I’m often asked on how to stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan while on a budget after being quite shocked at the price while doing their research.
The thing is …. Ryokans are seen as luxury accommodation and the full getaway experience. For this reason, it’s common for most guests to stay from check-in right up until check-out to take in the whole experience ( also hardly any Japanese people stay at a ryokan for more than one night. It’s not really a thing.)
That price is often per person and it includes not only the beautifully appointed room but also the stunning meals and service and the bathing experience too. It’s the most incredible way to slow down and take in a night in Japan.
See here for my favourite family-friendly ryokans in Japan.
My favourite account for lush ryokan recommendations is @ryokanwanderings , by the way.
And if you’re looking for something a little more gentle on the budget , I recommend trying one of my recommended ryokan inspired hotels that we, as a family, love.
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 wrote more about why I believe staying at a ryokan is an amazing experience and a wonderful way to really experience Japanese culture first hand in this blog post.
Although it isn’t a cheap night away so I still stand by my recommendation to stay only one or two nights for the experience and safe by choosing at different accommodation options for the rest of your holiday.
BUT if the cost really is out of reach there are other ways to get a slice of ryokan life without paying for the “full package.”
1) Choose a hotel or hostel with a public bath
So stick to a western style room with modern facilities but that also has a open bath or onsen*
*Remember that these onsens require guests to be naked and will be separated by gender.
*Children of the opposite gender are able to bathe with the parent of the opposite gender until around 8-10 years old so ask at the facility beforehand
*Guests with tattoos will be asked to leave. For tattoo friendly options see this website.
*Guests are required to wash their bodies in the shower section before entering the bath. The bath is just for soaking (ie. no soap.)
*All toiletries are provided – including hair dryers and shampoo, lotion etc.
I recommend checking out the hotel brand Candeo or a reasonably priced hotel room with one open air and one enclosed bath ( two for each gender) on the hotel rooftop.
I really like Onsen Shinjuku Ryokan Yuen which is kind of a business hotel and ryokan hybrid. This is my number one choice for families in Shinjuku (although Shinjuku isn’t my favourite area to stay as a family and I explain why here.)
Rooms here are small, modern, clean. Has a public bath for guests to use. I’ve written in detail about Onsen Shinjuku Ryokan Yuen here – with lots more photos too.
2) Choose a hotel or hostel that has tatami & futon sleeping options
This is a way to experience a ryokan without paying for the food or the other extras.
My favourite for this kind of experience, right in the heart of Kyoto, is a brand new family-focused hotel called Hotel Imagine Kyoto.
See my blog post on this hotel here. I know the room photos are lush but the room price is so reasonable and only 6 minutes walk from Kyoto Station
The brand Mimaru also have Japan style rooms , large family rooms and connecting rooms. Their rooms also have a kitchenette , which is really handy. If you’re confused as to which Mimaru Tokyo option might best suit your family, see my blog post on Which Mimaru location is best for families? blog post here.
Large Japanese brand hotels such as the Okura also have tatami rooms.
3) Choose a ryokan with a modern spin
For example, this hotel has a private Japanese tub in each room instead of a public large bath. Also meals are served in an in-house restaurant instead of inside your own guest room.
Muromachi Yutone, Kyoto
This ryokan has 2 rooms types that are triples. All other rooms are for 2 adults (it is possible to bedshare with children under 5 for an additional fee) but if you have a family of 3 or 4 and need 3 separate beds, this is a good option.
If you choose a room rate that includes a meal here – the meal is served kaiseki style – served in an in-house restaurant.
This ryokan is only a few minutes from Kyoto Station and costs around 1000 yen to get there by taxi. The closest station is Karasuma on the Hankyu Line.
or this hotel also has the perfect blend of a traditional Japanese ryokan and modern, western design.
Sowaka, 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 this place 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.
Hotel Okada (Hakone) 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. 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.
If you’d like to try a ryokan without leaving the centre of Tokyo and while still having all the in-house options of a Western-style hotel, I recommend staying at Takanawa Hanakohro in the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Shinagawa. This is a big western style hotel who have made their own ryokan section of the hotel with Japanese style rooms. Now, this is a lush experience with a lush price tag but if you’d like to try a ryokan but still have western and Japanese restaurants and other options on-site AND the customer service style of a western hotel – this might be a good option for you?
These ryokan rooms can accommodate up to 5 people (of these 5, only 3 max can be adults.) Everything about a stay here (with or without kids is classy and elegant.)
Here are some suggestions of other things to do in the Shinagawa area with kids.
4) If your favourite part of the ryokan is the traditional Japanese food, then why don’t you go out for a traditional Japanese meal in a traditional restaurant and then return to the accommodation within your price bracket?
Timeout Tokyo has a fantastic list of Kaiseki places to dine here.
Savor Japan has some other suggestions.
KYOMACHIYA SAKURA URUSHITEI, KYOTO
This building is a former tea house and is now a ryokan-style hotel. This hotel is child-friendly and English friendly. They even have additional experiences lined up for guests such as the opportunity to try on a kimono, try Japanese calligraphy, take part in a tea ceremony and ikebana. Some of the traditional ryokan rooms can accommodate up to 5 people (of those 5, only 3 max can be adults.) Please note that this ryokan does not have an in-house restaurant – however you can order bento meals at the front desk.
This ryokan also doesn’t have an onsen but it does have a public bath that you can reserve a timeslot and have it all to yourself (2 people at a time but you can ask for more people if you are going as a family with small children.) Please note that you cannot wear a swimsuit in the public bath at any time.
This hotel/ryokan are able to help you forward your luggage to your next hotel.
This hotel is 7 mins walk from Shijo Station.
The staff here are so kind and there is a little rooftop patio with a view of Kyoto Tower.
*I have an extra tip! Eating out for lunch in Japan will cost only one quarter of the price of eating out at dinner time.
4) Another alternative to staying at a Japanese ryokan but to also get the full Japanese experience, how about staying at a Japanese home? Like this home where I stayed with the kids in Takayama. So special.
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.
See here for my recommendations on traditional ryokans in Japan.
