Name: Kawaguchiya Kinosaki River Side Hotel
Address: 880-1 Yushima, Hyogo, 6696101, JP

8/10

Excellent

06 Jul 2026

Bee Gek

The property was in a very convenient location and excellent staff and kaiseki breakfast and dinner. We were expecting a more modern and updated ryokan experience from the photos when we booked.
Unfortunately the ryokan room that we booked was quite dated however the reviews with photos seemed to show a new and modern room. Saw another property with the same name, perhaps there are 2 different Kawaguchiya ryokan.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2026

Jean Carla

Beautiful hotel, clean amenities, and wonderful staff! After check in, you're guided to choose a yukata to use during your stay. Geta sandals are also available if you would like the full experience.

We arrived at Kinosakionsen via JR train and there were free shuttle services outside the station for hotel drop off. The hotel also has their own shuttle service that runs every 30 mins between a certain time.

The entire town is walkable, but it rained during our stay, so we couldn't explore as much since it hard to walk in the rain in our yukatas and the geta sandals. To make the most of the onsens, I recommend staying at least 2 nights and Kawaguchiya Riverside Hotel would be a great choice to stay at!!

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2026

Grace

Our group of 4 adults had a wonderful stay here. The location is excellent, close to shopping, restaurants and the other public onsens. There is a shuttle that you can take to visit the other onsens (free). The hotel’s onsite onsen was very nice as well..lots of amenities like shampoo and facial cleansers and creams to wash up before and after the onsen use. While the hotel is a little dated, the excellent service, comfy futons, and delicious Japanese style breakfasts and dinners make up for it. Be sure to have dinner at the hotel…the dining experience is delightful with the well-prepared and beautifully presented multi courses. Each course was a work of art as well as delicious and filling. The staff were incredibly attentive, polite and welcoming. We had two older adults in our group who were finding it difficult to get up and down from the Japanese style floor futons. The hotel does have some rooms with Western style beds but they were booked. So the staff offered to bring in a platform for my two older aunties which raised their beds higher off the floor. That made a huge difference and there was no charge for this service. On our last day, they drove us to the train station with their hotel shuttle, free of charge. I offered to pay even with a tip but they kindly refused. What a wonderful stay and a great experience. I highly recommend this hotel and I won’t hesitate to stay here again.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jun 2026

Brian

Luxurious

10/10

Exceptional

31 May 2026

Jesusa

We had the supreme Japanese room and it was spacious. Two large rooms for a large family or more space for two people. There were two bathrooms and a shower. The bed mattresses were on the floor and they were comfortable. It felt like staying at a traditional ryokan with modern amenities. Breakfast was traditional Japanese too and it was tasty and filling. The staff is always there to help and they are very polite. I’d definitely stay there again.

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2026

Justin

Beautiful hotel in a beautiful town. Staff is friendly and helpful, rooms are clean and spacious, traditional breakfast was a unique and delicious experience.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

13 May 2026

Rajiv

The property was unique and lovely. The staff were really helpful and explained everything clearly to us. The room itself was a traditional Japanese experience.

We did pay for a private onsen for an hour but the only downside was that the bubbles didn't work in the jacuzzi but other than that it was great

Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 May 2026

Alessandro Di

This was by far my best hotel experience ever in my 42 years of life. The staff are the manifestation of true Japanese hospitality and attention to detail in each of their gestures. The room was beautiful, the tatami very comfortable and the onsen experience unique. I recommend having breakfast and dinner every day of your stay as the food quality and service surpasses anything available in town. Will be going back for sure.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2026

Arianna

The staff were amazing, many of them spoke English well and even those who didn’t were very kind and worked to figure out what I needed. The hotel it self was wonderful to stay in, the traditional room was beautiful and the overall experience was 10/10

Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Apr 2026

Aryan

The place is wonderful and the staff are so friendly! We loved our time there and the onsen was great!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Apr 2026

Juvelyn

The staff is amazing! Breakfast was great and delicious! Location is close to many restaurants & walking distance to the onsen. SPA is great too but we did not see the private SPAs. Overall a pretty good experience with this hotel.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2026

Con

This hotel is gorgeous. The staff are so friendly and helpful and they were so kind and patient with me while I tried speaking in Japanese. I had fell and hurt my ankle, lost my train ticket on way and was charged twice and lost my travel adaptor and they were so kind with me as I was a little stressed. They gave me lots of help and instructions. The hotel facilities are great and the ryokan style rooms are beautiful. I can't recommend this hotel enough. They even had my 2 suitcases taken to the train station with only 1hrs notice for 400¥. This is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Mar 2026

Cameron

They give you the spa pass to use. Food was decent

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Mar 2026

ROGER

endroit super a quelques minutes des ONSENS et des restaurants de marche.
Le personnel est super attentif a vos demandes.
Les chambres sont OUAH

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2026

Philip

Amazing room sizes, incredible staff, and amenities

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jan 2026

Jinping

The room has big space, nice view from both sides. Good hotel Onsen.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2026

yen duong

Everything was wonderful, from the facility to the staff. Highly recommended. Looking to come back during Sakura season.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jan 2026

Fahim

We couldn’t have asked for a better ryokan stay. We only stayed for one night but will stay for longer next time we visit. The hotel arranged a shuttle to fetch us from the train station and got us checked in in time to make our dinner reservation that night.

