Top Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture Ryokans
Top Things to do in Wakayama Prefecture
Top 10 Ryokans in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Discover the best Ryokans in Wakayama Prefecture, Kinki including Hotel Urashima, Kiri no Sato Takahara, Kaisyu, Kawayu Midoriya, Manseiro, Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima, Shirahamakan, Akariya, Kawayu Onsen Fujiya, Katsuura Gyoen.
Things to do in Wakayama Prefecture
1. Hotel Urashima
Overall Ratings
4 based on 668 reviews
At this time, we will carry out earthquake-resistant reinforcement works of the main building as safety and security efforts for our dear customers. During the period, only "Nagisakan Building", "Nisshokan Building" and "Sanjokan Building" will be in business and the "Main Building" will be closed entirely. Seismic Reinforcement Construction：April 1st, 2019 ～ March 31st, 2020
Great Experience. Cave Onsens!
Reviewed By SandBTokyoThis hotel is an amazing experience and we loved it. Hotel Urashima is built on a peninsula in the harbour. You can take a boat to the front door or park abotu 5 minutes away and take the bus. The bus comes regularly and drives though a tunnel to the lobby entrance. There are five main buildings for the hotel, all connected by tunnels and walkways. The highest building is Sanjokan which can be reached by elevator or escalator, very long escalator. It has great rooms and is the higher end building. We stayed one night in Sanjokan and enjoyed an amazing view from the room and a beautiful dinner and breakfast. We stayed another night in Nagisa, which is the harbour front building. Very nice room, but be sure to request non-smoking as we discovered one floor smells of smoke so strongly it will knock you down. Dinner and breakfast was also nice. Nagisa had a nice game area for the children. The other two buildings seem OK. Honkan is probably the oldest. Best part of this hotel are the cave onsens. Super great experience. Onsens built into the cave overlooking the ocean. Staff were all super great. Highly recommend staying in Hotel Urashima. It is worth visiting the area to enjoy the hotel and cave onsens. There is a convenience store in the hotel that has pretty much anything you need.
2. Kiri no Sato Takahara
Overall Ratings
5 based on 203 reviews
Great view from this hotelJust beside from Kumano kodo Increadibly great meal using organic vegetable from localEnglish,Spanish,Chinese language are avabable.Located in middle of Kumano kodo easy to access cityModern Japanese hotel style with great spaSearve you nice hospitality
A slice of paradise! Exceeded our expectations.
Reviewed By bengarland123Kiri-no-sato Takahara Lodge is one of the best mountain getaways I have EVER been to. It totally exceeded my expectations in every way. The price is super reasonable, even when considering that my wife and I went during a national holiday time of year. The dinner and breakfast were both 5-star quality and easily worth $90 per person just for that -- the dinner was 9+ courses, including sushi, japanese pickles, chilled sesame tofu, miso soup, fish and chips, sukiyaki, fried tofu with vegetables, roasted wild boar, a pizza cooked in a real wood oven, and fermented peaches. In our room, we had very comfortable beds, a great view across the mountain valley, DIY coffee, air conditioning, and a very calm relaxing atmosphere. Just a short walk down the hall was the onsen which was also very relaxing with a nice mountain view. I really can't think of anything that would make our experience better, because Jian has thought of everything already! He's a very welcoming host and even came to pick us up in his jeep during the pouring rain when we got lost hiking through the woods. I don't visit many places twice, because usually it's "been there, done that!" but I cannot wait to return! It's like a little slice of paradise! Also don't worry about language issues because Jian speaks fluent Japanese, English, and Spanish.
