Refined Luxury at Nishimuraya Honkan

Stay at a top-class traditional inn in the scenic Sea of Japan area

For a truly memorable stay at a traditional Japanese hotel, consider Nishimuraya Honkan in the elegant hot spring town of Kinosaki Onsen. This luxurious property─consistently rated as one of the top ryokans in Japan by a leading English-language travel guide─has welcomed countless guests over the years, from heads of state to passing tourists.

The rooms at Nishimuraya are traditional in style—cushioned futon mattresses with billowy comforters keep visitors warm and cozy in the town’s busy winter season. Guests can also enjoy views of the tranquil Japanese garden from the wooden verandas attached to most rooms. For an extra splurge, book a room with an open-air bath and enjoy a luxurious soak in your own private space.

Many travelers make their pilgrimage to Nishimuraya in winter, when the Sea of Japan provides the seasonal delicacy of Matsuba snow crab. Should you miss this delicious period, don’t fret–a host of other local foods, like Tajima beef and rice from nearby paddies, grace the table year-round.

Of Nishimuraya’s 25,000 annual visitors, some 5,000 hail from overseas, and the staff are adept at offering Japanese hospitality to international clients, mainly in English but in other languages as well. Just a short distance away is San'in Kaigan National Park, where the splendor of Mother Nature is on full display.

Access: From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Limited Express train to Kinosaki Onsen Station (about 2 hours and 40 minutes); Nishimuraya is about a 12-minute walk from the station.

Kinosaki Onsen, Nishimuraya Honkan