Sixteen two-storey villas on the Kinugawa river, each with its own flowing hot-spring bath and a kitchen; private onsen for a family or group at a fair price per head.
From £175 a night
For two on the night of 19 January 2027, on Expedia.
Kinugawa OnsenOn our lists
Rakuten STAY VILLA Kinugawa Riverside opened in June 2024 on the river south of the onsen town: fifteen two-storey villas and one apartment, all over 100 square metres. Every one has a natural hot-spring bath with water flowing in from the source, a terrace looking into the trees, and a kitchen with everything you need to cook.
Some villa types add a bedrock sauna bed. It suits families and groups who want their own onsen rather than a shared bath, and who are happy to cook or eat out in Kinugawa. Tobu World Square is a ten-minute walk, and Edo Wonderland a short drive.
The baths
Every villa has its own natural hot-spring bath fed straight from the source; some types also have a bedrock sauna bed.
Getting around
On the Kinugawa river south of the onsen town, about 10 minutes on foot from Tobu World Square Station.
Good for
Not for
A day in a rebuilt Edo-period town: ninja and oiran shows, samurai lessons and costume.
Departs from Kinugawa Onsen · Valid 1 day
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Toshogu Shrine admission bought ahead, exchanged at the Tobu-Nikko Station tourist centre.
Valid 1 day
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Dress in kimono and make your own matcha with a certified teacher, in a tatami room by the river.
Departs from Nikko town · 1.5 hours
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Kinugawa river, Kinugawa Onsen · 4 stars · 48 rooms
Hoshino Resorts’ ryokan on the Kinugawa: 48 rooms dressed in local crafts, some with an outdoor bath; for couples who want a polished onsen night.
From £317 a night
Ohara, Kinugawa Onsen, Kinugawa Onsen · 4 stars
A large garden onsen hotel in Kinugawa with several big baths, private baths to book and kaiseki dinners; for families and groups.
From £236 a night
Kinugawa Onsen · Ryokan · 162 rooms
The big, well-run classic of Kinugawa: river-view rooms, hot-spring baths and buffet dinners, with more than 600 guest reviews behind its score.
From £192 a night
Sources: travel.watch.impress.co.jp, expedia.co.uk. Last checked 21 October 2026.