3. Kaisyu
Overall Ratings
4 based on 413 reviews
See why so many travelers make Kaisyu their onsen ryokan of choice when visiting Shirahama-cho. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a romantic setting with an array of amenities designed for travelers like you. Given the close proximity of popular landmarks, such as Shirahama Kaichu Observatory Deck (0.2 mi) and Sandanbeki Cave (0.5 mi), guests of Kaisyu can easily experience some of Shirahama-cho's most well known attractions. Kaisyu is a romantic onsen ryokan offering a refrigerator and air conditioning in the rooms, and it is easy to stay connected during your stay as free internet access is offered to guests. Plus, guests can enjoy a hot tub and a lounge, which have made this a popular choice among travelers visiting Shirahama-cho. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available. When you’re feeling hungry, be sure to check out Pescatore, Nagisa Beer Dining Barley, and Milk and Beer Hall 99, which are some Italian restaurants that are popular with locals and out-of-towners alike. Looking to explore? Then look no further than Senjojiki (0.3 mi), Sandambeki Rock Cliff (0.5 mi), and Engetsuto (1.2 mi), which are some popular Shirahama-cho attractions – all conveniently located within walking distance of the onsen ryokan. At Kaisyu, your comfort and satisfaction come first, and they look forward to welcoming you to Shirahama-cho.
Terrible service, old rooms, rowdy crowd
Reviewed By Graceful_EmpanadasI had a good impression upon entering the beautiful garden, and service was fine until I showed my foreign passport and the reception staff immediately switched to broken English... Some of them like to practise, so I don't really mind, but he cut out a bunch of things that other staff were explaining to the people beside me. The worst was he just left me after checking in to bring my own luggage to the room 3 halls away!!! I have never ever had to do that at a hotel, lest a ryokan! The room hadn't aged that well either and really needs an update. The tatami mats were discolored in patches and it didn't feel very clean. The baths were so busy that you'd never be able to get a key to the private ones, and you'd be lucky to even get a washing station at times. The only good thing was that there was a variety of facilities at the onsen, like cold water, hot water for pouring, plum salt etc... The private bath in the room was small, but actually pretty nice, except the view from my bath window was a garden hose. Dinner was a circus show. Lots of kids screaming around and people talking loudly. You had to line up along the stairs to get into the hall at your desired dining time! Food was below average and poor at times because of the quantity that needs to come out. Service was so lacking as a whole, so much that I needed to switch to the other seat because plates weren't cleared and I couldn't access the nabe! I enjoyed my other lodging at Shirahama so much better. Look elsewhere if you want a quiet onsen experience with good food and service!
4. Kawayu Midoriya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Parking: 10
Superb views and Japanese experience
Reviewed By Robbyt19The hotel is very nice and very modern. We were greeted wonderfully by the reception staff and shown straight to our room (805). The room was traditional Japanese and very large. It has a magnificent view over the river, has an ensuite and own shower room and of course the wonderful Japanese electric toilet seats. The only drawback for us was the traditional Japanese bed, which we aren’t used to, so sleep wasn’t great due to the hardness of the bed. There are block out shutters, so look for them otherwise you’ll have an early wakening. We had dinner included in our stay and it was amazing. A set meal and also choices from the Japanese smorgasbord. Absolutely delicious. The hotel also has Japanese baths available, both inside & outside. Once again these are amazing and so relaxing. Breakfast was also well up to standard with a great choice. I would absolutely recommend staying at this hotel.
5. Manseiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
loved this fishing town!
Reviewed By jarmwr40our last night of our kumano kudo hike. loved the wharf area. fascinating to watch all the boats and ships and people fishing. all wonderful. the hotel is tired and needs an update. we did not want to spend our one night in this lovely town at a huge resort, as its an onsen town. so this was what we had. a large room. wonderful to have a seating area off the room with ceiling to floor windows. we sat there and had an ice cream and a beer bought a few doors down from a store. wonderful views. thrilled to have a bathtub. i found the meal not the best, all quite glutinous. wifi only in the lobby. not as clean as other places. we enjoyed our stroll about. easy to walk from the bus and train station, side by side. the last of our ryokan experiences!
6. Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima
Overall Ratings
4 based on 299 reviews
南紀勝浦唯一「紀の松島に浮かぶ宿」 碧き島の宿 熊野別邸 中の島は四方を海に囲まれた孤島の温泉宿です。 潮騒を聞きながらの露天風呂 紀州潮聞之湯や、鮪の町勝浦ならではの海の幸を心ゆくまでお楽しみください。 南紀観光や世界遺産 熊野古道、熊野三山巡りにも便利です。
A good, relaxing base to explore the surrounding area
Reviewed By KI-NRTWe wanted high-end accommodations near Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Falls, and through our research, we figured that Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima is really the only choice in the area. We stayed in a Luxury Deluxe Ocean View Room, which is the second from the top room category (there's only one room in the top category, by the way, and it wasn't available when we tried to book it), and located on the Nagi No Sho wing. It was modern, reasonably stylish and had a good view of the ocean and the peninsula across the way. The view is partially marred by two large green oil reserve containers located on the peninsula directly across the strait, which is unfortunate but not anything that the property can do about. We prefer suites that offer separated bedrooms and living rooms, which this didn't have, and the lack of a large closet forced us to place our rollerboard luggage on the floor in the living room. Aside from that, the main drawback is the fact that the bath is not Onsen (natural hot springs.) In fact, there is only one room (out of 44) that has in-room Onsen, and that's the top room named "Kihinshitsu" in the Chomontei Bldg. We have avoided communal baths during the peak of the pandemic (Japan was in its 7th wave at the time we stayed there), but thankfully the property does have a private open-air Onsen bath that guests can rent by the hour - we used it in the afternoon as well as the following morning just prior to check-out. It's a really nice open-air Onsen, and has good views from the bath. The only other drawback is the lack of an in-room dining option - all meals are served in the main restaurant. The ryokan has a handful of "koshitsu" private dining rooms, which we reserved for both of our meals, but unfortunately, it's not fully enclosed.... the noise from the main dining area pierced through the ceiling-less "private room" in a big way, especially during dinner, when some drunk guests were yelling at a very high decibel. Food wise, it was really good. Given its location, Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima has its pick of the litter, including "Nama Maguro," which is local tuna that never gets frozen prior to being served. It's often made in a cutlet style in the area, and that's what we got for dinner. They also served Grilled Abalone (on the shell) with butter, another delicacy, as well as a variety of other seafood caught fresh from the nearby Katsuura port. While not the most creative of meals, it didn't need to be, and we thoroughly enjoyed the food on offer at the property. Service is a strong point. Everyone was courteous and warm, and genuinely seemed to care about our experience at the property. The personal touch is not easy to pull off at a property with a (relatively) high room count - we were impressed. That said, I don't think they were even at half occupancy, so that may have had something to do with the high service level. Regardless, everyone from the manager to the front desk staff to the wait staff were personable, and were really eager to explain details about the area, its history and the ingredients in each dinner course. They also allowed us to check out late, which is something that cannot be taken for granted in Japanese ryokans. Being a convenient 5 minute boat ride away from the mainland but feeling a world away makes Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima a good choice for travelers seeking high(-er) end comfort, good food and a solid Onsen (though not in room) experience near Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. P.S. - for really nice views, take a short, easy hike to the hilltop of Nakanoshima Island. You take an elevator to the top floor, take one flight of stairs to the roof, then follow the signs to a pretty trail that takes you through a dense forest until you're treated to a panoramic view of the surrounding land and sea. There's even a nicely maintained foot bath along the trail, too!
