Otowaya Ryokan

8.6

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.6/10, based on 485 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 Current 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 Hot Spring Town Station Access Public Onsen Open-Air Bath Indoor Bath

Location

949-6101 Niigata, Yuzawa, Yuzawa 419, Japan

Staff 9,0/10

Facilities 8,4/10

Cleanliness 8,8/10

Comfort 8,6/10

Value for money 8,4/10

Location 8,7/10

Walkable station accessAbout a short walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station, convenient for train arrivals.

Natural hot spring bathsOffers genuine onsen bathing, including indoor and open-air bath options.

Seasonal kaiseki mealsJapanese dinners highlight fresh seasonal ingredients in classic ryokan style.

Traditional ryokan feelTatami rooms and a pure Japanese-style atmosphere create an authentic stay.

Intimate small innWith only around 16 rooms, service feels personal and quiet.

Good for ski tripsWell placed for Echigo-Yuzawa sightseeing and nearby ski resort access.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsAccess is the strongest stay-length driver here: you can arrive from Tokyo quickly, check in by mid-afternoon, bathe, eat kaiseki dinner, sleep on tatami, take breakfast, then either depart or add one more night for a relaxed town walk and nearby mountain or ski time.

Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a 1-night or 2-night Echigo-Yuzawa onsen stay with very easy shinkansen access, not as a long sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Limited long-stay depthEchigo-Yuzawa works well for short onsen and seasonal outdoor time, but many travelers will run out of varied sightseeing after 2 nights.

Shuttle cutoffStation pickup is limited and ends in the early evening, so late arrivals may need to walk with luggage.

Traditional over luxuryChoose this for classic small-ryokan atmosphere and baths, not for high-end resort facilities or polished luxury design.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Ryokan meal venue for seasonal kaiseki and set Japanese breakfast.

Echigo Tokamachi Kojimaya (nearby)

nearbyabout 7 min walk

Popular station-area spot for hegi soba and tempura.

Ponshukan Echigo Yuzawa Station (nearby)

nearbyabout 7 min walk

Station food-and-sake stop for regional drinks and local snacks.

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 The most practical arrival route is to take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, then walk about 7–10 minutes or use a short taxi ride if carrying luggage. For air travelers, Haneda or Narita are usually the most useful gateways for same-day rail transfer, while Niigata Airport can also work via Niigata Station.

Echigo-Yuzawa Stationstation
560 mabout 7–10 min on footabout 2–5 min by taxi
Best overall arrival point for most travelers; served by Joetsu Shinkansen and local rail, and the ryokan also notes this as its nearest station.
Gala-Yuzawa Stationstation
620 mnot ideal on foot except in good conditionsabout 5–10 min by taxiusually easiest via Echigo-Yuzawa transfer or seasonal shuttle arrangements
Useful mainly in ski season for travelers arriving directly for GALA Yuzawa; not the best default station for ryokan access.
Echigo-Yuzawa Station West Exit bus areabus
510 mabout 7–10 min on footabout 2–5 min by taxilocal timing varies; best checked locally
Useful for resort buses, some regional buses, and hotel-area transfers; practical if you are already arriving at the station and continuing by bus.
Yuzawa IC highway bus stop areabus
1.4 kmabout 20–30 min on foot, not ideal with luggageabout 5–10 min by taxibus usage depends on intercity service patterns
Useful for some highway-bus arrivals, but less convenient than arriving at Echigo-Yuzawa Station if you have bags or winter gear.
Niigata Airportairport
116 kmroughly 1 hr 50 min to 2 hr 20 min by car in good conditionsabout 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr via airport bus to Niigata Station and Joetsu Shinkansen
Reasonable airport option if you find good domestic or limited international flights into Niigata; usually continue via Niigata Station rather than renting a car unless needed.
Haneda Airportairport
178 kmusually not recommended for direct car transferabout 2 hr 40 min to 3 hr 20 min via Tokyo Station and Joetsu Shinkansen
Often the most practical airport for many international and domestic visitors because onward rail access to Echigo-Yuzawa is straightforward.
Narita International Airportairport
193 kmusually not recommended for direct car transferabout 2 hr 30 min to 3 hr 30 min via Tokyo or Ueno and Joetsu Shinkansen
Useful for international arrivals, but usually less convenient than Haneda because of the longer transfer into Tokyo before the Shinkansen.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Easy from TokyoIt is about a 7-minute walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station, making it unusually convenient for a traditional ryokan stay. That is especially useful for short trips, ski weekends, or travelers arriving by Shinkansen.
Small and personal atmosphereWith only 16 rooms, the inn has a quieter, more intimate feel than large Yuzawa resorts. This usually makes the stay feel more attentive and less hectic.
Strong traditional ryokan feelThe property presents itself as a pure Japanese-style inn, with tatami rooms, futon bedding, yukata, and interiors with kabuki-inspired touches. It is a better fit for travelers seeking a classic ryokan mood rather than a generic hotel.
Onsen options beyond the basic public bathBesides the communal bath and open-air bath, it also offers private baths and private bedrock baths. That gives you more flexibility if you prefer a quieter soak or are not comfortable using only shared bathing spaces.
Good base for ski tripsThe ryokan is close to Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort and also offers ski-friendly conveniences such as ski storage, on-site equipment hire, and ski pass sales. It works well if you want an onsen stay that still supports a practical snow holiday.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Futon comfort is not for everyoneRooms use traditional futon bedding, which some travelers find firm compared with Western mattresses. If sleep comfort is a priority, this can be a real drawback.
Some rooms have shared bath setupsNot every room appears to have a full private bathroom, so room selection matters. Travelers expecting hotel-style en suite comfort in every category may be disappointed.
Less suited to luxury seekersThis is a modest traditional ryokan rather than a polished high-end resort. If you want large designer rooms, expansive views, or upscale spa glamour, it may feel too simple.
Shuttle hours are limitedAlthough station pickup is offered, the shuttle is only available until 6:00 p.m. Late arrivals may need to walk or arrange their own transport with luggage.
Traditional style may feel too localThe inn leans strongly into a classic Japanese experience, which can feel less intuitive for travelers who prefer international-style service and room layouts. Guests who want a more universally familiar setup may find it less comfortable.

Current position: 11th out of 43 ryokans in Niigata.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
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 Current 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