Why You Should Experience the Luxury of Japan’s Private Ryokans

There’s a certain hush that falls the moment you slide open a shoji door in one of Japan’s private ryokans. The air smells faintly of hinoki wood and fresh tatami. Soft light spills from paper lanterns, and outside, the sound of a bamboo water fountain punctuates the evening silence. This is not just accommodation — it’s an immersion into centuries of Japanese culture, reimagined through the lens of modern luxury.

For travellers who seek more than sightseeing — who crave depth, stillness, and authenticity — Japan’s private ryokans offer something unmatched: a deeply personal experience that captures the essence of omotenashi, Japan’s philosophy of wholehearted hospitality. To learn more about Japan’s onsen traditions and cultural etiquette, visit the Japan National Tourism Organization — an excellent resource for first-time travellers.

While many visitors to Japan opt for five-star city hotels in Tokyo or Kyoto, discerning guests are increasingly choosing the intimacy and exclusivity of ryokans. These traditional inns, often family-run for generations, blend impeccable service with privacy, artistry, and the natural beauty of Japan’s landscapes. From steaming hot-spring baths framed by cherry blossoms to private kaiseki dinners served in your suite, every moment is crafted with intention. Discover more about our Luxury Travel Experiences to see how we craft every journey around you.

The Essence of Ryokan Life



A ryokan is more than a place to stay — it’s a philosophy of living. Guests exchange shoes for slippers, sit cross-legged on tatami mats, and dine on meticulously prepared dishes served on lacquer trays. The experience slows time, connecting you with centuries-old rituals of balance and respect.

Private ryokans elevate this with exclusivity. Instead of sharing communal spaces, you might enjoy your own secluded villa with a garden-view onsen, private chef, and butler service. It’s where luxury doesn’t interrupt tradition — it enhances it.

Imagine stepping into your private bath as snowflakes drift through the cedar forest outside, or waking to a silent garden mist and breakfast served in a sunlit tatami room overlooking Mount Fuji. These are the moments travellers remember long after the flight home.

Why Choose Japan’s Private Ryokans

Staying in one of Japan’s private ryokans is about rediscovering a sense of presence. You won’t find loud lobbies, all-day buffets, or corporate anonymity here. Instead, you’ll find understated beauty — washi-paper walls, ikebana flower arrangements, and staff who anticipate your needs with gentle precision.

Luxury ryokans often feature:



• Private onsens (hot springs) with views of mountains, rivers, or bamboo forests.
• Seasonal kaiseki dining, often Michelin-recognised, highlighting local ingredients.
• Personalised service with staff who remember your preferences before you speak.
• Architectural harmony between indoors and outdoors, designed to restore balance.

For couples, honeymooners, and wellness seekers alike, Japan’s private ryokans promise privacy, reflection, and the deep calm of Japanese design philosophy — shibui, the beauty of simplicity.

The Art of Omotenashi

What truly defines the luxury of Japan’s private ryokans is omotenashi — the Japanese art of hospitality. It’s an intuitive attentiveness that makes you feel understood without words. From the tea served upon arrival to the perfectly folded yukata robe laid out before bed, every gesture reflects care and mindfulness.

For international travellers, this level of detail feels deeply moving. There’s no performative luxury — no ostentation — just quiet perfection.

At Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, we handpick ryokans that embody this philosophy, ensuring your stay feels not just luxurious, but meaningful. Whether you wish to soak in the volcanic waters of Hakone or retreat to a private garden villa in Kyoto, we’ll design a journey where each detail — from transport to tea ceremony — feels seamless.

Hakone – The Art of Water and Mountain Serenity

Just an hour from Tokyo by train, Hakone feels like an entirely different world. Mist drifts across Lake Ashi, the scent of sulphur lingers from its volcanic springs, and Mount Fuji rises like a guardian beyond the clouds. For centuries, this region has been a place of rest and renewal — first for samurai, then for artists, and now for travellers seeking Japan’s finest ryokan experiences.

