Soak Under Sakura: 16 Luxury Onsen Ryokan in Japan for Spring 2026
- Written by: LIVE JAPAN Editor
Cherry blossom season in Japan is magical. But instead of viewing the blooms from crowded parks, why not soak beneath them in your own open-air hot spring?
This guide features 16 luxury onsen ryokan where you can admire sakura from a rotenburo, combining peak bloom views with refined hospitality and seasonal kaiseki cuisine. It is one of the most exclusive ways to experience spring in Japan.
You can check the cherry blossom forecast for 2026 here. Peak season from late March to April books up fast, especially ryokan with cherry blossom views. Many travelers reserve around six months ahead, so early planning is essential.
(*For the latest information, please check our partner sites linked within the article.)
(Main image: Booking.com)
Enjoy the Season from a Scenic Open-Air Bath
Bathing is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, and onsen (hot springs) resorts remain some of the country’s most beloved travel experiences. Many feature open-air baths that let you soak in mineral-rich waters while surrounded by nature, offering sweeping views that change beautifully with the seasons.
In spring, some ryokan offer hanami-buro: open-air baths with views of cherry blossoms in full bloom, available only during this fleeting season.
Cherry blossom spots across Japan can become crowded at peak bloom. Instead, unwind in a serene open-air bath, where you can admire soft pink sakura drifting overhead. It is a refined and uniquely Japanese way to experience the beauty of spring.
Kissho Caren (Shizuoka)
Kissho Caren is a refined ryokan set in the hot spring haven of Izu, just south of Tokyo. Designed for a relaxed resort-style escape, it pairs traditional hospitality with coastal scenery.
From the open-air baths, the ocean seems to stretch endlessly before you, while the gentle scent of Japanese cypress enhances the experience. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom throughout the property, including around the spacious public baths and rotenburo, adding soft pink accents to an already serene setting.
・Cherry blossom season: Around mid-February to March.
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Kissho Carenお祝いの宿 吉祥CAREN- Address Hokkawaonsen, Higashiizu, Shizuoka View Map
- Original source: Booking.com
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from 57,588JPY 1room, 2adults
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Awanoyu (Nagano)
Awanoyu is known for its distinctive milky-white hot spring waters, rich in minerals and gently opaque. In spring, cherry blossoms frame the large mixed-gender open-air bath, creating a tranquil setting where you can truly feel the season shift.
Men and women enter through separate entrances, and guests wear a provided bathing garment. The cloudy water offers additional privacy, so you can relax without concern.
Unusually, the spring water here is also drinkable, which is rare among onsen in Japan. It is traditionally believed to support digestive health and help with metabolic conditions.
Surrounded by nature and far from crowds, Awanoyu offers a peaceful way to enjoy cherry blossoms in quiet comfort.
*Please note that children of elementary school age and younger are not permitted.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Around April
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Awanoyu泡の湯旅館- Address Azumi 4181, Matsumoto, Nagano View Map
- Original source: Booking.com
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from 69,600JPY 1room, 2adults
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Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku (Gunma)
Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku features three expansive mixed-gender open-air baths covering a total of about 857 square meters, along with a separate rotenburo reserved for women.
Built among massive river stones, the baths blend seamlessly with the landscape, as the clear stream flows gently beside them. The setting feels completely immersed in nature, offering a calm, restorative escape. In spring, cherry blossoms add delicate color to the scenery, creating a memorable soak beneath the blooms.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: around April.
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Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku宝川温泉汪泉閣- Address 1899 Fujiwara, Minakami-machi, Tone-gun, Gunma View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
Shosenkaku (Nagano)
Shosenkaku is a traditional onsen ryokan set amid lush greenery, offering a peaceful retreat in every season. In spring, cherry blossoms enhance the views from both the open-air baths and the private onsen in select guest rooms.
One of its most distinctive features is the “Omiai Bath.” Between the men’s and women’s open-air baths stands a small Omiai Shrine dedicated to matchmaking. When a cord is gently pulled from the women’s side, a partition door opens, allowing guests to exchange a few words across the divide. It is a playful, old-fashioned touch that adds a hint of romance to the stay.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Around April.
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Nakaoyama Onsen Shosenkaku (Nagano)中尾山温泉松仙閣＜長野県＞- Address 2475 Shinonoi Komatsubara, Nagano-shi, Nagano View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
Hounkan (Nara)
Hounkan is a warmly traditional ryokan where natural wood interiors create a calm, welcoming atmosphere.
