The 17 best Ryokan with private onsen Osaka

If you’re after a truly authentic Japanese experience, you absolutely need stay in a Ryokan – have a look at the best Ryokan with private onsen Osaka below. The Ryokans are a window into Japan’s traditional life and you need to try it, even if it’s only just for one night during your stay in Japan. They usually are set in nature; stone basins, water bubbling up from natural rock sources, views of greenery that is just screaming Japanese hospitality.

They are usually quaint and quiet, hidden away from the busy city streets of Osaka and of course, the best Ryokan have a private onsen for you to bathe in. The onsens themselves are sacred and serene. These Ryokan are a testament of the incredibly polite and warm Japanese hospitality, mixing centuries of history with modern luxury. It’s not just a stay; it’s an experience that you absolutely MUST experience, that envelops you in Japanese culture, making you feel like part of a centuries-old story.

Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic 10 day Japan itinerary!

This photo was taken at Glamping Villa Hanz Kawaguchiko.

Have a look at my other Japan travel guides:

• 10 day Japan itinerary
• Shibuya Crossing Tokyo
• Chureito Pagoda
• Bridge of Dreams
• Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple Kyoto
• Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple Kyoto

Best tours in Japan:

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Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic 10 day Japan itinerary!

A private onsen is a highlight of any Japanese stay, particularly if it is in a Japanese Ryokan; it’s a secluded sanctuary where you can soak in the thermal waters, feeling every bit of stress melt away. It’s a personal retreat where get a bit of R&R, and it is the ultimate traditional experience you can hope for. This Ryokan isn’t just about the stay; it’s about the journey it takes you on – a journey back to the heart of traditional Japan, right in the middle of Osaka. Read below to understand a little more about Ryokans.

What is a Ryokan?

A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese ‘inn’ which is a bit like stepping back in time to the history of Japan and it is absolutely stunning. It’s a cultural experience of Japanese history, simplicity, and quite frankly and natural beauty; think luscious Japanese gardens, bubbling rock pools and polite hosts. Originating from the Edo period, Ryokans were more than just lodgings; they are now a proud representation of Japanese hospitality.

What fascinated me was the tatami mats and the iconic the futon beds, the communal & private onsens and of course, the exquisite kaiseki meals, every aspect is a tribute to the Japanese way of living. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with a stay in a Ryokan in the Osaka- Kyoto- Kansai region.

Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic 10 day Japan itinerary!

17 best Ryokan with private onsen Osaka

Ryokan Fushioukaku

This gorgeous private onsen in this Ryokan has a stunning view of the peaceful scenery outside. There’s nothing quite like the Japanese private open air baths.

Negiya Ryofukaku

This gorgeous Rykoan is surrounded by nature where you will be able to relax in your private onsen with some of the most beautiful views you can hope for! If you go in autumn, you’ll find the foliage turn resplendent reds and gorgeous orange hues.

Arima Onsen Takayamaso Hananon

The Arima Onsen Takayamaso Hanano Ryokan is a stunning place to stop by in Osaka. Drop by here for a beautiful soak in a private onsen Ryokan.

Arima Hot Spring Ryokan Hanamusubi

This Ryokan in Osaka is a great choice; the area can be reserved for private use so make sure you book it in advance! This open air bath is a joy, with multiple areas to relax in!

Hananosato Onsen Sansuikan

This beautiful private onsen is worth your while; you’ll have the most gorgeous views, peaceful serenity and evenings full of relaxations.

Arima Onsen Gekkoen Yugetsusanso

This is a great Ryokan where you can reserve 3 different sections of their onsens, with beautiful views and lovely rock pools.

There are plenty of day tours you can do around this neighbourhood, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.

Ryokan Kinzan

A great choice for private onsen for couples Osaka!

Osaka Ryokan Kuramoto

This is a gorgeous traditional Japanese Ryokan right in the centre of Osaka – it’s well worth the stay, and the reviews are great too! Definitely one of the best ryokan in Osaka. A great Osaka hotel with private onsen.

Arima Hot Spring Ryokan Kotori

This is a gorgeous little Ryokan in Osaka with a modern and traditional blend in their onsens. It’s definitely a stunner, make sure you book the room with the private onsen in advance as it will sell out quick.

Nanten-En

This is an absolutely gorgeous Ryokan surrounded by nature scenery and beautiful Japanese gardens. Visit this Ryokan for a serene, peaceful stay.

There are plenty of day tours you can do around this neighbourhood, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.

Hotel Hanshin Osaka

This is a huge hotel with hot spring baths and hot spring water in every room this is an ideal choice for many travellers, located centrally in town, just 2 minute walk across the road from JR Fukushima Station. Definitely a popular onsen with plenty of guest rooms, and for good reason with their luscious public baths!

Konjaku-So Dotonbori Garden SPA Stay

Located in central Osaka, this is a gorgeous stay with an incredible private onsen and indoor bath!

Ooedo-Onsen Monogatari Minoh Kanko Hotel

This gorgeous Ryokan has an incredible view of the city and the perfect place for you to bathe and relax.

Onsen Hotel Wakamizu

A beautiful Japanese style Ryokan that has a stunning viewpoint over the city, with an authentic Japanese onsen, rock pools and beautiful views.

Kaneyoshi Ryokan

This beautiful authentic Ryokan has a beautiful shared onsen and is still worth a visit. As it is a fairly small Ryokan, there aren’t tonnes of guests meaning you might still have this onsen to yourself.

Arima Gyoen

This gorgeous Ryokan has a beautiful onsen perfect for bathing and it can be found in the Arima Onsen District. Private baths available for rent!

