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Kotohira onsen ryokan near Konpira-san: 5 picked from 17
Approximate, at the rate on 2026-10-02. You pay in yen.
- Kotohira ryokan with open-air baths: three in town, two outside it
- Kotohira Kadan has staff for everyday English; Kobaitei has 15 baths
- Sakura-no-Sho is one minute from the Kotohira-gu approach; Grand Premier is glamping
The five
| Best for | Where to book | Score | Weeknight (per person) | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A quiet mountain retreat with the best-rated baths here — if you can’t decide | Yuzanso Asan Kotonami Check price |
82/100 | ¥24,000–34,000 | ¥31,000–35,000 |
| A 400-year-old garden inn, with meals in your room | Kotohira Kadan Check price |
78/100 | ¥23,000–28,000 | ¥34,000–40,000 |
| Seaside glamping in Kan-onji, the cheapest of the five | Grand Premier Setouchi Check price |
76/100 | ¥17,000–20,000 | ¥27,000–32,000 |
| 15 baths in three bath areas, five minutes from JR | Konpira Onsen Hananoyu Kobaitei Check price |
73/100 | ¥24,000–31,000 | ¥30,000–92,000 |
| One minute on foot to the Kotohira-gu approach | Kotohira Grand Hotel Sakura-no-Sho Check price |
72/100 | ¥22,000–32,000 | ¥31,000–40,000 |
Prices are the cheapest per person found on Rakuten Travel for Wednesdays and Saturdays between 2026-11-04 – 2026-12-26, for 2 adults in one room (checked 2026-10-27). They move daily — the link shows live prices.
The booking links go to Agoda, which shows today’s price and lets you pay in your own currency. Its price can differ from the Rakuten Travel figures above.
A quiet mountain retreat with the best-rated baths here
Reviews: Rakuten Travel 4.64/5 (533) · Agoda 9.2/10 (288) · 821 in total
- 28 rooms in the foothills of the Asan mountains
- Styles itself a country villa in the satoyama
Why it made the five
- Bath rated 4.72 and 4.64 overall — both the highest of the seven.
- Open-air bath, sauna, cold plunge, jacuzzi and family bath.
- 35 minutes by Kotosan bus from JR Kotohira, then one minute on foot.
- About ¥24,000–34,000 per person on a weeknight and ¥31,000–35,000 on a Saturday with two meals.
Getting there: From JR Kotohira station, 35 minutes on the Kotosan bus to Katsukawabashi, then one minute on foot. By car, 15 minutes from Mima IC on the Tokushima Expressway; 40 free parking spaces.
Language and payment: Per Rakuten, a few staff understand a little English. Rakuten lists Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and Diners Club, but some plans are cash only, so check the plan you book. PayPay, Alipay and d-barai are also accepted. Tattoo rules are not published, so ask before using the communal bath. A ¥150 bathing tax per adult is extra.
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Right for: Getting away from the town after the climb and soaking somewhere quiet in the hills.
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Not for: Wanting to walk to the shrine steps or come and go without watching the bus timetable.
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Worth knowing: It is 35 minutes by bus from Kotohira, not in town. Some plans are cash only. Over New Year, Golden Week and Obon, cancelling 14 to 4 days ahead costs 10% of the rate.
Score breakdown — 82/100
| Criterion | Stars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★★★★☆ | Room, bath and dinner average 4.69 on Rakuten Travel |
| Value for money | ★★★☆☆ | ¥24,000–34,000 per person on a weeknight (Rakuten, dinner and breakfast) — 105% of the median of everything we compared |
| Easy to stay | ★★★★★ | Check-out 11:00; a country-villa inn in the foothills of the Asan mountains; a hot-spring communal bath with open-air section, sauna, cold plunge, jacuzzi and family bath; 35 minutes by Kotosan bus from JR Kotohira to Katsukawabashi, then one minute on foot; a few staff understand a little English; pets allowed. |
| Trust | ★★★★☆ | 4.64 across 533 reviews (Rakuten Travel 533) |
| Only here | ★★★★☆ | Its 4.64 review average and 4.72 bath score are both the highest of the seven that qualified, and it sits away from the town in quiet hills. |
A 400-year-old garden inn, with meals in your room
Reviews: Rakuten Travel 4.61/5 (1,062) · Agoda 9.0/10 (825) · 1,887 in total
- Well-known writers and artists once stayed here
- Dinner rated 4.65 on Rakuten
- Communal bath with an open-air section, a sauna and a family bath
Why it made the five
- Founded 400 years ago, around a seasonal garden.
