Staying in a ryokan is a quintessential Japanese experience that is loved by both locals and tourists. Although ryokan, or traditional Japanese inns, are most popular in quaint villages like Hakone or cities known for history and traditions like Kyoto, Tokyo is also a great place to experience a Japanese ryokan.
Ryokan in Tokyo are sought after for their serene atmosphere and personalized hospitality, which make guests feel a world away from the bustling cityscapes. Staying in a ryokan is not just accommodation, it’s a cultural experience that offers a glimpse into Japan’s hospitality and time-honored way of life.
If you love staying in ryokan, check out some of my other posts about traditional ryokan stays around Japan:
The experience that comes with staying in a Tokyo ryokan is multi-faceted. In a traditional ryokan, here are some things you would expect:
Traditional Architecture: Ryokan feature classic Japanese design elements such as tatami-matted rooms, sliding shoji doors, and wooden and minimalist structures.
Personalized Hospitality: Guests experience omotenashi, or Japanese whole-hearted hospitality, both from the staff and through complimentary teas and treats during your stay.
Kaiseki Dining: Ryokan typically offer kaiseki, a traditional Japanese multi-course meal, for both breakfast and dinner, that emphasizes seasonal ingredients.
Onsen Baths: Many ryokan have onsen (natural hot spring) baths, where guests can relax in mineral-rich waters. Because natural hot springs are not common in Tokyo, the onsen baths here are often rotenburo, or regular heated water.
Yukata: Guests are provided with yukata, a casual cotton kimono, to wear during their stay.
Futons and Floor Seating: Ryokan rooms typically feature futons laid out on tatami mats, and low tables with floor seating. Since local and international preferences lean toward Western-style beds, more ryokan are offering raised bed sleeping options.
Peaceful Setting: Ryokan are usually located in serene environments, offering a tranquil retreat. Unsurprisingly, many of these traditional ryokan in Tokyo are located in Asakusa, one of the more traditional neighborhoods of Tokyo.
For this list of best ryokan in Tokyo, I’ve tried to find ryokan that tick as many of these boxes as possible!
1. Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa
Cyasitsu Ryokan Asakusa is a top-rated traditional ryokan in Tokyo, located in the traditional neighborhood of Asakusa.
Rooms start at $321 USD for two people. A Japanese-style breakfast is included with each reservation, and an optional dinner reservation can also be added.
The traditional Japanese-style rooms here all have tatami flooring and futon bedding for the most authentic and traditional ryokan experience.
One of the highlights of this Tokyo ryokan is the private onsen available for guests to use on the rooftop of the property. The open-air private onsen has views of nearby Skytree and is the perfect place to relax after a busy day exploring Tokyo.
Check the latest prices for this traditional Tokyo ryokan here.
2. Takanawa Hanakohro (Shinagawa)
Takanawa Hanakohro is a traditional Japanese ryokan located within a 5-star hotel in Tokyo, the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa!
Prices start at $1,255 USD per night for two people. Three different suite rooms are available here with Japanese ryokan architecture and aesthetics plus Western-style beds. It’s the perfect Tokyo ryokan to splurge on during your next trip to Japan.
A kaiseki, multi-course meal is offered for breakfast for guests. Although dinner is not included, the accompanying Prince Hotel has a number of in-house restaurant options for guests.
Highlights of this top Tokyo ryokan is the beautiful setting inside the Japanese gardens of the Prince Hotel. Guests here also have access to the hotel pool and multiple lounges on-site.
Its location in Shinagawa, walking distance from the Shinagawa train and shinkansen station, gives you easy access to the rest of Tokyo and Japan.
Check out the latest prices and availability here.
3. Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu
Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu is a traditional Tokyo ryokan that has been operating in Asakusa for over 70 years.
The rooms here start at $140 USD per night for two people, but single room options are also available for less. Beds are futon-style, with some Western-style beds also available. No meals are included with the stay, but yukata rentals are included.
Two hinoki or wooden onsen baths are available at the property for guests. These are public baths, separated by gender, which is common for ryokan accommodations. The onsen on the top floor as well as the rooftop garden has views of Tokyo Skytree, and the building is within walking distance to Tokyo’s famous Sensoji Temple.
