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The 5 Best Ryokans in Japan for a First Visit

5 ranked picks

Hotels & StaysJapan

The 5 Best Ryokans in Japan for a First Visit

Traditional inns are the best night you will spend in Japan and the easiest to get wrong. Five compared on English support, bath privacy and what the rate actually includes.

July 9, 202612 min readChecked August 2026

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More from Japan

Hotels & Stays

Zen Retreats: Traditional Ryokans in Rural Japan

Disconnect from the modern world in serene Japanese inns where hospitality is an art form.

November 8, 20258 min read

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