Hello!
These are my recommendations for family friendly ryokans in Japan.
In theory, almost all ryokans in Japan welcome children but there are some that are easier with kids than others.
If possible, I think it’s a great idea to incorporate at least one ryokan stay (one night) into a Japan holiday.
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links – meaning that, if you book accommodation using one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
I think it is also worth being realistic – a ryokan is considered a luxury style of accommodation. Therefore it is not going to be a “cheap” night away.
It is a traditional way to take in Japan. I speak about what a ryokan is in detail here but basically it is accommodation in a tatami room and almost always bedding is futons. Meals are also included in the price. A ryokan is not the place you stay and go out much during your time. The idea is that you relax and enjoy the facilities – especially the public baths / onsen.
Onsen’s require nudity at ryokans and are almost always separated by gender (see here for an onsen option in Tokyo that can be visited as a day visitor AND allow swimsuits.)
If all of these elements are NOT for you, you may be more interested in a more modern take on a ryokan. If that’s the case? I have lots of lovely suggestions here.
I, personally, don’t believe a ryokan is a fabulous option for your family if…
– your kids are not likely to eat a traditional Japanese meal (including breakfast) or if you don’t mind if some food goes to waste while you eat (for full transparency – up until recently, my own kids wouldn’t eat a meal with us at a ryokan so we opted for more modern ryokans that offer a kids menu or a restaurant option within the same venue.)
– if your kids like to get out and about at all times for adventure and have a hard time just having some downtime
-if you’re hoping for facilities such as an in-house laundry or an in-house gym ( a ryokan is not that vibe)
– you are looking for the cheapest accommodation possible
I believe a ryokan is an amazing option for your family if…
-you would all like some downtime in a traditional Japanese setting (almost always in the countryside)
– you want to experience the closest family experience to a home-stay environment but still with relaxing holiday vibes
– you want to take part in a special style of traditional accommodation – unique to Japan
– a ryokan is within your holiday budget
When looking for a ryokan for families in Japan, I recommend looking outside of cities for the best options. And, of course, mountainous areas with hot springs are the most famous for ryokans.
I also highly recommend following my friend Ryokan Wandering on instagram as she makes finding the best places her job. Her account is incredible.
Okay… enough of the pre-babble by me.
MY RECOMMENDED RYOKANS IN JAPAN FOR FAMILIES:
Please note that my list is shorter than some might like. That is because I don’t like to recommend properties that I haven’t visited personally.
Yasaka Yutone, Kyoto
This ryokan is just one stop by subway from Kyoto Station or 15 minutes (approx 1500 yen) in a taxi.
This ryokan accommodates 2 adults and up to 2 children who bedshare and are under 5 years old (please note that there is an additional room charge for children.) All rooms have their own private Japanese cypress wood bathtub.
The meals included are kaiseki style (it is possible to book a “room only” rate without meals included.)
Please note that this ryokan does not have an elevator.
Biwako Hanakaido, Kyoto
This ryokan is 40 mins outside of Kyoto by train.
They have an option of Japanese or Western style rooms.
Rooms can accommodation as many as 6 people.
They have booster seats for babies and toddlers at meal times.
The ryokan run a shuttle between the closest station and their facilities.
Sowaka Luxury Ryokan Style Hotel , Kyoto
This luxury hotel has the perfect combination of ryokan features while also embracing some modern architecture.
The Annex Junior Suite Room can accommodate a family of 4 if children are able to bed share. and the Annex Deluxe Room would suit 2 adults and a small child.
If you love design and beautiful architecture – you will love Sowaka so so much.
This hotel has an in-house restaurant and a beautifully appointed lobby lounge.
There is also a rooftop for guests to use that has an incredible view of the Kyoto – especially at night.
Yoshiike Ryokan in Hakone Yumoto.
There are several types of hot springs avaialble within this ryokan . A mens only onsen, a women’s only onsen, a private onsen for families or couple to rent by the session (additional charge to use). It is possible to use only the onsen facilities as part of a day trip to Hakone (2,200 yen for adults and 1,650 yen for children between 1pm and 10pm.) A reminder that, of course, onsens require full nudity – no swimsuits allowed.
When staying here, you can choose to eat at the hotel or organize your own meals at other restaurants instead.
This ryokan warmly welcomes babies, toddlers and children.
Hakone Onsen Ryokan Yaeikan
This beautiful Ryokan welcomes families and, unlike some ryokans in the area, it is very easy to access as you take the train to Hakone Yumoto Station and then the “various Ryokans in the area” shuttle to your property for 100 yen per person (from the station you could walk for 5 mins instead but I don’t recommend walking around mountainous and narrow streets in Hakone with suitcases.) The shuttle is orange and white and you can see a picture of it on the Hakone Onsen Ryokan website here. There are two beautiful public onsens to choose from and one smaller option that you can reserve to use just as a family by the hour (no swimwear allowed at anytime, of course.) Like almost all onsens, the mens and womens side changes for morning and night so that everyone who stays for the night has the chance to try the different onsen options. Sorry but no tattoos allowed here.
Dinner and breakfast are made using seasonal ingredients and the presentation alone is stunning. They do have a children’s menu so please email in advance to request kids meals. This hotel also provides slippers and yukata for children to use during their stay. The ryokan is able to provide a vegetarian menu if given advance notice. Please note that the amount of food in your meals is so generous and you will have a proper traditional Japanese feast!
