12 Onsen Ryokan in Northern Kanto with In-Room Open-Air Baths and Dining to Help You Get Away
12mame
The northern Kanto region has excellent access from Tokyo. Although it is close to the city center, it is rich in nature. Therefore, there are many onsen that gush out, and you can enjoy onsen all over the place. This time, we'd like to introduce you to an inn in the easily accessible northern Kanto region where you can enjoy an open-air bath and meal in your room. We have divided the prefectures into Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Gunma!
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The northern Kanto region consists of the prefectures of Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Gunma. In recent years, trains and highway buses have been operated from Tokyo without transfers, making access even better. In the northern Kanto region, there are many scenic spots such as Senjogahara in Tochigi, which is known as a high-rise wetland, Kasumigaura in Ibaraki, which has the second largest lake in Japan, and Mt. Myogi-san in Gunma, which is known as one of the three most beautiful landscapes in Japan. Because we are blessed with such abundant nature, there is actually a lot of onsen gushing out.
If you've recently packed your roots too much and would like to soak in onsen in a place rich in nature, we recommend the northern Kanto area, which can be easily reached. In this article, for those who want to refresh themselves at a onsen inn, we will introduce some inns in the northern Kanto region that have rooms with open-air baths and where you can enjoy your meal in the comfort of your own room. Enjoy the ultimate happiness by soaking in the hot water while experiencing the rich nature.
Tanakaya is located within the Nikko National Park Special Area. The inn owns three private hot springs, which gush out 200 liters of hot water every minute. Tanakaya, located in the midst of magnificent nature, has an outstanding sense of freedom. On the top floor, there is a special room with a balcony and an open-air bath with free-flowing hot spring water, making it a pure Japanese-style room with a Sukiya-zukuri style. Perfect for an elegant stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Long ago, ``Tanakaya'''s slogan was ``If it doesn't work, we'll refund your money.'' onsen gushing forth from the water are known as ``hot springs that don't require medicine,'' and were once crowded with people who came to onsen for the purpose of recuperating. Of course, we can still expect its efficacy to be as effective as ever. This medicine-free hot water is also used directly from the source in the guest rooms. Soaking in the hot water at Tanakaya will improve the condition of your skin. It is also popular as a hot spring for beautiful skin.
For dinner, you can choose between a set meal eaten in your room or a robata meal eaten at the meal venue. I'm also attracted to robata food eaten at meal venues, but when I want to relax, it's better to eat in my room. Eating food on the set is also a good experience because it is not often done in everyday life.
Official details
Shiobara onsen Yumori Tanakaya
Tochigi /Nasu/ ryokan
- hotel fee
- JPY from 18,700
- address
- 6 Shiobara, Nasu-Shiobara City Tochigi
- access
- 53 minutes by JR bus from Tohoku Shinkansen Nasushiobara Station (ride for Shiobara onsen Bus Terminal) 0 minutes from Shiobara Otsuna bus stop
Sanraku, located in Nasu onsen, is a historic inn that Emperor Showa visited when he was crown prince. It has a sophisticated atmosphere with a Japanese feel. It is said that Nasu was chosen as the location for the Imperial Villa because of the beautiful view from this inn. Since His Majesty the Emperor visited, the guest rooms have a sense of elegance. Lattice doors give off the scent of wood, and luxurious furniture. A special room with the largest space in the inn. In the rooms facing the Japanese garden, where 100% hot water from our own source is directly poured into the open-air bath of the guest room, you can relax as if you were in a villa on the highlands.
"Rooms with garden open-air baths" have not only an open-air bath but also a footbath. The hot water is drained and washed every day, and new hot water is added. Of course, the onsen water in the open-air bath. You can also relax in the footbath and enjoy tea or alcohol while being surrounded by silence. You can spend your time in a stylish way.
Detailed information
Nasu Onsen Sanraku
Tochigi /Nasu/ ryokan
- address
- Tochigi 206 Yumoto, Nasu-cho, Nasugun
- access
- About 35 minutes by car from Nasu-Shiobara Station / About 15 minutes from Nasu IC on the Tohoku Expressway / Free shuttle bus available. Advance reservation required
``Furaku no Yakata'' is characterized by the fact that all rooms have open-air baths with natural hot spring water. What's more, you can stay with your dog. This simple room with white walls is perfect for spending time with your dog. There are plenty of facilities for your dog, such as a dog run and a pool, so you can stay with peace of mind. We also have a wide range of pet amenities such as pet dryers, toilet seats, drinking dishes, and paw wipes. Since you don't have to leave your dog alone at home, you can enjoy your onsen trip without worry.
