Yumoto Onsen OharaSansou
9,2/10 Exceptional - Based on 342 reviews
Yumoto Onsen OharaSansou sits in the quiet hills of Ohara, a rural district north of central Kyoto, and overlooks wooded slopes beside historic temples. The property presents a compact minshuku-style layout with traditional Japanese rooms laid out on tatami; guests sleep on futon bedding and may set up their own futons. Arrival from Kyoto Station takes about an hour by bus and the inn runs a short shuttle from the Ohara bus stop. The atmosphere is non-smoking and oriented toward calm, nature-focused stays.
Rooms are traditionally furnished, with in-room air conditioning and flat-screen TVs; bathrooms and toilets are shared and larger ground-floor rooms suit small groups. Meals focus on local produce and are served in the communal dining hall; evening service typically centres on a hot-pot course and breakfast follows Japanese set formats. A café offers a hot-spring foot bath with drink service. Practical facilities include free Wi‑Fi throughout, on-site parking and a luggage shuttle to the bus stop.
Baths sit on a hillside terrace fed by a weak-alkaline spring; the hinoki (cypress) bath and the rock bath alternate between men's and women's use so guests can try both. Outdoor pot baths run on pure spring water and a private family bath is available by reservation for an hourly fee; public bathing hours are usually early morning and late afternoon–evening. These bathing options and the private-rental choice make the property both a ryokan with onsen Kyoto travellers consider and a ryokan with private onsen Kyoto for groups seeking exclusive use.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yumoto Onsen OharaSansou
Positive Reviews
Authentic traditional ryokan experience
Multiple guests highlighted the ryokan’s genuine traditional atmosphere—wooden/tatami rooms, traditional bedding, cultural details and opportunities to learn local customs, providing a strong sense of immersion and charm.
Attentive, friendly staff
Reviewers repeatedly praised the hospitality: welcoming, smiling and helpful staff who assist with luggage, explain facilities and make efforts to communicate with foreign guests.
Excellent traditional meals
Dinner and breakfast were frequently described as delicious and carefully presented (some guests appreciated available gluten‑free options). Meals served overlooking the garden were especially enjoyed.
Onsen facilities (public and private)
Guests valued the clean, well‑equipped onsen options—outdoor and indoor public baths plus reservable private baths. The onsen experience was described as a highlight and accessible for beginners thanks to explanations and guides.
Peaceful scenic location and garden views
Many reviews mentioned the peaceful mountain setting, beautiful gardens and impressive mountain/sunrise views. The property is in nature yet reachable by bus from Kyoto and conveniently located for visiting nearby temples.
Negative Reviews
Shared bathrooms / no private bathroom
Several guests noted there are no private bathrooms in many room types; bathrooms and toilets are shared rather than ensuite, which may be inconvenient for some travellers.
Toilet conditions / temperature
A few reviewers called out the toilets as a negative—mentioning issues such as feeling cold or otherwise uncomfortable compared with the rest of the property.
Limited English communication at times
While staff make efforts to help and some English guidance is available, some guests felt communication could improve and would welcome stronger English skills for international visitors.
Strict meal schedules and monitoring
Some guests found the meal time windows to be strict and reported staff checking whether they had finished; evening and morning meal times can be relatively early, which felt constrained to a few visitors.
Small futon rooms for groups
A few reviewers mentioned that rooms with futons (for groups or friends) can be quite small, which may be cramped for multiple occupants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms are traditional Japanese-style with futon bedding and typically accommodate between 2 and 5 guests depending on room type; the ryokan has 19 rooms in total.
Yes, the property offers indoor and open-air hot spring baths with typical public hours in the early morning and late afternoon/evening (e.g. 06:00–08:00 indoor only, 16:00–22:00 all baths). Private onsen use can also be reserved, and guests with tattoos may be restricted from public baths.
There is a shuttle between Ohara bus stop and the ryokan; guests arriving at Ohara are asked to call the property on arrival so staff can pick them up. The shuttle does not run directly from airports or major train stations.
From JR Kyoto Station take a bus to Ohara (about 60 minutes) then walk roughly 15 minutes or use the short hotel shuttle; from Kokusai Kaikan subway station the bus ride is about 25 minutes. From Kansai Airport travel to Kyoto by train or bus first and allow ample time, informing the ryokan of your arrival plans.
Staff speak some English and the property provides English information; they are accustomed to assisting international guests, though very detailed requests may need extra help or translation.
Meals are Japanese-style, commonly hot-pot (nabe) dinners and traditional Japanese breakfasts, and they are served in the dining/food hall. Guests should notify the property in advance for dietary requests.
Jakko-in temple is adjacent to the property and Sanzen-in temple is a short walk or bus ride away; the area offers mountain views and a traditional village atmosphere. The ryokan also offers bicycle rental and local craft activities.
Most guest rooms have shared bathroom and toilet facilities rather than en-suite bathrooms, and guests sleep on tatami with futons that are set up by staff or self-service depending on the room. Public onsen baths are available on site for bathing.
Private onsen sessions can be reserved for exclusive use, and pets are not allowed on the premises. The property also features a café with a hot-spring foot bath.
Check-in is generally from 15:00 to 19:00 and check-out between 08:00 and 10:00; please inform the ryokan of your expected arrival time in advance. Practical amenities include free Wi‑Fi, free on-site parking, luggage storage, bicycle rental and a shuttle from Ohara bus stop.