Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa

We spent two nights here during our Japan trip, and the team made us feel very welcome. My wife is coeliac and needs gluten free food, so they adapted the entire menu for her. Every meal was delicious, served omakase style in a private dining room. If you’re staying in Nikko for 1+ nights, I’d consider this place for an unusual and authentically Japanese experience. I recommend allowing enough time to see everything. Thanks to the whole team at Okunoin Hotel for making our stay so special.

The private bath was 10/10, and I liked the selection of lotions and body wash. The room itself was really nice and quiet, and staff were friendly apart from the meal issue we had. Still, I felt the hotel missed some of the details I expect from a luxury stay. At other boutique luxury places there are little touches, like a flower on the pillow or fruit in the room, someone showing you the room and its amenities, or help putting on a yukata for the first time. Those were absent here. The shuttle is useful, but the schedule is quite limited. You can leave at 9, 10, or 11 am, and pickups need to be booked for set times, with the last one at 5:45 pm. To explore later, you’d need a taxi. The meals didn’t suit westerners. Great room, and friendly service overall.

I wish we’d booked an extra night at this beautiful, welcoming ryokan. The traditional Japanese breakfast and dinner were amazing. Service was sincere and excellent from the moment we stepped out of the car until we drove away the next day.

We had kaiseki dinner and breakfast, both fresh and delicious. The private bath had an amazing view, and cost 2000 yen for 45 minutes. The Japanese garden was quiet and beautiful, with birdsong and the sound of flowing water. We were welcomed with excellent hospitality from the start, and enjoyed a complimentary drink while checking in, seated in the dining area overlooking the garden. This hidden gem was a highlight of our time in Japan. We’ll definitely come back.