This place is an absolute gem, earning a perfect 10 out of 10. It’s a classy and traditional resort that exudes exceptional customer service. From the moment we checked in to the time we checked out, we felt incredibly comfortable and special.

The property is impeccably well-maintained, making us feel so at home that we didn’t want to leave. We stayed in a spacious open-air bath room as a family of five, and it was the size of an apartment! The garden in the resort was breathtaking, and they even provide fish feeds if you ask at the front desk.

Honkan’s sister hotel is worth visiting too. It has a fantastic public onsen and some mind-blowing private onsens that you can book.

The food here is simply unbelievable. The stay includes breakfasts and dinners (choose Japanese style, please), and we thoroughly enjoyed every meal.

Honkan provides everything you need for an unforgettable onsen experience. I regret that we didn’t book more nights here. Between all the onsens, the delicious food, the charming shops, and the stunning scenery, you should definitely stay for 3 nights to fully immerse yourself in the experience.

To all the staff at Honkan, we express our deepest gratitude for their hard work and dedication in maintaining the property in such pristine condition. We truly enjoyed our time here and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a luxurious and memorable onsen experience.!

Absolute perfect stay. This was one of the highlights of our trip. Their private onsen has really nice hair products and feels very premium. The best part was the service provided by our dinner hostess - Yu - her warmth and joyfulness made our dinner super enjoyable!! The views from the room are incredible, the whole ambience of the hotel is super peaceful and relaxed - we almost didn't want to leave the hotel!

This place was the highlight of my trip to Japan! Their service is absolutely incredible. I've never in my life experienced anything like it. Sing in one of their rooms for even one night is definitely an experience you do not want to miss! They bring culture, respect, and comfort to a whole nother level. Stuff was extremely welcoming and kind. Aside from that, I highly recommend the western-style breakfast in the morning. The location is also extremely convenient as it is a very close walk to stores nearby and all of the hot springs as well as the Rope car! They do provide you with a map for convenience. You have to walk around their Garden in the back and visit their Museum and the hotel. Definitely check out their pribate hot spring as well. I went at night and there was no one else there.

What an amazingly historic ryokan to stay at. We stayed in the Kumoi suite for two nights and the experience was above words. The room itself is the perfect blend of traditional and modern. It’s so tranquil and relaxing you don’t want to leave - the smell of hinoki wood in the Japanese bath is intoxicating.

All the meals were wonderfully eclectic and had many luxury ingredients - such a variety of interesting dishes and visual preparations. The fish we had here (in many forms) was some of the sweetest and best tasting of any of our stops in Japan. We actually preferred the Kaiseki dinner the second night even more - so make sure you stay more than one night!

The staff here is the ultimate of Japanese luxury. The exude a formalness that it both friendly and open, a perfect balance in a more traditional environment. Well deserving of their Two Key award.

And finally the town of Kinosaki - wow! Highlight of our trip. From the relaxing onsens, to the beautiful views from the ropeway, to nearby Takeno, to all the unique craft shops in town (both by the hotel and closer to the station). We will be back!

We had a fantastic experience at Nishimuraya Honkan. It was a perfect relaxed ending to our very action packed trip.

We stayed in the Sakura room, a traditional Japanese room with a view of the garden. The finishes throughout were beautiful, with a traditional aesthetic but modern amenities. The service was immaculate, everything was arranged and ready to go in a punctual fashion. The dinner was delicious, consisting of several different courses, each beautifully presented and very tasty.

We also booked the private onsen and sauna to enjoy together, which I highly recommend if you want to experience an onsen together as a couple or family. Overall a great experience, I honestly can’t think of anything I would improve.

We had a truly exquisite honeymoon stay here. We spent two nights in the Botan suite, which was spacious, newly-renovated, and luxurious with its own private outdoor cedar wood bath. We came to Kinosaki Onsen at the tail end of matsuba (snow crab) season and enjoyed some out-of-this-world kaiseki dining in our room, and the staff even included a honeymoon gift for our first night's dinner which so special! Breakfast, both Western-style and Japanese-style, was also tasty and beautifully presented in the gorgeous dining hall. I would also recommend booking one of the 1-hour private bath sessions at the sister hotel (Nishimuraya Shogetsutei) – the ryokan will arrange a private driver to go to the sister hotel and our private bath session was unforgettable. We were absolutely spoiled by the staff here and their attentive service (shoutout to Kitazawa-san!), can't wait to come back for our next special occasion!

