Top 10 Minshukus in Japan, Japan

May 4, 2023 Deane Carmody

In the Land of the Rising Sun, ancient temples sit alongside neon wonderlands and shinto shrines offer pockets of peace amid metropolises. Add tea ceremonies, snow monkeys, sushi, kimonos, and karaoke to the mix, and you’ve got one of the world’s most fascinating countries.
Things to do in Japan

1. Tajimaya

4266 Magome, Nakatsugawa 508-0502 Gifu Prefecture
Excellent
55%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 174 reviews

Tajimaya

Great place for a family gathering

Reviewed By I9273FLjasonc

Great place for a family gathering. We had a very great time here with my wife and kids. How do you recommend to visit here to have a very great lunch. The food is very great Adam is furious very good the place is very clean.

2. Magomechaya

4296 Magome, Nakatsugawa 508-0502 Gifu Prefecture
Excellent
19%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
28%
Poor
7%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 153 reviews

Magomechaya

Remains a great option when staying in Magome

Reviewed By RvMDl

Stayed here for the second time, my last time being around 2018. The hosts are super friendly, the place itself is right in the middle of the Magome Nakasendo trail. They have a few parking spaces behind the house and overall, it feels like a great option. Just be mindful, this is a 150 + years old minshuku, so it´s not state of the art.

3. Ryoso Kawaguchi

469 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi 739-0500 Hiroshima Prefecture
Excellent
81%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 238 reviews

Ryoso Kawaguchi

当館は江戸期からの古い木造建築です。

Peaceful, relaxing ryokan

Reviewed By Oregonrivers

Ryoso Kawaguchi is a wonderful traditional ryokan with amazingly friendly hosts and staff. We walked from the ferry both ways because the weather was nice and it was only a 10-minute walk, but the hosts provided their phone number to call for being picked up. Yoko Kawaguchi and her husband greeted us warmly, showed us our room, the dining room, and the private bath. The room was traditional, spacious, well equipped, and had a small balcony with a table and chairs overlooking a beautiful small garden. We signed up for the dinners and breakfasts with our reservation and were delighted with the delicious and varied meals, beautiful garden off the dining room, and helpful and friendly server, Kiyoki Kuroda. The dinners and breakfasts were as good or better than any meals we had in our 10-day trip to Kyushu and Miyajima, and we ate at several high end restaurants in Fukuoka. Kiyoki became our impish friend, making each meal both fun and delicious. He provided assistance and humor but never intruded on our privacy. Yoko was clearly in charge at all times, making sure our needs were met and providing friendly and helpful advice about things to do on the island. She scheduled our meals and private time in the Japanese bath. At the end of the day, the soak in the warm bath guaranteed a good night's sleep. We only stayed two nights and regretted not having longer to spend in Miyajima with our hosts when we left. We enthusiastically recommend this beautiful ryokan to anyone visiting Miyajima.

4. Oyado Yoshinoya

2-89 Babamachi, Takayama 506-0838 Gifu Prefecture
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 120 reviews

Oyado Yoshinoya

Great spot !

Reviewed By Chery86

I will definitely return if I’m back to Takayama !! Sweet couple that operates this place ! Love it ! Feels like home !! Tatami style room super clean ! !!!! You share the toilets ! But it’s always empty ! They wake you up with a cup of coffee !

5. Tsumugiya Ryokan

2-3-39 Minamigata Kita-ku, Okayama 700-0807 Okayama Prefecture
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 16 reviews

Tsumugiya Ryokan

6. Minshuku Iwakawa

203-7 Miyanoura, Yakushima-cho, Kumage-gun 891-4205 Kagoshima Prefecture
Excellent
39%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 28 reviews

Minshuku Iwakawa

Very Modern and Clean

Reviewed By BasarBurcu

I just stayed here for four nights during a hiking trip to wonderful Yakushima. While booking, I chose the "new building" option and it turned out to be great with immaculately clean facilities. Showers and kitchen are all new and very modern looking. The room was also a decent size. I also liked the location of the new building located few minutes walk away from the restaurant area. Highly recommended. It is a great gem for the price.

7. Ohara no Sato

41 Oharakusaocho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto 601-1248 Kyoto Prefecture
Excellent
26%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
6%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 108 reviews

Ohara no Sato

Ohara no Sato Onsen is a minshuku, or a Japanese-style private home, that boasts original miso-based hot pot dishes. The property has been making miso paste, or red-bean paste, for over 100 years. Guests can relax in the open-air bath while enjoying the scenery of the traditional Japanese-style countryside. Free toiletries and green tea bags are provided by the property. The TV, bathroom and toilet are shared. Free WiFi is available on site. There is a garden, public bath, hot springs bath and gift shop on site. On-site luggage storage and free shuttle service is available for guests. For dinner, guests can savor miso hot pot that uses vegetables grown in their garden and local meat. Their original miso does not use any artificial additives. Special diet menus are available upon request. There is a cafe across the street from the property. Kyoto Station is a 1-hour drive from the property. Free parking is available on site. Jakko-in Temple is a 5-minute walk from Ohara no Sato Onsen and Sanzen-in is a 22-minute walk away. Kifune Shrine is a 90-minute train ride away on Eizan Dentetsu-Kurama Line.

