ACCOMMODATIONS Riverside Maruyama

My husband and I stayed here during our road trip in May, and it was honestly one of the best accommodation choices we made in the Kinosaki Onsen area.

For travelers driving around Japan, the free parking was a huge plus. We didn’t have to worry about additional parking fees at all, which made our trip much more convenient and stress-free.

The owner was incredibly friendly and passionate about hospitality, and the staff provided excellent service throughout our stay. They were very thoughtful and even proactively helped us take photos, which we really appreciated.

Another great perk was the free shuttle bus service to Kinosaki Onsen. It was so convenient because we could enjoy the onsen area without needing to spend extra money on parking there.

The hotel itself is peaceful and relaxing. There are only five guest rooms, each with a private toilet, creating a cozy and quiet atmosphere. The property also has three private onsens, and both the rooms and onsens face the river — the view was absolutely beautiful and so calming.

If you have extra time, you can even try fishing. The rental fee is only 500 yen, which is a really good deal and a fun experience.

We also had breakfast at the hotel (2,000 yen per person), and it was definitely worth it. The portions were generous and everything tasted delicious.

Overall, this place offered wonderful hospitality, a relaxing atmosphere, and excellent value. We would definitely love to stay here again.

My only regret is not taking a picture with the staff. As much as I enjoyed the view and location, it was the joyful service of the staff, emphasis on joy not mere politeness, that helped make my stay so memorable.
Beyond that the food was among the best I’ve had in Japan. They went out of their way to create meals to meet all that I desired. I was so happy. Everything was so delicious. And when natto was served for breakfast one morning, I requested it to be subbed out by something more to my liking the next morning and it was exactly as I asked for and then some. Every meal was a dream. Excellent chef.

The three private onsen at the Maruyama were also very nice. I could have easily skipped half the onsen in Kinosaki just to stay at the Maruyama private onsen. The stone lined onsen was my favorite and each onsen has a great view of the river.

Though I didn’t have a family with me, they had many great options for guests with children, including an onsen with a separate playroom where you can watch the kids play while you relax in your onsen! What a brilliant idea!

I even got to try fishing which, admittedly, was part of the attraction for me to come and stay at this particular hotel, because I love fishing back home and knew I could get close to nature. An enjoyable way to spend some quiet time along the river.

The room was nice as well. Each room facing the river. I think what you’ll find here is similar to other ryokan. You have everything you need including a mini fridge and electric kettle for making tea (full tea set in your room). They do have a special extra faucet in the room or Kinosaki fresh spring water, which is a nice feature. I would fill my water bottle with it the night before and stick it in the fridge to have a nice cold bottle of fresh spring water to stay properly hydrated for the next day of onsen hopping.

Other amenities include: hot and cold water with coffee options, two massage chairs, lots of games (eg. air hockey, foosball, hungry hungry hippo, and other favorites), children’s play room, outdoor garden, play area, and bar overlooking the river.

A variety of yukata, geta sandals, and hairpieces are available to freely wear into town. They even have umbrellas and boots to wear if it’s raining. They really thought of everything.

They also provide pickup and drop off service into Kinosaki as you need it, except during their service break when the counter is closed (12-3pm I believe). They will also help carry your luggage to and from your room (which given my crazy backpack is no easy task!). They make your vacation very easy and restful. And you really feel like an honored guest with a warm family touch.

At the end of the day, that warmth and joy is what will bring me back. I can go anywhere to experience politeness, but the genuine warmth really shone through here. I would love to come back sometime.

Thank you very much for all the wonderful service. We truly love the warm and friendly atmosphere here. The onsen are absolutely delightful, and those lovely smiles and the incredible crab meal (crazy 6 crabs dinner for two person) will stay in our hearts. We highly recommend this place to others!

Great hospitality ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Delicious food ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Owner couple ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I enjoyed the stay in Riverside Maruyamaso (Golden crab room). The hospitality of owner couple impressed me. I do wish to stay there again. Highly recommend.

This was an outstanding experience! It was the best service we’ve ever had at a hotel, we truly relaxed and had the best time. The views are breathtaking. We loved watching the sun reflect on the river, drinking coffee in a beautiful Japanese garden, fishing and visiting the onsen. Breakfasts were amazing, the room was very comfortable and well-designed. Thank you so much!

Excellent food, very friendly host! This hotel is kids friendly, my family had a great time here!

We had a truly unforgettable stay at this charming little hotel. The personalized service was top-notch, and the owners made us feel like part of the family. The quiet, secluded location was perfect for a peaceful getaway. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, and the food was absolutely delicious. It was the perfect combination of comfort and luxury.

Riverside Marumayaso feels like a hidden gem in the Kinosaki Onsen area.
Although I had high expectations for the ryokan experience, Riverside Marumayaso exceeded my expectations in terms of quality of the service.
Room was prepared to perfection, we especially enjoyed the terrace with the river-view. Private onsen right next to it is just great!
The dinner & breakfast are extremely well prepared. A varied katseki meal with lots of different dishes, all with great taste. The presentation was so spot-on that I didn't know where to start!
The ryokan is located outside of Kinosaki Onsen town, but that's what makes it great, being able to get out of the crowds and enjoy the river-view. Despite that, the staff will take you to Kinosaki Onsen and pick you up at your own request.
But overall, the staff members are personally my favourite part and the reason why I would recommend. This is a family-owned ryokan that are commited to offering you the best experience. Everyone went the extra mile making us feel comfortable, from the start until the end.
I would definitely recommend to all my friends and family, and we're looking forward to coming back!

Kid friendly inn with wonderful staff. Highly recommend for families with small children. Great value!

Beautiful room, super friendly staff, excellent food, great view from our room. Walls are just a bit thin though.