2024 Ranking of Top-Rated Onsen Ryokan with Exceptional Baths—Must-Visit Hot Springs in Japan!
- Written by: Nemi Lin
In Japan, the cool autumn and winter months are perfect not only for savoring seasonal dishes but also for enjoying a warm, relaxing onsen soak! Japanese onsen enthusiasts love to plan weekend and holiday trips to hot springs as a way to unwind and treat themselves. Based on guest ratings, Rakuten Travel has released its “Top-Rated Onsen Ryokan with Exceptional Baths” list. This ranking is a great guide for experiencing onsen baths highly praised by locals—perfect for planning a soothing hot spring trip this season!
(Main image source: PR TIMES)
(This article contains promotional content)
Top 3 Onsen Ryokan in Rakuten Travel’s “Top-Rated Onsen Baths” Ranking
Rakuten Travel’s platform covers all of Japan, with this ranking featuring onsen ryokan from as far north as Aomori to as far south as Kagoshima. Let’s dive into the list of top-ranked onsen ryokan—be sure to take notes for your next relaxing hot spring getaway!
#1: All-Rooms with Semi-Open-Air Baths – Hamazen Ryokan (Hinagu Onsen, Kumamoto)
With near-perfect ratings and ranked #1 for two consecutive years, Hamazen Ryokan at Hinagu Onsen in Kumamoto—an area with over 600 years of hot spring history—stands out for its unique offering: every room comes with a semi-open-air onsen bath, each with a distinct style. Guests can enjoy a private soak anytime, 24 hours a day, without worrying about tattoos or others’ opinions.
For those who find the in-room bath a bit small, Hamazen Ryokan also offers reservable family baths, providing a different ambiance and onsen experience.
- "Being able to soak anytime without worrying about the clock was so satisfying!"
- "The in-room onsen bath was incredibly spacious and comfortable—I took a dip four times in one night!"
- Hot Spring Source: Private spring
- Water Quality: Mildly alkaline, sodium-calcium chloride spring
- Therapeutic Benefits: Effective for frozen shoulder, bruises, cold extremities, fatigue recovery, neuralgia, sleep disorders, depression, atopic dermatitis, and more
- Rating: 4.84 out of 5
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Address
Hinagunaka Nishimachi 379, Hinagu, Kumamoto, 869-5133
View Map
Vacancy search, reservation
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from 17,900JPY 1room, 2adults
Check with our partner site as the latest rates, rate details, and guest room requirements may vary.
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Address
Hinagunaka Nishimachi 379, Hinagu, Kumamoto, 869-5133
#2: Ikaho Onsen Kogure Hotel (Ikaho Onsen, Gunma Prefecture)
In second place is Kogure Hotel at Ikaho Onsen in Gunma Prefecture. This hotel offers four distinct bathing areas, each with uniquely designed baths that provide a visual as well as a relaxing experience.
At the Sennraku Grand Bath, guests can soak while admiring lush mountain views, with a choice of 11 different pools immersed in nature. The Senyu Grand Bath offers a massage bath, semi-open-air bath, and two open-air baths. Additional highlights include a private scenic bath and a garden foot bath at the Senkyakubanrai Tea House. Kogure Hotel is like a hot spring theme park, perfect for a day of soaking and exploring without a moment of boredom!
- "The men’s and women’s baths switch between morning and evening, adding a sense of adventure to the onsen experience—making each visit feel fresh and exciting!"
- Hot Spring Source: Golden Hot Spring (Kogane no Yu)
- Water Quality: Sulfate-chloride spring
- Therapeutic Benefits: Helps relieve neuralgia, muscle pain, frozen shoulder, cold extremities, fatigue, chronic skin conditions, high blood pressure, and more
- Rating: 4.82 out of 5
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Address
135 Ikahomachi Ikaho, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma, 377-0102
View Map -
Nearest Station
Ubashima Station (JR Agatsuma Line)
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Address
135 Ikahomachi Ikaho, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma, 377-0102
#3: Tsukioka Onsen Mashu (Tsukioka Onsen, Niigata Prefecture)
In third place is Tsukioka Onsen Mashu in Niigata Prefecture. Known for its distinctive emerald-green color due to hydrogen sulfide ions, Tsukioka Onsen offers mildly alkaline waters that leave skin moisturized and are highly popular for their beauty benefits, especially among women. Mashu features four open-air baths along with a reservable private bath. The outdoor baths are set within a traditional Japanese garden, allowing guests to soak while enjoying the seasonal beauty of a serene Japanese landscape.
- "The onsen was amazing! My skin felt so smooth afterward!"
- "The Japanese garden created such a relaxing atmosphere—I ended up soaking for a long time without even realizing it."
- Hot Spring Source: Tsukioka Onsen
- Water Quality: Sulfuric sodium chloride spring (mildly alkaline, hypotonic, high-temperature)
- Therapeutic Benefits: Helps alleviate severe heart conditions, severe anemia, acute illnesses, bleeding disorders, photosensitivity, and more
- Rating: 4.78 out of 5
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Address
654-1 Tsukioka Onsen, Shibata-shi, Niigata, 959-2338
View Map -
Nearest Station
Tsukioka Station (Uetsu Line)
50 minutes on foot
Vacancy search, reservation
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from 55,000JPY 1room, 2adults
Check with our partner site as the latest rates, rate details, and guest room requirements may vary.
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Address
654-1 Tsukioka Onsen, Shibata-shi, Niigata, 959-2338
Experience Onsen Stays Loved by the Japanese!
As a hot spring paradise, Japan offers onsen experiences throughout the country, with many facilities enhancing the quality of their baths and landscaping to provide an even more relaxing atmosphere. As the weather cools down, don’t miss the chance to enjoy a rejuvenating onsen experience in Japan! Check out Rakuten Travel’s onsen ranking to find the perfect hot spring stay for your needs and make the most of your onsen getaway!
(Source: PR TIMES)
Nemi has been living in Japan since 2015. She attended a Japanese-Chinese translation school in Japan and volunteered as a translator at the Osaka International House Foundation for 2 years. A busy mother, she explores trendy cafes, value-for-money buffets, and captures beautiful moments of cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and maple leaves in her free time. She often travels with her family during holidays, collecting regional snacks and sampling local puddings. Nemi regularly shares top foodie spots, the best locations for picturesque views, and family-friendly guides to Osaka on her Instagram.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
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