Introduction – Best Ryokans in Hokkaido at a Glance
Hokkaido is famous for its dramatic landscapes, fresh seafood, winter scenery and hot springs – and a stay at a Japanese ryokan brings all of those experiences together.
Unlike a conventional hotel, a ryokan typically combines Japanese-style accommodation, onsen bathing, seasonal cuisine and traditional hospitality. Many of Hokkaido’s best properties are located in famous hot-spring destinations such as Noboribetsu and Jozankei, while others can be found around Lake Toya, Hakodate, Niseko and Biei.
Here are 15 ryokans and Japanese-style inns worth considering for a Hokkaido itinerary.
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Table of Contents
Quick Comparison
| Ryokan | Area | Best For | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zaborin Ryokan | Niseko | Luxury & privacy | Luxury ryokan |
| Bourou Noguchi Noboribetsu | Noboribetsu | Private onsen | Luxury ryokan |
| Takinoya | Noboribetsu | Traditional luxury | Ryokan |
| Ryotei Hanayura | Noboribetsu | Couples | Ryokan |
| Takinoyu Bekkan Tamanoyu | Noboribetsu | Value luxury | Ryokan |
| Mori no Uta | Jozankei | Forest setting | Resort ryokan |
| Shikanoyu | Jozankei | Traditional atmosphere | Ryokan |
| Kuriyasuizan | Jozankei | Luxury retreat | Ryokan |
| Kasho Gyoen | Jozankei | Secluded escape | Ryokan |
| The Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort | Lake Toya | Lake views | Resort ryokan |
| Kappo Ryokan Wakamatsu | Hakodate | Traditional cuisine | Ryokan |
| OTARU RETREAT KURAMURE | Otaru | Private retreat | Ryokan |
| Mori no Ryotei Biei | Biei | Nature | Ryokan |
| Akan Tsuruga Bessou Hinanoza | Lake Akan | Luxury onsen | Ryokan |
| Shikotsuko Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizuno Uta | Lake Shikotsu | Wellness | Resort ryokan |
Hokkaido Ryokans Map
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Best Ryokans in Hokkaido
1. Zaborin Ryokan – Best Luxury Ryokan in Hokkaido
Zaborin Ryokan ★ 4.5 · Japanese inn
If you’re looking for an ultra-private Japanese ryokan experience in Hokkaido, Zaborin in the Niseko area is one of the most distinctive options.
The property combines contemporary Japanese architecture with the traditional ryokan experience. Its location in Hanazono also makes it particularly interesting for travelers combining a luxury ryokan stay with Niseko’s mountain and ski destinations.
Best for: Luxury travelers, couples, honeymooners
Location: Niseko/Hanazono
Highlights: Private atmosphere, Japanese design, onsen experience
2. Bourou Noguchi Noboribetsu – Best for a Private Onsen
Bourou Noguchi Noboribetsu is one of the standout luxury properties in Noboribetsu Onsen.
The property is particularly appealing if your priority is a private hot-spring experience rather than simply staying in a large onsen hotel.
Noboribetsu is Hokkaido’s best-known hot-spring destination and Bourou Noguchi among the area’s accommodation options.
Best for: Couples, luxury travelers, food-focused trips
Location: Noboribetsu Onsen
Highlights: Suites, private bathing, upscale Japanese hospitality
3. Takinoya – Best Traditional Ryokan Experience
Takinoya Bekkan Tamanoyu Ryokan ★ 4.3 · Japanese inn
Takinoya is one of the names associated with traditional ryokan hospitality in Noboribetsu.
The appeal is the combination of onsen, Japanese dining and a classic ryokan environment.
Noboribetsu is particularly convenient for travelers who want to pair a ryokan stay with Jigokudani or Hell Valley, which is one of the area’s signature geothermal attractions.
Best for: Traditional ryokan fans, onsen enthusiasts
Location: Noboribetsu Onsen
Highlights: Hot springs, Japanese hospitality, proximity to Hell Valley
4. Ryotei Hanayura – Best Romantic Ryokan in Noboribetsu
Ryotei Hanayura ★ 4.4 · Hotel
Ryotei Hanayura offers a more intimate alternative to the larger hotels inNoboribetsu Onsen.
It’s a particularly interesting option for couples looking for a traditional Japanese atmosphere combined with an onsen-focused stay.
Ryotei Hanayura among the area’s accommodation properties.
