When most travelers imagine winter in Kyoto, they think of snow-capped temples or the quiet chill of the city streets. But if you head about two hours by train or car north to the coast of the Sea of Japan, winter here brings its own unique charm. Winter in the Kyoto by the Sea region is characterized by the season’s culinary king—fresh crab—and the comforting warmth of hot springs.
In this guide, we will introduce accommodations and restaurants where you can enjoy winter delicacies like the phantom Taiza crab, as well as day-trip hot spring spots to soothe your travel fatigue. We also propose a simple 2-day itinerary that allows you to experience the classic winter combination of crab cuisine and hot springs. Enjoy a heartwarming winter trip to Kyoto!
Indulge in Luxurious Crab Gourmet and Ryokan Stays
The northern part of Kyoto Prefecture offers a wealth of inns where you can savor fresh local seafood. Here are five exceptional accommodations known for their winter crab dishes and hospitality.
Kasyouen Bettei Fuka
This ryokan has introduced special floors—”Usui,” “Rikka,” and “Taisho”—that offer a refined, adult-only atmosphere with rich scenic views. The modern Japanese-style rooms are equipped with open-air baths, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing stay. For meals, guests can enjoy the seasonal flavors of Tango and Tajima in a dedicated dining area.
Standing in a location with superb views of Yuhigaura, Shizuka Hanaogi is an inn that promises a special day. Guests can spend a moment of bliss enjoying the hot springs and Tango cuisine while listening to the sound of the tide in a beautiful space.
Aburaya is perched on a hill overlooking the Sea of Japan in Tango, Kyoto. It features guest rooms with open-air baths fed by free-flowing hot springs and a large public bath accessible 24 hours a day. You can enjoy Tango delicacies such as seasonal seafood and Tajima beef, served dish-by-dish in the privacy of your room. It is located just 8 minutes from the famous Ine Boathouses.
Jukaitei is an adults-only inn limited to eight groups per day. The owner, who is a broker at the Taiza Port, personally bids on seafood to ensure the highest quality. This dedication results in impressive cuisine prepared by a master of fish. In winter, guests can taste the phantom “Taiza crab.” The inn stands on the highest hill in Tango, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery.
This inn is renowned for the comfort of its tatami-matted corridors allowing guests to move around barefoot. Of the 46 total rooms, they also feature rooms with open-air baths and rooms with ocean-view hot spring baths. The welcoming atmosphere invites you to relax and unwind completely.
Refresh Your Body and Mind with a Day Trip to Hot Springs in Tango and Ayabe
Ukawa Onsen Yoshino-no-Sato
Ukawa Onsen offers a “Sea Hot Spring” with breathtaking views of the Sea of Japan and the sunset, and a “Mountain Hot Spring” surrounded by bamboo groves. The two bath areas alternate daily between men and women. The complex also features a restaurant and accommodation facilities, making it suitable for long-term stays for hot spring therapy.
Ukawa Onsen Yoshino-no-Sato Address:1562 Ukawa Hisaso, Tango-cho, Kyotango City Hours: Hours vary between winter and regular seasons. April–November: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, December–March: 12:00 PM–9:00 PM (Last admission at 8:30 PM) Closed: Thursdays and the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays
Ukawa Onsen
This establishment features a marine hot spring that takes your breathe away with the blueness of the Sea of Japan and the view of the setting sun on the horizon, as well as a mountain hot spring that …
Embraced by the magnificent nature of Ayabe Kanbayashi, Ayabe Onsen, also known as “Nio no Yu,” is a natural blessing boasting rich hot spring minerals. There is also a medicinal bath blended with various types of herbal medicine, which is perfect for promoting health in a relaxed mood.
Ayabe Onsen Address:Zainomukai-10 Mutsuyoricho, Ayabe, Kyoto Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Reception closes at 8:30 PM) Closed: 2nd and 4th Mondays (Open if Monday is a national holiday, closed the following day)
Ayabe Onsen
Ayabe Onsen Nio-no-yu, surrounded by the nature of Kanbayashi in Ayabe, is a natural hot spring that boasts a rich and incredibly effective set of hot spring ingredients that is one of the finest in k …
This onsen, located on a small hill overlooking the Yasaka Plain in Kyotango City, specializes in one-day visits. It is an eco-friendly facility that coexists with Tango’s beautiful nature by using waste tempura oil and wood chip fuel for heating their baths, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. You can also enjoy a meal at the attached restaurant and buy souvenirs at the nearby shop.
This hot spring prides itself on its free-flowing source water. Both the men’s and women’s sections feature indoor baths, outdoor baths, and herbal baths, with a scale that allows about 100 people to bathe simultaneously. You can enjoy flowers in spring and snowy landscapes in winter.
Located in the north of the Kinki region, Kumihama Onsen Yumotokan prides itself on its spaciousness, with separate indoor male and female baths that can each accommodate up to 100 customers. Both mal …
Located right next to Amanohashidate Station, Chie-no-Yu is the only outdoor bath in Miyazu City. It was named with the hope that visitors would be blessed wisdom and health. You can enjoy unique tubs such as indoor baths, open-air baths, and hand and foot baths.
Looking for more onsen experiences? Check out the YouTube clip below showcasing a variety of stunning onsen stays!
A Perfect Winter Itinerary: The “Crab & Steam” Route
So, how do you put this all together? Here is a simple 1-night, 2-day itinerary to make the most of your time:
Day 1: Coastline Views and Delicacies
Start your journey at Amanohashidate. After exploring the scenic sandbar, warm up immediately at Chie-no-Yu near the station.
For lunch, enjoy local flavors nearby before driving north along the coast. A stop at the Ine Boathouses offers a picturesque and quiet moment by the sea.
By evening, check into a ryokan like Aburaya Bekkan Nagomitei or Shizuka Hanaougi. Indulge in a kaiseki dinner featuring fresh crab and local sake.
Day 2: Hot Spring Hopping
After a Japanese breakfast, drive west toward Kumihama. Stop at Kumihama Onsen Yumotokan for a refreshing mid-morning soak in their spacious outdoor bath.
On your way back toward Kyoto City, make a final stop in Ayabe. Experience the medicinal baths of Ayabe Onsen, refreshing both body and mind before heading home.
The Bottom Line
Kyoto’s northern region offers a rugged, authentic, and delicious experience that comes alive when the temperature drops. Whether you are seeking the phantom Taiza crab or a serene soak in a snowy open-air bath, a winter trip to Kyoto by the Sea promises memories that will warm you long after you return home.
Pack a heavy coat, bring an empty stomach, and go north.
