Discover a Shizuoka Ryokan with Private Onsen – Onogiso in Umegashima

♨️ Looking for a quiet, traditional ryokan with private hot spring baths in Shizuoka, Japan—without traveling far from the city?

🚗 Nestled deep in the mountains of Shizuoka City, the secluded hot spring area of Umegashima offers a peaceful escape surrounded by nature—just about an hour’s drive from downtown.

⛰ If you’re seeking a truly relaxing and authentic experience, “Onogiso Ryokan“ is one of the best places to stay in Shizuoka—with four private baths and warm, personal hospitality in a traditional Japanese setting.

Many guests return again and again, drawn by the silky, alkaline hot spring water and the tranquil mountain atmosphere.

Hello! I’m Takeru, a travel writer based in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Thank you for stopping by my blog, where I share insider tips and detailed guides about traveling in and around Shizuoka.

I stayed here with my family in the past, and in this article, I’ll share not only what makes Onogiso so special but also tips and details that will help you plan your own visit.

Why Choose Onogiso Ryokan for Your Stay in Shizuoka?

⛰ Onogiso Ryokan is a charming, traditional inn nestled in Umegashima, a quiet mountain village in Shizuoka.

♨️ With just five guest rooms and four private onsen baths, this intimate ryokan offers a peaceful and authentic Japanese experience surrounded by nature.

The onsen water here is known for its silky-smooth feel and exceptionally high alkalinity (pH 10.3)—one of the highest in Japan..

🇯🇵 Traditional Japanese rooms, thoughtful service, and fresh seasonal meals also enhance the overall experience.

In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Onogiso Ryokan unique—from its relaxing baths and room features to the local flavors and surrounding natural beauty.

About the Private Onsen Baths

♨️ One of the biggest highlights of staying at Onogiso Ryokan is the exceptional private onsen experience.

Despite having only five guest rooms, the inn offers four spacious private baths—two open-air (rotenburo) and two indoor baths—all available on a first-come, first-served basis.

These baths are not just functional—they’re works of passion and craftsmanship. The original founder personally oversaw the creation of each bath, carefully positioning the rocks and designing every detail for comfort—from where you sit to how the surrounding nature comes into view as you soak.

Guests are welcome to use the baths as often as they like throughout their stay (excluding the hours between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM), and each session is kindly requested to be under an hour.

Many visitors take full advantage—bathing multiple times a day and often trying out all four baths while staying.

✅ Recommended Booking Sites for Onogiso Ryokan:

Room Types & Comfort for Families & Couples

During my stay at Onogiso, I booked the “Iwashajin room” for a multigenerational trip with my wife, our young daughter, and my parents. It was the perfect fit—spacious, peaceful, and thoughtfully designed for both children and adults.

This is the ryokan’s most premium room, offering a generous 55 square meters (~590 square feet) of space and a comfortable layout that supports relaxed, flexible family travel.

Here’s what makes the Iwashajin room ideal for families:

👍 The spacious and luxurious Iwashajin room, with its practical amenities and quiet location, is popular with families, couples, and multigenerational travelers seeking comfort and privacy.

👉 Following this, we’ll take a quick look at some the other guest rooms available at Onogiso Ryokan.

The remaining four rooms are located on the second floor and offer peaceful mountain views.

We’ll highlight two of the recommended rooms located on the second floor—both well-suited for couples seeking a peaceful stay.

■ Jumaisan Room – Named After a Famous Local Mountain

Named after Mt. Jumaisan, one of the iconic peaks in the Umegashima region, this room offers a spacious, thoughtfully divided layout with a separate living area and bedroom—perfect for couples who want to enjoy a luxurious, open atmosphere.

One highlight is the handcrafted wooden rocking chair, made by a local artisan, designed for relaxing while admiring the peaceful mountain view. The warm, natural wood furnishings give the room a cozy yet elegant feel.

■Higashimine Room – Named After a Famous Local Mountain

This room is named after Mt. Higashimine, a well-known peak in the Umegashima area. It’s a comfortable Japanese-style space, best suited for couples, close friends, or two guests traveling together. While more compact than other rooms, it still offers a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.

From the window, you can enjoy a direct view of Mt. Higashimine and soak in the surrounding natural beauty.

Meals & Local Ingredients

During our family stay at Onogiso Ryokan, one of the highlights was undoubtedly the meals—both in terms of taste and the thoughtful, locally inspired presentation.

🥘 Creative Washoku Cuisine with Local Flavor

Dinner features a multi-course kaiseki-style menu, a refined form of washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) that highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients from the mountains and rivers of Umegashima.

Guests can choose between two types of nabe (Japanese-style hotpot): wild boar nabe (inoshishi nabe) or Suruga jidori chicken nabe—showcasing local specialty meats.

🐟 Freshwater Fish & Wasabi from clear mountain streams

One of the house specialties is amago, a type of freshwater fish known for its delicate flavor.

