This was honestly one of the best Japanese experiences I’ve had. The hotel was so serene and achieved everything I have expected from an Onsen experience. The service was above and beyond and the whole team put in so much effort to make our stay memorable. If you’re looking for a getaway in the heart of nature, this is it. Make sure to book a private Onsen in advance if you want to have that experience. The hotel gives you the Onsen pass so all of the public baths are also accessible. The morning buffet was great. We also came across a market set up in front of the hotel and were able to purchase fresh persimmon.

Luxurious. Stunning rooms, stunning lobby and even an in-house onsen. Everything was comfortable and staff went above and beyond. The meal was delicious, elaborate and of very high quality. It's a bit of a walk to the centre of town but a shuttle bus is provided.

Best ryokan I stayed at. Better than Hakone. Book the private onsen rooms! Totally worth it!!!
Staff greeted you warmly and the in suite kaiseki dinning with a dedicated staff that spoke english was a +++. The hotel onsen was honestly better than the public baths (2 of the best ones were under renovation )
Wish there were more towels in room. I felt bad calling front desk so never did haha. Also the washroom bamboo floors were spiky where the chairs dragged.

Tatami room felt amazing. Tranquil view from room. Hotel lobby was grandiose. Morning buffet was good but not amazing.
Overall, I would recommend this hotel to anyone willing to walk or shuttle bus a bit into Kinosaki town. Would love to come back again! 5/5

This is the single best hotel I have ever stayed in. It was for our honeymoon and we really could not have picked a better ryokan. We stayed in the traditional Japanese room and found it to be exquisite. The tatami floors provide a naturally warm scent when the hotel doesn't have incense burning and the futons are firm but comfortable. I regret that we only used the onsite onsen the very last day of our stay because it was gorgeous and less busy than the public ones. The staff is also beyond compare. They go out of their way to make you comfortable and keep things running smoothly. Most of our trip to Japan only had a vaneer of service (a lot of polite smiles but zero help or direction for even the simplest needs) but that is not the case here. Here, it actually feels like the staff really care. They were wonderful and all of our interactions with them were memorable and pleasant. The worst part of our stay was leaving, because we hated to say goodbye to such a wonderful experience.

I stayed 2 nights at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei and it was absolutely the highlight of my 3-week trip to Japan.

The service was exceptional and the hotel staff went above and beyond to help me plan a surprise engagement to my partner in their beautiful forest chapel on the hotel grounds, along with a special tea and flower arrangement.

I’d like to thank Jing and Nishikawa in particular for their help with photos and set-up on the day of, which went perfectly. I will cherish those memories for a lifetime.

Special mention to our room attendant Myai as well who was exceptionally attentive, friendly, and accommodating in our room and dinner service.

The rest of my experience at the hotel has already been well described by others as a true 5-star experience. I will also just highlight for others to remember to check out the hotel’s onsen in addition to the many excellent public baths in Kinosaki Onsen, as it was very well-equipped with both indoor and outdoor hot/cold baths, a sauna, and a lovely private garden setting outside.

This is going to be a long one, and for good reason. But I'll try to hook you with the phrase "this is the best hotel I have ever stayed at". No offense meant to any others but Shogetsutei just does it better.

They arranged my pick up from the train station and an attendant approached me and had my name listed on a clip board. I believe this is something of a town tourism board thing and it shows a culture of hospitality hear you will seldom see elsewhere.

When I arrived at Shogetsutei I was struck by the open and very well appointed lobby, colors of brown, rich blue and some more neutral shades. Light classical music played softly and all of the staff in the front welcomed me and bowed. Check in was simple and they gave me the courtesy of selecting both when I would like my room cleaned and when I would like my bedding set up for both nights I was there. I stayed in a traditional Japanese room, a first for me, and let me tell you, if you have not ever tried this, do not leave Japan without trying this kind of space as your own.

Attendents helped me with my bags to my room and showed me some of the features. I was immediately struck with the absolute beauty and simplicity of such a space. The tatami mats have a unique and rich smell that brought me joy whenever I returned to it over the next few days. The mats feel soft and smooth under your feet but textured at the same time. Rich wooden trim pieces and a soft color to the walls highlighted the light color of the mats. The room was really a set of chambers divided by sliding screen doors. The entryway branched off into the main chamber, the toilet or WC, and the bathroom proper.

The view of the cedar packed hills from the main room was simply spectacular. Rich green trees packed close together ran up a hillside and at the base lay a small pool area. I could go on and on about this room.

