ACCOMMODATIONS Tsuchiya

We stayed one night with dinner and breakfast included.

The kaiseki dinner was excellent. Every dish was carefully designed, from the colours and contrasting flavours to the plate, bowl and sake cup used to serve it. Even the sake cup was decorated with small fish. Each course looked like a painting.

The whole property is family-run, including the café across the road where breakfast is served. It feels less like staying at a hotel and more like being welcomed into a local family home.

The artwork around the property was painted by the owner’s uncle and captures the surrounding landscape through different seasons, sunsets and times of day.

TSUCHIYA is very different from a traditional ryokan. It is modern, artistic, personal and full of soul. A truly unique stay in Kinosaki.

We had originally booked our stay at the Tsuchiya Annex (across the street) but after the first night we noticed some noises from the air conditioner so Kazuki offered to move us to the Gingko room in the main Tsuchiya building. The room was so gorgeous and we appreciated the offer. We really liked the hotel’s private baths (there’s three you can use) and the cafe at the Annex.
Kazuki was also kind enough to drive us to Genbudo Caves. He also arranged to have our luggage dropped off near Kinosaki station after we checked out as we weren’t taking the train right away.
The Yamada family runs the hotel and they are really sweet and hard working. It felt like they really cared about their guests’ experience and included thoughtful gifts, like a drawing from Kazuki’s wife and a gift at check out. Kazuki’s mom in particular is a very warm and genuine person.
Kinosaki is a charming town and I felt like this accommodation is a reason to visit in itself, for the beauty of the rooms and the overall experience.

I have stayed in many hotels and accommodations around the world, but nothing comes close to the experience I had at Tsuchiya Ryokan. This was not simply a stay; it felt like becoming part of a family.

From the moment I walked through the door, I was warmly welcomed by Kazuki and his mother. They took the time to explain absolutely everything in incredible detail. They showed me every onsen available in the area, carefully marked each one on the map, explained their unique characteristics, and told me exactly when each one was open. Their attention to detail was extraordinary and made me feel comfortable and excited to explore Kinosaki from the very beginning.

As a special welcome, I even received a beautiful drawing made by Kazuki’s wife, which was such a thoughtful and personal touch. Shortly afterward, Kazuki’s sister escorted me to my room, served me tea, and patiently explained how to properly wear a yukata. It was my first time staying in a traditional ryokan, and thanks to her kindness, I immediately felt at ease.

The service only became more impressive as the stay continued. I wasn’t sure where to have dinner, and Kazuki personally helped me secure a reservation at what turned out to be the best sushi restaurant I visited during my trip. After I completed collecting all the onsen stamps, he surprised me with a gift to celebrate the achievement. It was one of many moments that showed how much the family genuinely cares about their guests.

When it was time to check out, Kazuki’s mother and child came to say goodbye and even recommended the best places in the area to purchase yukatas. As if that wasn’t enough, I was presented with a beautiful framed artwork of me wearing a yukata, a keepsake I will treasure forever.

The story doesn’t end there. After I had already checked out, I called Kazuki because I really wanted to visit a beach nearby. What happened next perfectly illustrates the extraordinary hospitality of the entire family. First, his mother actually rode her bicycle all the way to where I was to recommend a different beach that she thought I would enjoy more. Then, shortly afterward, Kazuki came with his car, picked me up, and personally drove me there. This level of kindness and dedication goes far beyond customer service; it is genuine care for their guests. I have traveled extensively and stayed in many hotels, but I have never experienced anything even remotely comparable.

I can confidently say this was the best service I have ever received. Throughout my stay, I felt completely at home, as though I was being cared for by family rather than hotel staff. Their kindness, generosity, and genuine hospitality went far beyond anything I could have expected.

Facilities & Location

The ryokan itself is immaculate, spotlessly clean, modern, comfortable, and beautifully maintained. The location is perfect, allowing easy access to all of Kinosaki’s famous onsens, and the ryokan provides access to them, making it incredibly convenient to enjoy the full onsen experience. There is also a private onsen available, which was wonderful for relaxing in complete privacy.

The breakfast was absolutely delicious and one of the highlights of my stay. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and authentically Japanese.

There is honestly nothing negative I can say about this place. Every aspect of the experience exceeded my expectations.

I recommend Tsuchiya Ryokan with all my heart, and I will definitely return. Thank you to Kazuki and his entire family for creating memories that I will never forget. You did not make me feel like a guest; you made me feel like family.

