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!
15 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.
Just a note before we start, the cheapest private onsen options here are $233 USD per pair (Tabitabi Story), $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, 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 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 people, 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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi (whole house)
Machiya Suite Open-Air Bath – $754 per night for two people, $823 with breakfast included. $770-$911 USD per night for four people, with and without 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.
11. Nazuna Kyoto Gosho
Luxury Room with Outdoor Bath – $775 USD for two people per night, no meals included. $1,177 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.
12. 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.
13. 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
14. 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.
15. Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo
Suites with Open-Air Bath – $1,100 per night for two people, breakfast included. $1,300 if 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.
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.
- Buy Travel Insurance – It’s better to protect yourself from mishaps when traveling. Get a quote from World Nomads to see how much it’ll cost to get you covered!
- 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!
