Just 2.5 hours from Kyoto the town of Kinosaki, with its willow-lined river and its seven onsen all within walking distance, is an exquisite retreat. The lovely Nishimuraya Honkan – run by the same family since 1860 – delivers a classic ryokan experience with a few twists. An excellent breakfast is served not in your room but in the breakfast room; in addition to enjoying a kaiseki dinner in your room, book a seat at the counter at the ryokan’s excellent Sanpou restaurant. An onsen pass is included in your rate. nishimuraya.ne.jp

Built in the 1930s for a member of the imperial family, Yoshida-Sanso is a gorgeous retreat in the north of Kyoto. Run by mother-and-daughter team Kyoko and Tomoko Nakamura, Yoshida-Sanso consists of three separate suites, each with its own private terrace and bathing facilities. The magnificent garden is a delight in any season, from the cherry blossom-laden spring to fierce autumn foliage, and the kaiseki meals are excellent. Kyoko even creates exquisite calligraphy scrolls for each guest. yoshida-sanso.com

If you are looking for a ryokan rich in history, this lovely property on Honshu’s Izu peninsula is hard to beat. It sits on the Katsura River where the great Buddhist teacher, Kobo Daishi, is said to have bathed every morning, emerging from the water purified. Cultural immersion isn’t limited to the usual kaiseki meals and bathing; the property also has its own riverside theatre where traditional noh performances take place. asaba-ryokan.com

A ryokan in the heart of Tokyo? You bet. Sitting next to Tokyo Station, spread over 17 floors of a high-rise tower, Hoshinoya Tokyo offers a modern take on the ryokan. Each floor has six rooms and a communal lounge where you can enjoy snacks and drinks. The piece de resistance is the rooftop onsen, where you can gaze out at the glittering lights of Tokyo while relaxing in the warm waters. hoshinoya.com

The lovely hot springs town of Yufuin on the island of Kyushu has some remarkable contemporary architecture tucked in amidst its beautifully-preserved streets and the Comico Art Museum, designed by Kengo Kuma, is one of the highlights. The complex also includes three “art houses” you can stay in. Clad with striking charred cedar panels, each house is positioned to enjoy glorious vistas of Mount Yufu. The villas are self-catering but Yufuin’s many excellent restaurants are just a short stroll away. Bookings can be made two months in advance, with new dates released on the fifth of every month. ikyu.com/vacation/00051484/

Seven minutes. That’s how far it is from Zaborin to the Hanazono ski slopes, and that alone explains the popularity of this Hokkaido ryokan with winter-time travellers. There are plenty of other reasons to check in at Zaborin, which brings a touch of contemporary style to the ryokan formula thanks to its chic villas, each of which has two soaking pools, including an al fresco tub where you can breathe in the fresh scent from the surrounding pines while you soak. You can also choose a western-style bed rather than a rolled-out futon if you prefer. zaborin.com