Overall, I had a good stay here and really appreciated the warm hospitality from the owners. Their genuinely kind and accommodating customer service made perfect sense after I learned this is a family-run hotel. Over 100 years in business, but recently renovated! The owner even picked me up from the train station and dropped me off after the stated 10 p.m. cutoff, which was a pleasant surprise I really appreciated. The owner was very responsive via email.

That said, there were a few hiccups during my stay that kept it from feeling like a full 5-star experience. The yukata cover in my room and the closet area were noticeably dusty, which caused me to sneeze quite a bit, so guests sensitive to dust may want to be aware of that. I was able to swap it with a fresh one with no questions asked when I saw the housekeeper (mom?) the next morning.

I also received an invalid onsen pass. I was denied access to the baths when I specifically work up early (7:30am) to use the baths before they got busy. I contacted the owner via email immediately and he responded within 2 minutes! However, I still had to walk all the way back to the hotel to fix it. It seemed like an honest human mistake, but it was still inconvenient.

One other thing to note: I was looking forward to a more traditional Japanese breakfast/kai­seki-style experience, but breakfast was Western-style instead. That may have been partly my misunderstanding when booking through Agoda, since the listing details did not specify. Please make this more clear on your booking sites so future guests are not disappointed! That being said, the breakfast was still good. The first day, I got the honey butter toast, and the second day I got the rice flour toast (super chewy like mochi!)

This hotel seems to be more accommodating to western tourists than to people desiring a traditional Japanese experience. I was happy they at least had the futon option!

Despite these issues, I still enjoyed my stay overall because the hospitality and communication were excellent. I personally loved the location as it was at the end of the town's main attractions, near the ropeway and two onsens. Plus they gift you a couple things upon arrival and departure! I won't spoil the surprise for you. With a little more attention to detail, this place could easily be a 5-star experience.

Pro-tip: book directly through their website for a cheaper price and clearer explanation of the different room options and the breakfast/dinner style! Apparently they offer the traditional Japanese meal at dinner time :)

It was our first time visiting. We learned that the hotel has over one hundred years of history. We had an excellent experience staying one night in the classic Japanese room. The room was very clean and spacious. We reserved the dinner option, which turned out to exceed our expectations. Since Kinosaki is a small town, it was super easy to access the main street and all public Onsens.

Wonderful customer service. There was not a single interaction where I didn’t feel fully appreciated; the innkeeper and his family and staff all seemed genuinely happy to have me there.
Oyado was especially congenial and generous. After a brutal day of travel from Hokkaido I was delighted that he met me on the train platform when I arrived WITHOUT being asked !!
I usually much prefer western beds and chairs so wish I had booked the annex but was still so glad to stay here, a family business for the last century!

Summary:
- Warm welcome and atmosphere.
- Excellent customer service (also in English).
- Clean, cozy, and spacious room.
- Great location.
- Excellent private baths available for guests.

I stayed for two nights in a single room at Tsuchiya Kinosaki Onsen main building, and my experience was truly excellent. The hotel owner and his mother gave me a very warm welcome upon arrival. During check-in, I received an onsen pass for all the baths in the area, along with a map and other instructions in English.

Everything worked perfectly, and the atmosphere remained warm and homely throughout my entire stay. When I checked out, the owner kindly gave me a photo of me wearing Tsuchiya’s yukata as a gift. After check-out, the owner’s mother even offered to drive me to the train station.

I sincerely hope I will have the chance to return here again someday.

Our room was very clean and beautiful, with a nice view from the balcony looking out to the street. Ryokan is located further away from the central area so it takes some walking to get to other onsens, but Kinosaki is a walkable area and the views are beautiful so it is an enjoyable walk.

Service was welcoming although it was tinged with a little.. I don't know how to describe it except for condescension? I took it that perhaps it was due to it being spoken in English - a foreign language - that made it weird. And that was the vibe I got when we checked in. Other than that, everything else was perfect. We were taught how to wear the yukata by the owner's lovely mother.

Breakfast was served solely in western style - toast with salad on the side. It was delicious. Space was open and wonderfully lighted with their full glass windows. Service was efficient.

We had our Japanese friends come over for drinks that night and they had overstayed their welcome, at which owner reminded us through the door. For that I apologize. We might have made some noise as we were laughing and enjoying our conversation and I didn't notice the email that came in via the booking website asking our friends to vacate the room.

I think we were supposed to bring our empty sake bottles along with us when we check out, which we were not informed about. Owner didn't seem too happy with that, so do take note. Other than the sake bottles and the used cups, I think we left the room in relatively clean and neat conditions.

There was a bit of snark again as we checked out. I'm really not sure what caused it but that's the reason for the 4-stars. It is a really nice place but maybe suitable for people who are willing to keep it spick and span, and give it a 10-star rating.

