ACCOMMODATIONS Nishimuraya Honkan

Nishimuraya Honkan was one of the highlights of our first trip to Japan. Even before you arrive, the impeccable service is apparent with the pre-arrival follow ups to confirm your arrival time so they can coordinate your shuttle from the train station. When you arrive, the entire staff is in the lobby to greet you before beginning your tour of the property.

Our room was phenomenal and faced the forest, so we had absolute privacy in the living room and the semi-open air bath in our room. The public onsen was the best we experienced on our trip, both in Kinosaki and throughout the rest of the country.

All-in-all I cannot recommend Nishimuraya Honkan enough and we will definitely be back when we can spend additional days in Kinosaki to take in more of the village and surrounding area.

The only negative note we had was from the slight smell of fish/cat that lingered in our room when we arrived. We assumed this was due to the kaiseki dinner served in the room, so it wasn't a dealbreaker by any means, but it did remain throughout our entire stay so something to be aware of.

I stayed in Nishimuraya Honkan for 2 nights in April 2026 in the Hiratakan building. My room, Horai, was spacious and clean with a gorgeous traditional tatami aesthetic. There is a lovely view from the window of a vibrant maple tree that I enjoyed watching as I sat on the verandah drinking tea. Horai has a private bath which is an excellent size and shape, perfect for both dipping and lounging in.

The rest of the building is full of history and character. The first thing you see when you enter the lobby is a lush, exquisite Japanese garden and a welcome lounge with elegant wooden furniture. There is a museum with historical artefacts which I thought was incredibly unique for a hotel. The public bath has an outdoor bath, lantern lit and surrounded by a small garden, creating a sense of serenity and calm.

The highlight of my stay, however, had to be the kind and thoughtful staff who were there to attend to my every need. From removing insects from my room to driving me and my luggage to the station, the staff were incredibly thoughtful and friendly every step of the way. One of my room attendants, Masaki-san, was also incredibly knowledgeable about the local ingredients and ceramics used in my nightly kaiseki dinners. I learned much from our conversations and appreciated his willingness to share his knowledge about Kinosaki onsen’s history and environment.

I had an amazing stay at Nishimuraya Honkan. Thank you so much for an unforgettable experience.

We've stayed on the 24th of March and couldn't have been more happy with the ryokan. In total we've stayed in 2 ryokans while in Kinosaki Onsen and the service was miles apart. Even months before our trip began the staff was highly flexible and very supportive with logistics beforehand.

On our arrival we were welcomed by multiple staff members, taken to very comfortable waiting area while a staff member went through the booking details to confirm the details of our stay. Luggage was brought up to our room without question and we received a short explanation of the main facilities and a warm invitation to join for grilled mochi as well as visiting the house owned museum. Then we got a very thorough tour into our booked room and received our yukatas as well as some freshly brewed green tea.

The Kaiseki was outstanding, besides the quality of the well thought-out (and very well paced!!) menue I really want to emphasize the level of service of our Nakai-san. She was incredibly sweet and very attentive to detail. It was very pleasant interacting with her.
The room itself was a dream, spotless clean, everything perfectly arranged and the in room hot spring was an absolute highlight. If we're to come back to Kinosaki Onsen on a second trip we'll for sure book another stay.

Thank you very much for the incredible hospitality!

Our stay at the Nishimuraya Honkan was the highlight of our honeymoon in Japan. We stayed in nice hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto, but the hospitality we received at this Ryokan in Kinosaki was bar none the greatest experience we’ve ever had.

From coordinating over email with the concierge staff, the warm welcome upon arrival, our chauffeur around the property, the garden in the center, the provided Yukata and onsen accommodations, to the private Kaiseki dinner, every aspect of our stay was incredible.

We’d like to give special recognition to Reibun who gave us a tour of our Honjin suite and served us our dinner for the evening. She gave us recommendations for our stay in Kinosaki that only a seasoned local guide could in English which made us feel at home.

This Ryokan will be a stay we always remember and we thank you and your staff for such a pleasant experience. We hope to stay with you again some day!

