Hello!
These are my recommendations for family friendly ryokans in Japan.
In theory, almost all ryokans in Japan welcome children but there are some that are easier with kids than others.
If possible, I think it’s a great idea to incorporate at least one ryokan stay (one night) into a Japan holiday.
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 think it is also worth being realistic – a ryokan is considered a luxury style of accommodation. Therefore it is not going to be a “cheap” night away.
It is a traditional way to take in Japan. I speak about what a ryokan is in detail here but basically it is accommodation in a tatami room and almost always bedding is futons. Meals are also included in the price. A ryokan is not the place you stay and go out much during your time. The idea is that you relax and enjoy the facilities – especially the public baths / onsen.
Onsen’s require nudity at ryokans and are almost always separated by gender.
I have written an article for those who don’t feel naked being in an onsen here.
If all of these elements are NOT for you, you may be more interested in a more modern take on a ryokan. If that’s the case? I have lots of lovely suggestions here.
I, personally, don’t believe a ryokan is a fabulous option for your family if…
– your kids are not likely to eat a traditional Japanese meal (including breakfast) or if you don’t mind if some food goes to waste while you eat (for full transparency – up until recently, my own kids wouldn’t eat a meal with us at a ryokan so we opted for more modern ryokans that offer a kids menu or a restaurant option within the same venue.)
– if your kids like to get out and about at all times for adventure and have a hard time just having some downtime
-if you’re hoping for facilities such as an in-house laundry or an in-house gym ( a ryokan is not that vibe)
– you are looking for the cheapest accommodation possible
I believe a ryokan is an amazing option for your family if…
-you would all like some downtime in a traditional Japanese setting (almost always in the countryside)
– you want to experience the closest family experience to a home-stay environment but still with relaxing holiday vibes
– you want to take part in a special style of traditional accommodation – unique to Japan
– a ryokan is within your holiday budget
When looking for a ryokan for families in Japan, I recommend looking outside of cities for the best options. And, of course, mountainous areas with hot springs are the most famous for ryokans.
I also highly recommend following my friend Ryokan Wandering on instagram as she makes finding the best places her job. Her account is incredible.
Okay… enough of the pre-babble by me.
Is it rude for me or my kids not finish my kaiseki meal at a ryokan in Japan?
This paragraph is actually an excerpt from my article on Dining Etiquette in Japan here.
A surprising amount of people ask me this question. Some people don’t want to offend – especially if they have a gastric band or have had bariatric surgery.
My answer? No. In a restaurant you are a customer. You can leave behind whatever you like.
If you felt the need to explain you can say Onaka ga ippai desu. Gochisousama deshita (I’m full. That was delicious meal/ that was a feast.)
If you are in the middle of a multi course meal and wanted to politely leave one particular dish you can say Gomennasai ***insert food or say kore which equals “this”wa chotto nigatte na mono de… (I’m so sorry. I not great with ….*insert food* – also translates to “*insert food* isn’t really to my liking….)
If you are at a ryokan with kids and they are struggling with the kaiseki meal, you can always just highlight what they liked “oh they really loved the rice!” etc but there really isn’t a need to apologize. (You can also have a “safe food” from a convenience store in your bag for after the meal has been cleaned up and the staff have gone too.)
I have written more about kaiseki style meals (all the little courses on the little plates) with kids here.
See here for all my tips for picky eaters in Japan.
See here for all of my tips for dining out with allergies in Japan – and what you will need to prep in advance.
MY RECOMMENDED RYOKANS IN JAPAN FOR FAMILIES:
Please note that my list is shorter than some might like. That is because I don’t like to recommend properties that I haven’t visited personally.
JUST OUTSIDE OF CENTRAL TOKYO
Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei Tokyo Daita is 1 min walk from Setagaway Daita Station or 8 mins walk from Odakyu-Shimokitazawa Station. 35 mins from Tokyo Station or 16 mins from Shinjuku Station. They welcome children here (children under 5 can stay for free as long as they bedshare.) All rooms here can only accommodate 2 adults + a child who can bed share – so, if you have a bigger family, you will need multiple rooms. They have a beautiful onsen using the water from Hakone hot springs. The restaurant here offers a beautiful traditional Japanese breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can see the Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei Tokyo Daita menu here. It is also possible to reserve a day trip here to use the onsen and have a meal at Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei Tokyo Daita and not be a staying guests – see the website here for how to make a reservation.
KYOTO
Yasaka Yutone, Kyoto
This ryokan is just one stop by subway from Kyoto Station or 15 minutes (approx 1500 yen) in a taxi.