The seasonal ingredient of the region (tajima beef in the summer and for us it was snow crabs during the winter) is showcased in their kaiseki dinner. Highly recommend spending the extra money for this incredible experience put on by some very talented chefs. The crab dishes kept coming in different preparations and flavors that, to us travelers, showed off the local palette and gave us a memorable dining experience.

The town is wonderful, very tourist friendly and all the hot springs are within walking distance. The hotel has its own bath as well and provides choices for your yakuta that you’ll wear round town as you go from one hot spring to the next.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Nov 2025

Carole

Great location. Staff were friendly and helpful. The hotel onsen is relaxing and well maintained.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2025

Melessa

The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The hotel and onsen were very nice and the breakfast was delicious. I highly recommend this place for your stay.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Nov 2025

Richard

We had a terrific stay! Staff and facilities were incredible!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Nov 2025

Ethan

What made this stay unforgettable was the staff. Every single person was extremely helpful and wanted to make our stay the very best they could. They went above and beyond every single day, from making sure we had umbrellas if it was going to rain, to waiting outside at the bus stop with us when it was running late to make sure we got where we wanted to go. Always so friendly and helpful. One day it had been raining and I was wet and cold and one of the staff went and made me a fresh cup of coffee, when no one else was even in the lobby, just so I could warm up. We will stay at here every trip to Kinosaki Onsen. And we will be back many times, as this charming town was the highlight of our trip to Japan. It’s one of those towns that you never want to leave.

The room was huge. There was a living room area with a large table and a TV and another smaller table with two chairs by the balcony. There were two bathrooms and a separate sleeping area that also had two sitting areas, one by the balcony with a massage chair and another larger table where complimentary tea and local sweets were available.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Nov 2025

ANH

The staffs are friendly and helpful. The room is clean and welcoming. We would definitely come back and stay at this hotel again.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2025

Alex

The hotel staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating they picked us up from the train station. The hotel itself was absolutely beautiful and one of a kind stay must recommend for anyone going to this town.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Nov 2025

Nicole

Comfortable and clean room. Our room had a private onsen which was perfect! Loved how open the space felt too and sleeping on the floor was a lot more comfortable than anticipated.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Oct 2025

Jennifer J

There are no words to describe how wonderful this hotel was. I was grateful for the free shuttle to and from the property.The staff was outstanding and friendly. The onsen was excellent and the city itself was lovely. We had the stay of a lifetime and hope to be back as soon as we can. Many thanks for the excellent hospitality.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2025

kay

Excellent staff and service. Room was roomy and comfortable. I left something at the facility and they shipped it for me (I paid the shipping fee). In house bathhouse was wonderful.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Oct 2025

Amy

Beautiful hot spring within the hotel and excellent breakfast and dinner options (Kaiseki). The variety was very impressive. The Onsen pass for the onsens within the town was also very helpful. Staff were all very friendly and polite and can also rent a nice kimono during the stay. Room size also very spacious. Traditional and great Japanese hospitality. Would high recommend and stay here again.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2025

Amy

Beautiful old fashioned onsen hotel with its own bath and private baths on level 6 for hire. Both breakfast and dinner Kaiseki were wonderful and very yummy! Easy walk to the other onsens in town and beautiful view along the river too. The hotel also offers shuttle service to and back from the train JR station although it is also within walking distance. Would definitely stay again!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

13 Oct 2025

LINDSAY

Very kind and hospitable

10/10

Exceptional

09 Oct 2025

kelly

Great place to stay , definitely recommend staying here. We had a meal at the hotel 1 night and it was a fantastic experience. The Spa at the hotel was absolutely amazing, very clean and staff were very friendly.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 Oct 2025

Hsin-Yiu

The hotel was outdated, so did the room. The receptionist helped us checked in was cold. She did her job well but we could feel that she didn’t care much. The hotel hot spring area was also outdated. We were disappointed the first day.
However the next day breakfast was good. (We felt that we were in a different hotel!) The staffs were really nice. We met the owner who is 88 years old. She is a lovely lady! We are glad that we left the hotel at a good note.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Sep 2025

Melaine

100/10! Amazing stay, very friendly staff, beautiful yukata selection for women. The facilities in the hotel were amazing as well. I really enjoyed my stay!!!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

22 Sep 2025

Paul

Good place to rest recommended.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