Can’t commend on the quality of the ryokan since we haven’t had the luck to stay there yet. However I would like to express my appreciation for its exceptional service, which matches well with Michelin its 2-key rating. We received a phone call from the ryokan in the morning when we were about to leave our hotel in Kyoto for Kinosaki onsen by JR, notifying us that the JR line was suspended because of the heavy snowfall. If they didn’t call, being ignorant of the suspension, we would have checked out our hotel, left for the JR station in snow with an elderly and luggages. One could therefore understand how grateful we were for the call and their offer of a full refund in no time. We had no problem in communication as the other end of the line was a gentleman who spoke excellent English.
Hopefully, we could arrange another trip to Kinosaki onsen soon to enjoy the perfect ryokan experience that Nishimuraya Honkan could probably deliver.

Great experience at nishimuraya honkan. Staff were professional and catered to all our needs with a welcoming feel. It made us feel very comfortable and relaxed during our stay. We came during matsuba season which is a strong recommendation for people who love crab. Arrangement for private onsen was seamless but it’s best to book in advance as there’s limited slots and fill up quickly.

This is the best hotel I’ve stayed ever in Japan. They have outstanding service at the beginning that staffs take out our luggage to your room, and introduce me every facility while taking us to our room. In addition, I especially like the greeting soft drinks such as orange juice and dropping coffee. You don’t want to miss those beverages!

My room comes with a Tatami flooring room. It’s extremely spacious and the living room is the place I had Kaiseki cuisine with my wife. Kaiseki cuisine is served with a variety of Matsuba crab - steamed, grilled, hot pot, you name it. Every plate is like an art and it’s beautiful. And of course, delicious.

After the cuisine, I enjoyed the Onsen at the hotel. The Onsen has less people and the male/female Onsen will be exchanged next day, so we can enjoy different views throughout our stay. I would say I t’s better to go there than the Onsen outside the hotel.

Anyway it’s the best Onsen hotel I’ve seen so far. The price is also reasonable given their have outstanding service. Don’t miss this hotel when coming to 城崎温泉

Nishimuraya Honkan is billed as the premium ryokan in Kinosakionsen. The rooms are large, the garden is nice, and the staff are very attentive and truly don't want you to do anything. Our personal attendant was very nice. Feeding the koi was a highlight. Dinner was extensive and clearly a lot of effort went into it, but every course included crab and it got really repetitive and was frankly too much crab.

We spent one night here and one night at a lower-priced ryokan. We found that Nishimura Honkan was not worth the incredibly high price tag (twice the price of the other ryokan) and included fewer things than the lower priced ryokan. We were shocked that at this price range, drinks are extra at dinner. We also found the sheer size of the ryokan to leave it feeling a bit cold; we prefer a cozier feel.

It is truly a fabulous place. The service, dining, and location will please you greatly.

The highlights for me was the Sakura room I had chosen, I adored the view of the garden from the room and the private bath made relaxing easier as I was too tired to go to the public bath facility on site or really even explore the town at night for that matter.

The standout of the kaiseki dining experience was absolutely all the delicious dashi broths, these were the best dashi I have maybe ever had, and they were all very different, ranging from tuna, soy sauce, and of course the classic bonito.

Masaki, the service host for the dining experience became a good friend and made the experience easier and more enjoyable. I only wish I had a chance to see and thank him before leaving.

This is my second high end ryokan experience and if I had to nit pick I think the town while beautiful is a bit too touristy. I preferred the location of my previous ryokan as it was more secluded and not in an onsen town.

But really that has nothing to do with the property itself, everything was wonderful there, so no complaints. As I mentioned while the town might be a bit touristy, you’d be foolish to spend an extended period away from the property anyways.

Absolutely amazing. Never been somewhere like it. Stayed there after getting engaged and they made it very special with a gift and personalized service. Our dinner server Mitsuri was so sweet and kind and gave us great recommendations!

Truly special. Both onsens have indoor outdoor and alternate between men/women daily. The service is excellent and the in-room dining has a luxurious atmosphere. The garden centering the hotel and viewed from the rooms is magical. You can stare at it all day. Looking back at our time here makes me feel lucky to have experienced it. I believe the value is justifiable given the high quality food and cooking for dinner/breakfast. Thank you Nishimuraya team

An absolutely amazing Ryokan! I stayed with two friends, none of us had ever been to a luxury ryokan before and Nishimuraya Honkan impressed us in all ways. The dinner was incredible as was the breakfast, the service was impeccable (two of the people spoke english really well, but even the others tried really hard to make us feel welcome) and the entire place is gorgeous.
We definitely want to save up for our next Japan visit so we can come back here again!

