The 10 best Onsens in Chubu, Japan

May 8, 2023 Karren Gelb

Discover the best Onsens in Chubu including Courtyard by Marriott Hakuba, Dormy Inn Nagano, FUFU KAWAGUCHIKO, Hotel Shoho, Gimpaso, Seiryuso, Hotel Laforet Shuzenji, Kamikouchi Onsen Hotel, Sado Resort Hotel Azuma, Kurobe Kanko Hotel.
Things to do in Chubu

1. Courtyard by Marriott Hakuba

2937 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun 399-9301 Nagano Prefecture
Excellent
59%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 173 reviews

Courtyard by Marriott Hakuba

Hakuba, Japan is a mountain resort area where the vivid and beautiful nature spreads out in every direction. Courtyard by Marriott Hakuba is a resort hotel that is in harmony with the natural landscape, where you can enjoy a range of different activities throughout the year. The fantastic Western cuisine prepared by the chef at our Habuka Village resort, and superb hospitality, help to produce the perfect atmosphere during your stay.

Perfect in All Respects.

Reviewed By Alex L

Great restaurant. Lovely staff. I haven't been on here for a few years and reset my password just to review. :) I am a Plat so we got a little extra, but what a great little hotel. Refreshed 2 years ago and still has that new car smell. Highly recommend and I am a picky picky pick pick.

2. Dormy Inn Nagano

1373-1 Minaminagano Kitaishidocho, Nagano 380-0826 Nagano Prefecture
Excellent
55%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 141 reviews

Dormy Inn Nagano

Hotel

Nice and clean hotel

Reviewed By evertjank

We stayed with the family two days in this nice hotel, that is centrally located in Nagano. The rooms are modern and clean. The onsen is great. One outside, one inside, a cold bath and a sauna. Between 21:30-23:00 you get a complementary ramen soup in the restaurant. We arrived in the weekend, and than it is not possible to reach the hotel by car. We had to walk with our luggage 5 minutes. Minus: no English speaking staff or English information. We had a lost in translation situation.

3. FUFU KAWAGUCHIKO

2211-1 Mizuguchi Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun 401-0304 Yamanashi Prefecture
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 43 reviews

FUFU KAWAGUCHIKO

Facing Mt. Fuji, this place of noble beauty remains still and serene. Repose in the forest of Kawaguchiko. Trees grown here have returned, their timber crafted for beauty and shelter. The lake laps at the shore, keeping time like a heartbeat. The forest breathes. Stars twinkle and the moon glows calmly. Leave scheduled time to regain nature’s time. Welcome to the forest of Kawaguchiko. All rooms are suites with a view of Mount Fuji and allow guests to admire the mountain scenery which transforms from one season to the next. Guest rooms feature open-air natural hot spring baths lined with volcanic stone from Mount Fuji and eco-friendly bioethanol fireplaces. Bask in the light of the dancing flames as the fragrance of the trees drifts in on the breeze at this forest getaway. We use local ingredients to prepare meals that vary from season to season. Please enjoy Japanese cuisine that can only be enjoyed here alongside Mt. Fuji’s volcanic stone and the aroma of the firewood.

