I have written in detail about my stay and my tips for Kinosaki here.
I was fortunate enough to stay at the completely lush Nishimuraya Shogetsukan Hotel ( please be aware that this hotel is an adults only hotel.)
Nishimuraya Shogetsukan Hotel is the larger property of the original ryokan Nishimuraya Honkan ( which I’ve written about further down in this blog post.)
This is a luxurious Japanese style ryokan hotel. They have their own onsen for guest use only and private baths for families or couple to rent at an additional cost.
The lobby is unmistakably traditional and the customer service is like no other.
And another bonus of staying either of the Nishimuraya properties? You can make use of the facilities at both properties.
My room was by far by most favourite part of the hotel. It was so quiet and zen and the view was incredible – green, lush mountains.
Is did make me giggle that, in a town of baths, within a hotel also full of baths…. there was still a bath in my room ! hehehe.
And how lush is this dressing/make-up area?!
But closely followed by the love of my room was the love for the private bath experience.
I enjoy an onsen but I am a very self-conscious person too. And I was never more relaxed than I was in a private outdoor bath.
This is an option for staying guests for an additional fee but it was so breathtakingly beautiful that it would be such a shame not to add this to your whole Kinosaki experience.
At the time I write this blog post, the cost is 8,800 yen for 70 minutes.
I recommend this for couples and families.
There is a Japanese style bath, a Balinese style bath and a Chinese Style bath. My bath was, of course, Japanese style – but, of course!
The lobby of the hotel, itself, took my breath away. It felt truly extravagant but also so traditional at the same time.
I love the geta supplied at the hotel entrance for guests as they venture out into the town to try out all of the baths.
Breakfast was included with my room and so I made my way down to the second floor banquet hall for the buffet.
You can go down in your normal clothing or in your onsen-ready yukata.
It’s all very old-school in terms of decor and crockery etc but the food is delicious and there is so much to choose from.
I love a traditional Japanese breakfast but if that’s not your thing, don’t worry, they have options like cereal, bread, croissants, scrambled or fried eggs, sausages etc.
For children, the restaurant has this kind of high chairs ( if baby needs a strap, you might be best to sit baby on your lap or in a stroller instead.)
And there is a whole cart full of plates and cups and spoons for children.
And how cute are these provided elastics for kids who might get their yukata sleeves in their soup!
The hotel also had it’s own handy shuttle bus ( the driver was such a smiley, sweet little Japanese grandpa!)
Please see the Nishimuraya Shogetsutei Hotel website here. Please be aware that this hotel is for families with children 10 years or older.
The Honkan, which means “the original building” is the original and classic of the two hotels. It is smaller and more modest but also like a time capsule – in a good way. This hotel has been kept the same way – as much as possible since it first opened its doors 150 years ago.
While Nishimuraya Shogetsutei is a mostly up and down structure, the Honkan property is centred around a breathtaking Japanese garden.
This provides every guest room with a garden view and some rooms even have private garden access.
And these are the outdoor geta slippers for that stroll around the central garden.
Every room has so much character and a slice of green that I don’t think that room size matters.
A small amount of guest rooms also have their own outdoor bathtub so it’s worth checking when making a reservation.
This is just my opinion – but if I was to book a room here – I would go for a smaller room with garden access.
This is the stunning view from the hotel lobby. So beautiful, right?
The Nishimuraya Honkan also has baths for guests, separated by gender, of course.
These baths are just so beautiful.
*Please note that I was given a tour of the hotel and had permission for photos. Photos are not allowed in onsens in Japan at anytime.
Please see the Nishimuraya Honkan website here.