- Dinner and breakfast in your room or a dining room.
- A few staff handle everyday English, per Rakuten.
- About ¥23,000–28,000 per person on a weeknight and ¥34,000–40,000 on a Saturday with two meals.
Getting there: 15 minutes on foot from JR Kotohira and Kotoden Kotohira stations, with a free shuttle bus. By car, 15 minutes from Zentsuji IC and 35 minutes from Takamatsu airport; 40 free parking spaces.
Language and payment: Per Rakuten, a few staff can handle everyday matters in English. Rakuten lists Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and Diners Club, but some plans are cash only, so check the plan you book. PayPay, Alipay, d-barai, Merpay and au Pay are also accepted. Tattoo rules are not published; the family bath is an option if you would rather not use the communal one. A ¥150 bathing tax per adult is extra.
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Right for: A first ryokan stay with meals in your room, a garden, and staff who can manage some English.
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Not for: Walking from the station — it is 15 minutes, though the shuttle bus is free.
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Worth knowing: Some plans are cash only. For 3–5 May and 31 December–2 January, cancelling 14 to 4 days ahead costs 10% of the rate. Check-out is 10:00.
Score breakdown — 78/100
| Criterion | Stars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★★★☆☆ | Room, bath and dinner average 4.60 on Rakuten Travel |
| Value for money | ★★★☆☆ | ¥23,000–28,000 per person on a weeknight (Rakuten, dinner and breakfast) — 100% of the median of everything we compared |
| Easy to stay | ★★★★★ | Free shuttle bus from JR and Kotoden Kotohira stations; meals in a private room; dinner and breakfast in your room or a dining room; a 400-year-old garden inn where writers and artists stayed; a few staff handle everyday English; communal bath with open-air section, sauna and family bath; PayPay, Alipay and d-barai accepted. |
| Trust | ★★★★☆ | 4.61 across 1,062 reviews (Rakuten Travel 1,062) |
| Only here | ★★★★★ | The only one of the seven that is a 400-year-old garden inn, serves meals in your room, and lists staff who can handle everyday English. |
Seaside glamping in Kan-onji, the cheapest of the five
Reviews: Rakuten Travel 4.45/5 (153) · Agoda 8.9/10 (89) · 242 in total
- A cold plunge as well as the sauna
- Barbecue plan served on your own deck
- Stand-up paddleboards for the sea
Why it made the five
- A natural hot spring with a sea view, open-air bath and sauna.
- 16 glamping tents and villas; meals in your room or on your private deck.
- Pet rooms each have their own dog run.
- About ¥17,000–20,000 per person on a weeknight and ¥27,000–32,000 on a Saturday with two meals — the cheapest of the five.
Getting there: About five minutes by car from Kan-onji station (JR Yosan line). 120 free parking spaces, no booking needed.
Language and payment: English support and tattoo rules are not published, so ask when you book. Rakuten lists Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express. Guests bathe in the hot spring free of charge.
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Right for: Families, friends or dog owners who want the sea, a hot spring and a barbecue rather than a traditional inn.
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Not for: Wanting to stay by the shrine in Kotohira, or wanting tatami rooms and a kaiseki dinner.
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Worth knowing: It is in Kan-onji, not Kotohira. Check-in is 14:00–17:00; call if you will be later. Cancelling the day before costs the full rate.