We had a lovely stay! The owners are wonderful hosts. The dinner and breakfast meals were so delicious. This was a highlight of our trip for sure! We loved the outdoor onsens.

We loved our two-night stay at Tsuchiya Ryokan. It’s a beautifully maintained, spotless ryokan owned and run by a family.

Unlike many traditional ryokans we stayed at, this one feels more modern and stylish. Everyone speaks English, and there’s an option to book rooms with Western beds instead of tatami. We chose tatami and were very happy with it.

Breakfast was simple and Western-style, which we appreciated. They also offer a beautiful dinner, but unfortunately it wasn’t available when we booked due to the busy season. For dinner, we went to a local udon spot, Chikara Mochi, and it was excellent.

Kinosaki Onsen is a small, charming town with seven public onsens (one was closed during our stay). We visited all six that were open.

Here’s our personal ranking, from best to least favorite:

1) Kouno-yu
Our favorite. It has both indoor and outdoor baths, which is a big plus since you can switch between them. The temperature is also more comfortable than in many other onsens.

2) Goshono-yu
A stunning outdoor bath with a waterfall. It only has an outdoor bath, but the setting is so beautiful that it more than makes up for it.

3) Mandara-yu
One of the smallest onsens. The indoor bath is very small and extremely hot. There are two outdoor baths, each for one person. This onsen is great only when it’s not crowded (ideally under ~20% capacity). You can check live capacity at the front desk or on the Kinosaki Onsen website.

4) Ichino-yu
Has both indoor and outdoor baths. The outdoor one is cave-themed, but it feels more like a theme-park decoration than a real cave. Compared to Kouno-yu and Goshono-yu, the outdoor baths here are less impressive. But still it’s nice to have both.

5) Yanagi-yu
Simple and spacious, but with only one indoor bath. It feels more like a regular public bath (sento) than a traditional onsen.

6) Jizo-yu
One of the most beautiful wooden buildings, but very small. It only has one small indoor bath, and it’s the hottest of all. The temperature was so high that my wife couldn’t get in at all. If it were cooler, we would probably rank it higher based on the architecture alone.

Overall, a great stay in a lovely ryokan, and Kinosaki Onsen is absolutely worth visiting if you enjoy onsen hopping in a calm, traditional setting. 3 nights would be ideal.

Tsuchiya Ryokan is a family owned - operated ryokan. We stayed for one night and we have a great time there. The Owner greeted us and explain us how to use kimono set. I never actually realize how important family operated ryokan. We been to few osen towns in Japan, this i would say one of the most pleasant stay - service that we get. The location might be a little bit far from station, but you got the shuttle service pick up. Turns up the location is pretty close with 3 onsen especially madara no yu, just few steps away from Tsuchiyaa. Additionally, we went to kinosaki rope way which just 3 mins walk away. Also we received some merch that we will forever remember our stay at Tsuchiya - Kinosaki.

My friend and I had a great time at Tsuchiya Ryokan. We arrived past their latest check in time and were surprised with a pickup at the train station. It was very thoughtful and lovely to not need to find our way in the dark with our luggage.

The room and all the facilities were extremely clean and comfortable. It’s run by a son, daughter, and mother trio. They were all so hospitable and caring, I’ll definitely be staying here again when I return.

Incredibly friendly staff. Beautiful rooms. Incredible breakfast. Stayed at the annex that's across the street from the main building connected to the cafe that breakfast is served at. The room was impeccably clean and very roomy. The egg chair on the balcony was very relaxing to sit in at night. In the morning at checkout the owners mother gave me a ride to the train station. Very kind! Would definitely stay here again!

We stayed here for our 5 year anniversary and could not have enjoyed it more! Everything was fantastic from the service, food, and rooms were all amazing! Kazuki and his team did a wonderful job taking care of us and it is a must stay if you’re in Kinosaki!

This ryokan owned by son & mother working together as a family own ryokan. Their hospitality is top notch!! Very friendly & can speak English (which is rare here in Japan). 100% for their room, very clean & well maintain all the way. GOOD EXPERIENCE

We stayed for 3 nights and, having experienced everything the town has to offer, would strongly recommend planning 2-3 nights as well. There’s far more to enjoy than you might expect—from exploring all seven public hot springs in town (each with its unique character), to local shops, scenic walks, the ropeway, creek-side strolls, and memorable cuisine.

The hospitality extended by Kazuki and his mother is exceptional. They make you feel not just welcome, but genuinely cared for. From the moment you arrive, Kazuki greets you, assists with travel logistics, and provides tailored local recommendations. His excellent English and willingness to explain local customs make the stay especially smooth for international guests.

