Sasakura onsen Ryuunso

9.3

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.3/10, based on 56 reviews.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Sasakura onsen Ryuunso Current ryokan	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	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 Forest Surroundings Valley Scenery Hot Spring Town Public Onsen Open-Air Bath

Location

949-1221 Niigata, Itoigawa, Odaira 5804, Japan

Staff 9,3/10

Facilities 9,3/10

Cleanliness 9,6/10

Comfort 9,4/10

Value for money 9,2/10

Location 9,0/10

Verified Itoigawa SettingConfirmed in Odaira, Itoigawa, offering a quiet rural base away from town.

Therapeutic Hot SpringSasakura Onsen is the core draw, with baths prized for soothing, restorative soaks.

Local Ingredient MealsMeals highlight Itoigawa ingredients and seasonal local produce rather than generic banquet fare.

Onsen-Cooked RiceThe ryokan is especially known for Koshihikari rice cooked with hot spring water.

Hidden Retreat FeelIts lesser-known onsen area gives stays a calm, off-the-beaten-path atmosphere.

Good Drive AccessLarge parking support makes it practical for road-trippers exploring Itoigawa by car.

Recommended stay1 nightScenery and onsen are the main drivers here: arrive mid-afternoon, soak before dinner, enjoy the kaiseki-style meal, bathe again at night, have breakfast, then continue to Itoigawa sights or mountain viewpoints the next day.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-night rural onsen stop or 2-night nature break near Itoigawa, not as a major sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Car helps a lotThe ryokan is in Odaira/Sasakura Onsen outside central Itoigawa, so access is much easier by car than by frequent urban transit.

Thin evening areaThis is a secluded onsen setting, not a town packed with shops, bars, cafes, or alternate dinner options.

Don’t overstayTwo nights can work with nearby jade and mountain sights, but longer stays risk feeling repetitive unless you want quiet bath time.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Main meal venue for dinner and breakfast with Itoigawa-style Japanese courses.

Nunotaki Hall (on-site)

on-site

Large on-site meal hall with stream views and table seating.

Lounge (on-site)

on-site

Retro lounge space with welcome drinks at check-in.

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, the simplest route is to arrive at Itoigawa Station by Hokuriku Shinkansen or local rail and continue by taxi or pre-arranged pickup if available. Driving is also practical from Itoigawa IC; the local bus stop at Sasakura Onsen is useful only if schedules fit your arrival time.

Nō Stationstation
14 kmabout 30–40 min by carusually slower than via Itoigawa and may require multiple local transfers
Potential rail access point on the coast side, but generally less convenient than Itoigawa Station unless it better matches your itinerary or lodging transfer.
Himekawa Stationstation
14 kmabout 30–40 min by carnot usually the most practical option for final access
Useful mainly for niche local rail itineraries on the Oito Line; for most travelers, Itoigawa Station remains the easier transfer hub.
Itoigawa Stationstation
15 kmabout 30–40 min by car or taxitypically about 45–70 min with local bus or transfer, best checked locally
Best main rail gateway for most visitors, especially those arriving by Hokuriku Shinkansen; a taxi from the station is usually the most practical last leg with luggage.
Sasakura Onsen Bus Stopbus
120 mabout 2–3 minabout 3–5 min by taxilocal bus timings vary and should be checked locally
Closest public transport stop to the ryokan and useful if you specifically plan around local bus times; convenient on foot but not ideal for all arrivals.
Yukawauchi-kami Bus Stopbus
1.0 kmabout 12–18 minabout 3–5 minbest checked locally
Secondary nearby stop that may help if the Sasakura Onsen stop has limited service, but less convenient on foot with bags.
Yakeyama Onsen Bus Stopbus
1.3 kmabout 12–18 minabout 3–5 minbest checked locally
Another nearby local bus option in the valley area; potentially useful as a fallback rather than a primary arrival point.
Toyama Airportairport
83 kmroughly 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr by car, depending on road conditionscommonly 2.5–4 hr via airport bus and rail connections, best checked locally
Most useful nearby airport for travelers who want a realistic regional air gateway, especially when combining airport bus or rail to Itoigawa before the final taxi segment.
Matsumoto Airportairport
91 kmroughly 2–2.5 hr by caroften lengthy and transfer-heavy, best checked locally
Possible alternative airport for some domestic itineraries, but usually less straightforward than arriving by Shinkansen to Itoigawa.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Excellent baths are the main drawThe property is especially strong for onsen lovers, with indoor and open-air baths and consistently very high bath ratings. Its bicarbonate-rich spring is promoted as a skin-smoothing 'beauty bath,' which matches the ryokan's bathing-focused appeal.
Rare one-inn setting in the mountainsThis is a genuine single-inn retreat rather than a busy onsen town, surrounded by the foothills near Mt. Yakeyama and other peaks. If you want silence, forested scenery, and a sense of being away from everything, the atmosphere is a big advantage.
Food leans into Itoigawa's local identityMeals are a specific strength here, using fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, mountain vegetables, and even hot-spring water in the cooking. The breakfast hot-spring rice porridge and local kaiseki style make the stay feel rooted in the area rather than interchangeable.
More comfortable than a rustic hidden-inn clichéAlthough it belongs to the hidden-onsen tradition, the building is not ultra-primitive: many rooms have bath and toilet, Wi-Fi is available, there is an elevator, and public spaces are more comfortable than at many deeply rustic ryokan. That makes it easier for travelers who want character without giving up basic convenience.
Good for slow stays and regional touringIt works well if you want to soak, eat, and unwind, but also as a base for exploring the Itoigawa area and nearby mountain routes. A station shuttle is available, which can make access easier for guests not driving.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Very isolated locationIts seclusion is charming, but it also means there is little to do on foot around the ryokan and no nearby strip of cafes, shops, or nightlife. Travelers who like to wander outside after check-in may find the area too quiet.
Not ideal without transport planningEven though a shuttle is available, this is still an out-of-town property that requires more coordination than staying near Itoigawa Station. If you prefer spontaneous, low-effort logistics, the setting can feel inconvenient.
No private open-air bath roomsThe ryokan has no rooms with their own rotenburo, so the experience depends on shared bathing areas. Couples or guests wanting a fully private in-room onsen stay may be disappointed.
More traditional than luxuriousThis is a comfortable regional ryokan, but not a polished high-end luxury retreat with cutting-edge design or extensive resort-style facilities. Travelers expecting a premium boutique experience may find it simpler than the price and photos suggest.
Dining and schedule are ryokan-style fixedMeals are part of the experience, but that also means a more structured rhythm and less flexibility than a hotel stay. If you are a picky eater, want to dine out nearby, or prefer late-night freedom, the setup may feel restrictive.

Current position: 1st out of 43 ryokans in Niigata.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Sasakura onsen Ryuunso Current ryokan	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