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If you’re planning a trip through the Japanese Alps and wondering where to stay in Hirayu Onsen, this small mountain town turned out to be one of my favorite overnight stops in Japan.
Many travelers pass through Hirayu Onsen on the way to Kamikochi, Takayama, or Matsumoto, but it deserves more than just a quick stop. Surrounded by mountains and known for its natural hot springs, Hirayu Onsen offers a quieter side of Japan with a slower pace, relaxing onsens, and easy access to incredible outdoor scenery.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Hirayu Onsen, look no further than Hirayukan. After two nights there, it became one of my favorite accommodations in Japan.
Loving Japan? Check out more of my guides – like this 8-day Japan Alps trip or my full 10-day Japan Golden Route itinerary if you’re planning a more classic first-timer route. Or, search all Japan blogs.
Table of Contents
Why Stay in Hirayu Onsen?
Hirayu Onsen is best known for two things: easy access to Kamikochi (a hiker’s paradise) and Hirayu no Mori (a famous outdoor onsen).
Hirayu Onsen is located in the Japanese Alps. It’s a recommended stop on my 8 day Japanese Alps Itinerary! The Japanese Alps Route is an amazing journey through mountain towns and cities distinct from Japan’s iconic Golden Route.
If you’re deciding between the two, my full 8-day Alps itinerary walks through exactly where Hirayu Onsen fits – usually as a two-night pause between Matsumoto and Takayama that doubles as your Kamikochi base.
While most travelers pass through Hirayu Onsen to reach Kamikochi, I recommend staying overnight. It gives you a chance to slow down and enjoy the area itself!
One of the biggest advantages is how walkable everything is. The town is small, peaceful, and easy to navigate.
Hirayukan is only about a 5-minute walk from the bus stop, making arrival simple even if you’re traveling entirely by public transportation or if you’re rolling luggage (like me!).
Why I Loved Staying at Hirayukan
I’ve visited Japan multiple times, and I’ve stayed at quite a few accommodations and ryokans. I find ryokans so special, and each is unique. You can truly experience authentic Japanese hospitality, and they often serve delicious food!
I consider myself a mid-range traveler – meaning, I’ll splurge where I need to, but I will offset costs where I can. I usually save up to splurge on at least one ryokan per trip!
When browsing where to stay in Hirayu Onsen, Hirayukan had excellent reviews for a reasonable price. Having an onsen in my hotel is essential to me when I’m traveling in Japan – so I was thrilled to see gorgeous onsen photos at Hirayukan as well. After spending two nights here, I can say it ended up being one of my favorite stays of this trip!
Quick heads up before you read on: Hirayukan is a small ryokan in a small town, and the Alps route gets busy in cherry blossom season (late April/early May), Golden Week, the July–August Kamikochi hiking peak, and autumn (mid Oct to mid Nov). I’d book at least 2–3 months out for those windows → Check current prices at Hirayukan
Like many traditional Japanese spots, they ask you to take your shoes off and provide slippers when you enter the facility. After checking in, you’ll pick out your samue and yukata – two different styles of Japanese robes. You can wear these anywhere in the ryokan, and some people choose to wear them in the town as well.
One thing I noticed throughout Japan was that many hotels are moving away from stocking every room with amenities. Instead, guests can grab what they need from a common area near the front desk. It’s a simple way to reduce waste, and you’ll usually find items like toothbrushes, combs, razors, and other toiletries available.
The onsen experience at Hirayukan
You may have heard of Hirayu Onsen because of its popular day spa: Hirayu no Mori
While it has a fantastic public day spa, it’s an expensive spot to stay overnight and is usually booked up. That’s how I found Hirayukan!
Overall, I’m really glad I didn’t end up staying overnight at Hirayu No Mori. I loved that Hirayukan felt quieter and more private.
Unlike Hirayu no Mori, which attracts many day visitors, Hirayukan’s baths are primarily for guests staying at the ryokan.
The property has two separate spa areas, and each includes indoor and outdoor baths.
The baths rotate between men and women throughout the day, so whichever bath women use in the morning becomes the men’s bath later in the evening (and vice versa). That means if you’re staying overnight, you get to experience both!
The outdoor baths were especially relaxing after long travel days and hiking.
Dining at Hirayukan
Dinner at Hirayukan felt like part of the experience rather than simply a meal.
Guests choose a dinner arrival time – typically 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM – though if you miss your assigned time (like me), you can still head down later.
One tip!! Arrive early if possible.
If you’re among the first guests downstairs, you may be able to grab one of the tables overlooking the garden. Sitting here was sooo peaceful, and it felt much less awkward since I was traveling solo.
The delicious food at Hirayukan
The garden view from the dining room at Hirayukan
Across two nights, some dishes repeated, but there was enough variety that it didn’t feel too repetitive. Plus, all the food was actually good, so I didn’t mind some repeats.
My favorite was the personal burner you could use to cook food. For dinner, I made a beef sukiyaki-like dish, and in the morning, I cooked eggs and bacon.
Hirayukan also offers a late-night ramen and tea service. It smelled SO good, but I was sooo full from dinner – so I never ended up grabbing any.