Nishimuraya Honkan was an absolutely incredible experience for us, and worth every cent. It feels like a serene oasis, where anything we could need was looked after with diligence and excellence. Our room was truly stunning - the wood and tatami was astonishing, with excellent soundproofing.

The staff were incredibly polite and professional, catering for our every need. We received a level of service and care we have simply never experienced anywhere else. Matsuri-san, who served us our meals, was a particular highlight - her handwritten notes and drawings recommending locations or explaining elements of our dinner made our stay feel incredibly warm, personal and special.

The food was outstanding, with dinner served in our room with great care. Breakfast took place in a beautiful dining hall. In each case, every staff member involved with serving the meals provided a warm atmosphere.

We are extremely grateful to Nishimuraya Honkan, and especially Matsuri-san, for making our visit here so special. We are looking forward to coming again.

Honkan Nishimuraya possesses a timeless quality — serene and refined. We stayed in the Boton Suite, generous in size, overlooking the beautifully manicured garden, which serves as the centerpiece of the ryokan. The facilities were comfortable, including the fragrant cypress bath and the most advanced Toto I’ve ever seen.

We chose to have the kaiseki dinner, served in-room, and went for the Japanese breakfast. Visiting during Matsuba season, the dinner was centered around the winter crab.

Although I definitely recommend onsen-hopping and click-clacking in your getas to the seven public onsens in Kinosaki (it’s an experience in itself), the on-site baths are very much worth a visit — well maintained and often empty.

This was our splurge ryokan, and every bit of it was worth it.

This was one of the best experiences we had in Japan. The staff was very kind and every Wish was fullfilled.
We had the Asuka Room and it was beautiful and very pleasant. Also the Kaiseki Dinner and the breakfast where extreamly delicious and nice plated. Everything was perfectly structured.
Also the town is very small and lovely to Explore and taking the onsen is a good time to relax a bit.

We will surely visit again when we come Back to japan.

Kind regards and ありがとうございます from Thomas and Jessica from Room No. 28.

If you were looking for luxury and a convenient place to make the onsen pilgrimage then this would be your joint. I stayed in one of the double rooms facing the garden. It was beautiful. A generous free fridge that had a couple beers, a couple waters, a couple teas. Wonderful kaisaki dinner and the breakfast was just as good with the choice of Western style. While you can solo travel the place I'd suggest having someone to help split the bill. A bus taxi to take you to the kinosaki station. Will definitely be back. Charming town. Tattoo friendly long as they aren't hate symbols.

This ryokan was everything we hope it could be and more. The staff were wonderful—kind, generous, attentive. My husband and I booked a private onsen room, and it was spacious, luxurious, and a private oasis. We wished we could have stayed longer than one night so we could explore Kinosaki more, and hope to return one day in the future. This stay was part of our honeymoon trip and we were treated like royalty our whole stay. We were also very graciously gifted two mugs and delicious additional dish with dinner.
The attention to detail was exceptional and we are so glad we booked this ryokan.

We were treated like royalty from the moment we arrived. The level of service was nothing short of extraordinary — attentive, thoughtful, and always one step ahead of our needs.

As part of our honeymoon, this stay added incredible value to an already special occasion. Our room, complete with a private onsen and tranquil garden, offered the perfect setting for relaxation and intimacy. It felt like our own little slice of paradise.

The chef’s recommendation kaiseki dinner was an unforgettable highlight — a beautifully curated meal that celebrated seasonal flavors with grace and precision. Every dish was a piece of art, rich in taste and tradition.

One piece of advice: take time to explore the hotel’s garden. It’s more than just a backdrop — it’s a peaceful, contemplative space that adds depth to the entire experience. Walking through it felt like stepping into a living painting.

The facilities and staff created an atmosphere of refined elegance that made our stay truly unforgettable. Every detail was subtle yet intentional, capturing the essence of Japanese luxury in its purest form.

This wasn’t just accommodation — it was an experience we’ll carry with us for a lifetime.

This place is an absolute gem, earning a perfect 10 out of 10. It’s a classy and traditional resort that exudes exceptional customer service. From the moment we checked in to the time we checked out, we felt incredibly comfortable and special.