The Spirit of Hakone

Hakone’s onsen culture is ancient. Natural hot springs bubble beneath its valleys, infused with minerals believed to heal body and mind. In the Edo period, weary travellers on the Tōkaidō Road paused here for warmth and rest before the mountain pass. Today, Japan’s private ryokans in Hakone carry that same spirit of welcome — but reimagined with secluded suites, private baths, and gourmet dining.

This region’s ryokans balance traditional aesthetics with subtle modern comforts: hand-crafted hinoki tubs, tatami suites with panoramic windows, and dining rooms overlooking maple-lined ravines. Hakone’s luxury ryokans are sanctuaries — a bridge between Japan’s timeless past and its refined present. From mountain onsens to global sanctuaries, take a moment to browse our Top 5 Luxury Wellness Retreats and discover serenity wherever you travel.

Ryokan Highlight 1: Gōra Kadan – A Palace of Quiet Perfection



Once the summer retreat of the Kan’in Imperial Family, Gōra Kadan has become synonymous with refined ryokan luxury. Hidden among cedar trees, this Relais & Châteaux property represents everything travellers imagine when they picture Japan’s private ryokans — discreet, graceful, and deeply authentic.

Each suite blends classic ryokan architecture with contemporary touches: cypress-wood baths, soft lighting, and mountain views framed like paintings. Guests can dine privately on multi-course kaiseki dinners where every dish tells a seasonal story — from yuba (tofu skin) to wagyu simmered in local sake.

The onsen experience is unforgettable. Some rooms feature open-air baths fed directly from natural hot springs, surrounded by mossy stones and night-blooming flowers. For couples, it feels like a secret world.

When you stay here through Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, our specialists can arrange seamless transfers from Tokyo, private guided tours of the nearby Hakone Open-Air Museum, or even a champagne picnic on Lake Ashi’s shores — turning your ryokan retreat into a tailored journey of connection and calm.

Ryokan Highlight 2: Hakone Ginyu – Floating Between Earth and Sky

If Gōra Kadan is a whisper of imperial elegance, Hakone Ginyu is a poetic love letter to the landscape. The ryokan’s name means “silver stream,” and true to it, water flows through every space — cascading down rocks, murmuring beneath balconies, and reflecting lantern light after dusk.

Perched high above the Miyagino Valley, each suite has its own private open-air bath facing the mountains. Guests often describe the sensation as “floating in the clouds.” Interiors fuse natural textures — stone, cedar, bamboo — with minimalist Japanese design, creating a meditative atmosphere.

Dinner is an art form here. Seasonal kaiseki meals feature river fish grilled over charcoal, mountain vegetables from local farms, and sashimi that rivals Tokyo’s finest restaurants. Everything is served with quiet grace, in perfect rhythm with the seasons.

Guests booking through Awake & Wander Luxury Travel enjoy access to exclusive suites and personalised dining upgrades — the kind of detail that turns a beautiful stay into a lifetime memory.

“Hakone reminds us that true luxury is found in stillness. When the mist rises from your private onsen and Fuji appears in the distance, you understand what it means to pause — and simply be.”

Beyond the Ryokan

While many guests never leave their suites, Hakone offers serene adventures worth exploring. Cruise across Lake Ashi on a quiet morning, visit the Hakone Shrine’s crimson torii gate floating on the water, or take the ropeway over the steaming Owakudani Valley. Each moment complements the stillness of ryokan life, reconnecting you with nature’s quiet rhythm.

After a day wandering through art galleries and forest trails, returning to the warmth of your private onsen feels like coming home — a cycle of exploration and reflection that defines the best of Japan’s private ryokans.

Section 3: Kyoto – Tradition Reimagined for the Modern Traveller

If Hakone is where nature whispers, Kyoto is where history speaks. Once Japan’s imperial capital for over a thousand years, Kyoto is a living museum of temples, gardens, and geisha districts. But hidden among its narrow lanes and tranquil riversides are some of Japan’s private ryokans that redefine what luxury truly means.

