Yoshinoonsen Motoyu

9.1

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.1/10, based on 23 reviews.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Nara Inn Japanese Ryokan	9.9/10	25
🥈 2nd	Nara Kasugaokuyama Tsukihitei	9.4/10	464
🥉 3rd	Ryokan Taishoro	9.4/10	104
4th	Gyokuzoin	9.3/10	693
5th	Misenkan	9.4/10	55
6th	Ryokan Asukasou at the entrancne of Nara park	9.2/10	1,089
7th	Hanaya Tokubei	9.3/10	51
8th	Minshuku Kawarabi-so	9.2/10	197
9th	Kasuga Hotel	9.1/10	1,262
10th	Mikasa	9.1/10	955
11th	Kanko Ryokan Kuboji	10.0/10	5
12th	Hotobil B&B 潤 An inn that enjoys breakfast	9.1/10	295
13th	Kotonoyado Musashino	9.1/10	263
14th	Hôtel touristique Tōnomine	9.1/10	167
15th	Wakasa Annex	9.0/10	418
16th	Yoshinoonsen Motoyu Current ryokan	9.1/10	23
17th	Kanko Ryokan Yamato	9.0/10	153
18th	Nara Ryokan	8.9/10	1,438
19th	Kinokuniya Jinpachi	8.9/10	103
20th	Monzen Okagero	8.9/10	98
21st	Tsubakiso	8.9/10	39
22nd	Ubusuna no Sato TOMIMOTO	9.1/10	1
23rd	Shiroyama Ryokan	8.8/10	150
24th	Ryotei Jyusouya	8.2/10	3
25th	Kakimotoya	8.7/10	69
26th	Hotel New Wakasa	8.7/10	111
27th	Yoshidaya Ryokan よしだや	8.7/10	699
28th	Hotel Nosegawa	8.6/10	121
29th	Hotel Mimatsu	8.4/10	30
30th	Marubun, auberge thermale à Dorogawa Onsen	8.3/10	24
31st	KAMENOI HOTEL Nara	8.5/10	186
32nd	Itaniya	8.4/10	103
33rd	Kanko Hotel Tamaru	8.1/10	41
34th	Tenpyo Ryokan	8.3/10	291
35th	Miharu-en, source thermale pour une peau douce	8.0/10	66
36th	Hotel Asyl Nara	8.1/10	622
37th	Nara Park Hotel	7.6/10	894

Check-in from 2:00 PM

Forest Surroundings Mountain Setting Valley Scenery Hot Spring Town Public Onsen Open-Air Bath

Location

639-3115 Nara, Yoshino, Yoshinoyama 902-1, Japan

Staff 9,6/10

Facilities 9,0/10

Cleanliness 9,5/10

Comfort 9,0/10

Value for money 8,8/10

Location 8,7/10

Mt. Yoshino SettingSet in Yoshinoyama, convenient for exploring the famed mountain and its heritage atmosphere.

Historic Hot SpringA long-established onsen inn with a classic, old-Japan character rather than a modern resort feel.

Quiet Forest RetreatPeaceful, nature-rich surroundings make it appealing for slow stays and restful nights.

Traditional Ryokan MoodGood fit for travelers wanting tatami-style lodging and a more traditional Yoshino experience.

Scenic Mountain AirThe hillside location offers a refreshing mountain atmosphere and seasonal scenery.

Relaxing Wellness StayBest for guests prioritizing bathing, calm surroundings, and a restorative overnight stop.

Recommended stay1 nightScenery and route logic are the main stay-length drivers here: arrive mid-afternoon, soak, eat dinner, sleep quietly, then spend the next morning on Yoshinoyama walks before moving on. A second night only makes sense if you want a slower temple-and-viewpoint pace or are visiting in cherry blossom or autumn foliage season.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a quiet 1-night Mt. Yoshino stay for temple walks, seasonal scenery, and an onsen dinner stop rather than a long sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Steep accessWalks around Yoshinoyama involve slopes and stairs, so this is not ideal for travelers wanting flat, easy luggage handling.

Limited base valueThe immediate area supports a short scenic stay better than a long regional base with many easy day trips.

Seasonal crowd swingsCherry blossom periods can change transport flow and make Yoshinoyama much busier than the ryokan’s quiet setting suggests.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Ryokan meal venue for dinner and Japanese breakfast.

Nishizawaya (nearby)

nearbyabout 500 m

Traditional Yoshinoyama eatery with set meals and local hot pot.

Sakana Kaya (nearby)

nearbyabout 1.4 km

Renovated folk-house restaurant known for game cuisine.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Useful access points Stations, stops, airports and practical travel advice.

Best way to arrive For most travelers, arrive by Kintetsu to Yoshino Station, then continue uphill by taxi if carrying luggage or use the ropeway/bus if operating and convenient. Kansai International Airport is the most practical airport for many international arrivals, while Itami is a reasonable domestic alternative.