07 Jul 2025

Caroline

Onsen on the smaller size but overall it was a nice hotel, rooms spacious and clean

8/10

Excellent

07 Jun 2025

Alka

Nice hotel in a convenient location though could use some updating. The staff was nice but be prepared to use Google Translate. They gave written instructions on how to wear a yukata though I was a bit disappointed with the selection. I saw much prettier ones on the street. Also it would be good to have a nicer bag to carry things from onsen to onsen. Breakfast and dinner were excellent.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

31 May 2025

Yvonne

We had a nice stay in one of the deluxe Japanese rooms. It was a treat for us and we felt well taken care of. We chose the half board option and the food and service felt special. The accommodation is just off the main strip but still very close. We really enjoyed our 2 nights. I would have liked to choose between an upper floor or lower floor as I pictured having a garden attached to our open air bath (I am probably being unrealistic so this is on me!), but it was still very lovely!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 May 2025

Meredith

This was a beautiful ryokan with excellent service and delicious food! We wished we booked a few extra days!!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2025

Warren

Comfortable Stay

We stayed for 2 nights. The property is a bit old but the service was very good even tho the front office staff didn’t speak English well but at least he tried Abd we could still communicate with him.

The dinners and breakfasts were very good and we were served by a Taiwanese guy working there. We could communicate with him in both English and Mandarin easily.

We loved the Kaiseki dinners and the lovely breakfasts.

The onsen was good because hardly anyone from the ryokan used it. Most of the guests staying there used the 6 popular public onsens (1 was under renovation) offered to us.

Good experience staying in such onsen town with beautiful canal.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

17 Apr 2025

Emily

MUST book with Dinner

Meals wasn't offer during the booking. The disappointment was we were not able to order and pay for dinner when we check-in either. The service counter says they not able to cater as all meals has to be pre-order! By 6pm, almost all shops including restaurants are already closed.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

05 Apr 2025

Lemar

Pricey for what you get. I wouldn’t repeat.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2025

Stephane

Excellent place. Only little things is would benefit with just a bit more information in English, some of the experience and explanations are confusing but overall an amazing place to be

10/10

Exceptional

09 Mar 2025

scott

Everything was perfect. The staff were incredibly kind and accommodating. Such a beautiful experience all the way through. The Kaiseki meals were also excellent.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

13 Feb 2025

Amy

We had such a great stay at this property! It was an easy walk from the train station, and to the main streets as well. Staff was so kind and informative. They provided us with yukatas that kept us very warm while walking around. Staying here also gave us a pass to all the onsens! We also opted for the breakfast option, and it was a beautiful, traditional spread. Loved this hotel and area - what a great experience!

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

31 Jan 2025

Bertram

They have a late check in time 3pm and a very early check out time (10am) and they do not allow late check outs. I would avoid this place if you are looking for a hotel for only one night

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jan 2025

Mai

Love the quietness of the place and super friendly people. I do wish that those restaurants around close later.

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

30 Nov 2024

Yi

I’m surprised no one speak fluent English in this onsen town hotel! They have two restaurants but didn’t let me reserve their meal even though I booked 4 months in advance. I have a feeling they don’t want to sever non Japanese. Also the room is old, and toilet has molded smell. The location is far from all the other hot spring.

10/10

Exceptional

11 Nov 2024

Farah

C'était une expérience inoubliable, un hôtel peu commun pour nous français. La chambre traditionnelle avec les tatamis et les futons étaient incroyables. Un dépaysement assuré ainsi qu'un service d'une très grande qualité. Je recommande à tous sans hésiter

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Nov 2024

Eric

This onsen resort was very unique place and we were impressed by the good thoughtful facilities and very typical Japanese hospitality that we enjoyed. The surrounding town is peaceful and elegant. We would like to go back there in near future.

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2024

Sechel

I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed my stay here. The staff was so very attentive, helpful and friendly. The food was delicious and they took special care to ensure that my food allergies were noted, and they made alternative dishes for me. I would definitely recommend staying here.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Oct 2024

maricel

From the moment we reached the hotel, we were warmly greeted by the hotel staff. Everything was prepared for the stay and was explained. We were shown to our room and the hotel facilities. The staff were very helpful about everything. The dinner and breakfast that came with our stay was exceptional and delicious. The process was seamless and the experience was unforgetable

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

26 Sep 2024

Leonardo

The hotel is very Nice, although a bit old, but it is properly mantained. Totally recommend the Ryokan breakfast, and I also recommend usinh the prívate Onsen at the hotel. All of the 7 pubñic Onsen come included with the hotel. Overall great place.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2024

Bec

The interior was completely unique - modern vintage done with an exceptional eye. Warm, welcoming, peaceful. Staff were lovely and the onsen there is fab.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Aug 2024

James

This is a large hotel with both western-style and Japanese-style rooms. It is adjacent to a walk with many onsens, for which the hotel provided us an entry pass. The staff were very kind, helping to find our room, and selecting yukata for our stay.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2024

Mariann

Exceptional service from staff, overall a wonderful stay!

