Hotel Kitanoya
8,5/10 Excellent - Based on 295 reviews
Hotel Kitanoya occupies a coastal spot overlooking the famous Amanohashidate sandbar, and its design emphasizes the view: most guest rooms face the water and feature traditional tatami flooring with the choice of Western beds or Japanese futons. Rooms range from standard sea-view types to a limited number of premium suites that include private outdoor hot-spring tubs; all accommodations have en-suite bathrooms and complimentary Wi‑Fi in guest areas. On-site dining centers on seasonal kaiseki menus that highlight local seafood and regional specialities, and a small café and lounge provide casual options. Practical amenities include on-site parking, bicycle rental and luggage handling, with check-in and check-out times set to allow easy day-trip planning.
The bathing facilities draw from the local Amanohashidate hot springs and are a central feature of the property. Guests can choose between a spacious garden open-air bath designed for communal relaxation and bookable private open-air baths for quieter, reservation-based soaks; select room types provide private outdoor onsen directly off the guest room for uninterrupted sea views. Bathing amenities, towels and basic toiletries are provided, and the property operates set hours for communal and private bathing to balance access and privacy. This setup positions the hotel as a ryokan with onsen in Amanohashidate that combines scenic bathing with modern room comfort.
Located a short walk from the local train station and within easy reach of the viewpoint attractions, the hotel is convenient for visitors who want to explore the sandbar, nearby temples and coastal trails; staff can help arrange sightseeing, local fishing experiences and seasonal food-focused outings such as winter crab tastings. Light spa and massage treatments are available on request, and rooms with private baths or bookable open-air tubs suit couples seeking intimacy as well as families wanting flexible bathing options. Overall the property offers a measured blend of traditional ryokan service and practical conveniences, making it a suitable ryokan with private onsen in Kyoto for travelers prioritizing sea views and hot-spring access.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hotel Kitanoya
Positive Reviews
Excellent location and easy access to Amanohashidate
Many guests praised the ryokan’s convenient location — a short walk or shuttle to Amanohashidate and the train station — making it easy to visit the sandbar and nearby attractions.
Beautiful ocean views and private open‑air onsens
Numerous reviewers highlighted rooms with sea views and the private outdoor onsen (rotenburo) as major attractions, noting the relaxing experience and scenic setting.
Clean, attractive traditional facilities
Guests described the property as a beautiful, typically Japanese establishment with attractive traditional decor; public baths and overall facilities were generally reported as clean and well maintained.
Comfortable rooms and bedding
Many visitors found the rooms spacious and comfortable (including futons and western beds in some rooms), with several compliments about room size and comfort for families or couples.
Friendly, attentive staff and good breakfasts/food (often)
Multiple reviews mentioned kind, helpful staff and enjoyed the meals—especially the traditional Japanese breakfasts which several guests described as varied and high quality; some also praised dinner service and special touches like sweets delivered to the room.
Negative Reviews
Perceived poor value / high price
A number of guests felt the price was too high for what was provided, mentioning that the stay (and especially the kaiseki dinner) did not always match expectations for the cost.
Problems with dinner quality, pacing or availability
Several reviewers reported disappointing or rushed dinner experiences — dishes served too quickly or of lower quality than expected — and noted that dining slots can be limited or require advance booking.
Noise and compromised privacy from nearby road/train/carpark
Multiple guests reported noise issues (trains, passing trucks, road) near some rooms and private baths; views from certain rooms were also affected by a carpark or power lines.
Some rooms and bathroom areas are dated or need maintenance
Several comments noted ageing décor, tired furniture, older bathroom fixtures or specific maintenance needs (worn timber on outdoor areas, problematic doors), particularly in non‑refurbished rooms.
Limited services and amenities / housekeeping inconsistencies
Guests mentioned limited in‑room amenities (no microwave or iron), minimal English from some staff, restrictions on room service/bringing food into rooms, and that rooms on multi‑night stays were not always serviced unless requested.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types vary: some western rooms fit up to 3 guests, Japanese and Japanese/Western rooms accommodate up to 4 guests; check the chosen room’s maximum occupancy when booking.
Yes — the hotel offers large public baths with an open-air section and a private open-air bath available by reservation for about 50 minutes (suitable for small groups).
Public bath hours are typically in the late afternoon to midnight and again in the early morning; the private bath must be reserved in advance and is limited to one group at a time.
Yes — a courtesy shuttle runs between Amanohashidate Station and the hotel during set morning and afternoon/evening windows; confirm pickup times with the hotel before arrival.
The hotel is about a two-hour drive from Kansai International Airport and is within walking distance (around 7–10 minutes) of Amanohashidate Station, which is served by highway buses from Kyoto and Osaka.
Staff can provide basic English assistance, though full English fluency may be limited; the hotel can help with directions and local arrangements.
The on-site restaurant serves traditional Japanese meals including kaiseki and breakfast; many local restaurants close early, so the hotel recommends reserving dinners or choosing a meal plan in advance.
Children are welcome but some room types restrict children under 12; the hotel does not provide baby cots or extra beds and pets are not allowed.
Amanohashidate View Land, Amanohashidate Beach, Chion-ji Temple and the rotating bridge are all within roughly 10–25 minutes on foot from the hotel, making the area easy to explore on foot.
Standard check-in begins in the afternoon (from around 3:00 p.m.) and check-out is in the morning (generally by 10:00 a.m., with an earlier window available); the hotel can hold luggage before check-in and after check-out.