10 Onsens in Nikko: Best hotel deals for 2023

May 9, 2023 Concepcion Newsome

The shrines and temples of Nikko have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Here, you can visit the Toshogu Shrine, which dates from the 17th century and is a monument to (and the mausoleum of) Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of a shogunate that ruled Japan for 250 years. Travelers day-tripping from Tokyo generally focus on the sacred sites, but if you have extra time, explore the area’s beautiful waterfalls and lakes.
Restaurants in Nikko

1. Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki

1400 Kinugawa Onsen Ohara, Nikko 321-2522 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
10%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
10%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 268 reviews

Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki

A 3-minute walk from the train station, this hot spring hotel in a mountain village is 2 km from Tobu World Square, a miniatures theme park. The airy rooms feature tatami floors, futons, and sitting areas with traditional short-legged tables, as well as TVs, mini fridges, and furnished terraces or balconies. Some rooms offer separate bedrooms with wood-framed beds. Upgraded rooms add cypress soaking tubs. A hot-spring bathhouse and spa features communal baths, saunas and hot tubs. Dining options include a tearoom, a karaoke lounge and a ramen noodle bar. There are also indoor and outdoor pools. Parking is available for a fee.

Fun and Wonderful place for Kids - but room smelled like Smoke

Reviewed By SandBTokyo

This hotel is big and lots of fun for the kids. However, room smelled like smoke which was disgusting. The hotel is quite near to the station. The place is very clean and well maintained. It is a beautifully decorated and spacious hotel. The staff are very nice and friendly. The check-in was easy and they offered welcome drinks in the beautiful lounge. The hotel has an indoor pool with a slide, an outdoor pool (shallow and for lounging) overlooking to river valley and also an onsen. The onsen was big and lots of different baths, really great.Sauna was closed due to corona. Changing rooms very spacious and clean. They also have a game room. Dinner and breakfast buffets were quite nice, although food is not the strongest point for Mizazuki, it was OK. Strange thing was I told a staff lady during breakfast that they were out of hot tea, and she said that there was no more. Not sure she was just lazy or they actually ran out of tea. Room was big and nice layout, however there was an embedded smell of smoking. Disgusting, not sure why the hotel still lets people destroy their property with smoking. This was the downside to our stay. All in all, Mikazuki is a fun place if you have kids and recommend staying.

2. Asaya

813 Kinugawaonsentaki, Nikko 321-2598 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
46%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 512 reviews

Asaya

Everyone needs a place to lay their weary head. For travelers visiting Nikko, Asaya is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation. Well-known for its romantic environment and proximity to great restaurants and attractions, Asaya makes it easy to enjoy the best of Nikko. Rooms at Asaya offer a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator. During your stay, take advantage of some of the amenities offered, including a 24 hour front desk, shops, and a coffee shop. Guests of Asaya Hotel are also welcome to enjoy a pool and an on-site restaurant. For travelers arriving by car, free parking is available. For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Nikko, Asaya Hotel is located a short distance from Kurogane Bridge Promenade (0.2 mi) and Tateiwa Observation Deck (1.1 mi). While you’re here, be sure to check out Trattoria Camino, one of the Italian restaurants that can be found in Nikko, which is a short distance from Asaya. If you’re looking for things to do, you can check out Kinu Tateiwa Otsuribashi (Suspension bridge) (1.2 mi), Takimi Bridge (0.1 mi), or Kinugawa Onsen Fureai Bridge (0.4 mi), which are popular attractions amongst tourists, and they are all within walking distance. Asaya Hotel is sure to make your visit to Nikko one worth remembering.

Amazing service - even after I had left!

Reviewed By IanPFarrar

I booked a room including dinner and breakfast, both of which were buffet style and contained a great selection. You could eat dinner there for a week and never have the same thing twice, such was the selection. I particularly liked the shabu shabu with personal stove. The room was not large, but adequate. There was a large (free) car park at the hotel. Googlemaps will take you via a short toll road (through a tunnel) to get to the hotel, but this is unnecessary and easily avoided. I only used it the first time as I didn't know any better. The alternative road was just as quick. One strange thing is that the hotel wants you to collect tickets for the restaurant, and be allocated a time slot, separately each day. However, if you ask when you check in they can give you all the tickets in one go, avoiding the need to keep going back to reception. I left a couple of items in my room (slopping packing on my part). I contacted them when I realised I had left a charger behind and they agreed to send to my home country. I later realised I had also left a pair of jeans behind, and they also sent those through by post. Amazing service! I would definitely return for the food and the service (unfortunately I didn't have chance to use the onsen, so that could be another reason to return!)

