Shima Onsen Yoshimoto

9.2
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.2/10, based on 197 reviews. ? Our score combines two signals: 50% based on traveler sentiment and guest feedback found online, and 50% based on our internal on-site evaluation plus ratings from verified travelers on our platform, who must provide proof of stay.
? This ranking compares properties in the same region. It is based on the overall rating and the number of reviews, using a weighted score so properties with more review data are ranked more fairly.
Check-in from 3:00 PM / Check-out until 10:00 AM
Mountain Setting Riverside Location Hot Spring Town Countryside Escape Open-Air Bath Indoor Bath
Staff 9,3/10
Facilities 9,2/10
Cleanliness 9,5/10
Comfort 9,3/10
Value for money 8,8/10
Location 8,9/10

Ryokan highlights

An intimate eight-room Shima Onsen ryokan known for private-feeling hot spring stays, strong meals, and warm service.

Tiny Ryokan ScaleJust eight rooms, giving the stay a quiet, personal, uncrowded feel.
Shima Onsen SettingSet in the Shima Onsen area, suited to a calm mountain hot spring escape.
Hot Spring BathsKnown for onsen bathing, including open-air options for a classic ryokan soak.
Well-Reviewed MealsGuest feedback repeatedly praises the Japanese meals, especially breakfast and dinner.
Warm HospitalityReviews consistently highlight helpful, friendly staff and attentive service.
Traditional AmbienceTatami-style rooms and classic ryokan design create an authentic Japanese atmosphere.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsOnsen-town rhythm is the main driver here: arrive by afternoon, settle into baths and dinner, then use the next morning for breakfast and a short Shima Onsen or lake walk. A second night works if you want a slower soak-and-stroll stay, but the area is usually too quiet for a long base.
Trip-planning verdict: A small destination ryokan in Shima Onsen best used for a quiet onsen-focused escape, not as a highly efficient sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Remote accessReaching Shima Onsen usually means train plus bus or a long drive, so same-day hopping is inefficient.
Thin nightlifeThe area is calm and small, with limited evening activity outside ryokan time and bath time.
Risk of overstayBeyond the onsen town, lake, and a few local sights, nearby sightseeing density is modest.

Food & drinks

Verified as Tokiwasure no Yado Yoshimoto at 4344-2 Shima, with kaiseki-focused on-site dining plus a small drinks service and nearby local eateries.

Private Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

Calm private dining space for dinner and breakfast.

  • Shima KaisekispecialtySeasonal multi-course Japanese dinner.
  • Joshu BeeffoodLocal Gunma beef in kaiseki courses.
  • River FishfoodFresh local river fish dishes.
  • Japanese BreakfastfoodTraditional morning set meal.
  • Selected SakedrinkCurated sake to pair with dinner.
Happy Hour Drinks (on-site)
on-site

Pre-dinner drinks service after the bath.

  • Craft BeerdrinkChoice of local-style beers.
  • ShochudrinkServed on the rocks or with water.
  • Red WinedrinkSimple glass pour.
  • White WinedrinkLight pre-dinner option.
Tonkatsu Asunaro (nearby)
nearby5 min drive

Useful local tonkatsu spot with hearty set meals and drinks snacks.

  • Tonkatsu SetfoodCrisp pork cutlet set meal.
  • Curry RamenfoodRich curry ramen bowl.
  • Asunaro SautefoodMeaty house-style saute.
  • Grilled SquidfoodGood shared snack with drinks.

Access, transport and nearby sights

This ryokan is in the Shima Onsen hot-spring area, typically reached via JR Nakanojo Station plus a local bus or taxi, with Tokyo airports useful mainly for international arrivals.

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

Should you choose this ryokan?

A small, characterful ryokan in Shima Onsen that appears best suited to travelers seeking a quiet, food-focused stay rather than a large resort experience. It stands out for intimacy and atmosphere, but its limited scale and remote setting will not fit every trip style.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Intimate eight-room atmosphereThis is a very small ryokan, which usually means a calmer stay, less foot traffic, and more personal attention than at larger onsen hotels. It suits couples or travelers who value privacy and a slow pace.
  • Strong focus on meals and sakeThe property is especially associated with elaborate Japanese kaiseki-style dining and a strong food-and-drink identity. If dinner is a major part of why you book a ryokan, this is one of its clearest draws.
  • Open-air bath appealThe ryokan offers onsen bathing including open-air bath options, giving you the classic Shima Onsen experience in a quieter setting. That makes it appealing if soaking is central to your stay.
  • Peaceful riverside feelIts setting in the Shima Onsen area appears to be in a quieter part of town with a more tucked-away atmosphere. Travelers looking for a serene mountain onsen mood may find this especially rewarding.
  • Good fit for a restful retreatWith only a handful of rooms, free parking, and a more traditional ryokan character, it feels oriented toward unwinding rather than entertainment. It is a better match for a one- or two-night escape than for a packed sightseeing schedule.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Remote without a carThe ryokan is in Shima Onsen rather than near a major station, so getting there takes extra planning after arriving in the region. Travelers with heavy luggage or tight itineraries may find the access inconvenient.
  • Limited facilities by designBecause it is a small ryokan, you should not expect the broad amenities of a large resort such as multiple restaurants, extensive public areas, or lots of on-site activities. The appeal here is quiet simplicity, not variety.
  • May feel too quiet for someIf you want nightlife, a lively street scene, or a bustling hotel atmosphere, this property may feel too subdued. The experience appears centered on bathing, dining, and staying in.
  • Dining style may be inflexibleIts reputation leans heavily on traditional Japanese course meals, which is great for many guests but less ideal for picky eaters or travelers with difficult dietary restrictions. Anyone who is not excited by ryokan dining may not get full value here.
  • Not ideal for late arrivalsRyokan stays like this usually work best when you arrive in time to settle in and enjoy dinner and the baths. If your travel day is long or you expect a very late check-in, the experience can feel rushed.

Ranking around this ryokan in Gunma

Showing 5 above and 5 below the current ryokan. The full ranking loads only when you click or hover over this block.

Current position: 11th out of 79 ryokans in Gunma.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
6th Oyado Yukizumi 9.3/10 426
7th Super Hydrogen Rich Spa Yado Kanzan 9.4/10 138
8th Hinatamikan 9.5/10 67
9th Chigira Jinsentei 9.2/10 611
10th Uribō Ryokan Nakamichi Urabō 9.2/10 236
11th Shima Onsen Yoshimoto Current ryokan 9.2/10 197
12th Kanemidori 9.1/10 1,223
13th Kirishimaya Ryokan 9.1/10 216
14th Syoubun 9.2/10 75
15th Osakaya Ryokan 9.0/10 613
16th Ayameya Ryokan 9.0/10 376
Loading full ranking...
Traveler routes

Popular in traveler itineraries

Not in any shared itinerary yet

Be the first traveler to include this ryokan in a public route.

View all itineraries

Similar ryokans in Gunma ? Similarity is calculated only among ryokans in the same region. We compare their stored environment and wellness pills, prioritize exact pill matches, then sort by the number of shared pills, rating comparison, rating value, and recency.