This ryokan accommodates 2 adults and up to 2 children. Please note that there is an additional room charge for children. Please note that this ryokan only welcomes children who are 7 years old and older (for younger kids – they may make exceptions but you will have to contact them to ask.) All rooms have their own private Japanese cypress wood bathtub.
The meals included are kaiseki style (it is possible to book a “room only” rate without meals included.)
Please note that this ryokan does not have an elevator.
Biwako Hanakaido, Kyoto
This ryokan is 40 mins outside of Kyoto by train.
They have an option of Japanese or Western style rooms.
Rooms can accommodation as many as 6 people.
They have booster seats for babies and toddlers at meal times.
The ryokan run a shuttle between the closest station and their facilities.
Sowaka Luxury Ryokan Style Hotel , 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 Sowaka 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.
HAKONE
Yoshiike Ryokan in Hakone Yumoto.
There are several types of hot springs avaialble within this ryokan . A mens only onsen, a women’s only onsen, a private onsen for families or couple to rent by the session (additional charge to use). It is possible to use only the onsen facilities as part of a day trip to Hakone (2,200 yen for adults and 1,650 yen for children between 1pm and 10pm.) A reminder that, of course, onsens require full nudity – no swimsuits allowed.
When staying here, you can choose to eat at the hotel or organize your own meals at other restaurants instead.
This ryokan warmly welcomes babies, toddlers and children.
Hakone Onsen Ryokan Yaeikan
This beautiful Ryokan welcomes families and, unlike some ryokans in the area, it is very easy to access as you take the train to Hakone Yumoto Station and then the “various Ryokans in the area” shuttle to your property for 100 yen per person (from the station you could walk for 5 mins instead but I don’t recommend walking around mountainous and narrow streets in Hakone with suitcases.) The shuttle is orange and white and you can see a picture of it on the Hakone Onsen Ryokan website here. There are two beautiful public onsens to choose from and one smaller option that you can reserve to use just as a family by the hour (no swimwear allowed at anytime, of course.) Like almost all onsens, the mens and womens side changes for morning and night so that everyone who stays for the night has the chance to try the different onsen options. Sorry but no tattoos allowed here.
Dinner and breakfast are made using seasonal ingredients and the presentation alone is stunning. They do have a children’s menu so please email in advance to request kids meals. This hotel also provides slippers and yukata for children to use during their stay. The ryokan is able to provide a vegetarian menu if given advance notice. Please note that the amount of food in your meals is so generous and you will have a proper traditional Japanese feast!
You can also reserve an aroma massage during your stay.
This ryokan can cater to as many as 8 people in one room (and many of those rooms have their own private onsen too!)
If you have a car or take a taxi, this playground is just 10 mins drive from here.
Hakone Kowakien Tenyu is a higher end ryokan. They have rooms for 2 people, 4 people and 6 people. They have beautiful onsens on-site – including an infinity pool style with an incredible view and another hot spring with a small waterfall. There is another bath on a balcony platform with hot spring water. Please note that swimsuits are not allowed in any of the baths/onsens. The breakfast is buffet style and there are lots of options for vegetarians and have items with gluten also labelled clearly. The views here are truly incredible (wake up early to take in the sunrise.) They have a free shuttle service to and from Gora Station. The dinner here is kaiseki style – let the ryokan know in advance if you have any dietary requirements. There is a Family Mart connected to this ryokan.
Kai Hakone. (PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS RYOKAN IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS UNTIL JULY 2025 THEIR SITE IS STILL LIVE AND THEY CAN STILL ANSWER QUESTIONS REGARDING TRAVEL AFTER THAT DATE)
Kai Hakone is one of the gorgeous Hoshinoya properties. Kai Hakone welcome young families.
The facilities here are outstanding (the onsen too.) Ask ahead for kids meals as this ryokan are happy to rice and chicken dishes for kids.
Toki no Yu Setsugetsuka (some sites refer to it just as “Setsugetsuka”) welcome children and you can select a room with your own private open air bath on your family (even though it is private – still no bathing suits allowed, of course.) There are also 3 communal baths on the property for guests to use – separated by gender. This ryokan is just across the road from Gora Station. They provide in-house use yukata for trips to and from the public baths and also to sleep in. After the public bath you can help yourself to a complimentary popsicle in the evenings and a complimentary yakult in the morning. Rooms can accommodate families of 4 ( more if your children are young enough to bed share.)
