4-Star Hotels in Nikko

Great traditional-yet-luxurious ryokan near the UNESCO temples of Nikko.  The room was amazing: it had a private hot tub, tatami mats,  a massage chair, and even binoculars.  Dinner was a delight, a classical tasting menu full of surprises.  My only complaints are about the shuttle system.  Hotel is extremely inflexible in how and when you can get a ride to and from the sites and train station: other than a couple of fixed time slots, they make you either walk or take a taxi.  Expected a bit more in this regard.  They also very much rushed me out the door in the morning which went counter to the relaxing experience I’d had.  Other than this, easy to recommend.

We took a bus from the hotel at Yunishigawaonsen Station (the schedule is on the onsen's website). A ryokan with such a history could certainly provide a shuttle service for guests. Otherwise, everything was great. We were most impressed by the private onsen in the room overlooking the mountain river and the room itself, which was traditional yet modern. The kaiseki dinner was unusual and delicious, and the view at breakfast was breathtaking. The staff is very friendly to foreigners. If you want to experience traditional Japanese values, I recommend it.

Service: Very good. A grandma in the restaurant recommended me the tofu skin at the station. Hot spring: Since there are only 16 rooms, the two times I went there were reserved. There are also free massage chairs in the lounge outside. Breakfast and dinner were both delicious. (The terrace of the restaurant has a very nice view. There are lounge chairs inside where you can lie down all afternoon with a glass of happy water while enjoying the wind) The video below was taken from the balcony of the room.

Traveling with three generations of family, we made wonderful memories. The location is great as we could walk to drugstores, supermarkets, and convenience stores, which was super convenient.

Not so worth the price..view from room was good, location was good, but food not worth for what i paid for, dinner and breakfast served a bit normal, taste normal, when breakfast time i ask for a pack of seaweed(only 2 packs on table), the staff was very loud and replied me 'No No No'! Like I'm requesting addditional main dishes from them, I''m a bit shock this is just a small thing and didn't worth a lot of money, you can just reply me 'we don't provide additional, we have only this 1 small pack for 1 customer' will do right, a bit disappointed on this part. Anyways staff at reception was nice!

The room was spacious, the bed was comfortable, and the view was great. The free cocktail and coffee services in the lobby were nice, as well as the free drink bar (including one beer per person) near the entrance to the hot spring. The paid massage service was also good. The meals were decent, especially the grilled beef, which simply melted in my mouth. The restaurant staff welcomed us warmly and provided friendly service. Cons: The variety of hot springs was lacking, and the view from the hot springs was almost blocked, which was disappointing. The lockers for valuables used combination dials, and foreign guests often didn’t know how to use them, locking their room keys inside and struggling to reopen them. This was a major inconvenience. They should switch to a key-and-wristband system like other onsen hotels. The room itself felt like an old, once-grand mansion that had seen better days. The furniture had many scratches, and the surfaces were worn and peeling. It made me think it must have been impressive in the past. Still, the room was definitely more spacious compared to other hotels.

This hotel boasts an excellent location, with stunning views of Lake Chuzenji right from the balcony. The room features both indoor and outdoor onsen baths, making it incredibly pleasant to soak while enjoying the lake view, especially on a clear day. The staff are very welcoming and helpful. The room itself is spacious, well-equipped, clean, and tidy. The hotel also provides a convenient shuttle bus service to nearby transport hubs, which is a thoughtful touch.

Our room is in a traditional Japanese style. While you’re having dinner, the staff will come in and prepare the futon for you. Amenities like shampoo and conditioner are not provided in the room, so you’ll need to pick them up from the lobby on the ground floor. Yukata are available to borrow, and there’s also drinking water, both hot and cold, as well as a microwave provided on the ground floor. The hotel also offers a private onsen, which can be booked for 45 minutes per session. It costs around 2,800 yen per session, not per person. What I really liked was the breakfast and dinner buffet. The food suited my taste and there was a good variety to choose from. The only downside is that the hotel is a bit far from the train station, but there is a shuttle service from the hotel to the station in the morning, running about four times a day.

Watching the sunrise from the open-air bath was fantastic. The water temperature was just right. It would have been even more satisfying if the showerhead had been a ReFa or something similar. We were very happy to have a Mont Blanc tea break right after arriving. However, since we were a group of four (including a married couple of friends), there wasn't an option for us to sit around the fireplace. We would like to request a change in the seating arrangement or chair specifications. It would have been nice if board games or card games were available for rent. Overall, it was clean, the location was good, and we were able to relax and enjoy our stay.

The facilities show their age, and the thin walls were a minor concern, but for the price, it definitely exceeded our expectations. The food, in particular, was absolutely fantastic! The buffet, featuring an abundance of local Nikko ingredients, offered a wide variety of dishes, all meticulously prepared and flavorful. We thoroughly enjoyed both breakfast and dinner. There were many families, creating a welcoming atmosphere where you can feel at ease even with children. I think this is the perfect hotel for a family trip to fully experience the nature of Oku-Nikko.