The hot water in the open-air bath in the guest room is, of course, onsen. You can relax and enjoy onsen in your room. Owners are not the only ones who can enjoy onsen in their rooms. There is a footbath for dogs, so your dog can enjoy onsen too. Dogs who are tired from walking will be as comforted as their owners.
The charm of Fushiraku no Yakata is that you can enjoy meal with your dog in your room. Owners can leisurely savor seasonal dishes made with local ingredients such as Nasu Kogen wagyu beef, while their dogs can share a burgu made with vegetables and pork fins. Each burger weighs about 60 grams and sells for about 300 yen.
Official details
Fukuraku no Yakata Nasu Yumoto store
Tochigi /Nasu/ ryokan
- hotel fee
- JPY from 11,000
- address
- Tochigi 206-163 Yumoto, Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun
- access
- From Tohoku Expressway Nasu IC, take Prefectural Route 17 towards Nasu Yumoto, approximately 11 km, approximately 15 minutes.
- Staying time
- 15:00(IN)〜 10:00(OUT)など
``Nasu Bettei Kai'' is a onsen ryokan located at the foot of Mt. Nasu surrounded by lush greenery. Next to the ``annex'' on the premises is the quiet environment of the Nasu Imperial Villa of the Imperial Family. The slowly flowing hot water is a colorless and transparent natural onsen that gushes out from an altitude of 1,300 meters, halfway up Mt. Chausu. There is an abundant amount of hot water, and all of the baths in the guest rooms are fed directly from the source, making it an inn where you can enjoy the famous hot springs at your leisure.
There are 9 rooms in total, all with private baths including semi-open-air baths. Each guest room has a different floor plan, and there are many variations, such as rooms with lounges and rooms with Japanese-style rooms separate from the main room. The baths in every room are fed with the same spring quality as the Nasu Imperial Villa. Feel luxurious and enjoy the private bath in your open room.
Both meal and breakfast are served in your in-room dining. For dinner, enjoy Yamazato Kaiseki using seasonal ingredients from Nasu. Be sure to try the local branded beef ``Nasu Kuroge Wagyu'' in the inn's signature ``soy milk shabu-shabu''. For breakfast, enjoy freshly cooked rice with a variety of side dishes, such as rice accompaniments, salads, and grilled Nasu river fish. Warm your body from the inside out with miso soup and recharge your energy for the day.
*Since it was renewed in October 2023, the information may differ from the published information. Please check the hotel official website for the latest information.
Official details
Nasu Bettei Times
Tochigi /Nasu/ ryokan
- hotel fee
- JPY from 52,950
- address
- Tochigi 206 Yumoto, Nasu-cho, Nasugun
- access
- About 45 minutes from Nasushiobara Station, take a conventional bus bound for Daimaru/Ropeway, get off at Tsutsujigaoka bus stop, and walk 5 minutes.
- Staying time
- 15:00(IN)〜 11:00(OUT)など
"Kinugawa Kanaya Hotel" in onsen, located in Kinugawa, a scenic spot, is an inn connected to the long-established "Kinugawa Onsen Hotel", which was founded in 1930. An inn with a spectacular view where you can feel the Kinugawa River up close. There are elegant stained glass windows throughout the building, and you can relax just by looking at them. Why not enjoy the beauty of the valley from your guest room terrace and experience the four seasons of Kinugawa in a relaxed manner?
There are seven types of guest rooms, including Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms, Japanese-Western rooms, and suites. There are upgraded Japanese-style rooms and Japanese-Western rooms with open-air baths, Western-style suites on the club floor, and John Kanaya Suite on the top floor. All have open-air baths made from Towada stone on terraces that are 1.5 times larger than regular guest rooms. Lose yourself of time by soaking in onsen on the terrace and looking at the magnificent view.
For upgraded Japanese-style rooms, there are accommodation plans that include in in-room dining for both dinner and breakfast. Dinner is seasonal kaiseki, ``Seasonal Kanaya-style Kaiseki ~Wakei Yosan~''. Many items are served in small portions, so even women can enjoy the deliciousness to the last bite. For breakfast, choose either Japanese or Western food. Would you like to spend a relaxing time in your room while looking at the beautiful Kinugawa valley?