Hakone Yuyado Zen welcome children who are 12 years and older. Each room has a garden or mountain view and most rooms have a private onsen tub on the balcony. On a clear day – many rooms also have a lovely view of Mount Fuji. The food here is incredible.
KAWAGUCHIKO (AKA LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO)
Bessho Sasa Ryokan. Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi)
This is quite a luxurious place to stay but you won’t regret it.
Bessho Sasa Ryokan is outstanding. Children of all ages are welcome. Rooms are a mixture of Western and Tatami mat styles. Many of the rooms also have private onsen baths on the balcony with a view of Mt Fuji. Lush ! There are also public onsens for all guests to use (even if you don’t have a private onsen in your room.) The ryokan provides pjs for staying guests and yukata style robes to wear to and from the public bath. There are often drum or other traditional shows for guests in the evenings. There is also an open bar for guests in the lounge from 9pm-11pm. Dinner is kaiseiki-style. It’s amazing.
Cherry blossoms bloom around the gardens on the property in the right season and it is also stunning during Autumn.
Bessho Sasa is located in Fujiyoshida. It is a little awkward to get to without a car so once you arrive at Fujisan Station or Kawaguchiko Station, call the hotel and a shuttle will come and collect you. This is quite a luxurious place to stay but you won’t regret it.
Bessho Sasa Ryokan is outstanding. Children of all ages are welcome. Rooms are a mixture of Western and Tatami mat styles. Many of the rooms also have private onsen baths on the balcony with a view of Mt Fuji. Lush ! There are also public onsens for all guests to use (even if you don’t have a private onsen in your room.) The ryokan provides pjs for staying guests and yukata style robes to wear to and from the public bath. There are often drum or other traditional shows for guests in the evenings. There is also an open bar for guests in the lounge from 9pm-11pm. Dinner is kaiseiki-style. It’s amazing.
Cherry blossoms bloom around the gardens on the property in the right season and it is also stunning during Autumn.
Bessho Sasa is located in Fujiyoshida. It is a little awkward to get to without a car so once you arrive at Fujisan Station or Kawaguchiko Station, call the hotel and a shuttle will come and collect you.
ATAMI
Atami Sekitei
This ryokan allows children. Some rooms have private open air onsens (small baths) and a larger private onsen you can reserve for private use. This ryokan can cater to dairy free and gluten free guests (best to be specific on the ingredients you cannot have and let them know in advance- eg. no soy sauce, no miso, no flour etc.) For children you can ask for something different to the traditional Japanese meal – once again – request in advance please.
Sakuraoka Saryo (same owners as Atami Sekitei and is right next door)
This ryokan allows children. Some rooms have private open air onsens (small baths) and a larger private onsen you can reserve for private use. This ryokan can cater to dairy free and gluten free guests (best to be specific on the ingredients you cannot have and let them know in advance- eg. no soy sauce, no miso, no flour etc.) For children you can ask for something different to the traditional Japanese meal – once again – request in advance please.
TAKAYAMA
Ryokan Asunaro, Takayama (only accept children 7 years and older)
Takayama is the most beautiful town in countryside Japan and I love visiting Takayama with kids.
Ryokan Asunaro is 6 mins walk from Takayama Station. The whole building is a traditional old Japanese house with Japanese style bedding and dining. This ryokan also allows guests to borrow bicycles (for adults and kids 12+ only) while staying with them. The ryokan also has it’s own onsen. I recommend booking a room that includes a traditional kaiseki dinner. Guests are also given yukata to wear to and from the onsen but also as pyjamas.
For breakfast, you can choose western (bread, omelette, tea, coffee, toast and jam, vegies) or Japanese (fish, pickled veg, locally grown rice, salad etc.)
Hidatei Hanaougi (ryokan) welcome families and most rooms have a private onsen in a small balcony garden.
NAGASAKI
Iseya Ryokan welcomes children. The rooms have a private onsen bath. They can also adapt their kaiseki dinner for gluten free diners (if given advance notice.) The rooms look over the ocean.
MIYAJIMA, HIROSHIMA
Where to stay on Miyajima with kids?
Miyajima Seaside Hotel is a ryokan with kids meals a play corner and very welcoming for families.
They are also really accommodating with dietary requirements when given advance notice. For example: you can tell them kids don’t like seafood and they can work around it.
Photo courtesy of @melpipprell
Miyajima Morinoyado is a ryokan which welcomes families. They are also able to accommodate gluten free guests (please let them know in advance if you require a gluten free menu.)
I have heard amazing things about Miyajima Guest House Mikuniya. They do a basic toast and cereal breakfast too.
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.