Best for: Couples, romantic trips, traditional Japanese stays
Location: Noboribetsu Onsen
CHECK RYOTEI HANAYURA AVAILABILITY
5. Tamanoyu – Best for a Smaller Noboribetsu Stay
Takinoya Bekkan Tamanoyu Ryokan ★ 4.3 · Japanese inn
Tamanoyu provides another option for travelers who want to stay close to the attractions and hot springs of Noboribetsu.
Its smaller-scale ryokan atmosphere can appeal to travelers who prefer Japanese inns over large resort hotels.
Best for: Couples, first-time ryokan guests
Location: Noboribetsu Onsen
COMPARE NOBORIBETSU RYOKAN PRICES
6. Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa Mori no Uta – Best Forest Ryokan
Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa Mori no Uta is one of the best-known upscale stays in Jozankei.
Hotel Shika no Yu ★ 3.9 · Japanese inn
Jozankei itself is an especially convenient onsen destination because it’s approximately an hour’s drive from central Sapporo. The Jozankei Tourist Association describes the area as a hot-spring destination surrounded by a mountain ravine within Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
Best for: Couples, nature lovers, autumn trips
Location: Jozankei
Highlights: Forest scenery, hot springs, Japanese dining
7. Shikanoyu – Best Traditional Ryokan in Jozankei
Hotel Shika no Yu★ 3.9 · Japanese inn
Shikanoyu is one of Jozankei’s established Japanese-style accommodations.
It’s a good choice if your Hokkaido itinerary starts or ends in Sapporo and you want to add a traditional hot-spring night without traveling deep into the countryside.
Jozankei is around 50 minutes by car from Sapporo according to the local tourism association.
Best for: First-time ryokan travelers, Sapporo add-ons
Location: Jozankei
8. Kuriyasuizan – Best Luxury Jozankei Retreat
Kuriyasuizan ★ 4.3 · Japanese inn
Kuriyasuizan offers a more intimate luxury experience in Jozankei.
The property is a strong candidate for travelers who want to spend a night or two away from Sapporo surrounded by hot springs and mountain scenery.
Best for: Luxury travelers, couples, quiet escapes
Location: Jozankei
9. Kasho Gyoen – Best Secluded Jozankei Ryokan
Oku Jozankei Onsen Kasho Gyoen ★ 4.4 · Japanese inn
For travelers who want a quieter Jozankei experience, Kasho Gyoen is locatedfarther into the valley than the central hot-spring district.
This makes it particularly interesting for travelers prioritizing privacy, nature and a slower pace.
Best for: Secluded getaways, couples, luxury travelers
Location: Oku Jozankei
CHECK KASHO GYOEN AVAILABILITY
10. The Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort – Best Lake View Ryokan
The Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort ★ 4.4 · Hotel
Lake Toya is one of Hokkaido’s most scenic resort areas and Nonokaze makes the most of its lakeside location.
This is a useful stop if you’re building a road trip through southern Hokkaido and want to combine an onsen stay with dramatic volcanic scenery.
Best for: Couples, lake views, scenic road trips
Location: Lake Toya
Highlights: Lake scenery, hot springs, resort facilities
11. Kappo Ryokan Wakamatsu – Best Hakodate Ryokan
Kappo Ryokan Wakamatsu★ 4.6 · Japanese inn
Hakodate is one of Hokkaido’s most rewarding cities for food, history andwaterfront scenery.
Kappo Ryokan Wakamatsu gives travelers the opportunity to experience Japanese ryokan hospitality while using Hakodate as a sightseeing base.
Best for: Food lovers, couples, cultural travelers
Location: Yunokawa, Hakodate
Highlights: Traditional hospitality, Japanese cuisine, onsen
12. OTARU RETREAT KURAMURE – Best Otaru Retreat
OTARU RETREAT KURAMURE by Onko Chishin ★ 4.1 · Japanese inn
Otaru is best known for its historic canal district, glass workshops and seafood, but the surrounding area also offers hot-spring accommodation.
OTARU RETREAT KURAMURE is an option for travelers who want to combine an Otaru sightseeing stop with a more secluded Japanese-style retreat.
Best for: Couples, design-focused travelers, Otaru stays
Location: Otaru/Asarigawa Onsen
13. Mori no Ryotei Biei – Best Ryokan for Nature
Mori no Ryotei Biei ★ 4.4 · Japanese inn
Biei is famous for rolling farmland, colorful seasonal landscapes and the area’sphotogenic countryside.
Mori no Ryotei Biei is a Japanese inn option for travelers who want to build a countryside experience into a Hokkaido road trip.
