Myoko Tsubame onsen Iwatoya

8.1

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.1/10, based on 60 reviews.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Sasakura onsen Ryuunso	9.3/10	56
🥈 2nd	Koshi no yado Takashimaya	9.2/10	72
🥉 3rd	Hotel Futaba	8.9/10	1,523
4th	Osawayama Onsen Osawakan	8.9/10	367
5th	Tabataya	9.1/10	51
6th	Takahan	8.8/10	568
7th	Kutsurogian	9.1/10	37
8th	Cafe Cerisier栖里時絵	8.8/10	95
9th	Sake Hotel Tamakiya	8.9/10	36
10th	Shaga-no-Sato Yumeya	9.1/10	21
11th	Otowaya Ryokan	8.6/10	485
12th	ryugon	8.6/10	183
13th	Takanoya	8.6/10	94
14th	Warabiso	8.9/10	21
15th	Resort Project Myoko Kogen Hot Spring	8.6/10	37
16th	Satoyama Jujo The House	8.5/10	83
17th	Four Seasons Yuzawa Quattro	8.4/10	266
18th	Tomiya Ryokan	9.0/10	9
19th	Star Hotel Akakura	8.4/10	115
20th	Bousenkaku	8.8/10	11
21st	Hôtel Hisago-sō, Tsukioka Onsen	8.3/10	1,662
22nd	Fujiya	8.6/10	13
23rd	Hotel Hoho “A hotel overlooking the Echigo Plain and the Yahiko mountain range” formerly Hotel Oohashi Yakata-no-Yu	8.3/10	165
24th	Ichisui-sō	9.0/10	5
25th	Sports Plaza Shiki Haradaso	8.4/10	28
26th	Fukubikiya, Hōraikan à Yomogihira Onsen	8.3/10	50
27th	Kofukan	8.2/10	571
28th	Bunanoyado Koase	8.2/10	120
29th	Hitō Hanabun	8.4/10	6
30th	Myoko Tsubame onsen Iwatoya Current ryokan	8.1/10	60
31st	Hot spring inn Snow country(yukiguni)	9.2/10	0
32nd	Tanoura Onsen Kaikatei Kawai	7.9/10	40
33rd	Akakura Hotel	7.9/10	44
34th	Suehirokan	7.9/10	116
35th	Ryounkaku Matsunoyama onsen	7.9/10	118
36th	Hôtel Ekihon Building, 2e étage	7.9/10	210
37th	Akakura onsen eho ryokan	7.3/10	13
38th	Setoguchi	7.5/10	29
39th	Naeba Lodge Oka	6.9/10	70
40th	Hotel ST MORITZ	5.5/10	25
41st	Yuasobiyado Akebono	4.2/10	131
42nd	Sumiyoshiya	3.8/10	95
43rd	Hotel Yumoto	3.8/10	535

Check-in from 3:00 PM

Mountain Setting Valley Scenery Hot Spring Town National Park Hot Spring Bath Open-Air Bath

Location

949-2235 Niigata, Myoko, 関山6087, Japan

Staff 9,0/10

Facilities 8,0/10

Cleanliness 8,0/10

Comfort 8,0/10

Value for money 8,0/10

Location 8,0/10

Milky Sulfur BathsNatural hot spring baths are a standout, known for distinctive cloudy sulfur-rich water.

Highland Onsen SettingSet around 1,100 meters up, it offers a quiet mountain hot spring atmosphere.

Traditional Ryokan FeelTatami rooms and old-school ambiance suit travelers seeking a classic Japanese stay.

Good for HikersWell placed for Myoko mountain walks and access to nearby trailheads.

Simple Budget BaseA practical choice for travelers who prioritize onsen and location over luxury.

Useful Self-CateringShared kitchen facilities add convenience for longer stays and independent travelers.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsScenery and onsen are the main draw here: arrive in the afternoon, bathe before dinner, sleep early, enjoy breakfast and another soak, then walk to local outdoor baths or start Mt. Myoko trails. A second night makes sense for hikers or a very slow mountain stay, but the tiny onsen hamlet does not support a long sightseeing base.

Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a quiet mountain onsen stay in Tsubame Onsen for 1 night, or 2 nights if you want hiking time, slow baths, or a seasonal nature break.

Know before booking

Remote accessBus access is workable but slow from Sekiyama Station, so this is inconvenient with heavy luggage or tight train connections.

Limited diningDinner options are limited and the property uses simple meal arrangements, so do not expect a polished multi-course ryokan dining stay.

Small-area stayTsubame Onsen is atmospheric but tiny, so many travelers risk overstaying after two nights unless hiking is the goal.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Ryokan meal space for breakfast and stay-plan meals; no clear public restaurant name found.

Tsugumi (nearby)

nearbyabout 20 min drive

Useful izakaya-style stop in Ikenotaira with fresh sashimi and full meals.