3. Nikko Kirifuri

1535-1 Tokorono, Nikko 321-1421 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
19%
Good
57%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 117 reviews

Nikko Kirifuri

Nice enough

Reviewed By ksinwonderland

The setting for this hotel is really nice, nestled on a hill with lots of trees surrounding. We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday. The hotel is in need of some serious updating, especially in terms of the beds which were hard as rocks and made it near impossible to sleep. The dinner buffet was nice but the selection was mostly limited to Japanese food and a couple "western" items. There are a few baths on site but if you have tattoos, you will not be allowed to go in the onsen. The hotel has a games room, karaoke and a massage parlor, unfortunately if you are pregnant, they won't massage you.

4. Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa

1437-1 Kinugawa Onsen Ohara, Nikko 321-2522 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
20%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
7%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 114 reviews

Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa

Welcome to Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa, your Nikko “home away from home.” Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa aims to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, which is why so many guests continue to come back year after year. Close to some of Nikko's most popular landmarks, such as Tateiwa Observation Deck (0.2 mi) and Kurogane Bridge Promenade (1.1 mi), Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa is a great destination for tourists. Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa is a family-friendly onsen hotel offering a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and air conditioning in the rooms, and it is easy to stay connected during your stay as free wifi is offered to guests. The onsen hotel features a 24 hour front desk, shops, and a gift shop. Plus, guests can enjoy a sauna and breakfast, which have made this a popular choice among travelers visiting Nikko. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available. Travelers looking for Asian restaurants can head to Ogiya Ramen, Sarashina, or Koraku. Should time allow, Kinu Tateiwa Otsuribashi (Suspension bridge), Nikko Hanaichimonme, and Kinugawa Onsen Fureai Bridge are some popular attractions that are within walking distance. Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa puts the best of Nikko at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.

Best Ryokan-Hotel Ever

Reviewed By KevinDX92

The view was beautiful; baths amazing; food varied and tasty. This was by far our best stay in Japan. Downside: it's kinda in the middle of nowhere and staff don't really speak English very well. I had to make do with my broken survival Japanese. Also, don't bother with the private bath. They're really bad, smelly and have no view... The public baths are great. Be sure to visit Edo Wonderland.

5. Kanaya Hotel Kinugawa

1394 Kinugawa Onsen Ohara, Nikko 321-2522 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
62%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
5%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 171 reviews

Kanaya Hotel Kinugawa

See why so many travelers make Kanaya Hotel Kinugawa their onsen hotel of choice when visiting Nikko. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a luxury setting with an array of amenities designed for travelers like you. Nearby landmarks such as Tateiwa Observation Deck (0.5 mi) and Kurogane Bridge Promenade (0.6 mi) make Ryokan Kanaya Hotel a great place to stay when visiting Nikko. Guest rooms offer amenities such as a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator, and guests can go online with free wifi offered by the onsen hotel. Ryokan Kanaya Hotel features a 24 hour front desk, a concierge, and baggage storage, to help make your stay more enjoyable. The property also boasts an on-site restaurant. If you are driving to Kanaya Hotel Kinugawa, free parking is available. When you're feeling hungry, you can check out Cafe Salon de The Oka (0.5 mi), Trattoria Camino (0.5 mi), or Ashiyu Cafe (0.5 mi), which are all within walking distance of Kanaya Hotel Kinugawa. If you are interested in exploring Nikko, check out some of the nearby attractions, such as Kinu Tateiwa Otsuribashi (Suspension bridge) (0.6 mi), Kinugawa Onsen Fureai Bridge (0.3 mi), and Takimi Bridge (0.8 mi), all of which are within walking distance of Ryokan Kanaya Hotel. At Kanaya Hotel Kinugawa, your comfort and satisfaction come first, and they look forward to welcoming you to Nikko.

