I could not thank the Kobayashiya team enough, especially Ms. Yang, for the hospitality and kindness during my stay, going above and far beyond expectation for solving any problems I had in Kinosaki and ensured I had a unforgettable smooth vacation here, becoming the highlight of my trip to Japan, even after staying in a few high rated ryokans in other regions. I chose this residence initially as I was able to see from their Instagram that they had worked with an L.A. company working with young adults with Autism, Aspergers, Anxiety and ADHD. Not only was the English support amazing, I would also like to support them in finding creative outlets to do more as a hotel. The photos does not show justice to how beautiful, unique and comfortable the environment is. Clean rooms without a speck of dust. Wonderful lighting for a homely feeling. An exquisite dining environment with garden views. My room also featured a wonderful view over the famed Kinosaki river, observing the lanterns light up as the evening dawns. The “public baths” are actually a highlight of the residence. They are private onsen baths designed with simplistic brilliance, each with their own semi-open air gardens. You can lock the doors so you actually have the bath to yourself. I regret not spending more time in these baths. I understand how one might prefer not sharing the same bathing area with others, but if you are in Kinosaki anyways you’ll be sharing and soaking in the most amount of public baths in your life. Yukata and getas are provided for you for the most authentic Kinosaki experience, as the elegant clangs of getas ring through the night by locals and foreigners alike. Definitely worth more than a 2 star rating, the luxuries may not be present but the service and friendliness is second to none, and gave me an experience of a lifetime. P.S. I suggest not only looking via Booking.

Nothing. Everything was done perfect.

I can’t recommend this hotel enough! The staff is wonderful… they were so nice to talk to, they really helped us figure out where to go in the city, helped me figure out how to put on a yukata, just lovely people. The food here was immaculate. Some of the best food I’ve had on my trip to Japan. I had to take photos of everything! And the restaurant space is so beautifully designed. It’s sophisticated yet relaxing. That could also be due the soothing jazz music playing in the background, the dim and sleek lighting, and the Zen garden within view. And the rooms, my God! we rented a room that had a sunroom overlooking the canal and it’s definitely the room you should get. My husband and I spent a few hours there in the afternoons and mornings, playing cards and drinking tea and looking out at the trees and people. Can’t recommend this hotel enough!

stayed for 2 nights. love the japanese style room and private baths. room had a private toilet but the 3 shower/bath/onsen is outside the room which is fine since 2 out of 3 seem to be free at all times. they also provided free yukata for the length of the stay. had a good amount to choose from. staff is super helpful in getting the yukata on for my wife. dinner and breakfast was very good. had the beef shabu first night and grilled snow crab another night. while tasty and convenient, it was very expensive, next time I would opt for trying the food outside the hotel for dinner.

The staff were so friendly and helpful. They were willing to do anything for us to make our stay comfortable and explained to us thoroughly what to expect of our stay and what was available to us. They also took the time to walk us through the way the onsen town worked and gave us a map with recommendations. They offered to make reservations for us for dinner. They upgraded our room to the garden view suite for no cost just because it wasn’t booked that night. When we had a misunderstanding about how breakfast worked, they were so patient with us and came personally to help escort us to where we needed to go. This is some of the best service I’ve ever received in a hotel, and it was a very homey, comfortable feeling staying with them. The room was absolutely beautiful. We had plenty of space for our needs. They have private onsen of different sizes available for use at no extra cost. Overall, we were very pleased with our stay and with the value. We stayed at a much more expensive hotel our second night in Kinosaki, which ultimately we ended up wishing we had just stayed here the whole time. The value for what we received was so worth it.

There was a lot of noise heard between rooms. It is an older facility, so you just need to be aware of that. Wouldn’t necessarily recommend for those easily bothered by hearing those around them.

A beautiful blend of modern and traditional Japanese interior, from the lounge to the onsens and unique rooms. The stuff was incredibly helpful and friendly. We absolutely loved kinsosaki as a town as well, and the landscape around is beautiful too.