The rooms at Hirayukan
One thing that stood out immediately was the size of the room. They have a few different room styles. I booked the Standard Twin Room as it was the most cost-efficient option. Hirayukan offers a few different styles of rooms, and many are a mix of modern and Japanese styles. Some have tatami mats, but they mostly have framed beds versus shikibuton (cushions on the floor).
Standard Twin Room at Hirayukan Ryokan in Hirayu Onsen
Bathroom at Hirayukan Ryokan in Hirayu Onsen
Picking your Yukata at Hirayukan Ryokan in Hirayu Onsen
Samue available to use at the ryokan
Coffee and tea for your room!
Japanese hotel rooms – especially in larger cities – tend to feel fairly compact, but here I had plenty of space! In comparison to other locations, there was still a good amount of space even if I was sharing the room with someone else.
Hirayukan felt noticeably larger than many places I stayed during my trip and had enough space to spread out luggage and relax comfortably after hiking and travel days.
That extra room made staying for two nights especially enjoyable.
FAQ: Staying in Hirayu Onsen
How do I get to Hirayu Onsen?
Hirayu Onsen is reachable by bus. Most travelers arrive from Takayama or Matsumoto, and it’s the main transfer point for the buses that continue into Kamikochi. Hirayukan is about a 5-minute walk from the Hirayu Onsen bus terminal, so you can arrive with luggage without worrying about a taxi.
How many nights should I stay in Hirayu Onsen?
Two nights was perfect for me. One night feels rushed if you also want to do Kamikochi — you end up eating dinner, sleeping, and leaving before you’ve had time to really enjoy the onsen. Two lets you hike one day, soak the next, and actually feel the slower pace this town is known for.
Is Hirayu Onsen good for solo travelers?
Yes, and this is one of the reasons I recommend it. The town is small and safe, the ryokan staff is used to solo guests, and dinner at Hirayukan has real tables (not a big communal setup) so eating alone doesn’t feel awkward. If you can grab a garden-view table, even better.
Can non-guests use Hirayukan’s onsen?
The baths at Hirayukan are primarily for guests staying at the ryokan, which is part of what makes it feel quiet and private. If you’re not staying the night and want a public onsen experience in town, Hirayu no Mori is the well-known day-spa option.
What’s the difference between the yukata and samue they hand you?
The yukata is the traditional cotton robe you’ll see most often — one long piece tied with a sash. The samue is a two-piece set (top and pants) that’s a bit sturdier and easier to move around in. Hirayukan lets you pick between them, and you can wear either around the ryokan or into town.
Do I need to book Hirayukan in advance?
Yes, especially in cherry blossom season, Golden Week, the summer Kamikochi hiking peak, and autumn foliage. Hirayukan is small and books up. I’d aim for 2–3 months out in those windows. →Check current dates and prices here.
Other ryokan I’d recommend in Japan
If Hirayukan sold you on the ryokan experience, here’s where I’d point you next depending on where else your trip takes you.
Hakone: for the classic private-onsen ryokan
Hakone is the easiest ryokan pilgrimage from Tokyo and my other favorite region for a soak. If you want private outdoor baths and Mt Fuji-adjacent scenery, this is the round-up to read next.
→ Read: Best Ryokan in Hakone with Private Onsen
Kyoto: coming soon
I’m working on a proper round-up of Kyoto ryokan with private onsen (Gion, Higashiyama, and a few tucked-away picks in the northern hills). If you want it in your inbox when it goes live, grab the Golden Route guide below, and I’ll send it there too.
More on where these fit into a full Japan trip: my 8-day Alps itinerary (Hirayukan slots in) and my 10-day Golden Route (Hakone slots in).
Final thoughts on where to stay in Hirayu Onsen
While there are several places to stay in this charming mountain town, Hirayukan ended up being one of my favorite stays in Japan, and somewhere I would absolutely book again.
For me, it checked so many boxes for that classic Japan experience:
✔ A quiet outdoor onsen experience surrounded by nature
✔ Delicious meals to look forward to after a day of exploring
✔ Larger rooms with space to truly relax
✔ Peaceful mountain scenery and a slower pace
✔ Easy access to Kamikochi, Takayama, and Matsumoto
After two nights here, I realized some of my favorite moments weren’t the big attractions – they were soaking in the outdoor baths after a long day, enjoying dinner overlooking the garden, and slowing down enough to appreciate the peace of the Japanese Alps. If you’re looking for a stay that feels relaxing, traditional, and memorable, Hirayukan is one I’d happily recommend
Now plan the rest of the trip. Hirayukan is the sweet spot of the Alps route – but the rest of the itinerary is where the trip really comes together:
- My full 8-day Japanese Alps itinerary – where Hirayu Onsen fits, plus Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, and how to string them together by bus and train.
- My 10-day Golden Route itinerary – if you want to combine the Alps with Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
- Best ryokan in Hakone with private onsen – the other ryokan post to read if you loved the Hirayukan experience.
- Explore all Japan guides – find a new adventure!
→ Check current prices at Hirayukan
Hi, I’m Amber —
A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and years of traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring destinations across Asia and America through hiking, scenic landscapes, local food, wildlife encounters, and underwater adventures. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.