Our second stay; better than the first

Reviewed By KI-NRT

For more general details about Fufu Kawaguchiko, please read my review from October 2020... We decided at the last minute to pay a visit to the Fuji Five Lakes area because the weather forecast called for a clear day (and hopefully a clear view of Mt. Fuji.) Thankfully, one room was available, and it was the exact same room as the one we stayed at the first time (Fufu Luxury Premium Suite, Room #408.) It's a top-floor corner suite with a separate bedroom/living room along with an expansive balcony and a free-flowing, open-air Onsen (natural hot springs) bath. As rooms go, it's pure bliss. Modern, tastefully furnished and decorated, bright and airy, and has all of the amenities and features one would expect when staying at a relatively new high-end property. We still feel that Fufu doesn't make the best use of its space - it's a bit busy, and consequently seems a bit less spacious than its specifications suggest (it's officially 136 square meters, although someone we can't help but feel that they're counting the balcony space as part of the overall room size.) It's really less of a ryokan and more of a hotel with ryokan-style elements. Shoes don't need to come off (although you're advised to do so in the guest rooms), they provide "Samue" (sort of spa pajama/style) outfits rather than the traditional (and albeit more pretty but less comfortable) Yukatas, but still retain some of the common ryokan charms (and a few drawbacks.) The staff are relatively young, hip and "pretty", and more casually friendly than the typical traditional ryokan, which is good or bad, depending on your perspective. We enjoyed the high-energy vibe of the place, although we also do enjoy the finesse and quaintness that top traditional ryokans exhibit as well (Asaba is a perfect example of this.) The clientele are also more youthful than most other properties that we've stayed at - this is where the young, wealthy and beautiful go to see and be seen, that's for sure. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, but just a FYI. Not much has changed from our last stay, although I will say that we enjoyed the food offering a bit more this time. We learned that they brought in a new head chef, and while it's not a night-and-day difference, we did notice a quality and creative improvement from last time. A few specialty dishes were once again served, including a unique cheese gratin with Natto (fermented soybeans that is slimy and has a pungent odor) for breakfast - we enjoyed the dish, but not sure how many Westerners can handle Natto, which is a very acquired taste. While we wish there was an option to have meals served in one's own room, we do think that Fufu needs to have more "koshitsu" private dining rooms in the restaurant. They only have a handful of them, and priority goes to large groups or families with small children. When we go to a high-end ryokan, we prefer not to dine in an open, restaurant-style environment. We requested a Koshitsu in advance, and were only told we would be dining in a Koshitsu moments before we were seated during our designated meal time. It kind of felt like being at an airport boarding gate, waiting to see whether the gate agent calls your name to announce that your upgrade cleared. I hope Fufu takes this feedback seriously. Service was slightly warmer and less formulaic than last time, in our opinion. Perhaps Fufu Kawaguchiko has had some time to provide a more refined service environment and iron out all of their kinks? The only thing preventing me from giving this a 5 rating has to do with its price: it's not a great value. In fact, it's considerably more expensive than most of the highest-end ryokans (at least the Fufu Luxury Premium Suite is priced that way), and is slightly outshone by the shinier and newer Fufu Nikko, which is slightly cheaper in price. If cost is not a consideration, then I'd give it 5 stars. If our experiences at Fufu Kawaguchiko and the spectacular Fufu Nikko are any indication, this new Japanese hospitality brand has a great thing going, and fills an underserved large niche - that of a ryokan/hotel hybrid that's relatively intimate and boutique compared to large chain luxury hotels, and arguably more comfortable than the typical luxury ryokan.

4. Hotel Shoho

527 Satoyamabe, Matsumoto 390-0221 Nagano Prefecture
Excellent
36%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 232 reviews

Hotel Shoho

Hotel Shoho is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Matsumoto, offering a family-friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. Guest rooms offer amenities such as air conditioning and a refrigerator, and guests can go online with free wifi offered by the onsen hotel. Hotel Shoho features a 24 hour front desk, a chapel, and a gift shop, to help make your stay more enjoyable. The property also boasts an on-site restaurant. If you are driving to Hotel Shoho, free parking is available. Nearby landmarks such as Suzuki Shin-ichi Talent Education Institute (1.9 mi) and Nakamachi Street (2.0 mi) make Hotel Shoho a great place to stay when visiting Matsumoto. While you’re here, be sure to check out some of the Chinese restaurants, including Reizan, China Spice Shokudo, and Aburaya Chinese Restaurant, all of which are a short distance from Hotel Shoho. Should time allow, Yohashira Shrine, Kaichi Gakko Primary School, and Matsumoto City Historic Village are some popular historic sites that are relatively easy to get to. Enjoy your stay in Matsumoto!

