Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa

“Beautiful & relaxing onsen ryokan”

My daughter and I stayed at Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa for 1 night and had the perfect ryokan experience. We stayed in the Ginryu B room on the 1st (bottom) floor and loved our room. It had 4 areas which could be separated by screens: the entrance with a toilet room, shower room and sink area; the bedr… more

My daughter and I stayed at Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa for 1 night and had the perfect ryokan experience. We stayed in the Ginryu B room on the 1st (bottom) floor and loved our room. It had 4 areas which could be separated by screens: the entrance with a toilet room, shower room and sink area; the bedroom with 2 western beds and TV; the dining room with traditional Japanese furniture; and a sitting room with a massage chair and easy chair and sink / counter. This led to a small patio overlooking the koi pond and a 1-2 person private onsen bath. There is another wing of the hotel, Aqua, which has more premium rooms. We had an amazing kaiseki meal and breakfast, served in one of the small private dining rooms in the 2nd (top) floor dining area. The public onsen is lovely - the women’s side had two indoor pools which overlooked a small garden; and an outdoor bath. There were lots of beautiful products including the Pola line and excellent hairdryers, both in our room and in the public bath. This ryokan was the perfect combination of traditional feel, with modern amenities.

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“Ultimate Ryokan Experience”

This is my only ryokan experience but I can’t imagine anything better. We do not speak Japanese but everyone was so kind and patient and amazingly helpful! You can book different types of rooms, we had a private onsen on our balcony that was lovely. The shared bath was also very nice. There is a pr… more

This is my only ryokan experience but I can’t imagine anything better. We do not speak Japanese but everyone was so kind and patient and amazingly helpful! You can book different types of rooms, we had a private onsen on our balcony that was lovely. The shared bath was also very nice. There is a private bath you can book but we didn’t need it. They have free books, lounges, drinks, and massage chairs. The front desk was very helpful in arranging taxis and helping us navigate. The kaiseki breakfast and dinner was great- try new foods and see what you like! You won’t be hungry regardless. Highly recommend if staying in Nikko!!

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“A Real Local Hospitality Treat”

If you are looking for a traditional Japanese resort experience in an area laden with history and lore, this is the place to book: rooms with tatami beds and sliding partitions, private and public hot springs, relax rooms, lounges and an inner landscaped garden dotted with fish ponds and interestin… more

If you are looking for a traditional Japanese resort experience in an area laden with history and lore, this is the place to book: rooms with tatami beds and sliding partitions, private and public hot springs, relax rooms, lounges and an inner landscaped garden dotted with fish ponds and interesting vegetation. Plus, of course, today’s necessities like Wi-Fi, climate control, sentient toilet seats and a full array of quality complimentary cosmetics. Based upon a casual observation, the place seems to target primarily couples looking for rest and relaxation, but worked just as well for our family of four, which includes two teenagers. As everywhere else we went, the staff was always very attentive and ready to assist however possible. LOCATION: offering both privacy and convenience, the hotel is located along an unassuming country road, a ten minute walk from the main thoroughfare connecting Nikko with Lake Chōzenji and served by local buses, with a stop just 100 meters down the road. Buses generally run two or three times an hour, but without a regular pattern, so plan accordingly (the front desk, of course, has all the schedules and route information handy). The hotel is also within walking distance of the shrine complex that is Nikko’s main attraction. ROOM: we spent two nights in an Aqua Deluxe Suite, which accommodates four guests in two separate partitioned areas, one with Western beds and the other with tatami beds set up every night. The room also features a sitting room and separate toilet, sink and shower areas. We had to be a little creative in storing our suitcases (pack lightly when travelling around Japan!) but the room actually offered more storage space than initially observed. The key feature of the room is an outdoor hot bath tub overlooking a private man-made pond closed off by a wall, offering complete privacy. After a day of hikes, it was a pleasure to soak in the tub surrounded by nothing but the sound of cascading water and chirping insects. AMENITIES: breakfast and dinner were included in the room rate, and I recommend taking full advantage of them. All the meals, with a set rotating menu, offered a great variety of what we took as local fish, meat and vegetable dishes, all prepared with quality ingredients and artfully served in private rooms. And don’t be deceived by the small portions: you will end up eating a lot! All meals are served at fixed hours, requiring advance reservations. The hot springs offer both indoors and outdoor basins: in a place like this, just wear the hotel-provided yukata and slippers and embrace the Japanese way of relaxation.

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