Nishimuraya Honkan
9,7/10 Exceptional - Based on 213 reviews
Nishimuraya Honkan is a historic ryokan set within the willow-lined streets of Kinosaki Onsen in Hyōgo Prefecture, offering a traditional stay that draws on more than a century and a half of hospitality. The property occupies a compact, maze-like complex around a planted courtyard and koi ponds, where sukiya-style architecture and tatami-floored suites create a quiet, seasonally attuned atmosphere. As a ryokan with onsen in Hyōgo, it sits within easy walking distance of the town’s public hot springs, and the inn supplies guests with a multi-use pass to visit the seven public baths that define the Kinosaki onsen circuit.
Guest accommodation ranges from classic Japanese rooms with futon bedding and shoji screens to a limited selection of suites that include private open-air wooden baths on terraces; the property therefore functions both as a ryokan with private onsen Hyōgo (in selected rooms) and as an on-site communal bathing house with indoor and outdoor baths. Common bathing facilities are fed by the town’s hot-spring source and are complemented by quieter, gender-separated indoor and outdoor pools on the premises. Most rooms face the inner garden, and several feature heated floors or wooden verandas that step out onto planted views; a small museum and gallery on site offers historical artifacts and rotating displays that contextualize the ryokan’s local legacy.
Dining follows the kaiseki tradition with menus focused on seasonal produce from the Tajima region—Tajima beef and winter crab appear on many seasonal plans—and meals are served in-room or in the property’s historic dining hall. Service emphasizes attentive, ritualized hospitality, from yukata fittings for evening strolls around town to luggage transfers and a reserved shuttle service from the station by prior arrangement. The combination of garden-facing rooms, curated regional cuisine and both communal and in-room bathing options makes Nishimuraya Honkan a measured choice for travelers seeking a culturally rooted onsen experience in Kinosaki, Hyōgo.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Nishimuraya Honkan
Positive Reviews
Outstanding hospitality and attentive staff
Many reviews highlight exceptionally warm, professional and attentive service — staff go out of their way with small touches (shuttle service, help with yukata, birthday/anniversary gestures) that make stays feel personalised and special.
Excellent traditional dining (kaiseki) and in‑room meals
Numerous guests praised the multi‑course kaiseki dinners and in‑room dining as outstanding, often describing the food as exquisite, seasonal and of very high quality prepared by the chef.
Beautiful, authentic setting and gardens
The ryokan’s historic building, refined décor and particularly the magnificent garden and koi pond are repeatedly praised for creating a peaceful, traditional atmosphere that guests find memorable and picturesque.
Onsen experience and private baths
Guests enjoy multiple onsen options (including private in‑room baths and public hotel onsens), noting excellent cleanliness, thoughtful amenities for bathing and a restorative, relaxing experience.
Attention to detail and comfortable traditional rooms
Reviews mention carefully considered touches throughout the property — clean rooms, comfortable futons, yukata and small amenities — that together offer an immersive, high‑quality ryokan experience.
Negative Reviews
High price / value concerns
Several guests felt the nightly rate was expensive and questioned the value for money, suggesting price feels high compared with other ryokans and that some aspects (e.g. bathroom fittings) could be improved to match the cost.
Kaiseki style and meal length may not suit everyone
While many loved the cuisine, a few guests found the traditional kaiseki format very different from Western meals, too lengthy or overly copious, and noted it may not appeal to all tastes.
Food aroma and room odors
Multiple reviewers reported that in‑room meals (prepared/reheated and served in the room) can leave lingering food smells in the room, which some found unpleasant.
Limited English / communication challenges
A number of visitors experienced difficulties because staff spoke little English, which occasionally made communication or explanations harder for non‑Japanese speakers.
Minor room/facility issues and small amenities
Some guests suggested updates are needed (bathroom/WC renovation), noted small or thin towels, long interior corridors, lack of larger geta sandals and limited luggage storage as minor inconveniences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room capacity varies by type; most rooms accommodate 1–6 guests and some suites can sleep up to 7. The property has 29 guest rooms in total.
Yes — the ryokan operates several on‑site hot spring baths and guests also receive a pass to visit Kinosaki’s public onsen. Bath hours vary by facility, with both evening and morning sessions.
Some suites and rooms include private open‑air baths; note many in‑room tubs use regular heated water rather than direct hot‑spring water. A reservable private hot‑spring spa is also available at the sister property by advance booking.
A hotel shuttle between Kinosaki Onsen Station and the ryokan runs at limited times and requires advance reservation; the property is also a 10–20 minute walk from the station. Major airports and regional buses connect to Kinosaki via trains or highway buses.
The easiest rail access is JR to Kinosaki Onsen Station, followed by a short walk or hotel shuttle. There are highway buses from the Osaka/Kobe area and regional flights to nearby Tajima/Itami services seasonally; travellers commonly transfer by train or bus to Kinosaki.
Standard check‑in begins at 15:00 (last check‑in around 17:00) and check‑out is by 11:00. The hotel and the local tourism center provide luggage support and storage options; notify the property of arrival times in advance.
Staff at Nishimuraya Honkan speak English and Japanese and can assist with sightseeing recommendations, local transport and onsen guidance. They can also arrange transfers or reservations on request.
Meals focus on traditional multi‑course kaiseki cuisine served in private dining rooms or in‑room where available, and breakfast is offered in the historic Senrei dining hall. Menus follow seasonal local produce and regional specialties.
The property’s minimum guest age policy excludes children under 10 years old. Pets are not accommodated on site; contact the hotel in advance if you need recommendations for nearby pet boarding.
Yes — convenience stores and a small supermarket are within a short walk, and the town’s seven public onsen, the Kinosaki Ropeway and local museums are all easily reachable on foot. Guests commonly explore the town in yukata and geta provided by the ryokan.