Comfortable big Ryokan

Reviewed By Takafoto

A huge Ryokan type hotel, consisting three buildings and sky corridor. We stayed 8th floor, where each room has Onsen in its room. That was the end of July. Their facilities are great. They seemed renovated. Especially the public Onsen, both the indoor and outdoor, were really nice. They are very spacious and some of them have really great view. The staffs are very polite and friendly. The breakfast and dinner were good as a big Ryokan. We enjoyed the local ales available there, especially the one from Nagano. Dinner cannot be ranked as Five because of the size of Ryokan, I guess, but still good including their service. The great view from our room as attached was also nice. We, including my 10 year old daughter, really enjoyed our stay here.

5. Gimpaso

25 Oyama Nishiuracho, Gamagori 443-0105 Aichi Prefecture
Excellent
46%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
5%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 249 reviews

Gimpaso

Welcome to Shunkei Roman Gimpaso, your Gamagori “home away from home.” Shunkei Roman Gimpaso aims to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, which is why so many guests continue to come back year after year. For those interested in checking out Muryoji Temple (1.7 mi) while visiting Gamagori, Shunkei Roman Gimpaso is a short distance away. Free internet access is offered to guests, and rooms at Shunkei Roman Gimpaso offer air conditioning. During your stay, take advantage of some of the amenities offered, including room service, shops, and a gift shop. Guests of Shunkei Roman Gimpaso are also welcome to enjoy a sauna and a lounge, located on site. For travelers arriving by car, free parking is available. If you are looking for a nearby place to eat, Shunkei Roman Gimpaso is within walking distance of some popular restaurants including Mitsuito (0.2 mi) and 1963 Ocean Lounge (0.3 mi). If you’re looking for things to do, you can check out Gamagori Museum of Earth, which is a popular science museum amongst tourists. Shunkei Roman Gimpaso puts the best of Gamagori at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.

Number 1 service with a twist

Reviewed By Balint B

We booked this hotel as we wanted to experience the Japanese beach culture. Reviews were decent but none in English. We had been in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone, Fuji among others and had a swell time. We had been in luxury hotels and ryokans. Booking the room was a challenge as the booking website was only in Japanese and it required a Japan address. Google translate and using our hotel address solved this problem. We had our previous hotel call to ensure that a shuttle to the hotel was available. They said no problem but we would have to call the hotel once we arrived at Nishiara station. When we arrived there, no pay phones could be found. A nice local kid called the hotel for us and the shuttle promptly arrived. Later we found a public phone on the grounds if the temple immediately next to the train station. We arrived in our room and it was horrible! Rooms 201 and 203 smell like smoke, are dirty, run down and the beds are very uncomfortable. These rooms are also very noisy as some sort of filter occasionally is turned on and sounds like a jet engine. The next morning I went down to the front desk to say we wanted to leave. They said that we could be upgraded to a better room 413. We entered the new room. Wow! Were we in the same hotel? It was absolute paradise, hot tub looking over the ocean, fully renovated. The fellow also provided us with bikes for the day for free. They also drove us to and from the best sushi place we had on our Japan visit. We were impressed! Super way of manning up to a problem. But the 200 rooms should be condemned.

6. Seiryuso

2-2 Kochi, Shimoda 415-0011 Shizuoka Prefecture
Excellent
45%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 95 reviews

Seiryuso

Serenity and calm reign in this vast park bathed in Izus light. A flagstone walk flanked by 100-year-old willows and a lovely stone lantern leads to six pavilions admirably arranged in the purest Japanese style. Pure water from on-site hotsprings replenish the external pool, which is open all year long. Casa Vino, renowned for its refined cuisine, offers primarily fish and wines from around the world.

Just right

Reviewed By GrasipBangkok

We had a very nice stay here. The place is not as well designed or furnished as the other deluxe ryokan we visited but the service and meals made up for it. The place is a bit dated but well maintained. It has very traditional, simple and well appointed feel to it. We had a family room that our family of 6 could be together, it was spacious, simple and nice. Our room have large private bath which was perfect for us. The water that fed to the outdoor private bath seems to be very fresh and not mixed with chlorine water like many ryokan do. The food and service was very good. The food serve had variety, creativity and was well presented. They had a lovely menu to guide us through the meals. Both dinner and breakfast was very good. They staff have limited English but they really went out of their way for us. What they could improve on, is to have more room and baths amenities.

