Journey through the romance of Japan. 7 Best Places to Stay at Long-established ryokan Over 100 Years Old [Nationwide]

Recently, the number of resort ryokan with a modern atmosphere has been increasing rapidly. While a modern, new stay is nice, why not try staying at an authentic, long-established ryokan once in a while? Inns that have been in business for over 100 years have a genuine dignity that has survived through various historical backgrounds. They have a deep flavor that can only be cultivated by that history. Why not experience the history, traditions, and charm of Japan and realize a relaxing trip?

Long-established ryokan have been watching the world for much longer than we have. Some of them have been inns where famous writers and celebrities have stayed. A space that has been loved by many people since ancient times. You will surely feel a sense of value just by standing there. Why not immerse yourself in a peaceful retreat while thinking about times gone by? We will introduce you to long-established ryokan that have been in business for over 100 years.

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Tokine no Yado Yunushi Ichijo is about 15 minutes away by shuttle bus from Shiroishi-Zao Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen. Just past the onsen town, this inn is nestled in the forest and was founded 587 years ago. It continues to cherish the spirit of "hatago," a title given only to inns that have been in business for over 500 years, and continues to pass on its traditions. The main building is a wooden structure built by palace carpenters without using a single nail. The majestic aura is overwhelming and moving to the heart.

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A glossy polished floor, a warm light shining through the shoji screen. The corridor leading to the "Takumi Private Corridor Restaurant" is a space that could be said to be synonymous with the inn. It is filled with a deep flavor born from the accumulation of time, which seems impossible to recreate. If you listen carefully, you can almost hear the footsteps of our ancestors...

Tokine no Yado Yunushi Ichijo is said to have developed from a hot spring cure. You can enjoy two onsen springs at the inn. One is a medicinal bath with 600 years of history. The other is a "cave bath." It is said to have originated from a cave that was hand-carved by a man who came here looking for work about 90 years ago. This background adds to the charm of the bathing experience.

"Shinshu Yudanaka onsen Yorozuya" is about a 7-minute walk from Yudanaka Station in Nagano. It is a 200-year-old inn that represents Shinano Province, beloved by the haiku poet Kobayashi Issa. The interior of the inn is filled with furnishings that have been passed down for generations, such as folk art furniture and music boxes that play traditional tunes. You can feel the breath of history in everything you see and touch.

All of the natural onsen drawn from three private hot springs is free-flowing. Of the five baths, the Momoyama Bath, built in a pure wooden cathedral, is particularly noteworthy. It has been loved by many famous people, including Kobayashi Issa, the Sanada clan of the Matsushiro domain, and Matsumoto Jun, the first Army Surgeon General, and has been designated a registered tangible cultural property. Many people stay overnight just to enjoy this bath.

ryokan consists of the main building and Shoraiso. Shoraiso, which was completed in 1939, was built at a cost of 100,000 yen at the time. This is equivalent to 300 million yen today. The luxurious space of the time is of course reflected in the guest rooms. Why not spend a special night in a room made with luxurious fine wood that is no longer available?

Kanazawa Tatsunokuchi Onsen Matsusaki is about 20 minutes away by shuttle bus from JR Matto Station. The inn has been in business for 180 years, and has been passed down through six generations since the Edo period. The first thing that catches your eye is the vast Shosen Lake Garden, about 5,000 square meters. Various wild birds visit the garden every season, and you can feel the breath of vibrant plants in every season.

Izumi Kyoka is known as one of the leading novelists of the Meiji period. His masterpiece, "When the Sea Roars," is set in "Kanazawa Tatsunokuchi Onsen Matsusaki." It is said that Izumi Kyoka developed his sensibility towards women by observing the geisha working at Tatsunokuchi onsen. The guest room "Wabisuke no Ma," a splendid VIP room, is reminiscent of that time. You can spend a glamorous time feeling like a woman of that time.

You can enjoy Kanazawa kaiseki with a different flavor in both the main building and the new building. In the new building, you can enjoy Houou Kaiseki prepared by the chef who has honed his skills at Kanazawa's renowned cuisine ryokan. In the main building, the chef, a Noto native who is particular about local ingredients, is also a master of his craft, and you can relax and enjoy a la carte dishes at in-room dining. Whichever you choose, you are sure to find the ultimate in gastronomic delights.

