4 people | Popular hotels and Ryokan (Japanese inn) based on reviews!

Tokachigawa Onsen in Hokkaido has a rare hot spring called Moor, which is derived from plants. This inn has a garden open-air bath where you can relax with a vast panorama. You can enjoy the snowy scenery. Meals are buffet style and there is a wide variety of sweets.

How about staying at Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel in Shiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture? The hotel is directly connected to the ski resort, so you can enjoy winter sports at the same time. In winter, the hotel is enveloped in a world of silver, and the view from the open-air bath is especially beautiful. After warming up in the hot spring, you can enjoy a meal at the hotel restaurant. The hot spring is also available for day trips, so it's recommended for those who want to enjoy both skiing and the hot spring.

Imabari Urban Hotel is located just in front of Imabari Station, making it a great base for biking the Shimanami Kaidō. They have a main building and a newer annex. The annex has twin rooms where you’re allowed to bring your bike into the room, plus there's a cycle stand at the front desk — very cyclist‑friendly. The main building offers free breakfast but no twin rooms; the annex has twin rooms but breakfast is not free. For cost performance, the annex twin room represents good value, so I’d recommend staying in the annex.

The large public baths are separated into the first and second floors, but the view of the garden from the standing bath and Lying-down bath on the first floor allows you to feel the greenery of the trees in spring and summer, and in autumn and winter you can elegantly view the autumn leaves and snowscape from the open-air observation bath. There is a jacuzzi, mist sauna, dry sauna and cypress bath on the second floor, so it is a good idea to enjoy the view outside on the first floor and then relax on the second floor. There are various meal courses available, but for first-time guests, young people and families we recommend the breakfast and dinner buffet courses. There are two places to stay, "Toyosutei" and "Toyotei".

If you're going to travel Shimanami anyway, why not try a Japanese sento experience? yubune is a hotel on Ikuchi Island, with a bathhouse that locals also visit. There’s a jacuzzi‑style bath, a sauna, and a cold plunge so you can thoroughly relax after a ride. The rooms are twin usage, with tatami mats and futons, and you can bring your bicycle directly into the room. While its address is Onomichi, being on an island gives it a nature‑surrounded, vacation‑like feel. Also, from Ōmishima you can return by sea taxi with your bike — about 15 minutes. If you divide the cost among your group, it’s around ¥3,000‑4,000 per person. It’s quite a fun experience.

Of course, it's difficult to get a room at an official Universal hotel during Golden Week (early-May holiday season in Japan) (the long holiday in May), and it's extremely expensive. In that case, this business hotel offers good value for money. If you want a cheap hotel with convenient transportation, I recommend it.

"Hotel Tetra Resort Tokachigawa" is an inn with natural Tokachigawa Onsen. In addition to the large public bath, there is an open-air bath, and in the winter you can enjoy bath to view the snow. There are also spacious 10-tatami rooms where you can relax with your family. There is also a kids' space where children can play freely. The meals that make use of ingredients unique to Hokkaido are also highly rated.

This ryokan is in the center of Setoda in Hiroshima Prefecture. (I stayed there on a bike trip, though I was on a motorcycle, not bicycle.) It is somewhat pricey, but has a warm, friendly atmosphere. The staff will guide you, and they let you store your bike under the eaves. There is a large public bath, which is perfect for soothing muscles after riding. On weekdays, they offer simple no‑meals plans at more affordable rates.

Conveniently located just a two-minute walk from JR Onomichi Station, this hotel is a great base for sightseeing in Onomichi or cycling along the Shimanami Kaido. They offer a summer-only plan that includes two meals at the beer hall, as well as plans that allow you to stay until 1pm, making it the perfect place to stay after cycling along the Shimanami Kaido. They also have rooms that can accommodate up to four people, so they're great for group trips or trips with friends.

This inn is located in a great location where you can enjoy Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji at the same time. The open-air bath allows you to relax in the hot spring while taking in Breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji, refreshing both body and mind. The meals are made with local seasonal ingredients, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Japan with both your eyes and your palate. The staff are also very kind, and you will receive warm hospitality. Be sure to stay here and create special memories.

How about "Meiseki no Yado Kagetsu" in Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture? This inn Ryokan (Japanese inn) a vast Japanese garden, and in winter you can enjoy the hot springs while gazing at the snow-covered garden. The large public bath is very spacious, allowing you to relax and unwind. Dinner is a kaiseki kaiseki（a traditional Japanese multiple course meal ）made with seasonal ingredients, and you can also enjoy local wine. The staff's service is excellent, allowing you to experience traditional Japanese "omotenashi" hospitality. The rooms are also spacious, allowing you to relax and unwind.

How about the Fuji Lake Hotel in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture? Located on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, you can enjoy a beautiful view of snow-capped Mt. Fuji from the open-air bath. Especially in the clear winter air, you'll feel like you have Breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji all to yourself. Meals are made with local ingredients, and you can savor the flavors of the season at dinner.

If you are going to Universal Studios, you will probably also be sightseeing in Osaka. I think Comfort Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi is a good value hotel to stay at, as prices won't rise too much during Golden Week. The rooms are small, but not too noisy, and the main tourist spots in Minami are within walking distance. Have a nice trip!

The dining here is a unique highlight. They offer a tapas-style buffet with a wide array of small plates (kobachi), which I think is brilliant. It’s perfect for everyone—whether you have a small appetite or want to sample a bit of everything. Crowd-pleasers like the freshly fried asparagus and selection of breads are sure to be a hit with both adults and kids. Add to that a variety of baths and the option to buy discounted tickets for local attractions, and you have a fantastic-value way to enjoy Hakone.

This hotel is located halfway up the slopes of Norikura Kogen Ski Resort, and since the surrounding temperature drops below freezing, you may be able to see diamond dust while taking a bath in the open-air bath early in the morning. We recommend this hotel to those who want to experience a fantastic atmosphere while warming their bodies in the hot springs.

How about relaxing at this holiday village after cycling? Dinner is Buffet, with 4-5 types of sashimi. When I went there just the other day, there were six types: sea bream, amberjack, swordfish, raw bonito, seared bonito, and squid somen. All-you-can-eat. Many other dishes are also served. There is also a large public bath and an open-air bath at Hiuchinada Onsen. From the open-air bath, you can see Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan, and it's Breathtaking view.

There is a cheap plan for four people with two meals included. There is also a child's rate. This auberge with 10 rooms is quietly located in the forest of Miyagino, next to Gora in Hakone, and the meals are well-prepared and delicious. There is an open-air bath surrounded by greenery, and you can also enjoy a hot spring.

It is a historic and prestigious Ryokan (Japanese inn). The rooms are spacious, and the open-air lobby has a luxurious feel. The wooden Momoyama bath is wonderful. The rock-made open-air bath is also very tasteful. In winter, you can bathe while watching the snowy scenery. This inn is also a registered tangible cultural property of the country. And yet, it is not too expensive, so I think it is a hidden hot spring. For food, you can enjoy the famous Shinshu beef. Please use this as a reference.

The open-air hot spring is located along the valley, and it's great to spend some time listening to the sound of the river. There is also an indoor bath, but the view is amazing. Yamagatakan, which is built along the valley, has a great view of the valley and the food was also satisfying. I have been there twice so far, attracted by the quality of the hot spring.