7. Hotel Laforet Shuzenji

1529 Odaira laforet Resort Shuzenji, Izu 410-2415 Shizuoka Prefecture
Excellent
11%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
3%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 224 reviews

Hotel Laforet Shuzenji

Hotel Laforet Shuzenji is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Izu, offering a charming environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Izu, Hotel Laforet Shuzenji is located a short distance from Grave of Minamoto No Noriyori (1.3 mi) and Gallery Shuzenji (1.3 mi). The rooms offer a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and air conditioning, allowing you to rest and refresh with ease. Hotel Laforet Shuzenji features a 24 hour front desk, 24 hour check-in, and a chapel. In addition, as a valued Hotel Laforet Shuzenji guest, you can enjoy a pool and an on-site restaurant that are available on-site. Guests arriving by vehicle have access to free parking. While in Izu be sure to experience local ramen favorites at Ramen Hirochan. If you’re looking for things to do, you can check out Shuzenji Nijino Sato (1.2 mi), which is a popular attraction amongst tourists, and it is within walking distance. Enjoy your stay in Izu!

Complete dive

Reviewed By winedude8888

If this is a budget hotel than I get it or for back packers. Speak zero English and went to Onsen if that’s what you call it???? there was absolutely no English showing how to get there in the front desk wouldn’t even show me the way. It was a total dump. Was staying at Marriot and it was included so I went to hot springs. The worst nightmare you would want to experience

8. Kamikouchi Onsen Hotel

4469-1 Kamikochi Azumi, Matsumoto 390-1516 Nagano Prefecture
Excellent
23%
Good
59%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
7%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 61 reviews

Kamikouchi Onsen Hotel

See why so many travelers make Kamikochi Onsen Hotel their onsen hotel of choice when visiting Matsumoto. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a charming setting with an array of amenities designed for travelers like you. Guest rooms offer amenities such as a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a desk, and guests can go online with internet access offered by the onsen hotel. Kamikochi Onsen Hotel features a coffee shop and shops, to help make your stay more enjoyable. The property also boasts a hot tub and an on-site restaurant. If you are driving to Kamikochi Onsen Hotel, parking is available. While staying at Kamikochi Onsen Hotel, visitors can check out Tashiro Shitsugen (0.4 mi) and Hodaka Shrine Okumiya (2.2 mi), some of Matsumoto's top attractions. While you’re here, be sure to check out some of the nearby restaurants, including Five Horn Kamikochi (0.7 mi), Grindelwald (0.3 mi), and Dining Room (0.3 mi), all of which are within walking distance from Kamikochi Onsen Hotel. Should time allow, Kappa Bashi, Tashiro Bridge, and Weston Relief are some popular attractions that are within walking distance. We’re sure you’ll enjoy your stay at Kamikochi Onsen Hotel as you experience all of the things Matsumoto has to offer.

