Our Favorite 10 Retreats Outside Tokyo

Tucked away in an old fishing town, the Numazu Club has over a century of history, once a tea house, now a refined hideaway since its 2006 glow-up. With the sea on one side and a front-row seat to Mount Fuji on the other, you get all the breathtaking views minus the tourist crowds. This boutique gem has just eight rooms, ensuring a cozy, personalized stay with top-tier service. Add in private hot tubs, a serene communal spa, and a restaurant that delivers amazing traditional dinner and breakfast.

Soki Atami is not your typical onsen hotel. Perched on a hillside overlooking the coastal town of Atami, this stylish retreat offers stunning ocean views and a private onsen in all 54 rooms, because why share when you can soak in serenity? Beyond the beautifully designed rooms, the hotel blends tradition with modern comfort, offering an authentic yet elevated Japanese experience.

Ochiairo is a historic ryokan in the lush Izu mountains, offering a perfect blend of tradition and luxury. A registered cultural property, it features elegant tatami rooms, private and communal onsen, and exquisite seasonal kaiseki dining. Guests can enjoy warm, personalized service, partake in tea ceremonies, and unwind in the serene natural surroundings.

Loquat Nishiizu is an intimate boutique retreat with only 3 exclusive suites, each featuring a private open-air onsen and stunning ocean views. Located in a beautifully restored former clinic, the hotel combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern luxury. Guests enjoy Italian-inspired, farm-to-table dining with locally sourced ingredients, a focus on seasonal flavors in the coastal town of Nishiizu.

Fufu Kawaguchiko is an intimate luxury retreat with just 32 suites, each featuring a private open-air onsen and stunning views of Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji or the surrounding forest. Blending modern elegance with Japanese craftsmanship, the hotel offers refined kaiseki dining, showcasing seasonal ingredients, and a Sisley Spa for ultimate relaxation.

Hakone Gora KARAKU is a modern ryokan in Hakone’s Gora area, offering 70 sleek rooms with private onsens and mountain views. The minimalist design blends traditional Japanese elements with contemporary style. Guests enjoy innovative kaiseki dining, a stylish public onsen, and luxurious spa treatments, all in a serene, sophisticated atmosphere for a refreshing escape.

Gôra Kadan, once an imperial retreat, is a luxurious ryokan in Hakone with 39 rooms, many featuring private onsens and mountain views. The hotel offers seasonal kaiseki dining, a serene public onsen, and personalized spa services. Set in beautifully landscaped gardens, it combines rich history with modern comfort for a tranquil escape.

Nol Hakone Myojindai, opened in may 2024, is a modern ryokan with 29 rooms, each featuring a private onsen and views of Mount Fuji. It offers minimalist design, gourmet dining, and relaxing spa treatments, making it ideal for couples or those seeking a peaceful luxury escape in Hakone.

BYAKU Narai is a modern ryokan in the historic town of Narai-juku, a well-preserved post town along the Nakasendo route. With only 16 rooms, it offers an intimate retreat blending traditional charm with contemporary luxury. Guests can enjoy private onsenn and seasonal kaiseki dining, while immersed in the town’s Edo-period history and stunning scenery.

Shishi-Iwa House Karuizawa, located just an hour from Tokyo, features three architectural masterpieces by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Shigeru Ban and Ryue Nishizawa. Surrounded by nature, it offers activities like forest bathing, bird watching, and seasonal nature appreciation. Guests enjoy relaxation in the hinoki bathhouse, meditation, and tea rituals. The on-site restaurant, Shola, serves contemporary Japanese-French cuisine using local ingredients.