Onsen Near Tokyo With Private Onsen:15 Exquisite Hidden Hot Spring Inns Chosen by the Japanese

15 Hidden Gem Ryokans Selected by Japanese Locals

Experience Japan’s Traditional Luxury with Private Hot Springs

In recent years, traditional Japanese inns offering both “in-room dining” and “private open-air baths” have captured the attention of travelers seeking uninterrupted quality time. The luxurious experience of having a hot spring and scenic views all to yourself provides a special moment of complete escape from everyday life.

Here, we present a ranking of carefully selected hot spring ryokans easily accessible from Tokyo, curated from an authentic Japanese perspective. Each property combines two irresistible features: private in-room dining and guest rooms with their own open-air baths, making them true hidden retreats.

Top 15 Hot Spring Inns Near Tokyo with Private Open-Air Baths & In-Room Dining

1. [Kanagawa] Hakone Yumoto Onsen Hotel Nanpuso
2. [Gunma] Ikaho Onsen Hotel Kogure
3. [Chiba] Kamogawa Grand Hotel
4. [Kanagawa] Hakone Yumoto Onsen Yaeikan
5. [Tochigi] Shiobara Onsen Matsushourō Matsuya
6. [Tochigi] Kinugawa Onsen Kinugawa Plaza Hotel
7. [Kanagawa] Yugawara Onsen Tsubaki
8. [Tochigi] Nasu Onsen Sekijitsu (Old Days)
9. [Tochigi] Nasu Onsen Aqua Suite
10. [Kanagawa] Tonosawa Onsen Tsuruino-Yado Shiunso
11. [Gunma] Shima Onsen Toyoshimaya
12. [Tochigi] Kinugawa Onsen Kinugawa Park Hotels
13. [Kanagawa] Gora Onsen Nouno Hakone
14. [Gunma] Akagi Onsen Hotel
15. [Gunma] Nashiki Onsen Nashikikan

🥇 1st Place: Hakone Yumoto Onsen Hotel Nanpuso

Kanagawa Prefecture | Hakone Yumoto Onsen

Taking the top spot is Hotel Nanpuso, nestled in the serene Takidori hot spring district, just a 5-minute drive from Hakone Yumoto Station.

Their five types of rooms with private open-air baths offer various layouts, including spacious living areas and Japanese-modern twin bedrooms to meet diverse preferences. The soothing views of the Sunokawa River and surrounding mountains from your room help wash away travel fatigue.

The alkaline simple hot spring is known for its therapeutic effects on muscle pain and fatigue recovery. In addition to your private bath, the property features two large public baths and communal open-air baths for a variety of bathing experiences.

Dining features authentic Japanese kaiseki cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients. Guests in rooms with private baths can also choose plans that include in-room dining, allowing you to savor your meals in complete privacy.

🥈 2nd Place: Ikaho Onsen Hotel Kogure

Gunma Prefecture | Ikaho Onsen

Founded approximately 450 years ago, the prestigious Hotel Kogure holds rights to one-quarter of the total yield of Ikaho’s famous “Golden Waters,” a gentle hot spring known for retaining heat. Guests can enjoy this quality spring water in various forms, including two large public baths, three private open-air baths, and even foot baths at the garden tea house.

The “Sansuitei” rooms with private open-air baths are located on the third floor with beautiful mountain views. Other options include Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western rooms, barrier-free Western rooms, and three types of special suites.

Dinner features creative Japanese kaiseki cuisine showcasing seasonal flavors from across Japan. Guests staying in “Sansuitei” rooms can enjoy both breakfast and dinner privately in their rooms.

*Note: The private baths in guest rooms use Ikaho’s mineral-rich natural spring water (not hot spring water)

🥉 3rd Place: Kamogawa Grand Hotel

Chiba Prefecture | Kamogawa Onsen

Claiming third place is Kamogawa Grand Hotel, a tropical resort overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean. The premium floor features ocean-front views from every room with a natural, Japanese-modern atmosphere.

Choose from six types of rooms with private open-air baths or VIP suites with panoramic hinoki cypress baths. Soaking in the mineral-rich Kōmyōseki hot springs while gazing out at the vast ocean creates an incomparable luxury experience.

The Japanese kaiseki cuisine, prepared by a chef recognized as a “Master Craftsman of Chiba Prefecture,” brilliantly showcases the bounty of southern Boso Peninsula and Kamogawa’s sea and mountain harvests. With numerous in-room dining plans available, you can enjoy your meals at leisure without worrying about other guests.

4th Place: Hakone Yumoto Onsen Yaeikan

Kanagawa Prefecture | Hakone Yumoto Onsen

Located just a 5-minute walk from Hakone Yumoto Station, Yaeikan offers excellent accessibility. Among its 20 uniquely-designed rooms, the “Zuiun” with panoramic views of Hakone’s outer rim mountains and the “Hayakumo,” popular with couples, are standout accommodations with private open-air baths.