Find the latest prices and availability here.
4. Edo Sakura Ueno
The Edo Sakura is a top-rated, traditional Japanese ryokan in Tokyo located in a historic machiya or townhouse building.
Rooms here start at $134 USD per night for Japanese-style twin rooms. Rooms with both Japanese-style futon beds on tatami mats and Western-style raised beds are available. Guests receive complementary tea and yukata rentals, and breakfast is also available for guests on-site for an additional fee.
This Tokyo ryokan also offers private onsen that guests can rent for an additional 1000 yen per reservation (paying a fee for this is common and covers additional cleaning costs). A lounge area with a vending machine and small Japanese garden also also available to guests.
Depending on the timing of your stay here, minimum 2-4 night stay requirements may apply. That being said, the Edo Sakura hotel is located in the Ueno neighborhood near the Yamanote line, perfect for exploring Tokyo and for visitors wanting to experience art and culture during their Tokyo itinerary.
Find the latest rates and availability here.
5. Prostyle Ryokan Tokyo Asakusa
Prostyle Ryokan Tokyo Asakusa is a modern ryokan in Tokyo, which offers the full kaiseki-style dinner experience as well as large breakfasts for guests.
Rooms here start at $377 USD per night for two people, with breakfast and dinner included in the price. Both Japanese-style and Western-style rooms are available, both with tatami flooring and attached baths. A sauna and on-site bar are available to guests. Complimentary tea and yukata rentals are also part of the package.
A number of room types here, including the Japanese-style King bedroom and the Suite have private onsen attached to the room.
The ryokan is also located in Asakusa, and is walking distance from the famous Sensoji temple. Some rooms also have a terrace with views of Skytree.
Find the latest prices and availability here.
6. Ryokan Sansuiso (Gotanda)
Ryokan Sansuiso is a small Japanese ryokan which provides a little pocket of traditional Japanese ambiance. Guests here can experience a top-rated traditional ryokan in Tokyo, where only 11 Japanese-style rooms are available.
Rooms here start at a budget-friendly $75 USD per night for two people, and but provide all the basic necessities expected from a ryokan stay. All rooms here are tatami and futon-style rooms, most are with a shared bathroom, with yukata rentals included. No meal options are included with the stay.
Ryokan Sansuiso is located near Gotanda train station in south Tokyo. Because it’s located on the Yamanote line, you can easily reach both west and east Tokyo neighborhoods in a flash.
Find the latest rates and availability here.
Looking for things to do in Tokyo?
- Read up on my Tokyo itinerary – The Perfect Three Days in Tokyo Itinerary
- Check out the highlights – Top 15 Things To Do In Tokyo
- See Tokyo’s weird and quirky side – 40 Weird And Unique Things To Do In Tokyo
- Explore Tokyo’s cute side: 30 Cute and Kawaii Things To Do In Tokyo
- Learn where to escape the crowds – Off-The-Beaten-Path Places In Tokyo
- Get out of the city for a day – Best Day Trips From Tokyo
- Gain some elevation over Tokyo – Six Amazing Tokyo Viewpoints
7. Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa
Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa is another beautiful traditional ryokan in Tokyo, located in the Asakusa neighborhood.
Standard Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats and futon bedding are available here from $100 USD per night for one person, $220 USD for two, and up to $465 USD per night for four people in a large Deluxe room.
A private onsen is available here for reservation for 30 minutes at a time – and it’s free for guests to use! The ryokan also has a small public bath available for guests, as well as yukata rentals and free toiletries.
This ryokan is located steps away from Asakusa’s famous Nakamise shopping street and Sensoji Temple, making it one of the best locations to stay in Tokyo’s traditional Asakusa neighborhood.
Check the latest prices and availability here.
8. Ito Ryokan (Nihonbashi)
Ito Ryokan is a top-rated, traditional ryokan in Tokyo which has been operating as a ryokan for over 70 years in the Nihonbashi area of east Tokyo.