Serviceable for a trip to Kamikochi, memorable for its retro offerings

Reviewed By ijayne

While the stay here was nice, it wasn't up what we necessarily expected for the price we had to pay. The price was worth three nights what we had paid for a better ryokan in Takayama, so this was a bit of a letdown. That being said, I believe the price is really about supply and demand, and the number of hotels within Kamikochi are quite dismal - due to the uniqueness of the park. Anyway, the hotel is conveniently located 4 minutes away from the bus stop. You traverse a little wooded area, cross two bridges over small streams and you stop right in front of the hotel. Right in front of the hotel is the Asuza River, which you can experience thanks to the benches and tables set by the riverside by the hotel. We sat there in the day and had multiple monkeys curiously sit by us, and at night, when the lights are all turned off, you sit in darkness, the milky way overhead (best spotted through a long-exposure camera shot) and the sound of the mountains and river surrounding you. It's terrifyingly beautiful. The stars are truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were here towards the end of summer, it was supposed to be a blazing 30degC elsewhere but up in Kamikochi, surrounded by mountain peaks, it was a cool 23 to 25degc. Lovely and brisk. From this hotel, you had a 20min trek to the famous Kappa bridge on the left and a 40min trek to Taisho pond on the right. You basically get the best of Kamikochi from this convenient location. The hotel is designed really as a stopover for Japanese travellers who want to experience the beauty of Kamikochi. So it's quite frill-free. The guests are also mostly locals, elderly locals to be exact. By 9pm, all lights are off cause they are all asleep. In fact, you'll find that there'll be no staff at the front desk either. Just after dinner, we hopped down to the lobby for an evening stroll outside when we saw that they had all gathered for a slide show of pictures of Kamikochi. Everyone sat gathered in their yukatas watching this old man use his 80s-chic slideshow projector. I was blown away by the retro-ness of it all. We opted for the Japanese-style rooms, and it was properly traditional. Paper sliding doors, tatami mats and futons for the night. Everything was well kept, but old. As was the onsen that had both indoor and outdoor options. (Remember, you are not allowed to bathe here if you have a tattoo!) The food offerings were disappointing. The dinner spread was interesting but flavour-wise, average. In fact, we were left feel a little disatisfed after dinner cause it was just so...meh. Breakfast was a buffet with mostly traditional Japanese offerings and a handful of continental choices (sausages, croissants, ham etc). But that was decidely better and tastier. We particuarly enjoyed the savoury roasted vegetables. Would we stay here again, probably not. Was it memorable? Yes.

9. Sado Resort Hotel Azuma

548-1 Aikawa Oura, Sado 952-1646 Niigata Prefecture
Excellent
46%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
9%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 68 reviews

Sado Resort Hotel Azuma

Hotel Azuma “The Inn Closest to the Setting Sun”Aikawa Hot Springs Situated at the top of a hill, with a panoramic view, in a quasi-national park, we are known as: "The inn closest to the setting sun." Hotel Azuma was established as "Azuma", a Japanese cuisine restaurant, in Haneda, Aikawa, in 1925. Located at the western-most point in the northern Sado mountains, Azuma has been valued as the place "Closest to the Setting Sun". Guest rooms and a large bathroom overlooking Nanaura Coast have a spectacular view of the setting sun. A large, 23,500㎡ lawn garden features a stone tablet carved with a haiku poem written by the famous poet, Seishi Yamaguchi, during his stay here, and an old burial ground. A stroll along the promenade leads to the seashore. Popular for its private outdoor bath and rooms with individual outdoor baths, Hotel Azuma is a long-established hotel with specialty dishes, standing on the heights of a quasi-national park.

Nice views and good Japanese food

Reviewed By Austin A

The hotel is located right on the ocean with a great view of the sunset. There was a spacious hot spring to relax in and the food for breakfast was great. The room was spacious as well. The staff was very friendly.

10. Kurobe Kanko Hotel

2822 Taira, Omachi 398-0001 Nagano Prefecture
Excellent
29%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 204 reviews

Kurobe Kanko Hotel

Welcome to Kurobe Kanko Hotel, your Omachi “home away from home.” Kurobe Kanko Hotel aims to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, which is why so many guests continue to come back year after year. For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Omachi, Kurobe Kanko Hotel is located a short distance from Omachi Dam (1.9 mi) and Nyakuichioji Shrine (2.5 mi). Guest rooms offer amenities such as a refrigerator and air conditioning, and guests can go online with free wifi offered by the onsen hotel. When you're feeling hungry, you can check out Konditorei Anne Marille (0.1 mi) or Cafe Neko No Mimi (0.3 mi), which are all within walking distance of Kurobe Kanko Hotel. If you’re looking for things to do, you can check out Omachi Onsenkyo (0.1 mi) or Hinatayama Kogen (1.0 mi), which are popular attractions amongst tourists, and they are all within walking distance. Kurobe Kanko Hotel puts the best of Omachi at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.

Price Worthy Hotel with Buffet

Reviewed By Charleen L

I stayed at this hotel after I finished my Tateyama Alpine trip. The location of the hotel is very good because the bus stop of just 2-minute walk. The hotel offers buffet style dinner and breakfast. The variety and the freshness of the food made me want to stay one more night at this hotel. It is definitely recommended to stay at this hotel.

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