Ryotei Matsubaya
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Ryotei Matsubaya is a compact, hilltop ryokan in the Kankaiji area of Beppu that pairs traditional hospitality with a contemporary touch. The property comprises two distinct wings—the purely Japanese "Oka no Sō" and the more modern "Tsuki no Sō"—together offering 18 guest rooms that range from tatami-floored suites with futon bedding to wood‑floored rooms with beds and, in some units, private outdoor bathtubs. Guests can expect seasonal, multi‑course kaiseki meals prepared from local Ōita ingredients and served in the ryokan’s dining spaces or in private dining rooms, designed to showcase regional seafood and mountain produce with restrained presentation and timing suited to the meal format.
The bathing facilities are a central feature: Matsubaya operates several hot spring options including open‑air baths and family or chartered baths that can be reserved for the group’s exclusive use, and there is a stone‑carved private bath carved into the landscape. The ryokan highlights water drawn from the local springs and operates a complimentary lounge service in the newer wing, with light refreshments and drinks for guests. For travelers seeking an intimate thermal experience, this property functions as a ryokan with private onsen in Beppu while retaining communal public‑bath amenities for broader onsen use.
Practical amenities include on‑site parking, non‑smoking accommodation throughout, complimentary Wi‑Fi in public areas and a small gift shop; yukata robes are provided for in‑house comfort and dining. Front‑desk services handle luggage storage and can assist with local transfers; typical arrival is mid‑afternoon with departure by late morning, and quiet hours are observed in the evenings to preserve the restful atmosphere. Overall, the ryokan’s layered layout, seasonal cuisine and multiple bathing options make it a focused choice for visitors seeking a ryokan with private onsen in Ōita prefecture.
Highlights of this ryokan
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Ryotei Matsubaya
Positive Reviews
Exceptional, helpful staff
Many guests praised the warm, attentive service — staff were accommodating, spoke some English, assisted with luggage and parking, cleaned a car, and provided consistently polite Japanese hospitality throughout the stay.
Excellent onsen options
Property offers multiple private/family onsens plus public baths and some rooms with their own outdoor baths; guests highlighted scenic views from private baths, variety of themed/furnished baths and easy access to family baths (free to use when available).
Delicious meals
Dinner and traditional Japanese breakfasts received frequent compliments for freshness, delicate presentation and tasty, locally sourced ingredients; several guests called the food a highlight of their stay.
Well-appointed, clean rooms and amenities
Rooms (especially tatami-style and annex rooms) were described as clean, spacious and nicely furnished, often with good city/sea views; guests also appreciated extra amenities (yukata choices, minibar, lounge with complimentary drinks) that enhanced the stay.
Relaxing atmosphere and overall experience
Guests repeatedly said the ryokan is a favorite/ideal place for relaxation — quiet hill location, beautiful sunrise/sea views, excellent facilities and a strong likelihood to return.
Negative Reviews
Remote location and wayfinding
Several reviewers noted the hotel sits on a hill and can feel secluded; some found it hard to find or lacking public-transport links, and a few had trouble with parking signs marked only in Japanese.
Price concerns
A number of guests felt the rate was high and suggested the price could be lower for the experience offered.
Onsen access and usability issues
Some guests reported operational limits: no booking system for private onsens (so you may have to wait), onsen closing times restrict late-night showers, occasional inability to use a private bath, and reports that some baths felt too hot to comfortably use.
Room facility and housekeeping oversights
A few reviewers mentioned missing or inconvenient in-room features (no in-room shower, no room-darkening shades, toilets without heaters) and isolated cleanliness lapses (e.g., used items found in a nightgown pocket).
Practical inconveniences (soundproofing, checkout time)
Some guests requested improvements to soundproofing, noted early checkout times compared with other places, and described small practical annoyances (e.g., crowded children’s meal choices or empty in-room supplies).
Frequently Asked Questions
Capacity depends on room type; options include Western-style rooms and Japanese-style rooms with futons, with some rooms sleeping up to four guests (several room types suit couples, families or small groups).
Yes — the ryokan has multiple natural hot-spring facilities including indoor public baths, open-air rotenburo and private kashikiri baths for guests.
Private (kashikiri) baths are available and typically used in timed slots (short private sessions are offered for groups); some rooms also include a private in-room onsen.
There is no regularly scheduled airport shuttle listed; guests commonly take a taxi from JR Beppu Station (about 7–10 minutes). The ryokan can arrange pick-up on request—call ahead to confirm and reserve a transfer.
From Oita Airport take the airport limousine/Airliner to Beppu (around 45 minutes) and then a taxi to the ryokan (about 10 minutes); from JR Beppu Station a taxi ride is approximately 7–10 minutes.
Staff are primarily Japanese; English is sometimes spoken by staff and the property provides multilingual website information, so non-Japanese speakers may wish to use a translation app for detailed requests.
Meals are seasonal multi-course Japanese kaiseki using local Oita ingredients; dinner service is typically between 18:00–20:00 and guests should be seated by around 19:00 to receive the full dinner.
Pets are not permitted on the property; the ryokan does not offer full-property privatization to guests, but private-bath bookings and private dining options may be available for groups.
The ryokan sits in the Kankaiji Onsen area with easy access by car or taxi to Jigoku Meguri (hells), Beppu Ropeway, Umitamago Aquarium and central Beppu, all typically within 15–20 minutes.
Check-in is normally from 15:00 (3:00 PM) with an earlier check-in window requested to be confirmed, and check-out is by 10:00 (10:00 AM); complimentary luggage storage is provided before check-in and after check-out.