A historic luxury property that has aged gracefully

Reviewed By KI-NRT

Given The Kinugawa Kanaya is a classic luxury hotel that more than holds its own against newer competition. Three areas allow it to stand out: the food, the view and the service. We were pleasantly surprised at how fresh the interior was - everywhere from the reception/lobby to the rooms were in really good shape (not a scuff mark in sight.) And, unlike many "grand dame" style properties, the decor was not dark and drab in any way. It still retains its historic and classy charm, but has adapted itself to go with the times. We felt the service was perfect. Kanaya deftly managed the perfect balance of formality and attentiveness with finesse and grace - all of that without being overly stuffy in the process. The dining experience was an absolute highlight, and among the top 5 meals we've ever had at any top-flight hotel/ryokan in Japan (and that's saying something, believe me!) The Mrs. and I both agreed that there was not a single dish (of many) that we felt was not incredible. And here's another aspect where Kanaya continually improves - they don't allow its classic style to mean old-fashioned in the food department, either. Each dish was familiar, but was prepared and flavored in a very unique and innovative way. It was certainly not a case of "we've had it before, but it's a bit better here" kind of experience. Example: one of the courses was Bouillabaisse, but it was no ordinary Bouillabaisse - the soup contained White Miso (soybean paste), among other things, and it was amazing. And, of course, they used local seafood which consisted of Sea Bream, Japanese Tiger Prawn, Scallops and local vegetables. It was amazing. It was either the best Bouillabaisse we've ever had (if you can call it Bouillabaisse), and if not, then it was definitely the best soup-based dish we've ever tasted. It was that good. If there's a knock against the Kanaya, it's with the rooms - specifically the size of them. Given the rather exorbitant prices that it commands (mind you, the prices are inflated everywhere in the Nikko area by Japan standards), you would think that rooms would be a bit more spacious than they actually are. It's not claustrophobia-inducing, but certainly not roomy enough to want to spend all day lazing away in the room. While the Kanaya has 7 room categories, the actual room size of all of them - save for the John Kanaya Suite - are 66 square meters, with the only difference among them being the floor they're located in, whether the guests have club lounge access, balcony size, and the location of the private in-room onsen bath (some are on the balcony, whereas others are in the room itself.) Kinugawa Kanaya Hotel emphatically dispels the notion that "historic" does not necessarily have to mean outdated, old-fashioned, snobby and in need of a massive refurbishment. It shines in just about all aspects, with the room size and price the only thing keeping it from being an all-time great.

6. Livemax Resort Kinugawa Onsen

2 Ohara Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko 321-2522 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
22%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
11%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 65 reviews

Livemax Resort Kinugawa Onsen

Looking for a place to stay in Nikko? Then look no further than Livemax Resort Kinugawa Onsen, an onsen hotel that brings the best of Nikko to your doorstep. The rooms offer a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator, and getting online is possible, as free wifi is available, allowing you to rest and refresh with ease. Livemax Resort Kinugawa Onsen features shops. In addition, as a valued Livemax Resort Kinugawa Onsen guest, you can enjoy a pool and an on-site restaurant that are available on-site. Guests arriving by vehicle have access to parking. While staying at Livemax Resort Kinugawa Onsen, visitors can check out Tsuribashi Bridge (0.1 mi) and Tobu Railway Kosagoe Station Platform (0.4 mi), some of Nikko's top attractions. Nikko has plenty of Asian restaurants. So when you’re here, be sure to check out popular spots like Ogiya Ramen, Sarashina, and Koraku, which are serving up some great dishes. Should time allow, Trick Art Museum and Nikko Hanaichimonme are some popular attractions that are within walking distance. We’re sure you’ll enjoy your stay at Livemax Resort Kinugawa Onsen as you experience everything Nikko has to offer.

Modern ryokan, average buffet dinner

Reviewed By dexter1881

Stayed at this modern looking ryokan, situated not so far away from Nikko national park. We had a Japanese colleague travelling together with us, so we did not encounter any difficulty in check-in. For ryokan stay, I expected to find a more traditional tatami room with futon mattress but not. The only nice feature is that each room is provided with a private open air bath tub (with onsen water) at the balcony, should you choose not to use the public onsen. The buffet dinner was relatively simple, and nothing really memorable. For me, it was an OK overnight stay, but I would not choose to stay there for a longer period.

7. Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki

1400 Kinugawa Onsen Ohara, Nikko 321-2522 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
10%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
10%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 268 reviews

Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki

A 3-minute walk from the train station, this hot spring hotel in a mountain village is 2 km from Tobu World Square, a miniatures theme park. The airy rooms feature tatami floors, futons, and sitting areas with traditional short-legged tables, as well as TVs, mini fridges, and furnished terraces or balconies. Some rooms offer separate bedrooms with wood-framed beds. Upgraded rooms add cypress soaking tubs. A hot-spring bathhouse and spa features communal baths, saunas and hot tubs. Dining options include a tearoom, a karaoke lounge and a ramen noodle bar. There are also indoor and outdoor pools. Parking is available for a fee.

Fun and Wonderful place for Kids - but room smelled like Smoke

Reviewed By SandBTokyo

This hotel is big and lots of fun for the kids. However, room smelled like smoke which was disgusting. The hotel is quite near to the station. The place is very clean and well maintained. It is a beautifully decorated and spacious hotel. The staff are very nice and friendly. The check-in was easy and they offered welcome drinks in the beautiful lounge. The hotel has an indoor pool with a slide, an outdoor pool (shallow and for lounging) overlooking to river valley and also an onsen. The onsen was big and lots of different baths, really great.Sauna was closed due to corona. Changing rooms very spacious and clean. They also have a game room. Dinner and breakfast buffets were quite nice, although food is not the strongest point for Mizazuki, it was OK. Strange thing was I told a staff lady during breakfast that they were out of hot tea, and she said that there was no more. Not sure she was just lazy or they actually ran out of tea. Room was big and nice layout, however there was an embedded smell of smoking. Disgusting, not sure why the hotel still lets people destroy their property with smoking. This was the downside to our stay. All in all, Mikazuki is a fun place if you have kids and recommend staying.