Detailed information
Kinugawa Kanaya Hotel
Tochigi / Kinugawa, onsen / ryokan
- address
- 1394 Tochigi Ohara, Nikko City onsen Prefecture
- access
- About 3 minutes on foot from onsen Station on the Tobu Line / About 20 minutes by National Route 121 from Imaichi IC
`` Takenoha'' is built on the site of the Shinto Munenryu dojo of the Nakayama family of the Mito domain. Surrounded by bamboo forests and mountain streams, it has a very atmospheric atmosphere. An environment rich in nature where you can hear the voices of Japanese warblers depending on the season. It's the perfect place to relieve fatigue and stress. There are Japanese-style rooms with a calm atmosphere, Japanese-Western rooms, and one type of room with an open-air bath.
The bath in the guest room is a natural onsen sourced from our own source. How about relaxing in the open-air bath while basking in the sunlight filtering through the trees during the day and listening to the murmuring of the river at night? You can see the bamboo forest from the open-air bath and feel completely relaxed. Your tired mind and body will be healed.
Official details
Uguisudani Hot Spring onsen Takenoha
Ibaraki /Kitaibaraki/ ryokan
- hotel fee
- JPY from 16,500
- address
- 2275 Isohara, Isohara Ibaraki
- access
- ・5 minutes by car from Joban Expressway Kitaibaraki IC ・5 minutes by car from JR Isohara Station West (shuttle bus available, reservation required)
Mt. Tsukuba is a famous mountain that is known as ``Fuji of the West and Tsukuba of the East.'' In ancient times, this mountain was mentioned in the Manyoshu, and has prospered as a mountain of worship. “Aokiya” is located halfway up Mt. Tsukuba. Popular with good access to surrounding sightseeing. In addition to regular guest rooms, there are rooms with open-air baths and rooms tailored to the occasion of your trip.
The special guest room at the inn is the special room on the 6th floor, ``Tokimachi Floor.'' The interior is simple and natural, but the night view from here is said to be spectacular. The open-air bath in the guest room is located on the terrace, and you can enjoy the sunset and night view of Tsukuba to yourself. How about a relaxing bath time while watching the sky change colors?
Of course, you can enjoy a luxurious dinner in your room. Relax and unwind with local dishes made with seasonal ingredients, such as ceramic-style steaks made from Mirei pork from Ibaraki. The menu and tableware are designed with a variety of ideas so that you can enjoy meal no matter what season you stay. Enjoy the most luxurious time at Aokiya.
Official details
Tsukubasan onsen Tsukubasan Hotel Aokiya
Ibaraki /Tsukuba/ ryokan
- hotel fee
- JPY from 14,900
- address
- 753-1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City Ibaraki
- access
- From TX Akihabara Station, get off at TX Tsukuba Station and take the shuttle bus bound for "Mt. Tsukuba" for about 40 minutes. About 30 minutes from Joban Expressway Tsuchiura Kita IC towards Mt. Tsukuba.
- Staying time
- 15:00(IN)〜 10:00(OUT)など
Kusatsu onsen Tsutsuji-tei is a purely Japanese-style inn built on a site of approximately 5,000 tsubo. In the distance, you can even see the mountain range of Mt. Shirane, which is known for its hot springs! It consists of two buildings, ``Ukon'' and ``Sakon,'' which are connected by a corridor. If you want to soothe your mind and body on a seclusion trip, we recommend the annex ``Ukon,'' which has open-air baths with natural hot spring water in all rooms. You can spend some time relaxing in the atmosphere of each season.
Detailed information
Azalea
Gunma /Kusatsu, Kusatsu onsen / ryokan
- address
- Gunma 639-1, Kusatsu-cho, Agatsuma-gun
- access
- JR Agatsuma Line Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station → About 25 minutes by bus Get off at Kusatsu Bus Terminal → About 15 minutes on foot
The Hinatamichi district, surrounded by nature in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, is the birthplace of Shima onsen, which is said to be able to heal Shima's many illnesses. “Shikazokinoyu Tsuruya” is located in the Hinatami district. The onsen has 11 rooms in total, divided into the playful ``Bettei Mizuki-an'' and the traditional-style ``Tsuruya.'' Both are quaint and offer a stay that you can't experience in the city.
After a satisfying stay at Tsuruya, take a detour to Forest Cafe KISEKI, which is run by the inn. This cafe is located in the parking lot of the scenic spot ``Natural Monument Ouketsu'', which has been designated as a natural monument by the prefecture, and is known for its delicious cheesecake. Please stop by and check it out.
