Built in 1960 and designed by the master sukiya-style architect Masaya Hirata, the Hiratakan Annex building is the latest addition to Nishimuraya Honkan.
The sophisticated and original architecture will lead you to see why the Hiratakan is sometimes referred to as the ryokan inside a ryokan.
The gardens of Nishimuraya Honkan allow guests to experience the kaleidoscope of variation that Japans four seasons bring.
Guest rooms were designed with as much thought given to the outside as the inside.
Whether it is the elegant cherry blossoms of spring, the gentle breezes off the Sea of Japan in the summer, the colorful leaves of autmun.
Or the delicate snows of winter, you are sure to discover a wealth of natural beauty in Kinosaki Onsen.
From tatami mat floors, to sliding paper window doors, to wooden terraces with spectacular garden views, the guest rooms of Nishimuraya Honkan will surround you with a rich and traditional Japanese atmosphere.
Your time in Japan demands nothingless than the finest, most authentic environment.
With spectacular, sweeping views of Honkan’s Japanese garden from the 2nd floor, you will soon discover why Matsu is one of special rooms.
In addition to the impressive views, the room is one of the largest and can accommodate up to 7 guests.
Matsu was constructed in the shoin-style of architecture, a style used heavily in Buddist temples in Japan.
The wide and open spaces of Matsu - two rooms, 10 and 8 tatami mats in size, each - will make you feel like ancient Japanese nobility as you relax in its wide spaces.
Matsu is Japanese for pine. As you leave the Matsu Special Room and go down the stairs, if you stop and look up you will see a small window with a view of a pine tree.
The design is meant to allow the guest to gauge and appreciate the seasons.
It is one of the many, “simple yet deep” elements of traditional Japanese design that you will discover when staying at Nishimuraya Honkan.
Features two main guest rooms, a generously sized living room, and open air bath. The large window looks out onto the Hirtakan garden as well as the base of a forest shrouded mountain.
Your time in Japan demands nothing less than the finest in luxurious comfort.
Relax in the open air bath as you take in both the outside beauty and the fresh scents of the Japanese cypress wood.
The Hiratakan Annex building and Horai Special Room was designed by the master sukiya-style architect Masaya Hirata and is considered one of his signature designs.
Enjoy a relaxing soak in the heated open air bath after you privately served meal, and then unwind in the living room as you admire the splendid view.
Enjoy a relaxing soak in the heated open-air bath after your in-room privately served meal. Unwind as you look out onto the courtyard garden from the raised view of the terrace room. The guest room itself is another beauty to behold. From the patterned transoms to the large shoji paper walls and the porcelain bath.
Guests demanding the most exquisite comfort and beauty possible in Kinosaki Onsen need look no further than Kangetsu Special Room.
Take in the beauties of the season as you relax in your private open-air bath, made of shigaraki porcelain.
The Hiratakan Annex building and Kangetsu Special Room was designed by the master sukiya-style architect Masaya Hirata and is considered one of his signature designs.
The large 16 tatami-mat size room can accomodate up to seven guests. Spend one unforgettable night in Kangetsu and you will agree that it is one of Nishimuraya Honkan’s finest room.
No visit to Japan is a complete without experiencing a ryokan. The essence of Japan - simple and comfortable, yet painstakingly detailed - will surround you the moment you enter traditional Japanese-style room.
This larger version of standard Japanese-style room features a 6 tatami-mat and 10 tatami-mat sized room, for added comfort and extra space.
Perfect for larger families or groups of up to 7 people.
From the in-room, privately served dinner and breakfast to the breathtaking views of expansive Japanese garden, your time in Kinosaki will feel as if you were constantly drifting on a cloud of serenity and comfort.
Ideal for guests who seek a more private, secluded experience. Asuka features both a private garden and open-air bath.
Enjoy a relaxing soak in the heated outdoor bath after your in-room privately served meal, then unwind in the terrace room as you admire the splendid garden.
It won’t take long to discover why Asuka is one of most popular rooms.
The uniquely patterned rock garden extends into the open air bath itself.
The generous 10 tatami-mat sized room provides all of the space needed to indulge your need for leisure and relaxation.
The elegance and sophistication of Asuka is sure to become the jewl of your travel memories of Japan.
Every space of Asuka has been meticulously thought out and planned. The garden can be entered either from the terrace room or the open air bath area.
The garden itself is closed off from the rest of the ryokan, offering you the highest level of privacy and quiet.
Standard, Japanese-style guest room is 8 tatami mats in floor size and also features a terrace area for extra comfort and enjoying the outside scenery.
The largest number of rooms in Nishimuraya Honkan are this style. It is ideal for single travellers, couples or average sized families.
From the in-room, privately served dinner and breakfast to the breathtaking views of expansive Japanese garden, your time in Kinosaki Onsen deserves nothing less than the finest comfort and relaxation.
Ideal for guests who seek a more private, secluded experience. Hatsune features a private open-air bath and garden.
Your stay in Hatsune is sure to be your most relaxing and luxurious time in Japan.
The word, “Hatsune” refers to the first call of birds at the beginning of a new season.
The privacy and seclusion of Hatsune puts you in an environment where the only sounds you can hear are the sounds of nature. Truly, a place of peace and serenity.