Rooms here start at a budget-friendly $83 USD per night for two people. The rooms here are all Japanese-style, with tatami flooring. The budget rooms have a shared bathroom, while the Superior and Suite rooms have a private bathroom. The Suite room has two separate bedrooms and a dining area and can fit up to four people, making it a great Tokyo ryokan for families or larger groups. Yukata rentals are included with the price, and breakfast is also available for a small fee.
The highlight of this ryokan besides its beautiful Japanese aesthetic is the cultural activities offered to guests. Through the ryokan, guests can book an origami class, a Japanese calligraphy lesson, shamisen (Japanese 3-stringed instrument) workshop, or take part in a tea ceremony (all for an additional fee).
Ito Ryokan’s Nihonbashi location puts visitors close to traditional shopping districts and in a quieter neighborhood of East Tokyo.
Find the latest rates and availability here.
9. Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku
Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku is a Japanese ryokan-style accommodation in Tokyo, complete with modern touches including a rooftop onsen. The onsen uses real hot spring waters, transported from Hakone.
The rooms here start at around $153 USD per night for two people. The more budget-friendly twin and double rooms are more hotel-like, whereas the larger double rooms ($275 USD per night and up) start to have the ryokan vibe with more tatami spaces, a seating area, and futon-style raised beds.
One of the highlights of this property is the indoor and outdoor onsen baths available to guests, which have views over the Shinjuku skyline. Yukata rentals are available to guests so they can wear them to visit the public baths on-site. Although food is not included in the reservation price, a sleek Japanese restaurant at the property serves a hearty Japanese breakfast and kaiseki lunch and dinners for an additional fee. An a la carte menu is also available.
Find the latest rates and availability here.
10. Kimi Ryokan (Ikebukuro)
Kimi Ryokan is a family-run, traditional Japanese ryokan located in Ikebukuro, a youthful and trendy neghborhood of Tokyo known for anime and low-cost dining and shopping.
Kimi Ryokan’s rooms start at a budget-friendly $71 USD per night for two people or even has low as $53 per night for a solo traveler. That’s similar in price to staying at a more upscale capsule hotel in Tokyo! The difference is here, you get to experience what it’s like to stay in a traditional Japanese home. The rooms are basic but come with tatami flooring, shoji paper screens, and some storage space. Yukata rentals are given to guests staying at Kimi Ryokan.
Bathrooms are shared at the property, but there’s also a cypress-wood public bath that guests can use for soaking and relaxation. Although no meals are included in the reservation price, at the ryokan is a small cafe where you can pick up a coffee, baked goods and sandwiches before you start exploring Tokyo.
Find the latest prices and availability here.
If you love the idea of staying in a ryokan in Japan or are seeking an incredible onsen experience, consider staying at a ryokan which has a private, in-room onsen! These are some of my lists of just that: ryokan around Japan which offer rooms with private onsen.
Are You Prepared For Your Trip To Japan?
Be sure to check out my Japan home page for Japan travel information, insider tips, reading list, and must-haves for traveling to Japan!
- Book Your Flights – To find the cheapest flights, flexibility is key. I use both Google Flights for their low fare calendar, and Skiplagged, which uses airfare loopholes to get the lowest prices. For a trip to Japan, check flights to both Tokyo airports (Haneda, Narita) and to Osaka (Kansai).
- Getting Around Japan: Prepare your JR Pass and Suica transit card before you depart.
- Book Your Accommodation – Check out Booking.com for the largest selection of accommodation in Japan. Consider having a bit of fun at one of these Weirdest Hotels in Japan too 🙂
- Book Local Excursions – Don’t miss out on world-class experiences, like Teamlab Planets or Tokyo Disneyland, by booking tickets online now. Check GetYourGuide and Klook for fun experiences all around Japan.
- Stay Connected: Order a pocket WiFi for airport pickup if you’re traveling with family or with a large group. Solo traveling to Japan? Order a SIM card just for you.
- Pack Your Essentials – Check out my posts about Long Term Travel Gear, and Carry-On Luggage Packing Essentials.
- Read more on my Travel Resources page!