The property is impeccably well-maintained, making us feel so at home that we didn’t want to leave. We stayed in a spacious open-air bath room as a family of five, and it was the size of an apartment! The garden in the resort was breathtaking, and they even provide fish feeds if you ask at the front desk.

Honkan’s sister hotel is worth visiting too. It has a fantastic public onsen and some mind-blowing private onsens that you can book.

The food here is simply unbelievable. The stay includes breakfasts and dinners (choose Japanese style, please), and we thoroughly enjoyed every meal.

Honkan provides everything you need for an unforgettable onsen experience. I regret that we didn’t book more nights here. Between all the onsens, the delicious food, the charming shops, and the stunning scenery, you should definitely stay for 3 nights to fully immerse yourself in the experience.

To all the staff at Honkan, we express our deepest gratitude for their hard work and dedication in maintaining the property in such pristine condition. We truly enjoyed our time here and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a luxurious and memorable onsen experience.!

Absolute perfect stay. This was one of the highlights of our trip. Their private onsen has really nice hair products and feels very premium. The best part was the service provided by our dinner hostess - Yu - her warmth and joyfulness made our dinner super enjoyable!! The views from the room are incredible, the whole ambience of the hotel is super peaceful and relaxed - we almost didn't want to leave the hotel!

This place was the highlight of my trip to Japan! Their service is absolutely incredible. I've never in my life experienced anything like it. Sing in one of their rooms for even one night is definitely an experience you do not want to miss! They bring culture, respect, and comfort to a whole nother level. Stuff was extremely welcoming and kind. Aside from that, I highly recommend the western-style breakfast in the morning. The location is also extremely convenient as it is a very close walk to stores nearby and all of the hot springs as well as the Rope car! They do provide you with a map for convenience. You have to walk around their Garden in the back and visit their Museum and the hotel. Definitely check out their pribate hot spring as well. I went at night and there was no one else there.

What an amazingly historic ryokan to stay at. We stayed in the Kumoi suite for two nights and the experience was above words. The room itself is the perfect blend of traditional and modern. It’s so tranquil and relaxing you don’t want to leave - the smell of hinoki wood in the Japanese bath is intoxicating.

All the meals were wonderfully eclectic and had many luxury ingredients - such a variety of interesting dishes and visual preparations. The fish we had here (in many forms) was some of the sweetest and best tasting of any of our stops in Japan. We actually preferred the Kaiseki dinner the second night even more - so make sure you stay more than one night!

The staff here is the ultimate of Japanese luxury. The exude a formalness that it both friendly and open, a perfect balance in a more traditional environment. Well deserving of their Two Key award.

And finally the town of Kinosaki - wow! Highlight of our trip. From the relaxing onsens, to the beautiful views from the ropeway, to nearby Takeno, to all the unique craft shops in town (both by the hotel and closer to the station). We will be back!

We had a fantastic experience at Nishimuraya Honkan. It was a perfect relaxed ending to our very action packed trip.

We stayed in the Sakura room, a traditional Japanese room with a view of the garden. The finishes throughout were beautiful, with a traditional aesthetic but modern amenities. The service was immaculate, everything was arranged and ready to go in a punctual fashion. The dinner was delicious, consisting of several different courses, each beautifully presented and very tasty.

We also booked the private onsen and sauna to enjoy together, which I highly recommend if you want to experience an onsen together as a couple or family. Overall a great experience, I honestly can’t think of anything I would improve.

We had a truly exquisite honeymoon stay here. We spent two nights in the Botan suite, which was spacious, newly-renovated, and luxurious with its own private outdoor cedar wood bath. We came to Kinosaki Onsen at the tail end of matsuba (snow crab) season and enjoyed some out-of-this-world kaiseki dining in our room, and the staff even included a honeymoon gift for our first night's dinner which so special! Breakfast, both Western-style and Japanese-style, was also tasty and beautifully presented in the gorgeous dining hall. I would also recommend booking one of the 1-hour private bath sessions at the sister hotel (Nishimuraya Shogetsutei) – the ryokan will arrange a private driver to go to the sister hotel and our private bath session was unforgettable. We were absolutely spoiled by the staff here and their attentive service (shoutout to Kitazawa-san!), can't wait to come back for our next special occasion!