Detailed information
Shima Onsen Deer Peeping Hot onsen Tsuruya
Gunma / Shima onsen / ryokan
- address
- Gunma 4372-1, Shima 4372, Nakanojo-town, Agatsuma-gun
- access
- About 30 minutes by bus from JR Nakanojo Station, about 25 minutes on foot from Shima onsen bus stop/about 30 minutes by taxi from JR Nakanojo Station
Shima onsen has been onsen that has been visited by many people for hot spring treatments for over 300 years since its establishment. "Sekizenkan" consists of three buildings: the "main building" where you can experience hot spring treatments, the "sanso" which is designated as a registered cultural property of the country, and the "Kashotei" which is located on the highest ground in Shima onsen. It is made of. The main building, built in 1691 (Genroku 4), is the oldest existing wooden hot spring inn building in Japan. The red bridge of the main building is lit up at night, creating a magical atmosphere, making it a popular photo spot at Shima onsen. I can understand why it is said to be the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's ``Spirited Away''.
If you want to experience the luxury and heartfelt hospitality that can only be found at a onsen ryokan, we recommend ``Kashotei''. The ``Top Floor Japanese-Western Special Room'', the only two rooms on the top floor of ``Kashotei'', has an old pine tree that is over 300 years old outside the window. You can see the majestic branches that look like a Japanese painting. There is also an open-air bath in your room, where you can soak in Shima onsen which is said to cure 40,000 illnesses.
You can use all the baths in the main building, mountain villa, and Kashotei, so you can go around the baths. "Genroku no Yu" in the main building is a onsen building built in 1930 (Showa 5) using Taisho Romanesque style. It is a registered cultural property of the country, so it is worth seeing. The natural light pouring into the bathroom from the large arched window is very beautiful.
Detailed information
Shima Onsen Sekizen Honkan
Gunma / Shima onsen / ryokan
- address
- Gunma 4236 Shimaunko, Nakanojo Town, Agatsuma-gun
- access
- 40 minutes by car from Nakanojo Station on the Agatsuma Line, get off at the last stop and 25 minutes by car/Shibukawa Ikaho IC → R17 → R353, about 39 km and 60 minutes
onsen is located in the back of Gunma's famous onsen town, Shima Onsen. This inn is located in Fusenkyo Gorge, which has a spectacular view of the sheer cliffs, and where you can enjoy food and drinks. There are 8 guest rooms in total. Three of these rooms have their own private open-air baths.
Detailed information
Shima Onsen Tokiwasure no Yado Yoshimoto
Gunma / Shima onsen / ryokan
- address
- Gunma 4344-2, Shima, Nakanojo-machi, Agatsuma-gun
- access
- Approximately 1 hour from Shibukawa Ikaho Interchange 40 minutes by train/bus from Nakanojo Station Get off at Shima onsen Station, the last stop Approximately 15 minutes on foot Pick-up/contact required
Tsumagoi Village in Gunma is a scenic area surrounded by Mt. Asama and Mt. Shia. Hanaichi, located in Okutsumagoi onsen, is an inn where you can enjoy onsen flowing directly from the ground 1,000 meters underground. After relaxing in onsen, enjoy a free drink in the lounge space and enjoy your onsen trip in the highlands.
There are 5 guest rooms with semi-open-air baths. There are 3 types: special room, Japanese style room (10 tatami mats) and 8 tatami mats. The bath made of cypress and Shigaraki ware is semi-open-air, and if you open the large window, you can see Mt. Asama and feel refreshed. There is a wide variety of rooms, including some with fireplaces and others with private baths for sleeping. The 8 tatami Japanese-style room can be used by solo travelers depending on the season.
Although there is an additional charge (10% of the accommodation fee), you can have in-room dining (except for the "Futari Shizuka" rooms). The dishes are made with plenty of highland vegetables, a specialty of Gunma, and you can also enjoy dishes made with cabbage grown locally in Tsumagoi Village. You can also add Joshu beef sirloin steak to a vegetable-based course. Fill your stomach with heart-warming Joshu hometown cuisine.
Official details
Oku Tsumagoi Onsen onsen Inn Hanaichi
Gunma / onsen Onsen/ ryokan
- hotel fee
- JPY from 29,325
- address
- Gunma 386, Senmata, Tsumagoi-mura, Azuma-gun
- access
- Pick-up available from JR Manza Kazawa Exit (contact us for reservation)
- Staying time
- 15:00(IN)〜 11:00(OUT)など
Did you find out that there are surprisingly attractive onsen inns in the northern Kanto region? Soak in a high-quality onsen and enjoy delicious local food. Let's go on a quick onsen trip to northern Kanto to refresh your tired body after working hard all week. If you absorb plenty of the natural blessings of northern Kanto, you'll be able to do your best for another week!