Such a comfortable trip!

Reviewed By TonCroy

This is my first time enjoying onsen in Kyoto. The host is very kind and friendly. From Kyoto station, you need to get on Kawaramachi line to Kokusaikakan station theb get off and take bus #16-17-19 heading to ohara station. From here you can call to the host and ask for free shuttle bus which will bring you on the endline. I had arrived to Ohara station so late due to delay of flight at around 8.30 PM. However, i still get chance to ride on shuttle bus and enjoy my trip. The atmosphere is very quiet and comfortable. Highly recommended!

8. Yufuinsanso Waremoko

589 Yufuincho Kawaminami, Yufu 879-5103 Oita Prefecture
Excellent
78%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Yufuinsanso Waremoko

An Amazing Cultural Experience

Reviewed By Siwa08

I cannot say enough about this amazing ryokan that my husband and I stayed at for two nights on our three week trip to Japan. It was an experience that we won't soon forget. Although it was expensive we felt it was well worth the money. The price included both breakfast and dinner, each consisting of multiple beautifully plated and delicious ( mostly) courses. Each dish was explained to us by the server and the owner dropped by at dinner to help us choose a bottle of sake to go with our meal. We were overcome by the quantity and quality of the food as well as by the friendliness and professionalism of the owners and staff ( all of whom spoke English). Our room was large with a spacious living room and a separate bedroom and was equipped with WIFI. Also included with our room were two private outdoor onsens with views of Mount Yufu and a small indoor onsen. I would highly recommend that people who want to experience a traditional Japanese ryokan go to Yufuinsanso Waremoko. The room, the food and, most importantly the owners and staff, are all exceptional.

9. Element

Nakafurano Shikauchinojo, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun 071-0734 Hokkaido
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 13 reviews

Element

We are a boutique hotel situated amidst beautiful farmland and the breathtaking mountains of Furano and Nakafurano, newly opened July 2017. Our hotel consists of 4 luxury rooms which are thoughtfully designed, each with its own distinct flavour, as well as relaxing communal living spaces, featuring a fire place and high vaulted ceilings. Owned and operated by husband and wife team Ken and Chie, our mission is to provide you with a truly bespoke service for your ultimate comfort.

Fantastic experience

Reviewed By taroozawa

Located in the farm lands of Furano, this lovely accommodation offers total tranquility and relaxing ambience. I wish I could’ve stayed one more night. Will definitely come back when in Furano. The only room for improvement might be Wi-Fi connectivity which is slightly weak. 富良野の農場のど真ん中に位置しており都会の喧騒から逃れての休日には理想的な環境。オーナー夫婦のホスピタリティも丁度イイ距離感を保ってくれてとても居心地がイイ。夕方になると焚いてくれる暖炉にも癒されます。テレビがないのもGOOD。インバウンドが再開し外国人が戻ってきたら談話室スペースもいい情報交換の場になりそう。また来たい旅の宿。 一点改善の余地があるとすれば(大したことではありませんが)Wi-Fiがちょっと弱いことでしょうか。

10. Minshuku Yakushima Hostel

2450 86 Miyanoura, Yakushima-cho, Kumage-gun 891-4205 Kagoshima Prefecture
Excellent
56%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
6%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Minshuku Yakushima Hostel

Lovely christmas and new years

Reviewed By MishMish13

We stayed 7 nights, and chose this guest house based on previous reviews. Probably because of end of year timing, there were no English speaking staff. The guest house was run by a very lovely elderly couple who ensured we were comfortable despite language barriers. This was the main reason for 5-star review. The tatami room was large and comfortable, but always smelt damp on entering. Had a sink in the room which was useful. The bath was just divine everyday after long hikes. We were the only guests for a few days, and realised the walls were quite thin on days with other guests. Most people were considerate of this. Free use of washing machine, dryer 100yen. Breakfast and dinners were great, traditional Japanese style - a must try. Ramen shop to the left of guest house is not on google maps - also a must try (just walk next door). We are a minute drive from large supermarket and yen store, and across from that is an amazing cafe/restaurant with top quality pasta and pizza, plus other fusion dishes. Perfect for a rainy slow day. Hired hiking for 2-days shoes for 1000yen. Very new and clean. They forgot to order our bento lunch boxes, and elderly gentleman was awake at 430am making rice balls for us that he would not charge us for. Very deserving of 5-stars and great to support a local family. Also check out Bless Yakushima in Anbo!

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