I’m so glad my first ryokan experience was at Nishimuraya Honkan—it exceeded all my expectations. From the impeccable service and the stunning architecture that radiates traditional Japanese culture, to the sheer luxury of my room and the incredible kaiseki dinner and breakfast, everything was truly unforgettable. Nishimuraya has set the bar high for any future ryokan stays, and I’ll definitely return if I find myself back in Kinosaki Onsen Town!

Amazing experience from end-to-end. We are so glad we went came out to Kinosaki Onsen and especially to the Nishimuraya Honkan. Service, dinner, and accomodations were great. Authentic ryokan from the 1800s; a trip highlight and unique and unforgettable experience!

Best Onsen (ryokan) in Kinosaki. If I could give 6 stars for service, I would. People who work here enjoy what they do. They attend to every small detail and they miss nothing. I cannot say enough about how good this place is. Thank you Honkan staff for making our vacation in Kinosakionsen excellent.

Absolutely incredible experience and the best warm hospitality. The staff has thought of everything and the level of attention to detail they have was beyond any expectation. It was truly the best stay in a hotel that we’ve had in our lives. We treasured every minute that we were able to stay there.

Our two-night stay at Nishimuraya Honkan in Kinosaki Onsen was nothing short of extraordinary.

After booking our room, the hotel staff promptly contacted us to confirm our arrival time and preferences for meals, ensuring a personalized welcome. Upon reaching Kinosaki Onsen station, we were greeted by a convenient shuttle service that whisked us away to the hotel, adding a seamless and luxurious touch to our arrival.

From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in an atmosphere of traditional Japanese hospitality and luxury.

Our room offered breathtaking views of a meticulously manicured garden, a tranquil oasis that perfectly complemented the ryokan's serene ambiance.

The exquisite meals were a highlight of our stay, showcasing the artistry of kaiseki cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients, such as matsuba crabs. Each dish was a masterpiece, both visually and in flavor.

One of the unique perks of Nishimuraya Honkan was access to the onsen facilities at their sister hotel. A convenient on-demand shuttle service transported guests between the properties, making it easy to enjoy a variety of bathing experiences.

Every detail, from the impeccable service to the exquisite surroundings, contributed to an unforgettable experience. Nishimuraya Honkan truly embodies the essence of a traditional Japanese ryokan, providing a luxurious and culturally immersive escape. We highly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking an authentic and unforgettable Kinosaki Onsen experience.

The premises were absolutely gorgeous and tranquil. The room attendant Mr. Koyama’s hospitality was excellent. Having been living away from Japan, for too long, I cannot judge the Kaiseki cuisine… it did look very beautiful… I was hoping a little more of the crab in season. I wished I could have stayed an extra day or two. Thank you!

Absolutely magical experience! The staff was exceptional, and thanks to their efforts, we were fortunate enough to secure the Hatsune Room after a last-minute cancellation. The room itself was stunning, complete with a private bath overlooking a serene garden. We requested a dinner exclusively featuring Tajima beef, and it was nothing short of extraordinary—unbelievably delicious! Afterward, we indulged in the private Japanese onsen, a truly unique and unforgettable experience. We also treated ourselves to the Shiatsu massage—while I initially booked 40 minutes, I definitely wish I had gone for 80! The breakfast was fit for royalty. To sum it up, our stay felt like a honeymoon, it was that incredible. Thank you so much for everything! (Special thanks to Collin who was been a huge help!!!!)

What a wonderful and special experience during our Japan trip. A wonderful room with a view of the garden and koi pond, gorgeous food and amazing service.
The young lady serving our traditional dinner took great care of us, explaining each dish and doing it all with such charm.

素晴らしい / subarashii

I don't like to use superlatives, but I can't help it here. Wonderful and simply fantastic what we were able to experience here for three days. Japanese hospitality at the very highest level. Combined with breathtaking Japanese cuisine, which surprised and delighted us several times a day. Food was not simply served, but explained to us in the best possible way. At the heart of this enchanting place is a hotel team that takes care of you from the first to the last minute with their charming and polite manner. We felt incredibly comfortable and in good hands. Many thanks to the whole Nishimuraya Honkan team. You are great. 素晴らしいサービスをありがとう。