The comfort, cleanliness, and traditional ambiance of the rooms surpass expectations. The futon is prepared while you’re out, the tatami rooms are spotless, and views of the creek and quiet backstreets are peaceful. You’re provided with yukata and geta—and the experience of “onsen-hopping” around town truly comes alive because of the Ryokan’s well-placed location just steps from several public baths (the furthest is 15 min away) and the ropeway.

Tsuchiya Ryokan has private onsen baths available for guests, which are clean, serene, and perfect for late night or early morning relaxation. Luggage storage before check-in and after check-out makes sightseeing stress-free.

Kazuki’s mother is a delight—her presence and thoughtful attention to guests is wonderful. She’s warm, attentive, and always ready to assist or brighten your day with a small gesture or smile.

In summary, Tsuchiya Ryokan epitomizes the warmth of Japanese family-run hospitality. Three nights allowed us to fully enjoy the town, and the hosts, Kazuki, his mother and the remaining staff made every moment special. This is not just a place to stay—it’s a highlight of Kinosaki Onsen and absolutely worth recommending to anyone visiting the region.

The experience is pure luxury.
The owner does his best to meet all the needs of the guests.

You are given a discount for the ropeway and a free drink.

The dinner kaiseki was amazing, and understandably takes time (be prepared for it to last 1.5 hrs)

Absolutely beautiful — clean, peaceful, and surrounded by an incredibly charming onsen village. But what really made our stay special was the people. The staff were exceptionally professional and attentive; they took care of us in every possible way.

The food was outstanding — truly a 10 out of 10 — and they even offered to pick us up and drive us back to the train station without us ever asking. Such kindness and hospitality are rare these days.

If you’re looking for a relaxing and authentic Japanese experience, this place is simply perfect. 100% recommended.

Every moment was excellent! Especially it is organized by whole family, so warm and comfortable! The meal was so suprise! Fusion meal not just a Japan traditional one. Thanks again for the special gift to my family! It make the moment unforgettable! Boss, hope to meet you in Hong Kong next time!

We took a chance on this ryokan, since it was a cheaper option than some of the places in the village, and we were staying for one night only.

It absolutely exceeded any expectations we had and felt like a premium experience all around! The rooms were beautiful, spotless and extremely well kept. They have two private onsen (with very hot water) and the breakfast place over the street was great (and doubles as a gallery).

By far the best thing has to be the family running the place. The mother is the boss, and son and daughter duo take care of the residents. We felt extremely well taken care of - the daughter even made us tea in the room upon our arrival and we got our picture made and framed by them when we were on our way to the onsen in town.

We had plans to go onward the day after, but this would be the place where we would stay longer if we could have!!

There are not enough words to describe what this family did for me and my friends. I would give them 100 stars if I could. Highly recommended! Very sweet, kind, warm owners. The rooms were perfect! Thank you for taking such good care of us

The Yamada family helped us out in crisis and made sure we had the best weekend. The rooms were clean and modern. We checked in late and they helped us reserve a great sushi restaurant for dinner - they even drove us so we would make in time. Loved that they queued up Harry Styles - music for a sushi restaurant to listen to in the car.

The kindness and hospitality were unmatched throughout my time in Japan. The staff was always friendly and ready to help at a moments notice. The room was clean and spacious and the private onsen was a very nice addition. My stay here was the highlight of my trip. I cannot recommend them enough!

My friend and I agree that this was truly one of the best ryokan experiences we've ever had. Despite our limited Japanese, the staff communicated with us effortlessly in English and went above and beyond by recommending fantastic local food spots and giving us clear directions.

The host was incredibly generous, even offering to pick us up from the station something we really appreciated. Our room was large, spotless, and very comfortable, making it easy to relax after a day of exploring.

The ryokan is perfectly located within walking distance of several wonderful onsen and the ropeway, which made our stay even more convenient and enjoyable

If we ever return to Kinosaki Onsen, there's no doubt, Tsuchiya Ryokan will be our first choice

Spent the most amazing day at kinosaki! Tscuhiya ryokan is an absolute delight! It’s a family run business! They are warm, caring and make you feel like you’re a part of their family!! I got a free upgrade to a beautiful room!
The hotel has 7 onsens that one can use all within 10 kms of the hotel! This was my first onsen experience and what an experience it was!!
Beautiful place, lovely people and amazing food!! This definitely holds a special place in my heart!!
The breakfast served the next day was mouth watering!!

An absolute highlight of our Japan trip!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time here at Tsuchiya, which is a family run ryokan nestled in Kinosaki Onsen town. We spent just one night here, which was sufficient to get the most out of our time.The owners were welcoming and friendly, providing an authentic glimpse into the Japanese onsen town experience.