I’m so glad my first ryokan experience was at Nishimuraya Honkan—it exceeded all my expectations. From the impeccable service and the stunning architecture that radiates traditional Japanese culture, to the sheer luxury of my room and the incredible kaiseki dinner and breakfast, everything was truly unforgettable. Nishimuraya has set the bar high for any future ryokan stays, and I’ll definitely return if I find myself back in Kinosaki Onsen Town!

Amazing experience from end-to-end. We are so glad we went came out to Kinosaki Onsen and especially to the Nishimuraya Honkan. Service, dinner, and accomodations were great. Authentic ryokan from the 1800s; a trip highlight and unique and unforgettable experience!

Best Onsen (ryokan) in Kinosaki. If I could give 6 stars for service, I would. People who work here enjoy what they do. They attend to every small detail and they miss nothing. I cannot say enough about how good this place is. Thank you Honkan staff for making our vacation in Kinosakionsen excellent.

Absolutely incredible experience and the best warm hospitality. The staff has thought of everything and the level of attention to detail they have was beyond any expectation. It was truly the best stay in a hotel that we’ve had in our lives. We treasured every minute that we were able to stay there.

Our two-night stay at Nishimuraya Honkan in Kinosaki Onsen was nothing short of extraordinary.

After booking our room, the hotel staff promptly contacted us to confirm our arrival time and preferences for meals, ensuring a personalized welcome. Upon reaching Kinosaki Onsen station, we were greeted by a convenient shuttle service that whisked us away to the hotel, adding a seamless and luxurious touch to our arrival.

From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in an atmosphere of traditional Japanese hospitality and luxury.

Our room offered breathtaking views of a meticulously manicured garden, a tranquil oasis that perfectly complemented the ryokan's serene ambiance.

The exquisite meals were a highlight of our stay, showcasing the artistry of kaiseki cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients, such as matsuba crabs. Each dish was a masterpiece, both visually and in flavor.

One of the unique perks of Nishimuraya Honkan was access to the onsen facilities at their sister hotel. A convenient on-demand shuttle service transported guests between the properties, making it easy to enjoy a variety of bathing experiences.

Every detail, from the impeccable service to the exquisite surroundings, contributed to an unforgettable experience. Nishimuraya Honkan truly embodies the essence of a traditional Japanese ryokan, providing a luxurious and culturally immersive escape. We highly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking an authentic and unforgettable Kinosaki Onsen experience.

The premises were absolutely gorgeous and tranquil. The room attendant Mr. Koyama’s hospitality was excellent. Having been living away from Japan, for too long, I cannot judge the Kaiseki cuisine… it did look very beautiful… I was hoping a little more of the crab in season. I wished I could have stayed an extra day or two. Thank you!

Absolutely magical experience! The staff was exceptional, and thanks to their efforts, we were fortunate enough to secure the Hatsune Room after a last-minute cancellation. The room itself was stunning, complete with a private bath overlooking a serene garden. We requested a dinner exclusively featuring Tajima beef, and it was nothing short of extraordinary—unbelievably delicious! Afterward, we indulged in the private Japanese onsen, a truly unique and unforgettable experience. We also treated ourselves to the Shiatsu massage—while I initially booked 40 minutes, I definitely wish I had gone for 80! The breakfast was fit for royalty. To sum it up, our stay felt like a honeymoon, it was that incredible. Thank you so much for everything! (Special thanks to Collin who was been a huge help!!!!)

What a wonderful and special experience during our Japan trip. A wonderful room with a view of the garden and koi pond, gorgeous food and amazing service.
The young lady serving our traditional dinner took great care of us, explaining each dish and doing it all with such charm.

素晴らしい / subarashii

I don't like to use superlatives, but I can't help it here. Wonderful and simply fantastic what we were able to experience here for three days. Japanese hospitality at the very highest level. Combined with breathtaking Japanese cuisine, which surprised and delighted us several times a day. Food was not simply served, but explained to us in the best possible way. At the heart of this enchanting place is a hotel team that takes care of you from the first to the last minute with their charming and polite manner. We felt incredibly comfortable and in good hands. Many thanks to the whole Nishimuraya Honkan team. You are great. 素晴らしいサービスをありがとう。