a TV, private bathroom, and double sinks.
Check out the latest rates and availability for this ryokan in Kyoto with private onsen here.
19. Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo
Suites with Open-Air Bath – $1,100 per night for two people, breakfast included. $1,300 for the room plus dinner only, and $1,400 for breakfast and dinner.
Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo is a high-end ryokan in Kyoto with private onsen, that’s undoubtedly one of the top accommodation options in the Kyoto area. Nazuna Kyoto was even named to the 2020 Michelin guide to Kyoto and Osaka as one of the best places to stay in Kyoto.
All of the suites at this property are stunningly decorated in a traditional but renovated Japanese style. Each suite has a private onsen, some of which are open-air on the patio, some overlooking a Japanese garden, and some indoor in a cypress tub. Although not fed by hot springs, soaking in one of these rotenburo hot-tubs surrounded by the beauty of Kyoto will melt any stresses away. The suites also have a small Japanese garden, tatami seating area, Western-style beds (and futon options), air conditioning, and a TV.
Meals served here are irori-style, or cooked in part over the suite’s open irori fireplace’s hot coals. The property also offers, for additional fees, walking tours through Kyoto with a kimono traditional dress, and two different types of massages, one with and one without oil.
Check the latest room availability, including various private onsen options, and prices here.
20. Ryokan Genhouin
Japanese Style Superior Triple Room with Garden View – $1,129 per night for three people or $1,491 per night with breakfast included.
Ryokan Genhouin is a picture-perfect ryokan in Kyoto that offers incredible Japanese hospitality in a tranquil, traditional setting. It offers a large Japanese garden on-site, perfect for relaxation, as well as communal onsen hot spring bathing facilities. The triple room here is the only one with a private onsen-in room, however this Kyoto ryokan with private onsen also offers a kashikiri rental private onsen on-site.
The tatami rooms here are spacious with seating areas, TVs, and balconies that open up to the Japanese garden. Unfortunately dinner options are not available here, however fresh and locally sourced ingredients are used to provide guests with an impeccable Japanese breakfast.
Ryokan Genhouin is located in Kyoto’s northwestern temple district, making it the perfect base to explore Japanese history, culture, and tradition. Nearby landmarks include Heian Shrine and Nanzen-ji Temple.
Check the latest room availability and prices for this Kyoto ryokan here.
Bonus!
Three Kyoto ryokan with private onsen for rent
Some Kyoto ryokan and onsen hotels offer kashikiri onsen – private onsen that you can rent for personal use for a set period of time. As a guest at the ryokan, you can usually reserve an onsen for free, but sometimes a cleaning and usage charge applies.
Staying at a Kyoto ryokan that offers kashikiri private onsen is a great way to still experience private onsen, but without the big budget of getting a room with a private onsen.
Check out these amazing Kyoto ryokan and hotels with private onsen to rent:
Don’t forget, some of the Kyoto ryokan with private onsen mentioned above also have kashikiri options in addition to in-room onsen. The perks to having multiple options means you can try different onsen tub types, atmospheres, and designs.
Check out more Kyoto accommodation options in my list of Best Kyoto Ryokan, Coolest Hotels in Kyoto, and Kyoto Machiya Stays too.
Pin these ryokan in Kyoto with private onsen for later!
Are You Prepared For Your Trip To Japan?
Be sure to check out my Japan home page for Japan travel information, insider tips, reading list, and must-haves for traveling to Japan!
- Book Your Flights – To find the cheapest flights, flexibility is key. I use both Google Flights for their low fare calendar, and Skiplagged, which uses airfare loopholes to get the lowest prices. For a trip to Japan, check flights to both Tokyo airports (Haneda, Narita) and to Osaka (Kansai).
- Getting Around Japan: Prepare your JR Pass and Suica transit card before you depart.
- Book Your Accommodation – Check out Booking.com for the largest selection of accommodation in Japan. Consider having a bit of fun at one of these Weirdest Hotels in Japan too 🙂
- Book Local Excursions – Don’t miss out on world-class experiences, like Teamlab Planets or Tokyo Disneyland, by booking tickets online now. Check GetYourGuide and Klook for fun experiences all around Japan.
- Stay Connected: Order a pocket WiFi for airport pickup if you’re traveling with family or with a large group. Solo traveling to Japan? Order a SIM card just for you.
- Pack Your Essentials – Check out my posts about Long Term Travel Gear, and Carry-On Luggage Packing Essentials.
- Read more on my Travel Resources page!
