Find hotels in Ohara

This traditional Onsen was amazing. It is a little out of the way but is so worth the trip out of Kyoto. Catch the Tan coloured bus No. 17 from Kyoto bus terminal to Ohara terminal (last stop). It cost 600yen. Speak to the lovely lady at Ohara bus terminal for a map to the location as you will need to walk about 10min. The area is amazing in the mountains and there are plenty of walking tracks around the area. The Onsen staff were extremely helpful explaining to a foreigner the traditions. I felt very liberated visiting the spa as they are segregated female and male traditional onsen bathing areas. Hot springs are located in each. Definitely will return for another visit and hopefully longer than one night as the area is worth exploring. My stay had dinner and breakfast included which were both traditional meals. Highly recommend trying this Onsen to anyone wanting to go traditional.

Ohara no sato is a quaint little hovel in North Kyoto; even though Ohara sounds like its part of Kyoto, it feels like a small village on its own actually. There's only a few buses that go to Ohara from Kyoto station (you HAVE to do your research properly on transport). People in Ohara are marvelously helpful and nice, though I wouldn't recommend going there without at least some basic Japanese knowledge. Onsen is heavenly for first-timers whom never tried Onsen before. Water is just nice at 28C and there's 3 small public baths (including 2 open baths) + not much crowd. At night it has literally the bare minimal street lamps in rural surroundings, though walking/exploring in the daytime is very refreshing and fun. Please do not attempt to go the hotel at night; tery to travel to Ohara no Sato before sundown or esle you will stuck navigating in the darkness alone. Like i said, it is literally a village on its own and activity dies down after sunset.

This ryokan was located about an hour outside of central Kyoto by bus but was certainly worth the trip. Staff were extremely nice and friendly - very welcoming to weary travelers! The location was serene with beautifully attended gardens and coi fish pond. The meals (breakfast/dinner) were amazing! Best I had in my travels around Japan. I would recommend this ryokan experience highly.