Score breakdown — 76/100
| Criterion | Stars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★★☆☆☆ | Room, bath and dinner average 4.49 on Rakuten Travel |
| Value for money | ★★★★★ | ¥17,000–20,000 per person on a weeknight (Rakuten, dinner and breakfast) — 76% of the median of everything we compared |
| Easy to stay | ★★★★★ | Check-out 11:00; meals in your room, or on a private deck with the barbecue plan; a sea-view natural hot spring with stand-up paddleboarding and barbecues; communal bath with open-air section, sauna and cold plunge; hot spring free for guests; pet rooms each with a private dog run; about five minutes by car from Kan-onji station. |
| Trust | ★★★☆☆ | 4.45 across 153 reviews (Rakuten Travel 153) |
| Only here | ★★★★☆ | The only one of the seven where you sleep in a glamping tent or villa, with a sea-view natural hot spring, paddleboarding and barbecues. |
15 baths in three bath areas, five minutes from JR
Konpira Onsen Hananoyu Kobaitei
Reviews: Rakuten Travel 4.60/5 (1,816) · Agoda 9.1/10 (117) · 1,933 in total
- The most baths of any inn here
- Private open-air baths book for 45 minutes, for a fee unless your plan says free
- Dinner is a buffet in the restaurant
- Breakfast in a private room or the restaurant
Why it made the five
- Two hot-spring sources, 15 kinds of bath in three bath areas.
- Bookable private open-air baths, and suites with their own open-air bath.
- Five minutes on foot from JR Kotohira; free pick-up if booked.
- About ¥24,000–31,000 per person on a weeknight and ¥30,000–92,000 on a Saturday with two meals.
Getting there: Five minutes on foot from JR Kotohira station, with free pick-up if booked. By car, about 15 minutes from Zentsuji IC and about 40 minutes from Takamatsu airport; 70 free parking spaces with an EV charger.
Language and payment: Per Rakuten, a few staff understand a little English, Chinese and Korean. Rakuten lists a long list of cards, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and Diners Club, plus debit cards, UnionPay and Edy. Tattoo rules are not published, so ask before using the communal baths; the private baths are an alternative.
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Right for: Trying bath after bath, and arriving on foot from the station.
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Not for: Wanting a quiet set dinner rather than a buffet.
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Worth knowing: The last dinner sitting starts at 19:30, so check in before then. Private open-air baths cost extra unless your plan says otherwise. Allergies are handled for the eight main allergens only, and not on the day. All rooms are non-smoking.
Score breakdown — 73/100
| Criterion | Stars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★★★☆☆ | Room, bath and dinner average 4.60 on Rakuten Travel |
| Value for money | ★★★☆☆ | ¥24,000–31,000 per person on a weeknight (Rakuten, dinner and breakfast) — 105% of the median of everything we compared |
| Easy to stay | ★★★★★ | Free pick-up from JR Kotohira (booking required); two hot-spring sources across 15 baths in three bath areas; suites with their own open-air bath; private open-air baths, 45 minutes each, for a fee unless your plan says free; five minutes on foot from JR Kotohira; barrier-free rooms and rooms for wheelchair users. |
| Trust | ★★★☆☆ | 4.6 across 1,816 reviews (Rakuten Travel 1,816) |
| Only here | ★★★★☆ | Two hot-spring sources across 15 baths in three bath areas — the most baths of any of the seven. |
One minute on foot to the Kotohira-gu approach
Kotohira Grand Hotel Sakura-no-Sho
Reviews: Rakuten Travel 4.59/5 (2,062) · Agoda 8.9/10 (187) · 2,249 in total
- Breakfast buffet rated 4.61
- Communal bath with an open-air section and a sauna
- The easiest base for an early start on the steps
Why it made the five
- One minute on foot to the shrine approach.
- A breakfast buffet of about 50 Japanese and Western dishes.
- 2,062 reviews averaging 4.59 — the most of the five.
- About ¥22,000–32,000 per person on a weeknight and ¥31,000–40,000 on a Saturday with two meals.
Getting there: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Kotohira station, with free pick-up if booked. By car, about 15 minutes from Zentsuji IC and about 40 minutes from Takamatsu airport.
