Asaba
Deeply traditional Japanese ryokan. Light wood panelling, tatami floors, shoji screens, KOYAMAKI (umbrella pine) wooden soaking tubs in every room. Quiet, slow, and rooted in ritual. Not a place for people who want a flashy contemporary design hotel.
Book rooms facing the Noh stage (Hagoromo, Moegi, Asagi, Ugetsu, Kocho, Matsukaze) for the most atmospheric views
Why It Matters
One of the oldest continuously operating ryokans in Japan — 540+ years of unbroken family stewardship. A Relais & Châteaux member and the benchmark against which all other ryokans are measured. The on-site Noh stage (Gekkeiden) was donated by a Viscount and relocated from Tokyo during the Meiji era; it now hosts seasonal performances by Japan's finest traditional performing arts masters, including Living National Treasures.
Asaba has been in the same family for over 540 years — founded in 1484 when Yakuro Yukitada Asaba came to Shuzenji to establish the Soto sect of Buddhism and opened a lodging house beside the temple. Now in its ninth generation, the property sits along the Katsura River and is built around a central pond, across which a historic Noh stage floats on the water. All 17 rooms have private hot spring baths, dinner is served in your room by a dedicated attendant, and several times a year Living National Treasures perform on that very Noh stage — sometimes arriving by boat.
Where You'll Stay
12 room types available
Asagi
A 111m2 second-floor suite with a separate bedroom and Japanese-style sitting room. Square KOYAMAKI wooden hot spring bath. Noh stage and pond views. Max 5 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made 2 Queen beds (futon for 3+ guests) · 111 sqm
Dodan
An 80m2 second-floor Deluxe Suite with separate bedroom and Japanese-style sitting room. Square KOYAMAKI wooden hot spring bath. Garden views. Max 5 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made 2 Queen beds (futon for 3+ guests) · 80 sqm
Fuji
A 61m2 ground-floor room with garden and pond views. In spring, the window frames a stunning cherry blossom tree. Separate bedroom, sitting room, square KOYAMAKI wooden hot spring bath, futon. Max 3 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made Futon · 61 sqmHagi
A 109m2 corner suite on the ground floor with views of greenery and a small river. Refreshing in summer; stunning autumn foliage colours. Separate bedroom and sitting room, oval KOYAMAKI wooden hot spring bath. Max 6 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made 2 Queen beds (futon for 3+ guests) · 109 sqmHagoromo
A 126m2 first-floor suite with a separate bedroom, Japanese-style sitting room, and a veranda. The KOYAMAKI umbrella pine half-open air bath opens directly toward the Noh stage and pond — the most theatrical bathing experience in the house. Max 5 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made 2 Queen beds (futon for 3+ guests) · 126 sqmKocho
A 52m2 ground-floor room directly in front of the traditional Noh stage — among the best pond-view positions in the property. Separate bedroom and sitting room, square KOYAMAKI wooden hot spring bath, traditional futon. Max 2 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made Futon · 49 sqmMatsukaze
A 71m2 purely Japanese-style Superior on the 2nd floor, facing the traditional Noh stage. Separate bedroom and sitting room, square KOYAMAKI wooden hot spring bath, futon bedding. Max 4 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made Futon · 71 sqmMoegi
The most spacious suite room at 152m2, on the 2nd floor with Noh stage and pond views. Separate bedroom, sitting room, and a writing desk. Oval KOYAMAKI wooden hot spring bath. Max 6 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made 2 Queen beds (futon for 3+ guests) · 152 sqmNadeshiko
A 97m2 corner Deluxe Suite on the 2nd floor with separate tatami mat bedroom and sitting room. Square KOYAMAKI wooden hot spring bath. Garden views. Max 4 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made 2 Queen beds (futon for 3+ guests) · 97 sqmUgetsu
An 89m2 (listed as ~90m2) first-floor Deluxe Suite with separate tatami mat bedroom and sitting room. Oval KOYAMAKI wooden hot spring bath, traditional futon bedding. Noh stage and pond view. Max 6 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made Futon · 89 sqmVilla Tenko
The largest and most private option: a 220m2 detached villa connected to the main building via a private tatami mat corridor. Garden views, a custom outdoor Towadaishi stone bathtub and an indoor KOYAMAKI umbrella pine wooden hot spring bath. Custom-made queen beds (futon for groups). Sleeps up to 6.
Custom-made 2 Queen beds (futon for 3+ guests) · 220 sqmYamabuki
A 49m2 second-floor Superior with seasonal garden views: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vivid autumn colours in fall. Separate bedroom and sitting room, square KOYAMAKI wooden hot spring bath, futon. Max 2 guests; children under 7 not accepted.
Custom-made Futon · 49 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Seasonal performances on the historic Gekkeiden Noh stage, which floats on the central pond and was relocated from Tokyo's Fukagawa Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine in the Meiji era. The 2026 programme features Noh, Kyogen, Shinnai storytelling, Japanese Buyo dance, and Kyomai — performed by Living National Treasures including Mansaku Nomura (Kyogen), Yachiyo Inoue (Kyomai), and Nakasaburo Shinnai (Shinnai). Some performers arrive by boat across the pond. Performances begin at 17:00. Booking via OMAKASE (omakase.in).
Bicycles available for rent on-site. Cycling and hiking trails start just outside the temple gates along the Katsura River, leading through the Shuzenji Onsen area, bamboo groves, and surrounding countryside.
The ryokan's central garden stretches around the pond and the Noh stage — guests are free to wander at any time. A bamboo garden path connects the property to the Shuzenji commercial area. The garden is illuminated at night.
In addition to in-room private baths, Asaba has communal outdoor open-air baths surrounded by bamboo grove and indoor baths made of KOYAMAKI (Japanese umbrella pine) or cedar. Separate men's and women's facilities. Open 14:30–23:00 and 06:00–10:00. Simple hot spring water with therapeutic benefits for neuralgia, joint pain, fatigue, and circulation.
Two private rental baths available for couples and families outside of the guest rooms. Available for guests with tattoos as well.
Ceremonies can be held on the Gekkeiden Noh stage on the water. The ryokan's small and large halls accommodate candlelight ceremonies, celebratory banquets, meetings, and exhibitions. The stage was associated with the Maeda family who ruled the Kaga Domain.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Small and large halls available for meetings, presentations, and exhibitions.
Complimentary coffee and tea in a relaxing lounge area. Alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Open 6:00–11:30 AM and 2:30–11:00 PM.
Traditional yukata (Japanese cotton pajamas), Western-style pajamas, socks, toothbrush, comb, and razor provided.
15-car capacity, complimentary valet parking on-site.
Full non-smoking ryokan with a designated outdoor smoking area.
Ryokan can arrange flat-rate taxis. Shuzenji Station (one-way): ¥5,750 mid-size / ¥2,800 compact. Mishima Station: ¥15,000 mid-size / ¥12,000 compact. Haneda/Narita or Tokyo hotels: inquire directly.
All rooms have private indoor hot spring baths in KOYAMAKI umbrella pine or cedar wooden tubs. Several rooms also have outdoor or half-open-air baths.
BUILD YOUR ASABA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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