Asaya Nikko — the Kinugawa ryokan that 854 guests all say the same thing about
Honestly, among all the ryokans in the Kinugawa valley, Asaya is the one with the most reviews and the most consistent results — 854 reviews on Booking, scoring 9.0. That kind of score backed by that volume isn't luck; it means the experience holds up visit after visit. The two things every guest mentions are the open-air outdoor onsen with mountain views and the dinner buffet that most people say is worth more than they expected — ¥28,000 per night for two, covering two meals and unlimited onsen access.
Asaya sits at Kinugawa Onsen Ohara in the Kinugawa valley, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. You get here by riding the Tobu Limited Express from Asakusa (Tokyo) to Kinugawa-Onsen Station, then taking the hotel shuttle — the whole journey from central Tokyo takes roughly two hours. What makes Asaya stand out from other ryokans in the same valley is the size of its review base. Having 854 reviewers hold the score at 9.0 means the experience is dependably consistent, not just occasionally brilliant.
"The outdoor bath looks straight out at the mountains — the view is something else. The dinner buffet had so much food we couldn't finish it, everything freshly made. Way better value than we expected. Several people in our group said they want to come back."
The thing guests mention most is the open-air onsen (rotenburo) that faces directly onto the mountains — beautiful at dusk and again in the early morning when the mist still sits in the valley. Asaya has both a large communal outdoor bath and the option to reserve a private-slot bath for couples or small groups who want to soak without other guests around. The recommendation is to request a private slot the moment you check in, because slots fill fast, especially on weekends.
Mentioned just as often as the onsen is the dinner buffet. Asaya puts out a generous spread of freshly prepared dishes — Japanese standards alongside broader options — and guests consistently say it is better value than eating separately outside. Breakfast is also an included buffet, meaning the ¥28,000 per night for two people covers two full meals and unlimited onsen use.
The guest rooms follow traditional ryokan style — tatami mat floors, futon bedding laid out on the floor, yukata robes, and a peaceful atmosphere. The building is a well-established, continually renovated ryokan, meaning some sections look older than a newly built resort. For guests who come seeking an authentic Japanese ryokan experience rather than modern design, that is precisely the appeal.
Worth knowing before you book — Asaya is a large ryokan, and during peak periods (autumn foliage, national holidays, New Year) the dinner buffet and communal baths can get busy. If you want a quieter experience, weekday stays or early season visits will feel noticeably different. And not every room includes a private in-room onsen; rooms with that feature jump up significantly in price.
Overall, Asaya is the Kinugawa ryokan for families or groups of friends who want a proper onsen soak, a generous dinner, and a night in authentic Japanese surroundings — without paying resort-tier prices. A score of 9.0 from 854 people is the most honest endorsement available.
If you are planning to visit during autumn foliage (late October to November) or winter (December to February), book several weeks ahead — that is when the Kinugawa valley is at its most beautiful, and when rooms disappear fastest.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Open-air onsen with mountain views + private-slot bath option
- ✓ Dinner buffet generously stocked, freshly made — guests say great value
- ✓ ¥28,000/night for two includes two meals and onsen
- ✓ Hotel shuttle from Tobu Kinugawa-Onsen Station
- ! A large, well-established ryokan — some parts of the building look their age
- ! Busy periods: dinner buffet and communal baths can get crowded
- ! Rooms with private in-room onsen are significantly more expensive
- ✓ Booking 9.0 from 854 reviews — the largest sample in the Kinugawa ryokan group
- ✓ Authentic Japanese ryokan feel — tatami rooms, yukata, traditional atmosphere
- ✓ Breakfast buffet included — no need to go out in the morning
- ✓ Ideal for families and groups wanting a genuine onsen experience
- ! Getting here requires a train transfer and hotel shuttle — not ideal for a single night
- ! Older building — guests who prefer modern design may notice the difference
- ! Book well ahead in peak season or rooms will be gone
- 💡If you want a private in-room onsen bath — standard rooms do not include one → book a higher-category room or reserve a private-slot bath separately right at check-in.
- 💡If you are visiting during peak periods (autumn foliage / national holidays) — the ryokan is busy and communal baths fill up → choose weekday stays or book well in advance and arrive early for dinner.
- 💡If you prefer modern luxury design — Asaya is a traditional ryokan that is continuously renovated, not a newly built resort → if contemporary styling matters, look at newer-generation ryokans in the area.