Hirayu Onsen - The Best Ryokans Near Kamikochi
- Aug 5, 2025
- 7 min read
Hirayu Onsen offers the best accommodation near Kamikochi, so we created this list to showcase the best ryokans based on customer reviews and our expert knowledge
Overview
The best hotels and ryokans near Kamikochi are found in the beautiful town of Hirayu Onsen. Located only 25 minutes by bus from Kamikochi, it serves as the perfect gateway to the Alps and also offers a peaceful escape from the crowds. Why not book in Kamikochi? Firstly, these properties get booked out well in advance. Secondly, most hotels in Kamikochi do not work with a centralised booking platform and instead rely on their individual, and often cumbersome, websites. Or worse, requiring a phone call. This means you could spend hours checking each hotel, one by one, just to learn that they're all booked out.
Hirayu Onsen provides a much better alternative. The properties here are stunning, and the rates are much better than what you'll find in Kamikochi, which means you won't be disappointed with the price. You could easily spend 3-4 relaxing nights here while making easy day trips to Kamikochi and the Shinhotaka Ropeway.
But choosing the right ryokan can be difficult and time-consuming, so we've created this list based on customer reviews and our expert knowledge of the area.
To ensure there's no disappointment, all of the options on this list must adhere to our strict criteria:
- An average review score above 8.5/10
- A minimum of 50 reviews
- Must be convenient for access to Kamikochi
- The property must have quality photos
Our listing for each place has an efficient overview including the:
Gallery
Description
Highlights
Price Range (peak and off-peak)
Review Score
Review Example
Luxury
$300 - $800
The Mozumo — 9.5
The Miyama Ouan — 9.0
Mid-Range
$200 - $400
The Yunohirakan — 9.3
The Hirayukan — 8.5
Budget
$140 - $180
The Tabist Kazeyuki — 8.5
The Best Luxury Ryokans In Hirayu Onsen
1.
The Mozumo
The Mozomo receives the highest customer reviews out of all the ryokans in Hirayu Onsen. A beautifully designed property, the Mozomo seamlessly integrates with the natural surroundings, offering a relaxing and therapeutic environment. Natural wooden fixtures and tatami come together to provide an authentic and peaceful atmosphere. The food is truly amazing, carefully selected seasonal ingredients are prepared fresh every day, and served alongside a view that looks out into the forest. The rooms are spacious, with super comfortable beds, and feature their own private onsen baths. The staff go above and beyond in every way, and will pick you up from the bus stop if you don't feel like walking.
• Highlights:
─ Amazing value for money, a unique luxury ryokan experience at a very reasonable price.
─ Charming architecture seamlessly connected to the natural environment, featuring cypress, bamboo, and tatami fixtures.
─ Incredible kaiseki cuisine prepared fresh daily, served alongside a gorgeous view of the native forest.
• Price Range: $330 - $380 per night
• Review Score: 9.4 ★ (400+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"This was, far and above, the best hospitality experience I've ever had. It was like a dream. The room was perfect, every detail elegant and comfortable and just right. The private bath was lovely and the view mesmerizing, keeping me entranced for hours. The food, though, was the true highlight. Every dish was stunning, top-quality, like what you would pay hundreds of dollars for at home in a big US city. Truly - staying here, as a whole, felt somehow life-changing."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2.
The Miyama Ouan
My personal favourite, the Miyama Ouan, is unlike any other ryokan I've experienced. To start off, the views are just stunning. The property has been perfectly designed to focus on the gorgeous views of the mountains and the native forest, carefully framing different aspects of the surrounding environment. Then, the onsens. Incredible. Not only is the public onsen amazing and features a sauna and cold bath, but they also offer 2 private outdoor onsens that can be reserved for free. The rooms are gorgeous, spacious, and super comfy, with nice cushy beds giving you an amazing sleep. And finally, the food! Once again you're presented with breathtaking views of the mountains, and offered an amazing selection that includes an incredible Japanese BBQ - a rare treat for ryokans in Japan.
• Highlights:
─ Stunning, spacious rooms, offering beautiful views and private onsen baths.
─ Incredible full-course kaiseki cuisine served in private dining rooms.
─ Amazing location in the heart of the old town district, and within walking distance to all of the town's attractions.