What is an Onsen?

Onsens are a traditional part of Japanese life, but make sure that you are aware of onsen etiquette, such as not wearing swimwear and adhering to specific rules in shared baths.

1. Onsens are traditional Japanese hot springs, offer relaxation in mineral-rich waters, the decor is often very natural, mimicking the outdoors and rocky geothermal spas.
2. Men and women are separated into two separate sections of the onsen.
3. You are expected to enter the onsen naked. Nude. No clothes!
4. Tattoos – this can be a bit contentious and you are unlikely to be allowed into an onsen with tattoos, unless. of course, it is a specific tattoo friendly onsen. Tattoos historically have been associated with gangs and gang violence. Onsens naturally wanted to avoid any fights inside, being local community areas, meaning most onsens will not allow you to enter if you have tattoos.
5. These baths (onsens) are an integral part of Japanese culture and tradition, not only used to keep the body clean but also for the social aspect, the healing properties and soothing effects on both body and mind.
6. There are plenty of different baths in the onsens and they can be steaming hot to warm, or ice cold. Heat therapy is great for the body!
7. The mineral composition of each onsen water is meant to be unique, with therapeutic benefits.
8. You are meant to properly scrub your skin thoroughly at the showers before entering the onsen, as a sign of respect and hygiene.
9. Onsens often have indoor and outdoor baths, and when there is an outdoor section it is usually very scenic and beautiful; think Japanese gardens and rocky outcrops.
10. Many onsens have saunas, relaxation areas, masseuses and even traditional Japanese meals.
11. Onsen are found throughout Japan, with popular regions like Hakone, Beppu, and Kusatsu known for their hot springs.
12. It’s generally fairly cheap. Most onsens cost between 1-5 GBP / 1.20-6 USD and are equal to some of the nicest spas I’ve been to around London and the UK.
13. A visit to an onsen is an incredible cultural and rejuvenating experience.

Have a look at my other Japanese travel guides here for an epic ten day Japan itinerary!

Osaka Tours

There are plenty of day tours you can do around this neighbourhood, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide. There’s plenty to do in Osaka, so don’t miss these incredible little gems!

Osaka Map

Save the location to your google maps so you can come back to it later. It’s easy to reach Osaka by train ride; the bullet trains from Tokyo is 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minute train ride).

Best time of year to visit?

We visited in September and, although it was technically autumn, it was extremely hot, reaching highs of 36 degrees Celsius (96°F) during the day.

The best time of year to visit is usually spring or late autumn, but winter is said to be good too, as all the statues get covered with a sprinkling of snow. During the summer months, Japan is covered in typhoons, so it is usually a little less popular.

There are plenty of day tours you can do around this neighbourhood, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.

Osaka Weather

This incredible temple looks different and unusual throughout different times of the year, autumn is meant to be beautiful and in the snow the statues and buildings have an even more whimsical look!

Osaka Weather in January:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 2-7°C (36-45°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 12
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 10 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 7:00 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 5:00 PM

Osaka Weather in February:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 3-8°C (37-46°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 12
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:45 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 5:15 PM

Osaka Weather in March:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 7-13°C (45-55°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 12
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 5:45 PM

Osaka Weather in April:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 12-19°C (54-66°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 11
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 13 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:00 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM

Osaka Weather in May:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 17-24°C (63-75°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 13
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 14 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:30 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM

Osaka Weather in June:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 21-29°C (70-84°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 15
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 14 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:00 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

Osaka Weather in July:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 24-32°C (75-90°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 17
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 14 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:15 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 7:00 PM

Osaka Weather in August:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 26-34°C (79-93°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 14
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 13 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:30 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

Osaka Weather in September:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 22-30°C (72-86°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 14
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:45 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM

Osaka Weather in October:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 15-23°C (59-73°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 8
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:00 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 5:30 PM

Osaka Weather in November:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 9-16°C (48-61°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 9
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 10 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 5:00 PM

Osaka Weather in December:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 3-9°C (37-48°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 10
• Daylight Hours: Approximately 9 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:45 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 5:00 PM

As someone who has experienced the enchanting allure of Japan during the autumn months, I can wholeheartedly recommend visiting during September, October, or November. This period, free from the summer’s oppressive heat and the unpredictability of typhoon season, offers a serene and visually stunning experience.

Autumn in Japan is a time when the landscape transforms into a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows and honestly, make for the best photography. The Japanese have a deep appreciation for the changing seasons, and this is evident in the way they celebrate autumn. The sight of maple leaves turning fiery red at places like Kyoto’s Arashiyama or Tokyo’s Shinjuku Gyoen is not just breathtaking; it’s a profound reminder of nature’s transient beauty.

The cooler temperatures during these months make exploring the cities and countryside exceptionally pleasant, because in the summer it can be utterly sweltering in the heat and muggy, typhoon air.

It’s worth checking out the traditional autumn festivals to the chance to savour seasonal delicacies like sweet potatoes and freshly harvested rice, the season offers a unique taste of Japanese culture.

Travel resources for your trip that are actually really handy!

There are plenty of day tours you can do around this neighbourhood, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide. There are plenty of tours that will combine a visit to Kiyomizu-Dera temple, the bamboo forest, Tenryuji temple, Daikakuji temple and more!

Have a look at my other travel guides for Japan:

• 10 days in Japan itinerary
• Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo
• Chureito Pagoda in Tokyo
• Bridge of Dreams Shizuoka
• Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple in Kyoto
• Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple in Kyoto

That’s it! I hope you have an amazing time in Japan, it is truly an incredible country and I honestly can’t wait to go back. I will of course, be back with more guides.

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