Language and payment: Per Rakuten, a few staff understand a little English, Chinese and Korean. Rakuten lists a long list of cards, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and Diners Club, plus debit cards and UnionPay. Free wi-fi in all rooms. Tattoo rules are not published, so ask before using the communal bath. A bathing tax is extra.
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Right for: Climbing the steps first thing in the morning, and a big breakfast before you go.
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Not for: Arriving by car — the hotel’s own car parks are paid and must be booked.
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Worth knowing: The hotel’s car parks are paid and booking-only; the Kotohira pilgrims’ car park about 700 m away is free with no booking. The last set dinner starts at 19:30. When busy, breakfast may be a Japanese set meal instead of the buffet.
Score breakdown — 72/100
| Criterion | Stars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | ★★★☆☆ | Room, bath and dinner average 4.57 on Rakuten Travel |
| Value for money | ★★★☆☆ | ¥22,000–32,000 per person on a weeknight (Rakuten, dinner and breakfast) — 97% of the median of everything we compared |
| Easy to stay | ★★★★★ | Free pick-up from JR Kotohira (booking required); one minute on foot to the approach to Kotohira-gu; a breakfast buffet of about 50 Japanese and Western dishes; communal hot-spring bath with open-air section and sauna; rooms for wheelchair users, barrier-free rooms and braille signage; free wi-fi in all rooms. |
| Trust | ★★★☆☆ | 4.59 across 2,062 reviews (Rakuten Travel 2,062) |
| Only here | ★★★☆☆ | The hotel states it is one minute on foot to the approach to Kotohira-gu — the closest start for the climb of any of the seven. |
Know before you book
- Kotohira-gu sits on the slope of Mt Zozu. It is 785 stone steps from the foot of the approach to the main shrine and 1,368 to the inner shrine, so staying the night lets you start the climb early, before the day-trip crowds arrive.
- Kotohira has two stations a few minutes apart: JR Kotohira on the Dosan line, where limited expresses from Okayama stop, and Kotoden Kotohira, the end of the private line from Takamatsu. Three of these five are in town and either walkable from the station or run a free pick-up.
- The lower steps are lined with souvenir and udon shops. Kagawa is the home of Sanuki udon, and Kotohira is a good place to eat it.
- The Kanamaru-za, the oldest surviving kabuki theatre in Japan, stands a short walk from the shrine approach and is open to visitors when no play is on.
- Two of the five are out of town: one in the Asan mountains of Manno, 35 minutes by bus from Kotohira; one on the coast at Kan-onji, five minutes by car from Kan-onji station on the JR Yosan line.
- Prices here are per person with dinner and breakfast, for two sharing. A ¥150 bathing tax per adult is added at most onsen inns here.
How we chose: theme, conditions, scoring
How we chose
- Candidates: every property in Kotohira listed on Rakuten Travel — 17
- Passed the review filter (counts and averages on Rakuten Travel, the one site that lists every property in the area): 10
- Met every condition below: 7
- Kept: five, each the best at something different
Where the facts come from
- Facts: Rakuten Travel property information (in some articles, each hotel’s own site too)
- Prices: Rakuten Travel live availability, Wednesdays and Saturdays over eight weeks
- Reviews: the count and average on Rakuten Travel, as given in each hotel’s Trust row. Agoda’s reviews are shown under each hotel name for reference only and do not count towards the score
Conditions (all of them, not most of them)
- In Rakuten Travel’s Kotohira and Kan-onji district of Kagawa, with a hot spring
- At least 30 reviews on Rakuten Travel, averaging 4.0 or better
- The cheapest rate falls between ¥8,000 and ¥40,000 per person per night
- An open-air hot-spring bath (an open-air bath at the communal baths counts; private and in-room baths are noted in the text)
Scoring
Five criteria, one to five stars each, weighted to one hundred points. Every star says where the number came from.
- Quality25 pts
- The average of the scores Rakuten Travel publishes for the room, the bath and the food.
