Where to stay for a traditional Japanese experience? Surely, the answer is to stay in a ryokan! It’s a traditional Japanese stay, very authentic, with the futon as your bed, the tatami, and often with the fusuma (sliding doors) too. If you’re a fan of anime or Japanese series, you must already be familiar with ryokan.

Hence, when you stay in Japan, why don’t you make the most of it? Don’t stay at a regular hotel – which you can do anywhere else. Have an authentic experience by staying in a ryokan!

So, where’s the best ryokan to choose? Here, Traveloka will answer your question on where to stay for a traditional Japanese experience with several ryokan choices!

Location: 3829 Shima, Nakanojo, Agatsuma District, Gunma 377-0601, Japan
Room Rate: Around AU$134.86

Kashiwaya Ryokan is rated as a 3-star hotel, located in Shima Onsen, Gunma Prefecture. It’s a small place so you’d better hurry, since it will be likely for the inn to be fully-booked during peak season.

What’s special about Kashiwaya Ryokan is that they have the option of guest rooms with open-air baths with hot springs water. If you don’t get this room type, you can still enjoy the large public bath on the first floor.

At dinner time, the inn serves Kaiseki Cuisine, the typical ryokan cuisine consisting of multi-course meals!

Location: 6-38 Dogo Tako-cho, Ehime, Matsuyama-shi, Shikoku, Japan, 790-0841
Room Rate: Around AU$152.43

Where to stay for a traditional Japanese experience next? Ryokan Dougoya is one of the best picks. It’s a small inn – it only has 7 guest rooms inside. This place is so special, located in Dogo, with the hot spring flowing directly from the source.

Every room in Ryokan Dougoya has traditional artwork that will increase the uniqueness. During your stay, you will enjoy the Genki Meshi as their signature breakfast menu that’s healthy and natural. It has rice (natural ones, from Ehime prefecture), homemade miso soup and pickled vegetables, and also seasonal food plates.

Location: 2-27 Dogosagidanicho, Ehime, Matsuyama-shi, Shikoku, Japan, 790-0836
Room Rate: Around AU$391.51

Also in Ehime Prefecture, Yamatoya Besso provides traditional hospitality. All of the rooms here are traditional yet so lavish, very well-designed by the master of the sukiya architecture himself, Osamu Yamaguchi. Not to mention that every room also has several artworks made by local artists, enhancing the authentic Japanese vibe.

The ambience is very calming. Most of the guest rooms here have their own open-air bath (unless the Peach type, it has the semi open-air bath). The rooms are big too, enough for 3 people (the Cherry Blossoms type) and for 6 people (the Plum type).

Location: 1500 Yufuincho Kawakami, Oita, Yufu-shi, Kyushu, Japan, 879-5102
Room Rate: Around AU$700

The next option on where to stay for a traditional Japanese experience goes to Yufuin Souan Kosumosu. This place is what you need when you crave for a sanctuary – and also a traditional experience combined with modernity. In simplicity, you will still feel the luxury, like when you take off your shoes before entering the lavish main building.

The place has 2 buildings: The Main Building and Annex. The rooms in the Main Building are Japanese-style, but with a little touch of modernity. All floors are connected by elevators, so no worries.

The accommodations in the Annex building somehow feel more traditional and tranquil. The Two-Story Detached House, for example, is enough for 2-4 people, with plenty of tatami mats and an open-air hot spring bath.

Location: 34 Nanzenji Fukuji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Kansai, Japan, 606-8435
Room Rate: Around AU$436

Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo was built in 1915 as a hotel in Kyoto, and stood still until today. The place is very peaceful, especially located adjacent to Nanzenji Temple. The Japanese-style rooms of this hotel are already popular, and they have plenty of room options.

The hotel also has 2 buildings, Honkan and Bekkan. If you want to feel more traditional, choose the rooms in Bekkan, with tatami mats in every corner of the room, futon and sliding doors!

On the other hand, the Honkan feels more lavish, and you get to have your own Japanese Hinoki wood tub. The view of the bamboo around amplifies the peaceful vibe.

Location: 1-2 Okazaki Hoshojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, 606-8333
Room Rate: Around AU$255.82

Ryokan Kanade is a perfect accommodation for a tranquil getaway. Find numerous Japanese-style room types here, differentiate by the size. The hotel has a Pure Japanese Garden and Modern Rock Garden, which will be the view from several rooms.

When you’re here, don’t forget to have a taste of the delicious Kyoto kaiseki cuisine, led by their talented executive chef. Kaiseki is a multi-course Japanese meal, made with Japanese seasonal ingredients. Here, the cuisines are made from fresh fish and vegetables, ready to make your stomach full.

Location: 44-8 Bishamon-cho, Higashioji-dori, Matsubara-agaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Kansai, Japan, 605-0812
Room Rate: Around AU$417.07

Last but not least, your pick on where to stay for a traditional Japanese experience is the famous Kyoto Ryokan The Kinoe. Strategically located close to so many tourist attractions, your stay here will be enjoyable. FYI, they only have 12 rooms.

Of course, all of the rooms have the tatami floor, with chic Japanese-style decoration here and there. If you’re lucky, you can book a special room called Minori, which is the only room in this hotel that has a view of the stone garden “Gozan”.

On the first floor, you can check out the large public bathroom, where you can wash off your body and take a dip in the hot water.

Read more about where to stay in Hokkaido for skiing and find the perfect accommodation for your winter adventure!

No more getting confused thinking about where to stay for a traditional Japanese experience, now that you have our list. The next thing you should do is plan your perfect vacation in Japan with Traveloka. Book everything in seconds, from hotels, flights, to attraction tickets. Best prices are waiting for you!