Miyajima no Yado Iwaso is about a 15-minute walk from Miyajima Pier. This inn was founded about 160 years ago and is located in Momiji Valley at the foot of Mt. Misen, the sacred mountain of Itsukushima Shrine. The area is famous for its picturesque scenery, with seasonal nature. You can immerse yourself in the overflowing spirit of travel and spend some time freeing your mind from the everyday.

The guest rooms are one-room, one-story detached buildings built between the Taisho and Showa periods. Look closely at the details of the guest rooms, such as the firelight windows, transoms, lattices, and alcove pillars. You'll be amazed by the design, which exudes the craftsmanship and passion of the artisans.

Another attraction of this inn is that you can enjoy hot onsen are rare on Miyajima Island. The waters of the simple, weakly radioactive cold mineral spring are known to leave your skin smooth. Apparently, on sunny days, deer sometimes cross the open-air baths. Why not enjoy a relaxing bath while anticipating a relaxing experience that is unique to Miyajima?

Ryotei Ryokan Yatsusankan is about a 6-minute walk from Hida-Furukawa Station. The inn has a history of about 160 years in Hida Takayama, and values the spirit of learning from the past. The space exudes a rich atmosphere that exudes the lifestyle of Hida. Even each pillar bears traces of history. The inn has a rustic feel that will warm your heart.

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The guest rooms are decorated in a gorgeous and classical style. There are rooms with different layouts, such as rooms with open-air baths and VIP rooms. There are gorgeous sliding doors, kotatsu tables, and so on. Every room has many exciting elements. You might be impressed by how stylish people were in the past.

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In the large public bath, where different types of baths are available, you can enjoy onsen delivered directly from Togenkyo onsen. In the open-air bath, you can enjoy a rose bath, which is available only to women. In the indoor bath, fruit baths are available, and you will feel like your skin is being revitalized. While touching history, you can also cultivate a glamorous heart as a woman.

Kinosaki onsen Nishimuraya Honkan is about a 15-minute walk from Kinosaki onsen Station. It is said to be the best traditional Japanese ryokan in Sanin, having been in business for about 160 years. Among the buildings on the premises is a precious example of Japanese architecture that has been registered as a national tangible cultural property. Another feature is that it also has a magnificent garden and exhibition room. Many people from overseas visit this inn as a place where they can experience Japanese beauty.

The building is built around a garden, and each guest room offers a different view. It's like looking at a painting. The Hiratakan building was designed by Masaya Hirata, a master of Sukiya architecture. It exudes a presence worthy of being called a work of art, with its combination of tradition and ingenuity.

There is an exhibition room where you can appreciate many artworks. There are works contributed to the inn by famous people such as Shiko Munakata, Hirofumi Ito, Tsuyoshi Inukai, Rosanjin Kitaoji, etc. It is a space where you can appreciate the beloved history and prestige of the inn along with the precious artworks.

Ochiairo is about a 15-minute taxi ride from Shuzenji Station. This inn was founded 134 years ago and seven of its buildings are registered as national tangible cultural properties. Its stately and elegant appearance makes it seem like a movie set that was just built. It is filled with a shine that will never rust.

The bright and soft atmosphere of the guest rooms. Look at the Kumiko-work transoms and shoji screens and you will be amazed by the craftsmanship. This is the place where many great writers, including Yamaoka Tesshu, Shimazaki Toson, Kawabata Yasunari, and Kitahara Hakushu, created their works. Just close your eyes and let your imagination flow just like the great writers.

onsen is a sulfate spring unique to Amagi Yugashima onsen. At the inn, you can enjoy bathing in three different baths with different atmospheres. From the indoor bath where sunlight filters through the trees, you will enter a corridor where you can feel the changing seasons. Beyond that is a unique sauna with an atmosphere reminiscent of a teahouse. Alternating between sauna and onsen baths will help you to restore your mind and body.

Each inn leaves behind its own footprints, equal to its history. Valuable buildings that cannot be found today, and furnishings that were unique to those times. Traces and traces of famous people who have made their mark on history... The shape and color of footprints vary from inn to inn. Why not visit and experience the flavor that has been created over more than 100 years? You are sure to encounter a moment that touches your heart.