The in-house Onsen was every bit as spectacular. A clean and modern locker room with 2 top of the line reclining massage chairs leads out into the first bath area, an indoor space with a cascading fountain that poured into the main bath, creating a room filling sound of running water. This leads out to a stunning courtyard area where, under an old mossy and tiled veranda lay a soaking pool of large stones and boulders. Surrounding this was a small forest of trees carpeted in leaf litter and moss. To the rear of this area was a a cold water bath and a sauna. The sauna, of particular note, appeared brand new with light wood, the smell of which filled this chamber. The heater was a 4.5foot tall barrel of intricately carved stones. One of the nicest saunas I have ever used, and I think people from the sauna belt countries of Europe would adore this feature.

The breakfast, best breakfast buffet I have ever experianced. This would put any breakfast buffet on the Las Vegas strip to shame with its quality and attentive staff. The kaiseki dinner, I could right 3 reviews of similar length as this one just for that. Your own personal dinning room, course after course, an amazing drink menu, complimentary roasted green tea, and dozens of small touches that speak volumes to the thought and care that goes into the planning of these meals. Of special note, the local sake tasting set, all excellent. My server, Yamagata (please excuse me if I've mistaken the name) was radiant with warmth and attentive to every little chore and task that goes with the role he played that night. In no way did I ever sense in any way that he minded one bit having to serve one lone diner this extravagant collection of courses highlighting the best of this regions food culture.

I was truly and deeply sorry to leave after 2 nights. I've not even mentioned the absolute pleasure of the towns various onsens, the tradition of yakata wearing (you don't even need to pack clothes, you wear a supplied robe and footwear your entire stay), and the stunningly beautiful and ancient town of KinosakiOnsen.

I cannot wait to return and I thank the staff with all of my heart for making me feel more welcome here than anywhere else.

What an amazing onsen experience. On arrival to Kinosaki Onsen station it's the last stop of the shuttle ride. Upon arrival we were treated like royalty. The care and forthought the staff made on our behalf was beyond our expectations. The breakfast was buffet style and upon arrival and asking for our number they will put away your futon and reset your living space and vice versa when we had dinner. The gift shop was amazing with all local products and even the possibility of buying anything you used during your stay such as Yukata and obi. They made sure that we were always addressed when entering rooms and ask if there was anything we would need. And the onsite open onsen, by the far the most pampered I have ever been. Every detail and aspect was perfect from the relaxing common room with complimentary juice and tea to an actual cold plunge and dry sauna. And with their onsen closing one hour after the last onsen in Kinosaki, no better way to unwind with the best. Thank you for being a great highlight of our vacation.

We stayed here on our honeymoon in April and it was such a special part of our trip. We loved how the hotel is a located next to the woods and our room looked out onto the most beautiful sea of green which we could have looked at for hours. It's a very short walk to the town and we enjoyed strolling along the canal to visit the other onsen, though the hotel's own onsens are fantastic and include a private one you can book if you are heterosexual couple who want to onsen together. We took the Kaiseki dinner in our rooms both nights which were some of the best meals we had in Japan, and we appreciated the hotel making us the celebration version the first night and the kind attention of our room attendant. The hotel also drops your bags at the station on the day of check-out so you can continue exploring the town. Thank you to all the team that made our stay!

The location is at the furthest end of town. There is a great onsen onsite and another directly across the street (canal).
The rooms are gorgeous and the staff amazingly on point ready to assist.
I was disappointed that the pool was closed and allowed to go green during the hot season when it would be most likely to be used.
Excellent meal options.

I cannot recommend this hotel enough, I would give 10 stars if I could. I originally booked this hotel in 2020 for a trip that ended up getting cancelled for obvious reasons, I was able to cancel easily and immediately received a refund. I finally was able to return to Japan in 2025 and even though the package I booked in 2020 had been discontinued, the management were kind enough to allow me to rebook my cancelled trip.
When I arrived at the hotel I experienced a flare up of some personal health issues and staff were incredibly accommodating and kind. I was checked up on and offered medicine in an earnest but discreet manner. The staff truly embody “omotenashi”!
The facilities are also gorgeous and well maintained, we had a beautiful mountain view. The vegetation kaiseki was also very delicious and I appreciate the inclusivity.
If I have the ability to go back Kinosaki anytime soon I will surely stay here again :)

This hotel truly exceeded our expectations. The staff were very welcoming and the service was top-notch.
We stayed in a room with a private bathroom designed in a charming traditional style, which added to the overall experience.
The traditional dinner was absolutely delicious — highly recommended.
Upon checkout, the hotel arranged for our luggage to be delivered to the station, giving us the freedom to enjoy the city before our departure.
We would definitely return on our next visit!

We had a party of 12 and got 2 rooms. We came in while it was raining/snowing with lots of children but the staff made us feel welcome and were so helpful and kind.