The Heartbeat of Heritage



Kyoto’s ryokans capture the city’s poetic rhythm — where ancient wooden machiya townhouses open to lantern-lit courtyards and where every guest is treated as an honoured part of a centuries-old tradition. Staying here feels like stepping into another time: the soft rustle of silk kimono, the aroma of incense drifting through sliding doors, and the distant bell of a temple at dusk.

In this city, luxury is quiet. It’s found in the perfection of a tea ceremony, the precision of a chef’s knife, the peaceful geometry of a garden designed to mirror the changing seasons.

Ryokan Highlight 3: Tawaraya Ryokan – The Epitome of Japanese Elegance

Ask any Kyoto local about the most exclusive ryokan in the city, and they’ll likely whisper one name: Tawaraya. This family-run inn has hosted poets, politicians, and global icons for over 300 years — yet it remains intimate, discreet, and resolutely traditional.

Every detail at Tawaraya is deliberate. Tatami mats are replaced before each guest’s arrival. Freshly arranged ikebana flowers echo the colours of the season. When you arrive, the owner herself might greet you at the entrance with a bow that feels like a blessing.

Rooms overlook private gardens where koi glide through ponds beneath maple leaves. Baths are drawn from hinoki tubs that smell faintly of lemon and cedar. Dinner — served in-room by kimono-clad staff — is a progression of seasonal artistry: Kyoto vegetables, yuba, mountain herbs, and perfectly grilled river fish.

Booking at Tawaraya is famously difficult; reservations are accepted by phone only, often months in advance. But through Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, we maintain trusted local connections that can help secure your stay — an advantage of travelling with experts who understand Japan’s private ryokans inside and out.

Ryokan Highlight 4: Hiiragiya Ryokan – A Family Legacy of Grace

Just across the street from Tawaraya stands another Kyoto treasure: Hiiragiya Ryokan, operated by the same family since 1818. Where Tawaraya is hushed and understated, Hiiragiya glows with warmth — a place where elegance feels like home.

The ryokan has hosted literary greats like Junichirō Tanizaki and international guests such as Elizabeth Taylor. Yet, despite its fame, it retains a familial intimacy. The décor blends antique craftsmanship with thoughtful modern touches — tatami floors, lacquer tables, and paper screens alongside discreet air conditioning and heated flooring.

Guests can choose between traditional Japanese rooms or the “modern wing,” designed with subtle Western comfort while preserving ryokan charm. Each room is unique, featuring hand-painted fusuma doors and calligraphy scrolls by local artists.

Dinner here is Kyoto-style kaiseki at its finest: delicate flavours, minimalist plating, and a reverence for the seasons that feels almost spiritual. Continue your Kyoto inspiration with our feature on The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto — where modern comfort meets timeless culture.

When you book with Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, we’ll match you with the ryokan that best suits your travel style — whether you prefer the quiet mystery of Tawaraya or the welcoming elegance of Hiiragiya.

Immersing in Kyoto’s Slow Luxury

Between ryokan stays, Kyoto invites exploration at an unhurried pace. Wander the bamboo groves of Arashiyama at dawn, when sunlight filters through the mist. Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple for sweeping views over the city, or stroll along the Philosopher’s Path beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms.

For guests seeking a private cultural touch, Awake & Wander Luxury Travel can arrange:

• A tea ceremony in a centuries-old machiya hosted by a tea master.
• A private kimono fitting and portrait session in Gion.
• An after-hours temple visit illuminated by lanterns.

Each experience complements your stay in Japan’s private ryokans, enriching it with the human stories and heritage that make Kyoto so unforgettable.

Section 4: Arima Onsen & The Izu Peninsula – Japan’s Hidden Sanctuaries of Luxury



Arima Onsen – The Old Soul of Japan’s Hot Springs

Tucked into the mountains north of Kobe, Arima Onsen is one of Japan’s oldest and most revered hot spring towns, dating back over a thousand years. Samurai once came here to recover after battle; today, it’s where luxury travellers come to unwind in peace.