After check in, you are introduced to your bedroom and served tea. The hotel provides the yukata and geta sandals, allowing you to experience walking down the streets and wandering in and out of different onsens in the town. My pro tip is to also bring your own flip flops or shoes along as you may not be used to walking/balancing in the geta.

The owners had great English and I appreciate that they took the time to explain the culture and customs (such as how to walk in geta and how to put on your yukata). They also helped us take photos, and provided us with a lovely handwritten note and framed picture as a souvenir. SO CUTE!

The rooms were surprisingly spacious and very clean, with a tatami mat floor. The futons are made when you are out and about in the town, which is a lovely surprise to come back to. The futon was very comfortable and felt heavenly after an evening spent soaking in the onsens. The hotel also has a private onsen which does not require a reservation - super relaxing later at night and in the early morning.

I highly recommend using the hotel's service to send your luggage to the train station when you check out - it frees up your chance to explore the town without having to lug your bags around, and the hotel is located right at the back of the town.

A standout experience for us, and we have not stopped raving about it and recommending it to all our friends. We will be back!

This is the best hotel I have stayed during my trip to Japan, and tbh, in all my travels. It is run by a mother and her son. They are the most welcoming hosts ever. Everything is very clean and cozy. They provide you with yukata, obi, basket to put your things, and the pass for all the onsens. I had a bit a struggle getting on the yukata, and his mom helped me get it on. Also, they also helped me take pictures and gave me a framed photo in the yukata. They are amazing. There is a cute coffee shop too. Furthermore, they personally dropped me off at the JR station that next day. One of my most memorable experiences in all of Japan, and I would definitely recommend staying here and also visiting kinosaki onsen.

Tsuchiya Ryokan is a traditional Japanese style inn situated deep in Kinosaki Onsen. It is about a 15 minute walk from the station and a 1 to 10 minute walk from any restaurant you may want to eat at in the town.

From my understanding the establishment is family owned and they live either nearby or on site. They were eager to deliver incredible service and even spoke more English than what I am used to experiencing in major cities.

The rooms were well heated, clean, and mine in particularly had an incredible view of a little creek/waterfall running through the backside of the town.

Unfortunately I booked a little late so I was not able to reserve dinner with the Ryokan, however the included breakfast was great, and the staff has many restaurant recommendations that they will happily mark on your google maps.

I really enjoyed this little town and my stay at the Tsuchiya Ryokan. I hope to come back soon in the Spring, though the winter in Kinosaki was quite beautiful.

By far the best Hotel I stayed at on my Trip to Japan! The Hotel is run by a Family which makes it their goal to make you feel at home and have the best possible time in Kinosakionsen. Would highly recommend staying here!

Amazing stay at the Tsuchiya Ryokan :) the family that runs this ryokan are incredibly hospitable, patient, and helpful. They explained everything around the town, about the onsen experience, and gave plenty of recommendations. Everything was spotless and they provided everything you need for your hotel stay, as well as visits to the onsen in town. They even give you a ride back to the station on your day of checkout! 10/10 recommend to come stay with them on your next visit!

My stay at this ryokan was excellent! The staff were very accommodating. I stayed in their Kiri room, which was perfect for a solo traveler. The location is at the end of the town's main street, steps away to two of the quieter public baths and still convenient for walking to the rest of town. Yukata, geta, and bathing amenities were provided. Staff offered rides to restaurants and the train station, and the tea upon arrival in your room was an extra special touch. I would recommend to anyone visiting Kinosaki.

This a family owned business. They were all super friendly, informative, and nice. We felt really welcomed and the service was top notch.

We were greeted when we first came by the son who spoke English very well and was excited in talking to us and getting to know us. He took pictures of us and even framed a photo for us. They also brought our bags to our rooms during check in.

The mom who is the owner was very friendly and helped me get dressed correctly when my outfit was too long. She also answered questions and was lovely to speak to. They brought out our beds for us when we went to the onsen.

The sister was also nice as well. She was in the cafe working for breakfast. Breakfast was super good. I recommend everyone to try the breakfast. One of the best egg sandwiches I ever had and lattes were cute to look at.

At checkout, they took our bags to the information center while we adventure the area a bit (for no cost). The mom also let us borrow an umbrella when it was raining (in which we dropped off at the information center to be returned).

I would totally book this place again (and add the dinner as well since we forgot to book the dinner included). They also gave us necessities needed for our stay and for the onsens. The private onsen was relaxing as well and not busy so it was a good way to end our night there. Location was good as it was close to good food locations and the other onsens.