- Value for money20 pts
- The cheapest rate with dinner and breakfast against the median of the inns we compared.
- Easy to stay30 pts
- Access from the station, pick-ups, the baths, where meals are served, and check-out time.
- Trust20 pts
- Review counts and averages published by Rakuten Travel.
- Only here5 pts
- What this inn has that the other six do not.
What we dropped
| Property | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Onyado Shikishimakan | Runner-up (72/100) | At 72/100 it ties with Kotohira Grand Hotel Sakura-no-Sho for fifth. We kept Sakura-no-Sho because its one-minute walk to the shrine approach serves this guide more directly, and its 4.59 across 2,062 reviews edges this inn’s 4.56 across 1,801. |
| Kotohira Onsen Kotosankaku | Runner-up (71/100) | At 71/100 it is just behind the five. Rakuten guests score its rooms, bath and dinner 4.39 and the inn 4.36 overall, both the lowest of the seven, which costs it on quality and trust despite the lowest weeknight rate. |
| Konpira Onsen Kashikiri-yu no Yado Kotone | Outside the theme | 4.10 across 662 reviews and seven minutes from JR Kotohira, with six private hot-spring baths — but its listing shows only a hot spring and family baths, with no open-air bath. |
| Kamenoi Hotel Kanonji | Outside the theme | 4.08 across 847 reviews with an open-air bath, but no rate came up in Rakuten’s search, so we could not confirm it meets our price range. |
| Livemax Resort Kanonji | Outside the theme | 4.26 across 264 reviews with a natural hot spring and open-air bath, but its cheapest listed rate falls below our ¥8,000 floor. |
| Oedo Onsen Monogatari Hotel Leoma no Mori | Below the floor | 3,550 reviews with an open-air bath, but they average 3.94, just under our 4.0 floor. |
Questions visitors ask
Which one would you book?
Yuzanso Asan Kotonami, the top score of the five at 82/100, with the best-rated bath (4.72) and the highest review average (4.64) of the seven that qualified. It is 35 minutes by bus from Kotohira, though, and runs about ¥24,000–34,000 per person on a weeknight with two meals. If you want to stay in town, Kotohira Kadan scores 78/100: a 400-year-old garden inn with meals in your room and staff who can handle everyday English.
Which is the cheapest?
Grand Premier Setouchi, both on a weeknight (about ¥17,000–20,000 per person with two meals) and on a Saturday (about ¥27,000–32,000). It is in Kan-onji, though, not Kotohira. In Kotohira itself, Kotohira Grand Hotel Sakura-no-Sho starts lowest on a weeknight, at about ¥22,000.
Which is closest to the shrine steps?
Kotohira Grand Hotel Sakura-no-Sho, one minute on foot from the approach to Kotohira-gu. Kotohira Kadan and Kobaitei are also in town; Kobaitei is five minutes on foot from JR Kotohira, and both offer free pick-ups from the station.
How many steps is it to the shrine?
785 stone steps from the foot of the approach to the main shrine, and 1,368 to the inner shrine. The lower part is lined with shops and udon restaurants. Starting early, from an inn in town, means cooler air and fewer people on the steps.
How do I get to Kotohira?
By JR, Kotohira station is on the Dosan line, and limited expresses from Okayama stop there. From Takamatsu, the Kotoden Kotohira line runs to Kotoden Kotohira station, a few minutes’ walk from the JR station. Sakura-no-Sho and Kobaitei pick you up from JR Kotohira if you book; Kotohira Kadan runs a free shuttle bus from both stations.
When were these prices checked?
We searched Rakuten Travel availability for Wednesdays and Saturdays between 4 November and 26 December 2026, taking the cheapest plan with dinner and breakfast for two adults and showing it per person (checked 27 October 2026). Yuzanso Asan Kotonami and Kotohira Kadan add a ¥150 bathing tax per adult, and Sakura-no-Sho a bathing tax. Prices move daily — the link on each inn shows today’s.
Changes
- 2026-10-29 First published. Scored from 17 candidates.