Yoshinojingu Stationstation
570 mnot recommended on foot for most travelersabout 10–15 min by taxitypically slower and less direct than using Yoshino Station
Useful backup Kintetsu station if needed, but generally less convenient than Yoshino Station for first-time visitors heading into Yoshinoyama.
Yoshino Stationstation
1.4 kmabout 25–40 min uphill on foot, depending on route and luggageabout 8–15 min by taxi or carabout 10–20 min via ropeway/bus combination or local transfer, best checked locally
Best main rail arrival point for the ryokan. Most visitors should transfer here to taxi, ropeway, or seasonal/local bus rather than walk with heavy luggage.
Yoshinoyama Ropeway Stationbus
960 mabout 10–20 min depending on the ryokan approach road and slopeabout 3–8 min by taxiabout 3 min from the lower ropeway side when operating
Helpful upper-hillside arrival point when the ropeway is operating. Good for travelers with light bags who want to avoid the steepest lower climb.
Senbonguchi Ropeway Station / Yoshino Ropeway Lower Sidebus
1.3 kmabout 20–35 min uphill if walking all the way from hereabout 8–12 min by taxiabout 3 min to the upper ropeway station when operating
Practical transfer point immediately near Yoshino Station. Use this if the ropeway is running and you want a simpler uphill transfer.
Yoshino Station Bus Areabus
1.4 kmnot ideal on foot from the stop area aloneabout 8–15 min by taxi onward to the ryokanabout 10–25 min depending on bus operation and drop point
Useful for seasonal or local mountain bus access from the station area, especially when the ropeway is busy or not preferred. Service patterns should be checked locally.
Kansai International Airportairport
57 kmabout 1 hr 40 min to 2 hr 20 min by car, depending on trafficcommonly around 3 hr or a little more via airport rail/bus connections and Kintetsu trains
Most practical airport for many international visitors. Best if you plan a rail journey into the Kintetsu network before the final transfer to Yoshino.
Osaka International Airport (Itami)airport
61 kmabout 1 hr 40 min to 2 hr 15 min by car, depending on trafficoften around 3 hr or more with bus/rail transfers
Reasonable choice for domestic arrivals, but usually involves multiple transfers before reaching the Yoshino area. Consider it mainly if flight options are better than Kansai International.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Great base for Yoshinoyama sightseeingIt sits in Yoshinoyama, with major sights such as Yoshimizu Shrine and Kinpusen-ji within walking distance. This makes it especially convenient if you want to explore the heritage area without constantly using transport.
Memorable local mealsGuest feedback consistently highlights the food as a standout, with especially strong praise for the dinner and breakfast quality. The stay seems to appeal to travelers who value regional cooking as a core part of the ryokan experience.
Atmospheric mountain retreatThe inn is known for its calm setting in the hills, giving it a secluded and restful feel compared with more urban Nara stays. It suits travelers who want silence, nature, and a more old-fashioned ryokan mood.
Characterful hot spring bathThe onsen is noted for its distinctive brown, iron-rich water and warming effect after bathing. That gives the bathing experience more personality than a generic indoor hotel bath.
Helpful station pickupA free pickup from Kintetsu Yoshino Station is available on request, which can make arrival much easier with luggage. This is a real advantage in a mountainous area where the walk can feel longer than it looks.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Not right next to the stationAlthough access is manageable, it is about a 20-minute walk from Yoshino Station if you do not use the pickup service. That can be inconvenient on steep roads, in bad weather, or with heavy bags.
Limited flexibility on check-in and check-outEarly check-in and late check-out are not available. If you want a more relaxed schedule or extra room time, this may feel restrictive.
Facilities seem more traditional than luxuriousReview scores suggest service and meals outperform the facilities, which hints that the property is valued more for atmosphere than for high-end modern amenities. Travelers expecting polished resort-style comfort may find it a bit simple.
Best enjoyed by travelers who like quiet staysIts appeal is strongly tied to the peaceful mountain setting, which may feel too subdued if you prefer nightlife, shopping, or a lively hotel scene. The area is more about temples, walking, and seasonal scenery than evening entertainment.
Seasonal demand can shape the experienceBecause it is in Yoshinoyama, the area can become especially busy during cherry blossom periods even if the inn itself feels tucked away. If you dislike seasonal crowds or higher-demand travel windows, timing matters here.

Current position: 16th out of 37 ryokans in Nara.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
11th	Kanko Ryokan Kuboji	10.0/10	5
12th	Hotobil B&B 潤 An inn that enjoys breakfast	9.1/10	295
13th	Kotonoyado Musashino	9.1/10	263
14th	Hôtel touristique Tōnomine	9.1/10	167
15th	Wakasa Annex	9.0/10	418
16th	Yoshinoonsen Motoyu Current ryokan	9.1/10	23
17th	Kanko Ryokan Yamato	9.0/10	153
18th	Nara Ryokan	8.9/10	1,438
19th	Kinokuniya Jinpachi	8.9/10	103
20th	Monzen Okagero	8.9/10	98
21st	Tsubakiso	8.9/10	39