Tokyo has taken the traditional ryokan, known for their tatami-matted rooms and communal baths, and modernised them with some real verve! From high-end luxury options that offer spa-like bathing facilities and beautiful traditional Japanese aesthetics re-worked into a more contemporary minimalist design. Smaller boutiques are also offering intriguing blends of the old and the new - and, if you look hard enough, there are some family-run traditional ryokans for those who want to revisit the past. With so much choice, our hotel gurus have simplified the booking process by bringing you a small selection of the best ryokans in Tokyo. With something to suit all tastes and budgets why not browse through our list to start planning your next stay?
For luxury
- Hoshinoya is Tokyo's first 5-star ryokan filling the expanse of a 17-floor skyscraper with each floor functioning as an independent guesthouse. Find luxury to the max whether unwinding in the soothing onsens or feasting on the exemplary Japanese cuisine.
- Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku blends city style with Japanese tradition in central Shinjuku. In the elegant guestrooms, futon beds and tatami areas nod to local customs, while the rectangular windows with skyscraper views introduce contemporary Tokyo. Soak in the hotel onsen after sightseeing.
For great value
- Andon Ryokan is a traditional guesthouse in a quiet neighbourhood. Simple rooms are traditionally dressed with roll down futons, large windows and almost nothing else. A friendly base for travellers on a budget.
For traditionalists
- The Edo Sakura offers an authentic Japanese experience in a Japanese style Machiya townhouse, in the Taito neighbourhood. Every morning you can enjoy a traditional Tea Ceremony and for a truly immersive stay, we recommend booking a Japanese (rather than Western) room.
For a boutique
- Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa offers guests the traditional tea house experience in a contemporary Tokyo setting. Guestrooms offer flexible use with sliding screens, fold-away futons and tatami floors. Soak in the outdoor bath on the sixth-floor with views over the city after a day out sightseeing.
Still not sure where to book?