What makes Arima unique are its two natural springs:

• Kinsen (Gold Spring), rich in minerals that give the water a shimmering amber hue.
• Ginsen (Silver Spring), a clear, sparkling contrast that soothes the skin.

Many of Japan’s private ryokans in Arima channel both springs directly into their suites — allowing you to bathe in their healing waters without ever leaving your room.

Ryokan Highlight 5: Arimasansoh Goshobessho – A Modern Hideaway of Quiet Luxury

For guests seeking seclusion without sacrificing sophistication, Arimasansoh Goshobessho is perfection. Nestled within a cedar forest, it offers just ten private villas, each inspired by European chalets but infused with unmistakably Japanese design.

Imagine a wood-burning stove beside tatami mats, and picture windows framing mountain pines dusted with snow. Each villa has its own open-air bath fed by Arima’s natural hot springs — a private sanctuary where time slows to the rhythm of the forest.

Dinner is a revelation. The restaurant, Goshobessho, serves refined kaiseki cuisine with a French twist: mountain herbs, Kobe beef, and seasonal seafood plated like works of art. Service is discreet and intuitive — everything delivered with the quiet care that defines Japan’s private ryokans.

Guests booking through Awake & Wander Luxury Travel can enjoy enhanced amenities such as private transfers from Osaka or Kobe, priority dinner reservations, and bespoke excursions through the Rokko Mountains.

The Izu Peninsula – Ocean Meets Onsen

A short train ride from Tokyo, the Izu Peninsula offers coastal serenity where rugged cliffs meet turquoise waters. It’s a region beloved by Tokyo’s elite for weekend escapes, home to some of Japan’s most scenic ocean-view onsens.

Here, Japan’s private ryokans feel like hidden retreats — cliffside sanctuaries where you can soak in mineral springs while waves crash below.

Ryokan Highlight 6: Arcana Izu – Minimalism by the River

In the heart of Izu’s forested mountains lies Arcana Izu, a Relais & Châteaux property celebrated for its modern design and natural intimacy. Each of its sixteen suites features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Kano River, with private open-air baths that invite the sounds of nature inside.

There are no public areas, no crowds, no schedule — just the slow rhythm of forest, water, and warmth. Meals are served in-room or at the riverside restaurant, where the chef’s seasonal tasting menu celebrates Japan’s finest local produce.

This is ryokan luxury reimagined for the modern traveller: minimalist, peaceful, and profoundly restorative.

Our Take:

"From the mountains of Arima to the rivers of Izu, Japan’s private ryokans remind us that true indulgence is quiet — it’s found in stillness, craftsmanship, and care.”

Booking Protections & Peace of Mind

When you book through Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, your peace of mind travels with you.
We are an independent UK luxury travel agency with full ATOL protection and Supplier Failure Insurance, ensuring your journey is financially protected from the moment you reserve until you return home.

Our Japan specialists work directly with ryokan owners and concierges to curate seamless, bespoke itineraries — from private transfers to multi-destination stays — all designed around your rhythm and interests.

Every itinerary begins with a conversation: your preferences, your pace, your story. Because, as we believe, “Where every journey begins with you.”

Why Book with Awake & Wander Luxury Travel

Choosing to stay in Japan’s private ryokans is choosing depth over display — a connection to beauty that’s felt, not seen. And with Awake & Wander, you’re never travelling alone.

Our team combines expert insight, trusted partnerships, and a love of authentic travel to design Japan journeys that are completely bespoke. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, planning a honeymoon, or seeking quiet renewal, we’ll handle every detail — flights, transfers, ryokan reservations, even private experiences — so you can arrive and exhale.

📞 Call 01495 400011 or visit our website to complete an enquiry form.
Or start exploring today using our online search tool — and design a holiday as unique as you are.

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