Kinugawa Onsen - 鬼怒川温泉

Kinugawa Onsen (鬼怒川温泉) is a popular hot spring resort town along the Kinugawa River in Tochigi Prefecture. The town is centered around the large hotel ryokan lining the riverbank, and offers many amusements such as the Tobu World Square and Nikko Edomura theme parks in addition to its hot spring baths.

Kinugawa was extensively developed in past decades, when many of the large ryokan complexes were built. Several of these have gone out of business over the years, leaving behind abandoned buildings on the riverbank. In response, the town has stepped up efforts in recent years to beautify the riverfront by removing some of the abandoned buildings while adding nature trails, parks and footbaths.

Kinugawa Onsen is close to Nikko, and is included in the free travel zone of many of the Tobu rail passes to the area. The town is a good place to overnight when visiting Nikko and can add a little fun and relaxation to complement the culture and nature of Nikko.

Ryokan are Japanese style inns found throughout the country, especially in hot spring resorts. More than just a place to sleep, ryokan are an opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality, incorporating elements such as tatami floors, futon beds, Japanese style baths and local cuisine, making them popular with both Japanese and foreign tourists alike.

There are many different kinds of ryokan, varying greatly in terms of size, cost and style. Some ryokan are small, family run establishments with just a few rooms, while others are large, hotel-like facilities with hundreds of rooms. Ryokan also range from no-frills, budget varieties to costly establishments catering to the very wealthy.

While extremes exist, the average cost of a ryokan stay is between 15,000 and 25,000 yen per person, per night. While this may be too expensive to stay at everyday, it is well worth indulging on one special night during your travels. Also keep in mind that ryokan stays usually include an elaborate dinner in the evening, followed by breakfast the next morning. Meals are typically kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine) that feature local and seasonal specialties.

Because of their emphasis on traditional style and atmosphere, ryokan may appear rigid and intimidating for the first timer unfamiliar with the procedures and etiquette. In reality they are a special and relaxing experience that everyone should take the opportunity to try.

The famous Ryokan of Kinugawa Onsen - 鬼怒川温泉の有名な旅館

The information on this page is updated in April 2016.
The possibility want that information has been changed, please check the official website of each facility.