From the open-air bath, guests can take in sweeping views over the Naka-senbon and Kamisenbon areas of Mt. Yoshino, widely regarded as one of Japan’s three most celebrated cherry blossom destinations. During sakura season, the mountainsides appear layered in soft pink.
After sunset, the illuminated pagoda of Nyoirin-ji glows against the night sky, transforming the scenery once again. The ever-changing views throughout the day make this stay especially memorable.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.
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Keisho no Yado Hounkan景勝の宿 芳雲館- Address 2340 Yoshinoyama, Yoshino-cho, Yoshino-gun, Nara View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
Ryokan Fushioukaku (Osaka)
Ryokan Fushioukaku is a convenient onsen ryokan just a 30-minute drive from central Osaka, making it an easy escape from the city.
Guests can rent a colorful yukata for a small fee and take a relaxed stroll around the grounds. In spring, cherry blossoms can be enjoyed from the open-air bath, creating a peaceful setting to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.
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Fushio Onsen Fushioukaku伏尾温泉 不死王閣- Address 128-1 Fushiocho, Ikeda-shi, Osaka View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
Yuzanso (Shiga)
Yuzanso is a lakeside ryokan overlooking Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake.
Its gentle, mineral-rich waters are often described as “beauty baths,” known for leaving skin feeling soft and smooth after a soak. In spring, the open-air baths offer views of cherry blossoms set against the expansive lake, creating a serene blend of seasonal color and waterfront scenery.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: around April.
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Yuzanso里湯昔話 雄山荘- Address 1-9-28 Ogoto, Otsu-shi, Shiga View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
Choseikan (Niigata)
Choseikan is home to one of Japan’s rare radium hot springs, prized for its mineral content and restorative properties. The air around the baths is said to be invigorating, making even a deep breath part of the experience.
In spring, cherry blossoms bloom in the garden, visible from the spacious open-air bath. The peaceful setting, framed by seasonal color and quiet greenery, offers a serene escape that feels distinctly Japanese.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: around April.
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Murasugi Onsen Fuga-no-Yado Chouseikan村杉温泉 風雅の宿 長生館- Address Murasugi, Agano-shi, Niigata View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
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from 31,680JPY 1room, 2adults
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Osawa Onsen Sansuikaku (Iwate)
Osawa Onsen Sansuikaku blends traditional ryokan charm with refined modern design, creating an elegant yet welcoming retreat.
Its open-air baths sit beside a gently flowing river, with mountain scenery unfolding in every season. In spring, cherry blossoms add soft color to the landscape, while a light breeze drifts across the water, enhancing the refreshing atmosphere of an outdoor soak.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: around April.
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Osawa Onsen Sansuikaku大沢温泉 山水閣- Address 181 Yuguchi, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
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from 25,300JPY 1room, 2adults
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Yumetsuzuri (Toyama)
Yumetsuzuri offers a tranquil escape accompanied by the gentle murmur of the Shogawa River.
Its variety of baths includes an open-air hinoki cypress bath fragrant with wood, an open-air ceramic tub, and a spacious open-air rock bath. In spring, cherry blossoms can be admired from these outdoor baths, adding soft seasonal color to the riverside setting. The peaceful scenery and flowing water create a deeply calming experience.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: around April.
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Shogawa Onsen Yumetsuzuri庄川温泉 ゆめつづり- Address Shogawamachi Kanaya 3531, Tonami, Toyama View Map
- Original source: Booking.com
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from 26,700JPY 1room, 2adults
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Kotohira Kadan (Kagawa)
Kotohira Kadan is a storied ryokan set within a lush garden retreat, long favored by prominent Japanese writers and cultural figures.
Guests can soak in the renowned Kompira hot spring, ranked among Japan’s 100 best onsen and celebrated for its skin-soothing qualities. In spring, cherry blossoms can be admired from the open-air baths and select private in-room onsen. After dark, the illuminated bamboo grove creates an enchanting atmosphere that feels both elegant and serene.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.
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Kotohira Kadan琴平花壇- Address 1241-5 , Kotohira, Kagawa View Map
- Original source: Booking.com
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from 28,120JPY 1room, 2adults
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Yunoyado Hakusan Shobutei (Ishikawa)
Yunoyado Hakusan Shobutei offers 20 guest rooms with private onsen baths, allowing you to enjoy natural hot spring water in complete comfort and privacy.
The gentle, skin-friendly waters are suitable for guests of all ages, from young children to older travelers. In spring, cherry blossoms can be admired from the lobby and open-air baths, while the softly illuminated evening blooms create an especially elegant atmosphere.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.