7. Shirahamakan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 76 reviews
Shirahamakan is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Shirahama-cho, offering a charming environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. Rooms at Shirahamakan offer air conditioning providing exceptional comfort and convenience, and guests can go online with free wifi. A gift shop is one of the conveniences offered at this onsen ryokan. A lounge will also help to make your stay even more special. If you are driving to Shirahamakan, free parking is available. Close to some of Shirahama-cho's most popular landmarks, such as Shirahama Ginza Ashiyu Yokocho (0.0 mi) and Kumano Sansho Shrine (0.2 mi), Shirahamakan is a great destination for tourists. Travelers looking to enjoy some yakitori can head to Charcoal Grilling Kushimatsu. Otherwise, you may want to check out a Chinese restaurant such as Pin Pin Shan or Suiyo. If you’re looking for things to do, you can check out Engetsuto (0.6 mi) or Senjojiki (1.2 mi), which are popular attractions amongst tourists, and they are all within walking distance. Enjoy your stay in Shirahama-cho!
Very dirty with lots of bugs
Reviewed By Holidaze24Just to be honest from the outset- me and my husband did not spend the night and sleep here. We were so concerned by the cleanliness of the hotel that we asked for a refund (we were supposed to stay for 2 nights). We originally quickly put our bags in our hotel room, went to the beach, then returned to the hotel. It wasn't until we returned from the beach that we actually property looked at the state of the room. The room itself was big. However, the doors to the outside were left open, so when we arrived there were lots of spiders and mosquitos around. There was also a dead fly in the ceiling light and what looked like spider nests all around the ceiling of the room. There was also countless, random stains all around the room. While this is a small detail, it is also worth mentioning that the hotel also stated it had WiFi available in all rooms when we booked through Expedia. However, it was only available in reception After complaining about this room, we were shown another room by the hotel staff. However, this room still had bugs in it and was equally dirty. We were offered a third room, but by this point, just wanted to leave. We have backpacked around Japan for 3 weeks now and have been in a combination of hotels and ryokens, as well as Western and Japanese style rooms. We have pretty low standards when it comes to rooms and have never asked for a refund on any hotel until we came here. We booked the hotel through Expedia, but the hotel wanted to give us cash refund. We felt unsure about this, but just wanted to leave there as soon as possible. I was originally not going to leave a review. However, the positive reviews of this hotel are what led us to choose it- and we personally feel as though they are not accurate or a true reflection of what we experienced at the hotel.
8. Akariya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Akariya is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Shirahama-cho, offering a family-friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Shirahama-cho, Akariya is located a short distance from Shirahama Ginza Ashiyu Yokocho (0.4 mi) and Shirahama Kaichu Observatory Deck (0.6 mi). Free wifi is offered to guests, and rooms at Akariya offer a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and air conditioning. During your stay, take advantage of some of the amenities offered, including a gift shop and baggage storage. Guests of Akariya are also welcome to enjoy an on-site restaurant. For travelers arriving by car, parking is available. During your visit, be sure to check out a popular Shirahama-cho yakitori restaurant such as Charcoal Grilling Kushimatsu, which is a short distance from Akariya. During your visit, be sure to check out popular attractions like Senjojiki (1.0 mi), Engetsuto (1.0 mi), and Sandambeki Rock Cliff (1.0 mi), which are all within walking distance of the onsen ryokan. Enjoy your stay in Shirahama-cho!
Good value for money! Comfortable room. Surprised by the nice hot spring.
Reviewed By utopia725I paid 5850 yen for stay-only plan without meals in Sept 2015. Good value for money. The owner was very kind and helpful when I encountered a problem. E.g. they helped me call a taxi so that I could make it in time to watch the beautiful sunset in Engetsu Island! Good customer service. As a solo-traveller, room size was not big but enough and cosy. I chose a room with sea-view ( note that only Japanese-styled rooms have sea-view ) The futon was comfortable. Amenities were satisfactory. The bathroom and toilet looked nice, too. I will certainly recommend the hot spring. You can press a button and more hot spring water will come in. I guess it wasn't a peak season for tourists and since I was the only one inside at that time, so it kinda became a personal "Hydro massage" service for me. It was fun. Afterwards, I could watch >20 stars at my room and it's beautiful. Convenient location close to the nearest bus stop ( <10 min walk ). Check-in time is flexible. Even the door lock design is convenient and user-friendly. I'd like to stay there again in the future.