Our family stayed in a six people room with its own onsen bath which is very lovely.
We had a Kaseki meal which was super delicious as well with lovely staff and our own dinning hall. It’s also quite kids friendly so recommmended.

The hotel itself is a bit far from the main town and all the onsens. They do have regular shuttle bus which does offset the inconvenience a little bit.

I had an amazing time at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei—every minute was a true pleasure.
The stay includes free access to all 7 public onsens in Kinosaki, which made the experience even more special. The breakfast and dinner were exceptional, with beautifully prepared meals that highlighted local flavors.

What truly stood out was the outstanding hospitality. Every staff member was incredibly attentive, kind, and knowledgeable, making me feel genuinely cared for. I especially appreciated the serene natural setting and the private onsen options, which offered peaceful moments of relaxation.

The spa massage was wonderful, and the shuttle service to and from the train station made everything so convenient. I felt blessed, rejuvenated, and completely at ease during my stay. I’m already looking forward to returning.

My wife and I had the most relaxing and amazing experience here, the onsen we felt was the most beautiful one out of the whole town. The breakfast , dinner and snacks we get in our rooms was amazing. Even if is a bit far from the train station they had a shuttle bus to take us to the hotel and back. All the staff were very professional, friendly and helpful. My wife didn’t want to leave on the 3rd day before check out and we ended up staying for 3nights 4days instead of 2nights 3days which I recommend at least 3nights is good.

We stayed at the Nishimuraya Hotel in Kinosaki, and it was an amazing experience. The hotel is very impressive and beautiful, with top-notch service. The staff are extremely professional. The rooms, which are traditional ryokan style, looked fantastic. Room service was excellent, everything was very comfortable, and the view was beautiful. We got to the hotel using the free shuttle they provided. The hotel also arranged traditional Japanese kaiseki dinners, which were simply amazing. It was a true feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Kinosaki is known for its onsen, and we visited all of them, but we liked the one at our hotel the most. It was spacious, had a beautiful courtyard view, and even a sauna, which you won't find in other onsens. The staff were incredibly helpful, providing us with extra clothing because it was cold, and they even allowed a late checkout so we could enjoy the hotel's facilities after checking out. Overall, it was a wonderful two days, and we felt like we were in paradise. Everything was very relaxing, meditative, beautiful, and of the highest quality.

Simply, amazing!

The staff was amazing and kind, they took us in with open arms.

Tam showed around the place and recommended us multiple things to do around Kinosaki Onsen. Good English and easy to understand.

Room, food, service, location, everything 5/5

The room was lovely, we had a room with an outdoor bath. The ambiance for the bath was very soothing. We chose to have dinner in our rooms. Our room attendant was spectacular. She worked very hard to bring us our dinner and set up our beds. This place is situated a bit far away from the town, making the hot spring hopping harder to do. We booked the private hot spring with a sauna, and it was truly lovely. The town itself is quite out of the way, being a 2.5 hour train ride from Kyoto, but it's worth it to visit.

Beautiful hotel in Kinosaki onsen. The public onsen were well taken care of and so clean. The private onsen that you could rent were lovely and romantic. Our room was spacious and we loved the private onsen in our room. We’ve sleep on futons before and it hurt my back, but the futons here were so soft and comfortable. The kaiseki meals were tasty and generous. We were so full both nights we were there. We loved the decorations in the hotel. The walk to town was a bit far, but we came during cherry blossom season and the walk was beautiful and we highly recommend walking to town. We cannot wait to be back.

This was our second time staying at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei because we loved it so much the first time we stayed (1 night) that we came back for 3 nights for our anniversary!

The staff were super nice and helpful! The souvenir shop has a ton of neat gifts and alcohol. The hotel's public onsen has to be the hidden 8th hotspring of Kinosaki! For some reason, it has so few patrons using it, but it is big, clean, and full of amenities. The water is a perfect temperature, and if you want hotter, there's a sauna!

We'll definitely stay here again when we come back to Kinosaki

Probably one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed at. I was so happy with the hospitality there and impressed with the hotel facilities and our beautiful Japanese style room with the mountain view. The private onsen we booked was a dream but even the public one was very nice. I wish I would’ve booked more nights because it was a paradise. Only downside was the fact that we could hear our neighbors a lot the second day there, so the room was not as soundproof as I was hoping. But other than that I would definitely go back!

Nishimuraya Shogetsutei was fantastic. The rooms were beautiful and the food was also excellent. But of course the main reason to come is for the hot springs which were so good - I highly recommend booking a private onsen experience, it's definitely worth the cost.