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Yamashiro Onsen Yunoyado Hakusan Shobutei山代温泉 ゆ湯の宿 白山菖蒲亭- Address 4-34-1 Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
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from 22,440JPY 1room, 2adults
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Yufuin Sansuikan (Oita)
Yufuin Sansuikan is a ryokan in Oita, often called Japan’s “Onsen Prefecture” for its abundance of hot springs throughout the region.
In spring, the open-air baths offer views of cherry blossoms with Mt. Yufudake rising in the background, creating a classic Yufuin landscape right before your eyes. Just an 8-minute walk from Yufuin Station, the ryokan is also well positioned for exploring the town.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.
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Yufuin Sansuikanゆふいん 山水館- Address Yufuin, Kawaminami 108-1, Yufu, Oita View Map
- Original source: Booking.com
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from 32,412JPY 1room, 2adults
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Bosenkan (Gifu)
Bosenkan is a welcoming ryokan featuring a variety of hot spring baths, including a spacious open-air bath.
The outdoor baths feel seamlessly connected to the nearby river, creating a refreshing sense of openness. In spring, cherry blossoms frame the baths, adding seasonal charm to your soak. The property also boasts a 3,600-square-meter Japanese garden, where you can take an evening stroll beneath softly illuminated cherry blossoms.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.
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Bosenkan望川館- Address Yunoshima 190-1, Gero, Gifu View Map
- Original source: Booking.com
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from 16,800JPY 1room, 2adults
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Hotel Kaminoyu Onsen (Yamanashi)
Hotel Kaminoyu Onsen is a hot spring ryokan offering views of Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji.
Guests can choose from a range of private baths, including Japan’s first egg-shaped steam bath and fragrant hinoki cypress baths. In spring, cherry blossoms can be enjoyed from the open-air baths, adding seasonal color to the Mt. Fuji backdrop.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.
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Hotel Kaminoyu Onsen甲府の夜景を独占する温泉 １１種類の風呂 ホテル神の湯温泉- Address 17 Ryuji, Kai-shi, Yamanashi View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
Yamamura Bekkan (Yamaguchi)
At Yamamura Bekkan, guests can soak in the gentle waters of Yumoto Onsen, a resort renowned for its skin-beautifying properties.
In spring, cherry blossoms can be admired from the Western-style open-air bath, creating an elegant blend of Japanese scenery and European-inspired design. After dark, the open sky reveals a canopy of stars, adding a serene nighttime touch to your stay.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.
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Yamamura Bekkan山村別館- Address Fukawayumoto 533-1, Nagato, Yamaguchi View Map
- Original source: Booking.com
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from 18,200JPY 1room, 2adults
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If your preferred hotel is fully booked, here are some other recommendations
Don't worry if the ryokan with cherry blossom views from their open-air baths are fully booked. There are plenty of other fantastic options, including hotels where you can enjoy the sakura from the comfort of your own room, and accommodations conveniently located near famous hanami spots. Whether you prefer to enjoy the blossoms peacefully in a private space away from the crowds, or join the lively atmosphere at one of the classic, must-visit locations, you can find the perfect cherry blossom viewing experience to match your travel style.
Tokyo Hotels with In-Room Cherry Blossom Views
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Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Mainホテルニューオータニ 東京 ザ・メイン- Address Chiyoda-ku, Kioi-Cho 4-1, , Tokyo View Map
- Original source: Booking.com
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from 55,920JPY 1room, 2adults
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Hotel Chinzanso Tokyoホテル椿山荘東京- Address 2-10-8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
Kyoto Accommodations Near Famous Cherry Blossom Spots
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Hotel Okura Kyotoホテルオークラ京都- Address Kawaramachi Oike, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
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Suiran Luxury Collection Hotel Kyoto翠嵐ラグジュアリーコレクションホテル京都- Address 12 Saga Tenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto View Map
- Original source: Rakuten Travel
*Source for this article: Booking.com.
*The information is based on the facility's official website and official SNS.
*Cherry blossom conditions vary from region to region. Information is based on the official information from each facility and the JMA's 2026 cherry blossom blooming/full blooming status, but please check the official websites for the latest information when making reservations.
The LIVE JAPAN editorial team is a multinational group made up of native editors who have lived in Japan for over five years and Japanese editors who love to travel. Together, we share the best of Japan, offering cultural insights, historical context, event updates, and travel-friendly deals, to support your journey every step of the way.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
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