With five natural hot springs drawn directly to the inn, you can enjoy the luxury of flowing natural spring water not only in your private bath but also in the gender-separated public baths and private reservable open-air baths. These reservable baths are available 24 hours a day at no additional charge with same-day booking.

Both breakfast and dinner are served in your room. The monthly-changing menu features lavish use of local seasonal ingredients, creating an exceptional dining experience in the privacy of your own space.

5th Place: Shiobara Onsen Matsushourō Matsuya

Tochigi Prefecture | Shiobara Onsen

Established in 1878, the venerable Matsushourō Matsuya boasts hot springs rich in metasilicic acid, a natural component. This chloride spring is known for its skin-beautifying effects and heat-retaining properties, warming you from your core.

The main building and annex house 13 rooms with private open-air baths, each at least 48 square meters in size and featuring unique design elements. The open-air baths themselves showcase distinctive designs, including hinoki cypress with granite stone, Shigaraki pottery, and Towada stone constructions.

The seasonal kaiseki cuisine incorporates fresh ingredients from local mountains and rivers. Some plans allow for in-room dining for up to four guests for both breakfast and dinner.

6th Place: Kinugawa Onsen Kinugawa Plaza Hotel

Tochigi Prefecture | Kinugawa Onsen

The Kinugawa Plaza Hotel offers spectacular views overlooking the Kinugawa River and features comprehensive facilities including game rooms, swimming pools, and a mini-library.

Rooms with private open-air baths come in two styles: “Sansui Setsugetsu-ka” with hinoki cypress baths and massage chairs, and the special room “Midori” with premium Sealy beds and nano-ion facial devices. Though not an open-air bath, the corner suite with a panoramic view bath overlooking the Kinugawa River is also highly recommended.

The separate building houses two private rental baths, including “Hotarubi-tei,” renovated in 2020, which offers a relaxing space with deck chairs and tatami resting areas where you can enjoy both hot springs and forest bathing simultaneously. The Japanese kaiseki meals feature locally-sourced ingredients, with in-room dining plans available.

7th Place: Yugawara Onsen Tsubaki

Kanagawa Prefecture | Yugawara Onsen

“Tsubaki” features a beautiful pond garden planted with over 100 varieties of camellia and seasonal walking paths adorned with various flowers, creating a soothing natural environment.

Rooms with private open-air baths are available in both the main building and the guest house. Options include the “Miyakodori,” a Japanese-Western room refreshed in July 2022; the “Shungyokukō” with observation deck offering changing scenic views; and the more luxurious 90-square-meter “Seiobo” in the guest house. The guest house section is especially opulent, with just five rooms spread across approximately 3,300 square meters of grounds—perfect for special occasions.

Meals feature traditional kaiseki cuisine that meticulously considers ingredients, dishware, cooking methods, and seasonal garnishes. All meals are served in your room, allowing you to enjoy fine dining in complete privacy.

8th Place: Nasu Onsen Sekijitsu (Old Days)

Tochigi Prefecture | Nasu Onsen

Ranking eighth is “Sekijitsu” (Old Days), a hidden pension-style inn nestled in the Nasu Highlands.

The guest rooms, furnished with carefully selected interior pieces, create a comfortable atmosphere blending Asian and Japanese romantic elements. Accommodations range from 16-tatami Japanese-Western rooms with double beds to 26-tatami sprawling suites perfect for special occasions. All rooms feature indoor baths and hot spring open-air baths, plus private bedrock sauna baths, allowing you to fully indulge in a secluded hot spring retreat while relieving daily fatigue.

Both breakfast and dinner are served in-room. The creative course meals center around Nasunogahara Wagyu beef, complemented by seasonal local ingredients and handmade touches that please both the eye and palate.

9th Place: Nasu Onsen Aqua Suite

Tochigi Prefecture | Nasu Onsen

True to its concept of “an inn with full-course meals and private open-air baths just for two,” Aqua Suite offers an intimate stay surrounded by Nasu’s natural beauty.

The guest rooms are divided between the main building, featuring antique furniture and sophisticated color schemes that differ in each room, and the annex with its chic atmosphere and canopy beds. Every room has its own hot spring open-air bath, creating a special space for couples to enjoy leisurely bathing.

Dinner consists of Japanese-Western fusion full courses highlighting local ingredients, while breakfast offers a healthy menu featuring freshly baked bread and salads made with local vegetables. All meals are served in-room, allowing you to dine at your own pace without concern for other guests.

10th Place: Tonosawa Onsen Tsuruino-Yado Shiunso

Kanagawa Prefecture | Tonosawa Onsen

A 13-minute walk from Hakone Yumoto Station, Shiunso stands on the former site of Baron Okura’s villa, exuding a sense of tradition and elegance.

Of the six special rooms with distinct characteristics, three feature private open-air baths. Options include the VIP room “Takeyabu-no-Ma” with its spacious 13-tatami bedroom, “Wasabi-no-Ma” overlooking the Hayakawa River below, and “Kangen-no-Ma” with its charming crescent-shaped window and distinctive red Shigaraki pottery open-air bath.

