Ibaraki Prefecture near Tokyo is home to many hidden hot spring spots that are still relatively unknown. Here are seven recommended hot spring hotels and inns for a tranquil and charming stay.

The Charms of Ibaraki's Hot Springs and Where to Stay

Hot springs, one of Japan’s many charms, are part of its traditional culture, where people enjoy naturally sourced waters believed to have healing properties. They’ve also been gaining attention from international visitors.

Ibaraki Prefecture offers a variety of hot spring inns with different types of mineral waters. Guests can choose from inns and hotels near famous sightseeing destinations or those nestled in nature, by the sea or along riversides.

Ibaraki Prefecture is also appealing for its easy access from Tokyo and Narita Airport. The local Ibaraki Airport offers direct flights to popular domestic destinations, such as Sapporo and Naha, as well as international destinations such as South Korea and China, making it the perfect place for a short getaway.

This article introduces seven carefully selected hot spring hotels and inns in Ibaraki Prefecture, highlighting each hot spring’s unique features, along with their delicious cuisine and nearby sightseeing attractions, making for a truly fulfilling trip.

1. Isohara Seaside Hotel (Kitaibaraki)

Picture courtesy of Isohara Seaside Hotel

Isohara Seaside Hotel, located in Kitaibaraki at the northern tip of Ibaraki Prefecture, offers views of the Pacific Ocean. The beach is just a five-minute walk away, allowing guests to enjoy a relaxing stay surrounded by the ocean scenery.
Isohara Seaside Hotel has a rooftop open-air bath and scenic indoor baths, both sourced from its own natural spring, allowing guests to soak in the waters while gazing out at the vast Pacific Ocean or up at the starry sky. The hot spring is said to relieve joint pain and muscle fatigue, as well as boost metabolism. Guests can fully relax both body and mind while enjoying the hot springs.

Picture courtesy of Isohara Seaside Hotel

The hotel offers Ibaraki Organic Fusion Cuisine, based on traditional Japanese dishes while incorporating elements from various international food cultures. All ingredients are carefully selected, including organic vegetables from local partner farms, seafood delivered directly from the harbor, and naturally raised meats. The hotel also makes its own miso paste, dressings, jams, and other products.
Breakfast is served buffet-style, while one of the most popular specialties for dinner is seasonal monkfish dishes—available only in autumn and winter.

Picture courtesy of Isohara Seaside Hotel

Guest rooms are available in Japanese, Western, and Japanese-Western styles, with all rooms being oceanfront.

There are plenty of sightseeing spots nearby, including Futatsushima Beach, Izura Coast, and teamLab: Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces.

2. ART HOTEL Kashima Central (Kamisu)

Picture courtesy of ART HOTEL Kashima Central

In 2025, ART HOTEL Kashima Central underwent a full renovation and rebranding. It features a mall with souvenir shops and an indoor plaza, as well as a chapel and banquet halls. It is directly accessible from Tokyo Station by express bus, making it ideal for family vacations as well as business trips.

Picture courtesy of ART HOTEL Kashima Central

One of the hotel’s attractions is its adjoining day-use hot spring, which features 100% natural spring water sourced on-site. The water has a tea-colored hue and is rich in minerals, believed to be beneficial for soft, hydrated skin. It is also said to have a warming effect after a bath. The facility includes a sauna, a jacuzzi, and more.

Picture courtesy of ART HOTEL Kashima Central

There are a variety of dining options, including teppanyaki, Japanese and Chinese cuisine, casual restaurants, and bars. Guest rooms feature a simple, modern design that comes in nine styles, with some accommodating three or more guests. Nearby sightseeing spots include the historic Ikisu Shrine and Kashima Jingu Grand Shrine.
This hot spring hotel is great for enjoying both leisure and cultural experiences.

3. Kamenoi Hotel Tsukubasan (Tsukuba)

Picture courtesy of Kamenoi Hotel Tsukubasan

Kamenoi Hotel Tsukubasan is located at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. Fully renovated in 2024, the hotel has been transformed into a comfortable space that meets a wide range of needs. On clear days, guests can see Tokyo Skytree and even Mt. Fuji from the lobby.

Picture courtesy of Kamenoi Hotel Tsukubasan

The rooftop infinity bath, offering panoramic views of the Kanto Plain, is filled with natural hot spring water from Mt. Tsukuba. In good weather, the Nikko Mountain Range and Mt. Fuji are visible in the distance. There are also large indoor and open-air baths on the first and second floors, which provide a variety of hot spring experiences. The soft, alkaline-rich water, known as “Bihada no Yu” or “Skin-Beautifying Hot Spring,” is gentle on the skin.

Picture courtesy of Kamenoi Hotel Tsukubasan

The hotel offers a Japanese-Western buffet featuring dishes made with local ingredients, including Hitachi Wagyu Beef yakishabu (thinly sliced grilled meat), mushroom hot pot, and natto pork cutlets. For those still feeling a little peckish, complimentary tantanmen (spicy Chinese noodles) is available as a late-night snack.

Guest rooms come in a wide range of styles, including Japanese rooms, Western rooms with panoramic views, cycling rooms, and dog-friendly rooms. The hotel is certified as a “Welcome Baby Accommodation”, offering family and kids’ rooms, making it a safe and comfortable place for families with young children.