Best for: Photographers, nature lovers, couples
Location: Biei
Highlights: Countryside scenery, Japanese accommodation, onsen
14. Akan Tsuruga Bessou Hinanoza – Best Lake Akan Luxury Ryokan
Akan Tsuruga Bessou Hinanoza is listed by the Japan Ryokan and Hotel Association among Hokkaido’s ryokan properties.
Lake Akan makes an excellent destination for travelers who want to venture beyond the better-known southern Hokkaido onsen towns.
The area is particularly appealing for a nature-focused itinerary.
Best for: Luxury travelers, nature trips, couples
Location: Lake Akan
15. Shikotsuko Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizuno Uta – Best Lake Shikotsu Onsen Stay
Shikotsuko Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizuno Uta is another Hokkaido property.
Lake Shikotsu is close enough to New Chitose Airport to work well at the beginning or end of a Hokkaido trip.
That makes it a practical choice for travelers who want to finish their Japan itinerary with an onsen stay before flying home.
Best for: Couples, wellness trips, airport-area itineraries
Location: Lake Shikotsu
Best Areas to Stay in Hokkaido for a Ryokan Experience
Noboribetsu Onsen – Best Overall Onsen Destination
Noboribetsu is one of Hokkaido’s most famous hot-spring destinations.
Numerous accommodation options, including Bourou Noguchi Noboribetsu, Takinoya, Ryotei Hanayura, Kashotei Hanaya and several large onsen hotels.
Stay here if you want:
- A classic Japanese onsen-town experience
- Easy access to Hell Valley
- Multiple ryokan choices
- Traditional Japanese meals
- A dedicated hot-spring getaway
Jozankei – Best Ryokan Near Sapporo
Jozankei is the easiest choice for travelers who don’t want to travel far from Sapporo.
The local tourism association puts the drive from central Sapporo at approximately 50 minutes.
Stay here if you want:
- A one-night onsen escape from Sapporo
- Autumn foliage
- Mountain scenery
- Easy access without a long train journey
Niseko – Best Luxury Ryokan Experience
Niseko is internationally known for skiing and powder snow, but it also offers high-end Japanese accommodation.
This is the area to consider if you’re combining:
Luxury + skiing + private onsen + Japanese cuisine.
Lake Toya – Best Scenic Ryokan
Lake Toya works especially well on a southern Hokkaido road trip.
You can combine the area with:
- Noboribetsu
- Hakodate
- Sapporo
- New Chitose Airport
Hakodate – Best for Food and Culture
Hakodate’s Yunokawa Onsen district lets you combine a ryokan stay with the city’s famous seafood, historic buildings and nighttime views.
It’s particularly useful as part of a multi-city southern Hokkaido itinerary.
What Is a Ryokan?
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn.
A typical stay can include:
- Tatami flooring
- Japanese-style sleeping arrangements
- Yukata robes
- Communal or private onsen
- Seasonal Japanese cuisine
- Multi-course dinner
- Japanese breakfast
- Traditional hospitality
One of the biggest differences from a standard hotel is that the ryokan itselfis part of the travel experience.
For many properties, a dinner-and-breakfast package is the most natural way to experience the accommodation.
What Is Included in a Hokkaido Ryokan Stay?
This varies by property, so always check the rate before booking.
A traditional ryokan package may include:
Room + dinner + breakfast + onsen
Some luxury properties may also offer:
- Private baths
- In-room dining
- Private open-air baths
- Lounge access
- Complimentary drinks
- Seasonal activities
Important: Don’t compare ryokan prices with standard hotel room rates without checking whether meals are included.
Best Hokkaido Ryokan Itinerary: 7 Days
7 days Hokkaido ryokan itinerary designed around several of the island’s major onsen regions.
Day 1 – Arrive in Sapporo
Fly into New Chitose Airport and travel to Sapporo.
Spend the evening exploring:
- Odori Park
- Susukino
- Sapporo Station
- Local seafood restaurants
Overnight: Sapporo hotel
Day 2 – Sapporo → Jozankei
Travel from Sapporo to Jozankei.
The destination as approximately 50 minutes from Sapporo by car.
Spend the afternoon enjoying the hot springs and walking through the valley.
Overnight: Jozankei ryokan
Recommended booking: Dinner + breakfast + onsen
Day 3 – Jozankei → Lake Toya
After breakfast, continue toward Lake Toya.
Spend the afternoon exploring the lake and surrounding volcanic landscape.
Finish the day with an onsen and Japanese dinner.
Overnight: Lake Toya ryokan
Day 4 – Lake Toya → Noboribetsu
Travel to Noboribetsu Onsen.
Visit Jigokudani/Hell Valley, then return to your ryokan for an onsen session and dinner.
The area’s accommodation around its hot-spring facilities.