9. Kawayu Onsen Fujiya
Overall Ratings
4 based on 122 reviews
Everyone needs a place to lay their weary head. For travelers visiting Tanabe, Kawayu Onsen Fujiya is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation. Well-known for its romantic environment and proximity to great restaurants and attractions, Kawayu Onsen Fujiya makes it easy to enjoy the best of Tanabe. Rooms at Kawayu Onsen Fujiya provide a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator, and guests can stay connected with free wifi. In addition, while staying at Kawayu Onsen Fujiya guests have access to a coffee shop and shops. You can also enjoy free breakfast. Need a place to park? Free parking is available at Kawayu Onsen Fujiya. While staying at Kawayu Onsen Fujiya, visitors can check out Kyushachi - Oyunohara (1.5 mi) and Yunomine Oji Ruins (1.5 mi), some of Tanabe's top attractions. During your visit, be sure to check out a popular Tanabe steakhouses such as Ashita No Mori, which is a short distance from Kawayu Onsen Fujiya. If you’re looking for something to do, Kawayu Onsen (0.0 mi) is a nice way to spend some time, and it is within walking distance of Kawayu Onsen Fujiya. Kawayu Onsen Fujiya is sure to make your visit to Tanabe one worth remembering.
Excellent place and good ryokan dinner
Reviewed By Linny RWe stayed here for 3 nights and we absolutely love it, our room was pretty big, opposite is the onsen river where you can just jump in with your swim suit, love the onsen of the ryokan too, they have indoor, outdoor and also the private onsen all for yourself, we find nothing to do in the evening around and we pretty happy just to stay in the ryokan and enjoy the onsen and our ryokan dinner, they have a van to drop you off and pick you up if you want to do a short Kumano Kodo, the pilgrimage trail, from here you can take a bus to Yunomine Onsen and try the oldest onsen 1800 years Tsuboya, don’t forget to buy some eggs to boiled and eat after your onsen time in Yunomine, small onsen town. We were really happy with our choice for staying here, staff doesn’t speak English but still try their best to understand us and we’re very appreciate about it, great place, great service and excellent ryokan dinner, the breakfast is not my taste but still happy ?
10. Katsuura Gyoen
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 115 reviews
Katsuura Gyoen is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Nachikatsura-cho, offering a family-friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. Guest rooms offer a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator, and Katsuura Gyoen makes getting online easy as free wifi is available. You can also take advantage of some of the amenities offered by the onsen ryokan, including a 24 hour front desk, shops, and a gift shop. In addition, guests can enjoy an Summer-only outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant during their visit. As an added convenience, there is free parking available to guests. If you like sushi restaurants, Katsuura Gyoen is conveniently located near Meharizushi Nidaime, Masaya, and Iroha Zushi. If you are interested in exploring Nachikatsura-cho, check out a , such as Jimmutemno Tongu Trace. Enjoy your stay in Nachikatsura-cho!
Wonderful service
Reviewed By DavidandPhilipaThis is a pretty decent size hotel which was very different to what I had stayed in previously on the trip. That said the traditional Japanese room was lovely and spacious, had a lovely view over the bay and good facilities. On top of that the onsen was lovely, the food was good and plentiful and the chefs in the evening were really friendly lovely characters. What made my experience here special was the service I received at a difficult time. In the late afternoon I was stupid to lose some credit cards. I asked the reception staff if they could look out for them for me and within minutes of returning to my room in a very worried state the was a ring on the door bell and the hotel manager was standing at the door. He took me personally to the local police station, told the police about the problem and waited there with me for a good hour or so. Amazingly, thanks to staff at the Katsura Post Office and the Katsura police my credit cards were returned safely to me within a few short hours of my realising that they were missing. This was a very stressful time for me and I will always be very appreciative of the helpful, personal and professional service that was provided to me by the hotel manager and the other hotel staff. For all these reasons I would very much recommend this hotel.