With Mt. Tsukuba, Tsukubasan Shrine, and nearby cycling routes, the hotel serves as an excellent base for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

4. Natural Hot Spring Kobai no Yu Dormy Inn Mito (Mito)

Picture courtesy of Dormy Inn Mito

Dormy Inn Mito is part of a nationwide business hotel chain. It is conveniently located about a 12-minute walk from Mito Station, in a lively area of the city, making it an ideal choice for both business and sightseeing.

On the top floor, the hotel features spacious indoor natural hot spring baths (the men’s bath offers views of Lake Senba) as well as open-air baths. The hot spring water is sourced from Takahagi City, Ibaraki, and is said to have a skin-beautifying effect. The bathing area is also equipped with a sauna and a cold-water bath, allowing guests to enjoy a full hot spring experience right in the city center.

Picture courtesy of Dormy Inn Mito

Breakfast is served in a Japanese–Western buffet featuring a wide variety of small dishes, including local specialties such as kenchin soba (a hearty, vegetable-filled buckwheat noodle soup) and rice bowls topped with Ibaraki’s famous natto.
In the evenings, complimentary soba (buckwheat) noodles, probiotic drinks, and ice cream are offered as a late-night snack.

Picture courtesy of Dormy Inn Mito

Guest rooms are available in four types: double, twin, queen, and universal.

There are many highlights in the area, including Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, Lake Senba, and the historic Kodokan Mito Domain School.

5. Omoide Romankan, Fukuroda Hot Springs (Daigo)

Picture courtesy of Omoide Romankan

Omoide Romankan is an all-inclusive inn where guests can enjoy meals and various activities throughout their stay, unlimited and at no extra cost.

The Fukuroda Onsen used at the inn is a historic hot spring well known as a “beauty-enhancing spring,” and is especially popular among women.
In addition to open-air baths along the mountain stream and garden open-air baths, the inn also offers spacious indoor baths.
Guests can also enjoy unique seasonal baths, such as tea baths and apple baths, for a distinctive hot spring experience.

Picture courtesy of Omoide Romankan

The inn offers a Japanese-Western buffet generously prepared with local ingredients.

Breakfast includes Daigo-grown rice and Okukuji eggs, while dinner features steak and salt-grilled sweetfish, a local specialty, along with an all-you-can-drink selection of draft beer, whisky, wine, and local sake carefully selected by the staff. The Premium Bar also offers a happy hour with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages that can be enjoyed from the time of check-in.

Picture courtesy of Omoide Romankan

Guests can choose a room with a view of either the stream or the sunset. Premium rooms are also available, each with its own open-air bath filled with natural hot spring water.
There are many sightseeing spots in the area, including the famous Fukuroda Falls and Tsukimachi Falls. During the pleasant autumn season, visitors can also enjoy apple picking at nearby orchards.

6. Anko no Yado Marumitsu Ryokan (Kitaibaraki)

Picture courtesy of Anko no Yado Marumitsu Ryokan

Anko no Yado Marumitsu Ryokan, a popular spot among food connoisseurs, is a traditional inn renowned for its monkfish cuisine.
The inn offers six types of baths, including the Space Bath—said to be the deepest in Japan—and the Collagen Bath, which is rich in collagen and known for its beautifying effects, making it especially popular. Guests can rejuvenate both mind and body in this soothing environment.

Picture courtesy of Anko no Yado Marumitsu Ryokan

The most popular dishes are, naturally, the highly nutritious monkfish dishes that have been treasured since long ago.
Guests can enjoy a wide variety of dishes, including the classic monkfish nabe (hot pot) and collagen-rich dobujiru, a soup made using every part of the monkfish.

Picture courtesy of Anko no Yado Marumitsu Ryokan

All guest rooms are spacious Japanese-style rooms designed for a comfortable stay. There are two types: a 12.5-tatami room (~20.25 m²) and a 16-tatami room (~25.92 m²) with twin beds.
Scenic spots such as Hirakata Fishing Port, teamLab: Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces, and the Izura Coast are just a short distance away. A stay at Marumitsu Ryokan lets guests enjoy relaxing hot springs, delicious local cuisine, and leisurely strolls—all in one experience.

7. Isozaki Onsen Hotel New Hakuaki (Hitachi)

Picture courtesy of Isozaki Onsen Hotel New Hakuaki

Isozaki Onsen Hotel New Hakuaki is excellent for those seeking a tranquil retreat overlooking the Pacific Ocean, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

From the guest rooms and open-air baths, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the majestic Pacific Ocean. The hot spring is a rare sodium chloride spring, said to warm the body to the core, and is especially popular among female guests.

Picture courtesy of Isozaki Onsen Hotel New Hakuaki
*Image is for illustrative purposes only. Menu items may vary.

The hotel emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, offering carefully selected fresh seafood and seasonal produce. Breakfast is served buffet-style, while dinner features a colorful multicourse kaiseki meal.

Picture courtesy of Isozaki Onsen Hotel New Hakuaki

There are 10 types of guest rooms, including those with beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and premium rooms featuring an open-air bath made of Japanese cypress.
Hitachi Seaside Park and Sakatsura Isosaki Shrine are located nearby, and in the summer, activities like swimming at Ajigaura Beach can also be enjoyed, allowing for a full experience of the local sightseeing spots.