We enjoyed both sashimi and salt-grilled styles, which paired beautifully with freshly grated wasabi—a signature product of this region.

The meal also included tender wagyu beef, seasonal tempura, and other elegant side dishes.

👪 A Special Meal for the Whole Family

My parents were especially impressed by the quality of the food and the relaxing meal atmosphere. It felt like a meaningful way to share something special as a family—good food, great company, and the warmth of a traditional Japanese inn.

😄 I was genuinely glad to see them smile throughout our stay.

⏬ Recommended Booking Sites for Onogiso Ryokan:

Seasonal Beauty & Stargazing at Umegashima

🌟 Surrounded by mountains and untouched nature, Umegashima is a peaceful retreat far from the city lights of Shizuoka.

Thanks to the area’s minimal light pollution, the night sky comes alive with stars—perfect for stargazing right outside your ryokan after a relaxing soak in the onsen.

⛰ Nature here also offers something beautiful in every season.

Many guests, myself included, return throughout the year to capture these changing landscapes—each season offering a new kind of beauty, both in the daylight and under the stars.

🌺 From late February to March, plum blossoms gradually begin to bloom along the Umegashima mountain road, signaling the arrival of spring. The plum orchard near Onogiso Ryokan typically reaches full bloom in mid-March.

🌸 In early April, hundreds of cherry trees bloom in the local sakura garden, turning it into one of Shizuoka’s hidden hanami spots.

✨ On weekends during peak season, the area is beautifully illuminated for nighttime cherry blossom viewing.

🌳 Early summer is filled with lush, vibrant greenery, inviting visitors to enjoy forest walks and riverside moments with their families.

For more adventurous travelers, stepping a little deeper into the area reveals suspension bridges and scenic trails that offer a more thrilling way to explore Umegashima’s natural beauty.

🍁 Autumn turns the mountainside into a canvas of brilliant red and gold, making it one of the best times to visit for those seeking peaceful scenery.

Even normally quiet paths become lively during peak autumn color season, as visitors pause to take photos and stroll through the stunning fall landscapes.

❄️ In winter, while Umegashima rarely experiences heavy snowfall, you may occasionally see a light dusting or snowflakes drifting down from the nearby mountains.

This beautiful phenomenon—known locally as kazahana, or “wind-blown snow”—creates a serene, magical atmosphere.

When it happens, it’s the perfect chance to enjoy a snow-viewing bath (yukimi-buro) in the open-air onsen.

Access to Onogiso – A Hidden Retreat That’s Closer Than You Think

Onogiso Ryokan is located in the peaceful mountains of Umegashima, just about one hour from downtown Shizuoka City.

While it feels like a remote retreat, getting there is surprisingly simple—especially with several convenient access options available.

🚗 By Car (Most Recommended)

Driving is the easiest and most flexible way to reach Onogiso Ryokan, especially for families or small groups.

Here are the approximate travel times:

• From JR Shizuoka Station: 1 hour

• From Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport: 1 hour 15 minutes

• From Shizuoka IC (Tomei Expressway): 1 hour
• From Shin-Shizuoka IC (Shin-Tomei Expressway): 45 minutes

The route takes you through forested mountain roads with beautiful scenery. While there are a few narrow sections near the ryokan, the views along the way more than make up for it—especially if you enjoy a scenic drive into nature.

🚐 Round-Trip Shuttle Plan from Shizuoka Station (Reservation-Only)

If you’re not traveling by car, the easiest option is the round-trip shuttle plan offered by Onogiso Ryokan for guests booking directly through Japanese booking sites or the official ryokan website.

*This shuttle service is not available on global platforms like Agoda.

🚌 By Bus (Least Recommended)

Public buses from Shizuoka Station are available via the Shizutetsu Just Line, heading to Umegashima Onsen. The journey takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.

🔗 Shizutetsu Bus Timetable (as of April 2025) – For Umegashima Onsen
Check the latest departure times from JR Shizuoka Station to Umegashima Onsen.

⚠️ However, please note that bus frequency is limited, and schedules may not match your check-in or check-out times. Advance planning is essential if you choose this option.

Final Thoughts – Our Family Stay at Onogiso

As someone who stayed at Onogiso Ryokan with my wife, my young daughter, and my parents, I can confidently say this is one of the most memorable and relaxing stays we’ve had in Japan.

From the peaceful mountain surroundings to the warm hospitality, everything felt personal and authentic.

♨️ The private onsen baths allowed our family to enjoy quiet, unhurried moments together, while the beautifully prepared meals gave us a taste of the region’s seasonal ingredients.

My parents were especially touched by the experience, making it a truly meaningful multigenerational trip.

If you’re looking for a traditional Japanese ryokan that balances comfort, nature, and cultural charm—all just an hour from central Shizuoka—Onogiso is a hidden gem worth discovering.