It would have been lovely if breakfast would have been offered a little later. We understand that Japanese people eat early, but international guests do appreciate a later breakfast option :)in Europe for instance, it’s standard to get breakfast until 10AM (or even longer).

Nestled in the heart of Kinosaki Onsen, this ryokan seamlessly blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern design elements, creating a captivating ambience. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in a world where ancient traditions meet contemporary comforts, with a well-curated music selection enhancing your relaxation experience. The ryokan boasts three private onsen baths, providing a serene retreat for guests to unwind. Its prime location offers easy access to the famous public onsens of Kinosaki, perfect for leisurely walks around the charming town. Breakfast is a highlight, carefully prepared with local organic ingredients, allowing you to savor delicious Japanese cuisine while immersing in the beauty of the surrounding nature. The attentive staff extends a warm welcome, making you feel right at home from the moment you arrive. They provide complimentary Yukata robes and assist you in dressing, allowing you to explore the town with a traditional vibe. This ryokan promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of Kinosaki Onsen.

The owner and staffs recommend visiting in autumn or winter when Kinosaki is at its most beautiful and memorable.

We liked the friendly and tentative staff; ones at the front desk, dinning room, and especially the one who helped each of us to put on kimonos.

I've been to many Onsens through out Japan. This was the first time that I ate so much meat at both breakfast and dinner. Since Kinoseki is famous for crab during the fall and winter seasons, I was excepting to have crab for dinner. We did notice other customers in the dinning room eating crab set meal. I asked our waitress and was told that since I booked through Booking.com which only provides one option for Kaiseki dinner. The hotel actually offers three dinner options.

Since this is our first time staying in a Ryokan, we're glad to be entreated to a tour of the place ( read: common private baths within the Ryokan as there is no bath area in each room), choosing the yukata and in general easing into the culture of living in a Japanese inn. We enjoyed the fresh quality of the food served at each meal ( breakfast and kaiseki dinner), and really liked the location of Kobayashiya which faces the Otani River. It's a place of furnished with modern amenities and carrying a rustic charm that we hope to return to again someday. The staff who attended to us made sure to put our luggage in the room neatly, and were patient to lead us to the restaurant at each meal.

We have to use staircase only, going up and down, and use the common bath area for bathing - each of the 3 Baths comes equipped with the Japanese onsen though, so that's something to look forward to).

Wonderful place and people! Everything was great. Arrived at peak sakura blossom and it was among the best places to see it on our trip. Staff recommendations about our walking routes and public baths were also very helpful. English language level of main staff members was high (the best we've met in Japan so far), so it made communication very easy. Adjusted breakfast for our needs and it was excellent both in terms of taste and experience. Will definitely come back again.

Some access to drinking water and tea in the evening apart from the vending machine would be great, but it was not critical for us.

Located right beside the river in the center of Kinosaki Onsen, this beautiful hotel combines the traditional style of Japanese ryokans with modern design elements, creating a unique atmosphere. Our room was spacious, well equipped and made us feel welcome immediately. While the famous public onsens of Kinosaki are just around the corner due to the central location of Kobayashiya, the three private onsen rooms inside the ryokan present an ideal opportunity to start the day in a relaxing fashion or simply enjoy some privacy in between. The Kaiseki (dinner menu) and breakfast were included in our stay and we would highly recommend adding the option. The dishes were carefully prepared with fresh, local ingredients (especially the fish and seafood) and present the perfect opportunity to experience and savor traditional, Japanese cuisine. It was definitely a highlight of our trip to Japan. We would especially like to highlight the service provided during our stay. From the moment you arrive, everything is being taken care of, from providing the complimentary Yukatas and assisting you in dressing appropriately, taking the time to introduce and explain to you the dinner and breakfast menus, explaining everything about Kinosaki and its onsen culture or simply taking care of your room. You can simply relax and enjoy yourself.