Bashoen (nearby)

nearbyabout 20 min drive

Scenic soba spot by Imori Pond, good for a daytime meal or snack.

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 at Joetsumyoko Station by Hokuriku Shinkansen, transfer to the Myoko Haneuma Line for Sekiyama Station, then continue by local bus to Tsubame Onsen or by taxi for the simplest final climb. If you have luggage or arrive outside bus times, taking a taxi from Sekiyama Station is usually the most practical choice.

Myoko-Kogen Stationstation
2.3 kmabout 30 min walkabout 20–30 min by taxinot usually the simplest route for Tsubame Onsen; best checked locally
Can be useful for regional rail access within Myoko, but usually less straightforward than Sekiyama Station for this ryokan.
Sekiyama Stationstation
13 kmabout 20 min by taxiabout 35 min by local bus to Tsubame Onsen
Closest useful rail stop for the ryokan; the most practical last rail-to-road transfer point.
Joetsumyoko Stationstation
30 kmabout 45–60 min by car in fair conditionsabout 60–90 min with train transfer to Sekiyama plus bus or taxi
Best major rail gateway for travelers arriving by Shinkansen from Tokyo or the Hokuriku corridor.
Tsubame Onsen Bus Stopbus
30 mabout 1–5 min depending on exact lodging entrance and slopeabout 3–5 min by taxilocal bus terminus from Sekiyama Station; timing best checked locally
Best bus stop for travelers using public transport; useful if you want to avoid an uphill taxi from lower stations.
Matsumoto Airportairport
84 kmroughly 2.5–3.5 hours in good conditionsusually indirect and not ideal for this ryokan
Only consider if flight options make it convenient; for most international and many domestic travelers, rail access via Joetsumyoko is easier.
Niigata Airportairport
145 kmroughly 2.5–3.5 hours depending on traffic and seasontypically 3.5–5 hours via Niigata area rail connections; best checked locally
Useful if you are flying domestically into Niigata Prefecture, but it is a secondary choice compared with arriving by Shinkansen.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Milky sulfur baths with real characterThe ryokan’s onsen uses Tsubame Onsen’s distinctive milky sulfur-rich water, and the open-air bath looks toward the Otakiri Valley. It feels much more atmospheric than a standard hotel bath.
Freshly reopened feelThe property reopened in 2024, so travelers can expect a more updated stay than the old image many mountain inns carry. This is especially appealing if you want traditional surroundings without such a worn impression.
Great base for hikers and skiersIts Tsubame Onsen location at around 1,100 meters and near Mt. Myoko makes it practical for guests planning outdoor days. Day-use bathing and simple facilities also suit active travelers coming back after the trail or slopes.
Useful for longer, flexible staysA shared kitchen, lounge space, coin laundry, and vending machine make it easier to stay more independently than at a classic meal-only ryokan. It works well for travelers who do not want every meal locked into a set schedule.
Pet-friendly room optionFew traditional onsen stays handle pets clearly, but Iwatoya offers a dedicated pet-friendly Japanese-style room with stated rules and basic pet amenities. That makes it notably more practical for travelers bringing a small companion animal.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Dinner is relatively simpleThis is not the best pick if your priority is a refined kaiseki-style ryokan dinner. Evening meals are limited to simple in-house options like curry or rice bowls unless arranged elsewhere in advance.
Remote mountain settingTsubame Onsen is intentionally secluded, which is great for atmosphere but less convenient for spontaneous shopping, dining, or nightlife. You should arrive prepared rather than expect many services nearby.
Access can feel inconvenientGetting here is more involved than staying in a station-area ryokan, especially if you rely on public transport or travel in poor weather. This can be a drawback for short stays or heavy luggage.
Service style is more pared backThe ryokan explicitly keeps services simple, so it may disappoint travelers expecting highly attentive, classic ryokan hospitality throughout the stay. It leans more practical and flexible than luxurious.
Room choice may be limitingThe property offers only a few room categories, including standard Japanese rooms, one pet-friendly type, and a dormitory-style option. If you want private in-room baths, broad luxury categories, or many layout choices, the fit is narrower.

Current position: 30th out of 43 ryokans in Niigata.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
25th	Sports Plaza Shiki Haradaso	8.4/10	28
26th	Fukubikiya, Hōraikan à Yomogihira Onsen	8.3/10	50
27th	Kofukan	8.2/10	571
28th	Bunanoyado Koase	8.2/10	120
29th	Hitō Hanabun	8.4/10	6
30th	Myoko Tsubame onsen Iwatoya Current ryokan	8.1/10	60
31st	Hot spring inn Snow country(yukiguni)	9.2/10	0
32nd	Tanoura Onsen Kaikatei Kawai	7.9/10	40
33rd	Akakura Hotel	7.9/10	44
34th	Suehirokan	7.9/10	116
35th	Ryounkaku Matsunoyama onsen	7.9/10	118