I also had a great interaction with the customer service here. Due to some mistakes when booking I ended up with a reservation for the wrong day and didn't realize until I was already on the train from Kyoto to Kinosaki-onsen. The staff worked with me to rebook me to a similar room and helped me get taken care of during the 2 hour train ride and I was able to seamlessly check in and enjoy my stay.

For sure the next time I go to Japan I will be making another trip here as part of my itinerary - beyond the hotel itself, the town is very nice and easily walkable which is great with the available onsen pass.

An amazing and authentic Japanese and onsen experience. This hotel exuded professionalism from start to finish and the lobby was such a peaceful rest spot after the madness of a 4 hour journey to get there.

Wow, this is the most amazing hotel I have ever stayed in my entire life. First, I want to compliment our staff Yuya. He was absolutely fantastic, and very kind. His English is great and was so excellent in helping us and serving us our meal. Yuya is very fun to talk to, and laugh with, and really deserves a promotion.

The rooms were so comfortable. The staff and service were impeccable, the Onsen in the hotel, the massage, the karaoke room, everything. This is definitely a place I plan to return to. I have absolutely zero complaints about this hotel and there's a reason why this place has a lot of prestige. Also, the in room food service was absolutely amazing. Don't be afraid of the price, a Ryokan is a splurge, JUST DO IT.

Last minute upgraded to this Ryokan and glad that I did. The staff greeted me at lobby entrance and also helped me to bring my luggage in. There also have a traditional hut at front which helped to create traditional atmosphere of ryokan. The room was ready early which was a plus and they offered a free shuttle service from bus station. Our room was stunning and had a bamboo forest view from window and room spacious, modern, but still incorporating traditional elements. There were free snacks at table and dinner was served in room. I recommend checking out private onsen they have open for reservation since they have different styles and theme. I was able to use fu-ro which was Balinese style and very unique experience compared to other Japanese onsen I've been to.

Crab was fresh and loved they had scoopers and made the crab easy to eat. Tajima beef was delicious as well and food was plenty for two people. We had to have early check out the next day to catch our flight and the staff ensured we had everything planned for our departure the following day. Location was close to everything if you decide not to take free shuttle and they room comes with free day onsen pass that is valid until following day of check out. Would come back again if in Kinosaki area although it is premium price.

This hotel and its sister Nishimuraya Honkan got 2 star Michelin Key rating for best hotels in Japan (top 25). The staffs were friendly and accommodating. Their private and public onsens were superb, recommended to try both!
We had a wonderful fine dining experience in their restaurant with their Matsuba Snow crab and Dry-aged Tajima beef Kaiseki course.
Our ryokan was lovely, they prepared a few different yukatas for us to try.

Small suggestion to management if you are reading this, please extend the checkout time as 3pm checkin followed by 10am checkout feel very rushed :)

Our stay at this onsen ryokan was truly outstanding in every way, from the moment we stepped into the hotel to the time we left. Every detail was thoughtfully attended to, and it was clear that the staff went above and beyond to ensure a memorable experience. Special thanks to Mandira, who tailored our stay with such care, and to Erica, who patiently guided us on how to wear the Yukata correctly—such a lovely touch. Of course, there were many other staff members who greeted us with warm smiles, making us feel incredibly welcome.

We stayed in a spacious Japanese-style room that offered plenty of space to relax and unwind. The onsen was a highlight, with both indoor and outdoor sections to enjoy. The water temperature was just right, and compared to the public onsens offered by the Kinosaki pass, I found the ryokan’s onsen to be much more exclusive and tranquil—not nearly as crowded or chaotic. It made for a much more peaceful and relaxing experience.

The kaiseki dinner was another standout. The Matsuba crab and Wagyu beef were delicately prepared and presented beautifully. Every course impressed us, and I’m still thinking about it days later. We were absolutely satisfied after the meal.

While the ryokan is a bit further from the main attractions in town, it’s still a pleasant walk, and there’s a free shuttle that runs regularly to the town center. The breakfast was equally exceptional, offering a fantastic selection of local specialties, both Japanese and Western dishes, along with some of the best desserts we’ve had.

Although the price is on the higher side, the value is more than worth it given the exceptional service, tranquil onsen, and unforgettable dining experience. I would absolutely return, and I highly recommend this ryokan for anyone seeking a luxurious, peaceful, and memorable stay.

Stayed in the hotel for two nights with my partner (Japanese room with private bath). What a treat it was! The room was spacious and comfortable. There were many toiletries provided (it seems like it's the standard in Japan, but for me it's still a very pleasant surprise). We only had dinner the kaiseki dinner. It was copious and delicious. The breakfast offers a wide selection of Japanese and Western-style fare. In short, many pleasant memories from the stay.