You can also reserve an aroma massage during your stay.
This ryokan can cater to as many as 8 people in one room (and many of those rooms have their own private onsen too!)
If you have a car or take a taxi, this playground is just 10 mins drive from here.
Hotel Okada is another fabulous option for families. Many of their rooms offer western style bedding as an alternative to futons (for those who don’t like the idea of sleeping on futons – we, personally, love it but I know it’s not an option for everyone.) This ryokan hotel is also incredible for staying at with a baby- you can ask to rent items such as a baby bath, a diaper bin, a toilet training seat to go on the toilet and many more – see the full list of all the options for babies at Hotel Okada here. Hotel Okada is really easy to access too – they have a shuttle from Hakone Yumoto Station for 200 yen per person (or you can take a taxi.)
There is a rooftop foot spa on the 8th floor and you can take in the green views of Hakone from up there while warming and relaxing your feet. There are also two restaurants within the hotel.
They also have in-house karaoke rooms to rent and a pool for summertime (open only late July – late August). The hotel also has a table tennis table for guests to use and a small game arcade.
SEE HERE FOR STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON TAKING KIDS OUT TO KARAOKE IN JAPAN.
There are 5 hot spring baths within the hotel. Please note that no swimwear is allowed.
You can also rent a smaller bath for 45 mins at a time to use with just your family- as a private booking (please note that no swimwear is allowed.) *Some rooms also have their own private onsen baths.
This hotel can accommodate up to 7 people in a room (although 5 adults max.)
Please note that if you have special dietary requirements, you will need to give the hotel as much notice as possible.
I recommend staying here and just having down time for 1-2 nights.
Kai Hakone. (PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS RYOKAN IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS UNTIL JULY 2025 THEIR SITE IS STILL LIVE AND THEY CAN STILL ANSWER QUESTIONS REGARDING TRAVEL AFTER THAT DATE)
Kai Hakone is one of the gorgeous Hoshinoya properties. Kai Hakone welcome young families.
The facilities here are outstanding (the onsen too.) Ask ahead for kids meals as this ryokan are happy to rice and chicken dishes for kids.
Toki no Yu Setsugetsuka (some sites refer to it just as “Setsugetsuka”) welcome children and you can select a room with your own private open air bath on your family (even though it is private – still no bathing suits allowed, of course.) There are also 3 communal baths on the property for guests to use – separated by gender. This ryokan is just across the road from Gora Station. They provide in-house use yukata for trips to and from the public baths and also to sleep in. After the public bath you can help yourself to a complimentary popsicle in the evenings and a complimentary yakult in the morning. Rooms can accommodate families of 4 ( more if your children are young enough to bed share.)
Bessho Sasa Ryokan. Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi)
This is quite a luxurious place to stay but you won’t regret it.
Bessho Sasa Ryokan is outstanding. Children of all ages are welcome. Rooms are a mixture of Western and Tatami mat styles. Many of the rooms also have private onsen baths on the balcony with a view of Mt Fuji. Lush ! There are also public onsens for all guests to use (even if you don’t have a private onsen in your room.) The ryokan provides pjs for staying guests and yukata style robes to wear to and from the public bath. There are often drum or other traditional shows for guests in the evenings. There is also an open bar for guests in the lounge from 9pm-11pm. Dinner is kaiseiki-style. It’s amazing.
Cherry blossoms bloom around the gardens on the property in the right season and it is also stunning during Autumn.
Bessho Sasa is located in Fujiyoshida. It is a little awkward to get to without a car so once you arrive at Fujisan Station or Kawaguchiko Station, call the hotel and a shuttle will come and collect you. This is quite a luxurious place to stay but you won’t regret it.
Bessho Sasa Ryokan is outstanding. Children of all ages are welcome. Rooms are a mixture of Western and Tatami mat styles. Many of the rooms also have private onsen baths on the balcony with a view of Mt Fuji. Lush ! There are also public onsens for all guests to use (even if you don’t have a private onsen in your room.) The ryokan provides pjs for staying guests and yukata style robes to wear to and from the public bath. There are often drum or other traditional shows for guests in the evenings. There is also an open bar for guests in the lounge from 9pm-11pm. Dinner is kaiseiki-style. It’s amazing.
Cherry blossoms bloom around the gardens on the property in the right season and it is also stunning during Autumn.
Bessho Sasa is located in Fujiyoshida. It is a little awkward to get to without a car so once you arrive at Fujisan Station or Kawaguchiko Station, call the hotel and a shuttle will come and collect you.
Ryokan Asunaro, Takayama (only accept children 7 years and older)
Takayama is the most beautiful town in countryside Japan and I love visiting Takayama with kids.
Ryokan Asunaro is 6 mins walk from Takayama Station. The whole building is a traditional old Japanese house with Japanese style bedding and dining. This ryokan also allows guests to borrow bicycles (for adults and kids 12+ only) while staying with them. The ryokan also has it’s own onsen. I recommend booking a room that includes a traditional kaiseki dinner. Guests are also given yukata to wear to and from the onsen but also as pyjamas.
For breakfast, you can choose western (bread, omelette, tea, coffee, toast and jam, vegies) or Japanese (fish, pickled veg, locally grown rice, salad etc.)
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links – meaning that, if you book accommodation using one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