The center of any stay at a ryokan is the food. The culinary artisans of Nishimuraya have been serving Japanese-style kaiseki dinners for over 150 years.
Kinosaki is famous for its mouth watering Matsuba crab and savory Tajima beef, the origin of the famous Kobe beef.
There is nothing more relaxing than enjoying dish after dish of wonderfully delicious Japanese food after an evening at the hot springs.
Your time in Japan could not be better spent.
The changing of the leaves creates an ocean of colors in the mountain forests that surround Kinosaki.
The Japanese have a saying, “an appetite for fall” which expresses the excitement and anticipation for the many varied tastes and ingredients which are available in autumn.
From Matsutake mushrooms to red snow crabs, there is a treasure trove of tastes to explore when you visit Nishimuraya Honkan in Kinosaki Onsen.
Matsuba crab is the local name for the male snow crab harvested from the Sea of Japan. The Matsuba crab season in Kinosaki Onsen is from November 7th to March 31st.
In Japanese cooking, just about every portion of the crab is used.
The tender, fluffy crab meat is of course a highlight of the Matsuba crab, but most Japanese find the “kani miso” (crab inards) to be the most delicious. Give it a try and for sure you’ll agree.
Sashimi, boiled, grilled, hot pot… whatever the style, the succulent flavors of fresh Matsuba crab are sure to make an impression on your tastebuds and leave you wanting more!
Matsuba crab served at Nishimuraya Honkan are taken direct from the local ports of Tsuiyama and Shibayama to allow guests to experience the freshest taste possible.
You’ll agree there is no finer taste than crab taken fresh from the sea.
After a long and famed career in traditional Japanese cuisine and restaurants, Etsunobu Takahashi joined Nishimuraya Honkan as its head chef in 2000.
In 2005 he assumed the further role of general head chef after taking over the head chef responsibilities for Honkan’s sister property, Nishimuraya Shogetsutei.
Chef Takahashi has carried on his culinary achievements while at Nishimuraya, recently collaborating with Michelin chef Herve Busset in France in 2011 and producing Japan Airline’s domestic first class menu in 2012.
The blooming sakura along Kiyamachi street heralds the coming of spring and a season of fresh tastes from both the sea and land; spring menus are among the most varied and colorful.
From splendid sashimi selections, to bamboo shoot dishes, and of course Tajima beef. Spring is a time to discover tastes as well as breathtaking scenery.
With the year half way complete, summer is a time to sit back and relax a bit. Your taste buds, however, will continue to get a workout.
Close proximity to the Sea of Japan blesses Kinosaki Onsen with a year round supply of fresh seafoods and nothing says summer more than ample helpings of Tajima beef.
Indulge yourself with a festival of food before strolling out into the cool summer evenings in a yukata to enjoy the nightly fireworks of Kinosaki. Truly a summer to remember.
In Kinosaki Onsen, winter time means one thing: Matsuba crab, the local name for male snow crab from the Sea of Japan, caught from early November until late March.
Winter menus feature Matsuba crab served in a variety of styles
such as sashimi, boiled, grilled, and hot pot.
Winter snows, steamy onsens, fluffy crab and juicy Tajima beef. The winter season is the pinnacle of enjoyment and relaxation.
Choose from Japanese, Balinese or Chinese style private spas. Each spa is open air and comes with an indoor relaxation room, rock bath and complimentary beverages and robes/towels.
A variety of courses are available including aroma treatment and massage. Relieve all your stresses and add a new touch to your relaxing time in Kinosaki Onsen.
A style different from many traditonal Japanese baths, Fukuno-yu makes extensive use of round shapes, patterned tiles, and rocks.
The fresh scent of cypress wood will greet your senses as you relax in the natural hot springs waters.
Guest of Honkan have access to the private spa and relaxation salon facilities of sister property, Nishimuraya Shogetsutei.
A variety of courses are available including aroma treatment and massage.
Indoor baths with splendid views of the Hiratakan courtyard garden.
Choose from Japanese, Balinese or Chinese style private spas.
For hundreds of years, Kinosaki has been known throughout Japan as a hot spring town. Putting on yukata and visiting each hot spring - each with its own unique style - has become a storied tradition of visitors to Kinosaki.
Guests of Nishimuraya Honkan enjoy free access to all of the public onsen of Kinosaki.
There are two beaches near to Kinosaki which can be easily reached via rental bicycle.
In the center courtyard of Nishimuraya Honkan sits a lush Japanese garden.
Sea kayaking, or geo canoe, as the locals call it, is a popular marine sport here from spring to autumn.
A unique mixture of old European furnitue and Japanese-style architecture, lobby lounge Seigetsutro is great place to relax with a cup of coffee or tea.
Impressive collection of photopgraphs, paintings and artificats of the past from Nishimuraya, Kinosaki Onsen, and Japan itself.
This temple is dedicated to a Buddhist saint who, according to legend, prayed for 1000 days to bring forth spring water to Kinosaki.
Zazen is a type of seated meditation that starts with correcting your breathing posture originated in India.
NISHIMURAYA HONKAN
469 YushimaKinosaki-choToyooka City669-6101 Hyogo Japan