Overnight: Noboribetsu ryokan
Day 5 – Noboribetsu → Hakodate
Continue south toward Hakodate.
Explore the historic city center and waterfront before checking into a ryokan around Yunokawa Onsen.
Overnight: Hakodate ryokan
Day 6 – Hakodate → Otaru
Depending on your transportation and itinerary, travel north toward Otaru.
Spend the afternoon around:
- Otaru Canal
- Sakaimachi Street
- Local seafood restaurants
- Glass shops
Overnight: Otaru
Day 7 – Otaru → Sapporo / New Chitose Airport
Return to Sapporo or New Chitose Airport for your onward flight.
If your flight is late, consider adding a final Lake Shikotsu onsen night instead.
Hokkaido Ryokan Packing List
Before your ryokan stay, pack:
- Comfortable socks
- Easy-to-remove shoes
- Lightweight layers
- Swimwear only if specifically required by a private facility
- Small overnight bag
- Toiletries
- Portable charger
- Weatherproof outerwear in colder months
Most traditional ryokans provide essentials such as yukata and towels, but policies vary.
Hokkaido Ryokan Etiquette: What First-Time Visitors Should Know
Remove Your Shoes
Follow the property’s instructions when entering the ryokan.
Don’t Wear Yukata Everywhere
Yukata are commonly worn around the property, but follow the ryokan’s guidance about where they’re appropriate.
Shower Before Entering a Communal Onsen
Wash yourself thoroughly before entering a shared bath.
Keep Towels Out of the Bath
Don’t place your small bathing towel in the onsen water.
Tattoos May Have Restrictions
Policies vary considerably between properties. If you have tattoos, check the individual ryokan’s rules before booking.
When Is the Best Time to Stay at a Hokkaido Ryokan?
Winter
Best for travelers who want:
- Snow-covered landscapes
- Skiing
- Snow onsens
- Cozy ryokan evenings
Niseko is particularly popular for winter travel.
Spring
Spring can offer a quieter experience and gradually warmer weather.
Summer
Summer is excellent for road trips, hiking and exploring Hokkaido’s countryside.
Autumn
Autumn is especially attractive around Jozankei, where the mountain valley becomes a major destination for fall foliage.
How Much Does a Hokkaido Ryokan Cost?
Prices vary enormously depending on location, season, room category and whether meals are included.
Luxury ryokans can cost substantially more than standard Japanese hotels, while simpler inns can be considerably more accessible.
When comparing prices, check:
Room + breakfast + dinner + taxes + private bath + cancellation policy
rather than comparing the nightly room rate alone.
Hokkaido Ryokan FAQ – Best Ryokans in Hokkaido
What is the best ryokan in Hokkaido?
There isn’t one ryokan that fits every traveler. Zaborin is suited to travelers seeking an upscale Niseko experience, while Noboribetsu and Jozankei offer different styles of onsen-focused stays.
Where is the best place to stay in Hokkaido for an onsen?
Noboribetsu and Jozankei are two of the most convenient choices. Noboribetsu is a dedicated onsen destination, while Jozankei is especially convenient from Sapporo.
Is Noboribetsu worth staying overnight?
An overnight stay allows you to experience the ryokan, dinner and onsen rather than treating Noboribetsu as a short sightseeing stop.
Is Jozankei worth staying overnight?
Yes, particularly if you’re already visiting Sapporo. Its proximity to the city makes it easy to add a one-night Japanese onsen experience to a Hokkaido itinerary.
Are Hokkaido ryokans expensive?
They range from relatively affordable Japanese inns to luxury properties with private baths and elaborate meals. Always check what is included in the rate.
Do Hokkaido ryokans have private onsens?
Some do, but not all. Private baths may be in the guest room, attached to a suite or available as reservable facilities. Confirm the exact room category before booking.
Can I stay at a ryokan if I don’t speak Japanese?
Yes. Many properties serving international travelers provide information in English, but the level of English service varies.
Conclusion – Best Ryokans in Hokkaido
The Best Ryokans in Hokkaido depends on the experience you want.
For luxury and privacy, look toward Niseko and properties such as Zaborin.
For a classic onsen-town experience, Noboribetsu is an obvious destination.
For a convenient escape from Sapporo, choose Jozankei.
For dramatic scenery, consider Lake Toya or Lake Shikotsu.
And if food and culture are priorities, Hakodate gives you an opportunity to combine a ryokan stay with one of Hokkaido’s most interesting cities.
The key to booking a ryokan is to treat the accommodation as part of the itinerary—not simply somewhere to sleep.
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