• Price Range: $300 - $700 per night
• Review Score: 9.1 ★ (1000+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"What an incredible stay! From the moment you arrive, you're in for a real treat. The room was huge, and the bathtub in the room with views of the mountains was fantastic! The private outdoor pool was also an incredible experience. The free sake in the evening, along free drinks and snacks, is a fantastic touch. To top it off, the food was phenomenal! The many different dishes were fantastic the stunning mountain views really made it special. It was the perfect base for visiting Kamikochi and the Shinhotaka Ropeway."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
The Best Mid-Range Ryokans In Hirayu Onsen
1.
The Yunohirakan
The Yunohirakan is a lovely traditional ryokan in a beautiful old building. This property has been meticulously maintained over the years, so it retains its nostalgic aesthetics while still feeling classy and refined. The authentic Japanese atmosphere is complemented by the stunning views which look out onto the mountains from your room. The kaiseki cuisine here is beautifully presented and tastes amazing, and famous Hida beef is offered in private BBQ booths. The onsen facilities here are really, really nice, with a variety of baths offering private or public bathing. It's hard to believe they manage to keep their prices so low for such a luxurious experience.
• Highlights:
─ An authentic traditional ryokan in a lovely old building.
─ Amazing Japanese BBQ, with Hida beef served in private dining booths.
─ Charming onsen baths featuring both public and private options.
• Price Range: $260 - $320 per night
• Review Score: 9.3 ★ (150+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Such a perfect stay - we were blown away. The place is in a very beautiful onsen village in a quiet part of Japan. Super easy to get to from Takayama & to visit Kamikochi. The owners were so kind & accommodating. We had a huge traditional bedroom complete with futon, tea & kimono. Private outdoor onsens we could use as a couple. The food was absolutely incredible. Soooo much love & thought went into every dish. It was the best meal of the trip. Thank you so much for having us."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2.
The Hirayukan
Hirayukan is one of the most unique properties on this list, with lovely architecture that gives the whole place a charming atmosphere. The hotel has a total of 8 onsen baths, including two indoor and two outdoor public bath areas, which alternate each day for males and females. You'll also get free access to Miyama Ouan's public bath just around the corner, in case you want to experience a different onsen. Another unique feature is their excellent in-house buffet restaurant that serves a variety of Japanese and Western cuisine, which is perfect if you want extra variety in your meals. The gorgeous views, beautiful rooms, and truly amazing onsen facilities make you never want to leave.
• Highlights:
─ Truly unique and charming architecture.
─ An awesome in-house buffet restaurant serving Western and Japanese cuisine.
─ Amazing onsen facilities, which alternate each day for males and females.
• Price Range: $200 - $400 per night
• Review Score: 8.5 ★ (300+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Extremely nice experience in this magnificent onsen hotel. The snowy outdoors onsen was just a dream today. Very very nice buffet for dinner so definitely can recommend getting that option. Room did not have a toilet though. Food is fresh and good. Plenty options without being huge. Super nice amenities on the onsen."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
The Best Budget Ryokan In Hirayu Onsen
1.
The Tabist Kazeyuki
The Kazeyuki is the perfect option for budget-friendly accommodation near Kamikochi. The traditional tatami rooms are lovely, spacious, and include the option for mountain views. The location is convenient, nearby restaurants and cafes, and only a 4-minute walk from the bus stop. The property offers private onsens baths so you don't have to share with other people. They're available for all guests, no reservations needed, you just flip the sign to "occupied" and lock the door, with 3 pools that you can choose from. The staff are friendly, warm, and helpful, they'll be happy to store your bags before and after check-in so you can go hiking during the day.
• Highlights:
─ Great value, the best budget option near Kamikochi.
─ Private onsen baths are available for all guests.
─ Spacious and charming tatami rooms, with the option for mountain views.
• Price Range: $140 - $180 per night
• Review Score: 8.5 ★ (1000+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"The view was breathtaking. It was easy to move around the area and you could easily find things you need even though the hotel doesn't provide food itself. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and willing to go above and beyond when we needed some help. I love the outdoor onsen in particular. I was a bit worried if we couldn't use it because we were told it was 'first come, first serve'. It was actually available most of the time so we got to use it twice during our 1 night stay. Awesome experience."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
