What is a ryokan?
Japanese ryokan developed during the Nara period (710-794 AD) as a means of affordable lodging and meals. These family-run homestays traditionally comprised tatami-matted rooms where futons were unrolled at night. As hot springs tourism grew, ryokan with onsen became the norm. Contemporary ryokan near Tokyo and urban centers stay faithful to the original concept by blending Japanese and Western elements. Intuitive and attentive omotenashi is part and parcel of any Tokyo ryokan experience.
What is the difference between ryokan and onsen?
Ryokan refers to the accommodation while the onsen is the hot spring public bath. Ryokan without onsen do exist although these are less common.
How much does it cost to stay in a ryokan?
As with hotels in Japan, ryokan rates vary in cost. Budget-friendly inns are available at less than $100 (14,000 yen) per night while mid-range ryokan cost $100-200 (14,000-28,000 yen) per night. A stay at a luxury Tokyo ryokan hotel with a private bathroom, gourmet dining, and onsen facilities can cost upwards of $500 (71,000 yen). Rates fluctuate with the season and are usually higher at the weekend.
Best Ryokan in Tokyo
We hope you love the Tokyo ryokan we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Hoshinoya Ryokan Tokyo
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- Address: 1-9-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0004, Japan
- Rates from: $840/night
The most luxurious Tokyo ryokan, a night at Hoshinoya Tokyo is akin to a 5-star hotel. This 17-story property is veiled in a latticed facade giving way to a soundproofed atrium free from the urban roar. Each floor comprises six deluxe en suite rooms styled with shoji screens, tatami flooring, and cypress-framed sofas. An exclusive ochanoma on every floor invites guests to socialize or leaf through a revolving supply of books.
The mineral onsen complex roosts on the top floor with a sky-gazing ceiling. Dining at Hoshinoya casts a spotlight on atypical Japanese cooking and a tea ceremony is available. This ryokan near Tokyo Station and Imperial Palace is the perfect base for first-time visitors.
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Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku
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- Address: 5-3-18 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan
- Rates from: $110/night
Onsen Ryokan Yuen is a sanctuary of calm among the non-stop Shinjuku streets. In the essence of danshari, rooms pair minimalist interior design with indulgent furnishings and a moody color palette. Western-style beds hang low while all units feature a private bathroom – some with a shower, others with a tub. As with all the best hotels in Tokyo, yukata pajamas are provided.
Use of the open-air onsen fed from the Hakone hot springs is included in all reservations. This rooftop suite is most astonishing at twilight when all of Shinjuku is illuminated. Follow your soak with a complimentary ice pop before diving into sashimi and tempura prepared with seasonal ingredients at the courtyard restaurant.
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Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa
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- Address: 3-32-12 Asakusa, Tokyo, 111-0032, Japan
- Rates from: $260/night
Three minutes from Sensō-ji Temple, Cyashitsu Ryokan is one of the best ryokan in Tokyo’s historic Asakusa district. Rooms feature tatami flooring and futon beds with Tempur-Pedic mattresses while nightwear is provided as standard. Economical options come with an in-room sink and shared bathroom facilities. At the upper end, the master suite comes with a private onsen overlooking the Tokyo Skytree.
The sixth floor of Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa contains a cypress onsen shared by all guests. At check-in, you’ll be invited to reserve a private slot. An optional Japanese or Western breakfast may be delivered to the room while the staff is on hand to provide insider tips on where to grab dinner locally.
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Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei Tokyo Daita
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- Address: 2 Chome-31-26 Daita, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0033, Japan
- Rates from: $307/night
This ryokan hotel in Tokyo might look far away from the center but a painless 15-minute ride on the Inokashira Line deposits you at Shibuya Station.
As the sister of the Shinjuku Yuen ryokan, the aesthetic and ethos are similar. All rooms at the Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei Tokyo Daita feature a private bathroom and traditional ryokan textiles and styling. One room comes with its own hot tub on the terrace overlooking a peaceful patio dotted with Hinoki cypresses. Note that while this bath doesn’t contain spring water, the communal onsen does.
In addition to sleeping at this ryokan, the inn offers a daytime onsen package for travelers staying elsewhere.
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Andon Ryokan Tokyo
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- Address: 2-34-10 Nihonzutsumi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 1110021, Japan
- Rates from: $64/night
One of the best ryokan in Tokyo on a budget, the Andon offers classic lodging with futon beds that roll away to make room for tea and chatter. Some rooms have private bathrooms while others are shared. All reservations include yukata, bathing products, and complimentary refreshments.
The food plan at this ryokan is noteworthy, with home-cooked miso, ocean-fresh fish, and vegan dining. Guests are invited to reserve a time slot in the shared spa tub and unwind on the rooftop balcony. Five minutes from Minowa Station, the inn is close to Asakusa’s Nakamise Street and Senso-ji.
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The Edo Sakura
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- Address: 3-2-13, Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0004, Japan
- Rates from: $108/night
Designed by the architect owner, this ryokan inn near Ueno Park was inspired by the machiya wooden townhouses of Kyoto. The Edo Sakura gives you a choice of a Western-style room with wooden flooring or a deluxe Japanese tatami room appointed with kakejiku art. The Japanese collection comes in three different comfort tiers with the largest suite overlooking a garden.
Breakfast is inclusive of vegan and child-friendly options while there is a complimentary tea ceremony held every morning. Other cultural activities available at this authentic Tokyo ryokan include flower arranging, calligraphy, and kimono taiken (the kimono experience). The onsen is available for private hire and requires a token surcharge per use.
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Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa
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- Address: 1-30-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0032, Japan
- Rates from: $208/night
Right in the midst of Asakusa, Ryokan Kamogawa is one of the best ryokan for an Old Town Tokyo atmosphere. Warm, light rooms marry elements of a classic ryokan with Western touches. Think tatami mats, shoji screens, and futon beds but counter-height dining tables. All have a private bathroom although the property has additional restrooms.
The public bath on the first floor is available for private reservations. Children are welcome at this family-friendly ryokan while the entire complex may be rented out to a larger group. Meals are not available at this inn. However, its proximity to Kaminarimon and Nakamise Street means your tastebuds are more than spoilt for choice.
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Ochanomizu Hotel Shoryukan
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- Address: 3-24-9 Kanda Ogawamachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0052, Japan
- Rates from: $91/night
A 15-minute walk from the East Gardens and 10 minutes by subway to Tokyo Station, the Ochanomizu Shoryukan is a hybrid hotel ryokan with onsen. This friendly inn comprises economy futon rooms for solo travelers and larger tatami domains for families and groups. The onsen is shared among guests and is attached to a communal lounge with a massage chair, library, and vending machines.
Japanese breakfast is available in the rate. Served in the Jazz Bar, this music-themed den is open until late on Fridays and doubles up as a place to work – or plan the next leg of your journey – during the week.
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