Every room receives in-room dining for both breakfast and dinner. The owner-chef personally selects the freshest seasonal ingredients daily for the creative kaiseki cuisine. Breakfast features specialties like sea bream ochazuke made with first-drawn dashi. During limited periods (early April to early October), you can also enjoy breakfast on the riverside terrace (reservation required, limited to two groups per day).

11th Place: Shima Onsen Toyoshimaya

Gunma Prefecture | Shima Onsen

Toyoshimaya overlooks the spectacular views of the Shima River and possesses three proprietary hot springs, offering 100% naturally flowing spring water in all its baths—public baths, private rental baths, and in-room open-air baths.

The rooms with private open-air baths all feature a calming Japanese-modern design. Each room has its own character, including “Fukujusō” directly facing the majestic Shima River, and “Kikyō,” “Fuki,” and “Tsubaki” with their panoramic views through large windows.

Multiple in-room dining plans are available, including the “Satoyama Kaiseki,” featuring hunter’s cuisine and country-style dishes unique to this mountain hot spring area. Toyoshimaya’s commitment to self-sufficiency extends to making everything in-house, from miso to pickles, creating flavors you can only experience here.

12th Place: Kinugawa Onsen Kinugawa Park Hotels

Tochigi Prefecture | Kinugawa Onsen

Located a 5-minute walk from Kinugawa Onsen Station and surrounded by greenery, Kinugawa Park Hotels offers comprehensive facilities including a stylish café terrace, seasonal outdoor pool, and a gallery displaying works by Mashiko pottery artists.

The guest rooms are spread across four buildings, each with distinct characteristics. The “Mokushippo-tei,” a formal ryokan-style building incorporating the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, features rooms with private open-air baths made of hinoki cypress or stone, where you can leisurely enjoy naturally flowing hot spring water.

Dining options include the exclusive premium kaiseki for “Mokushippo-tei” guests, seasonal creative kaiseki incorporating fresh seasonal flavors, and three-tiered bento boxes presented in a tea ceremony style. The variety of in-room dining plans is also worth checking out.

*Note: “Mokushippo-tei” guests can request a private gate. This building does not accommodate children under junior high school age.

13th Place: Gora Onsen Nouno Hakone

Kanagawa Prefecture | Gora Onsen

“Nouno Hakone” is famous for its milky white hot spring water drawn from Owakudani Onsen. The chloride-sulfate spring, known for its therapeutic effects on skin conditions and muscle pain, can be enjoyed in the public baths, private rental open-air baths, and in-room open-air baths.

Among the 10 rooms featuring calm Japanese-modern design, three have private open-air baths: rooms 301 and 302 with magnificent views of the Hakone mountains, and room 303 with the inn’s largest hinoki cypress open-air bath located a short distance from the room.

The creative full-course meals prepared with carefully selected seasonal ingredients come in four ranks from “Ume” to “Miyabi.” In-room dining plans offer either “Take” or “Matsu” course options, allowing you to enjoy meals in privacy.

14th Place: Akagi Onsen Hotel

Gunma Prefecture | Akagi Onsen

Situated on the slopes of Mt. Akagi, one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains, Akagi Onsen Hotel is known for its medicinal “nigori-yu” (cloudy hot spring) that turns brownish when exposed to air.

In the annex villa “Azumaya,” the maisonette-type rooms “Sakura” and “Tsubaki” feature naturally flowing cloudy hot spring baths. “Sakura” includes a terrace adjacent to the bathroom for an open-air feeling, while “Tsubaki” offers exceptional views of a waterfall and the magnificent Mt. Arashi from the living room, creating a luxurious adult retreat where you can enjoy both scenery and hot springs in complete privacy.

Dinner features seasonal creative cuisine centered on local mountain delicacies and organic vegetables. In-room dining plans offer both breakfast and dinner in a dedicated dining space within your guest room.

15th Place: Nashiki Onsen Nashikikan

Gunma Prefecture | Nashiki Onsen

Located at the foot of Mt. Akagi and surrounded by lush nature, the single-inn hot spring “Nashikikan” completes our ranking. Famous for its pheasant cuisine and seasonal kaiseki meals served in-room for both breakfast and dinner, this inn offers a genuine retreat experience.

The hot spring water, a brownish proprietary source said to be effective for rheumatism and neuralgia, can be enjoyed in its purest form at the open-air bath overlooking the Fukasawa River waterfall.

The rooms with semi-open-air panoramic baths feature two connected Japanese-style rooms totaling approximately 20 tatami mats in size. With their calm atmosphere and barrier-free design, these rooms also include sunken kotatsu tables and massage chairs. You can spend relaxing moments while enjoying views of Gunma’s natural landscape.

All rooms offer complimentary beer, cold sake, and soft drinks in the refrigerator, and the late checkout time of 11 AM allows for a leisurely morning—thoughtful touches that emphasize the inn’s focus on relaxation.

※:Private Onsen Near Me: Tokyo