8/10

Excellent

17 Jun 2024

Fan

Excellent service

The hotel is a bit old, but the service was very good and the staff are very friendly.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Mar 2024

Kin Hung George

Excellent customer service, great amenities. And traditional Japanese rooms where you sleep on the floor.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2024

nicholas

Very friendly staff and easy access. Rooms are dated but clean.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

25 Feb 2024

Mee

Location and view was very good and close to all onsen to walk was fun.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Feb 2024

Guanmin

This place is really good. It's clean. Staff are nice and helpful. Highly recommend it.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Oct 2023

John

Such a wonderful experience. The staff were beyond courteous, and the meal that was included with our room was out of this world fantastic. The town is so charming, with lots of shopping, baths, small shrines, and a beautiful river with willow trees. Wish we could have stayed there an extra few days.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Oct 2023

Manuela

Die Unterkunft ist sehr günstig am Rande von Kinosaki gelegenen. Unser Zimmer war sehr groß mit verschiedenen Räumen und die Betten waren sehr bequem. Zudem wurden uns Yukata, Socken und Schuhe für die Dauer unseres Aufenthaltes zur Verfügung gestellt.
Das Essen ist besonders hervorzuheben, was geschmacklich hervorragend und sehr abwechslungsreich war. Der Onsenbereich war für unseren Geschmack allerdings zu veraltet und wenig ansprechend. Das Personal war jedoch sehr freundlich und zuvorkommend. Kinosaki selbst ist wundervoll und es lohnt sich, durch den Ort zu schlendern und die öffentlichen Onsen zu besuchen.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Oct 2023

Sean

Great location - walkable to other public onsens and restaurants, and comfortable accommodations. Private onsens on hotel site were a big plus.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jul 2023

Jomaru

Staff are really nice. Convenient location close to station and onsen. We love their lounge they even have free gelato😍

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2023

Jessica

We loved staying here, the staff was so nice and helpful. The hotel onsen was lovely! It was easy to walk from the hotel to the rest of Kinosaki and enjoy the other onsen. We especially loved the stamp game you can play! Thank you!!

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

14 Dec 2019

Verified traveler

the property is not new.. but staff there tried their best to satisfy customers. worth to pay for the private onsen for watching sunrise.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

19 Jun 2019

James

Hotspring resort

Hotel convenient to hotspring area.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 May 2019

Verified traveler

Exceptional service. Great location. Superb meals!

The experience is amazing. The service is superb. After choosing your bath robe, the lady actually walk us up to our room and explain everything, including helping my wife to wear her yukata. The hotel looks a little dated but extremely clean and neat. Room is comfy. The in house onsen is excellent as well. When we get off at train station, there's free shuttle to bring us the hotel. And we also offer free shuttle back to train station as well. Location is superb as well. Walking to all 7 public onsens takes probably 15mins. We have booked dinner and breakfast. They are superb. Dinner and breakfast were traditional Japanese meal and the quality is outstanding. I would definitely come back to this hotel for its service, location, quality meal and price.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2019

Surakit

nice stay

nice clean hotel with great service , food is good

Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

Spacious and good

The room was spacious. Food (dinner and breakfast) was delicious. The family enjoyed the stay thoroughly. We would stay here again next time.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2019

ALAN

Japan Trip 3/2019

Nice onsen town

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

Great choice of hotel

Amazing staff. Food was great and room was clean. Although abit old but still a charm

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Jan 2019

Andrew

Annual Onsen Trip

First time to Kinosaki. Nice town, very homely and traditional. We chose this hotel from Hotels.com and Happy with the decision. The traditional dinner and breakfast were great. Whilst there were many foc public onsens as part of the visit, I still like the quiteness and privacy of the hotel's pool. We had it all to ourselves. Of course most Onsen has a 3pm to 10am regime which we have no option. It was very kind of the elderly lady owner to bid us farewell in the front of the hotel as the bus ride us to the train terminal.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Dec 2018

Florence

Amazing and relaxed stay in Kinosakionsen

Amazing stay at this hotel! The staff from the doorman who helps with the luggages, to the check-in reception and the staff who serve our elaborate kaiseki dinner and breakfast (though all with very little spoken English), are polite and all out to help. The hotel is just a 5 minute walk to the street with the various onsen baths. It also has a free shuttle to the train station. We enjoyed our stay very much and would return to stay in the same hotel if we visit Kinosakionsen town again.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

29 Aug 2018

Travel-lover

Nice staff but old hotel

Staff are friendly and location is good. It is just next to main st. They provides free shuttle services to two famous hot spring spots. However, it is quite old and needs renovation.