8. Kashiwaya

62 Kawaji Onsen Takahara, Nikko 321-2612 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
37%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 68 reviews

Kashiwaya

Amazing Location. Great Experience and Hospitality

Reviewed By AshokShankar

Located on the bank of Kawaji river, you can experience Onsen (Japanese Hotspring) with the view of the river and the Railway bridge. We saw the old Diesel Rail cross the river a few times. The Hospitality was out of the world. We had a private dinner and breakfast with our Japanese friend's family. Really a wonderful experience.

9. Hotel Nanaeyae

1060 Kinugawa Onsen Ohara, Nikko 321-2522 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
50%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 90 reviews

Hotel Nanaeyae

Everyone needs a place to lay their weary head. For travelers visiting Nikko, Hotel Nanaeyae is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation. Well-known for its charming environment and proximity to great restaurants and attractions, Hotel Nanaeyae makes it easy to enjoy the best of Nikko. As your “home away from home,” the onsen hotel rooms offer air conditioning. Guests have access to a gift shop and baggage storage while staying at Hotel Nanaeyae. In addition, Hotel Nanaeyae offers a lounge, which will help make your Nikko trip additionally gratifying. And, as an added convenience, there is free parking available to guests. For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Nikko, Hotel Nanaeyae is located a short distance from Kurogane Bridge Promenade (0.5 mi) and Tateiwa Observation Deck (0.6 mi). If you like cafes, Hotel Nanaeyae is conveniently located near Cafe Salon de The Oka, Ashiyu Cafe, and Pantoe. There is no shortage of things to do in the area, and there are several great attractions that are within walking distance of Hotel Nanaeyae, including Kinu Tateiwa Otsuribashi (Suspension bridge) (0.6 mi), Kinugawa Onsen Fureai Bridge (0.3 mi), and Takimi Bridge (0.8 mi). Hotel Nanaeyae is sure to make your visit to Nikko one worth remembering.

Great Service, Rooms and Food

Reviewed By V9717TLrobins

This hotel is near the station. The rooms and onsen has stunning views. The service is amazing!! The owner is a beautiful person that greeted us at dinner. The food is excellent! The staff really appreciated our business. After a day of hiking, this was paradise.

10. Kinugawa Plaza Hotel

530 Kinugawa Onsen Taki, Nikko 321-2526 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
11%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
15%
Terrible
25%
Overall Ratings

3 based on 246 reviews

Kinugawa Plaza Hotel

Kinugawa Plaza Hotel is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Nikko, offering a charming environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Nikko, Kinugawa Plaza Hotel is located a short distance from Kurogane Bridge Promenade (0.1 mi) and Tateiwa Observation Deck (0.9 mi). The rooms offer a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and air conditioning, and getting online is possible, as free internet access is available, allowing you to rest and refresh with ease. Kinugawa Plaza Hotel features room service, shops, and baggage storage. In addition, as a valued Kinugawa Plaza Hotel guest, you can enjoy a pool and a lounge that are available on-site. Guests arriving by vehicle have access to free parking. Travelers looking for a place to eat close to Kinugawa Plaza Hotel can head to Cafe Salon de The Oka (0.0 mi), Trattoria Camino (0.9 mi), or Ashiyu Cafe (1.0 mi), all of which are within walking distance. Should time allow, Kinu Tateiwa Otsuribashi (Suspension bridge), Takimi Bridge, and Kinugawa Onsen Fureai Bridge are some popular attractions that are within walking distance. Enjoy your stay in Nikko!

Classic, but dated, onsen hotel

Reviewed By ItsATouristTrap

I stayed for one night in a corner suite that had a private onsen bathtub that could have fit two people in it. The room itself was quite nice, comfortable heating despite the cold December weather outside, hot water in the shower next to the onsen bathtub, comfortable bedding and the wifi worked. Water was not provided in the room, but could be obtained in small glasses elsewhere in the hotel (hotel staff recommended the tap water, which could also be boiled in the in-room hot water kettle). The hotel itself shows its age. There's a small game room with arcade games from the 1990s for families with kids as well as some souvenir shops. I did not even try the restaurant for breakfast or dinner as the additional price seemed high for the already expensive onsen suite. I did not try the public onsen baths as I had my own in-room. Yukata robes are provided by the hotel for guests. Staff was very helpful, although English was limited. In my opinion, the experience will give guests a taste of what 1980s heyday Japan hotel life was like. Even off-peak season, the private suite was quite expensive, in my opinion. 4/5 stars.

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