Kyoto Yui no Ura Onsen Winter Crab Trip! Hohankan New Building Opens in November; Early Booking Offers Up to 10% Savings

When traveling to Kansai during winter, aside from the temples and autumn leaves in the Kyoto City area, moving to the side of the Sea of Japan also offers a completely different season of flavors. Located in Yui-no-ura Onsen (Yui-no-ura Hot Spring) in Kyotanbo City, Kyoto Prefecture,Seaside hot spring resort Ichibankan (Seaside Hot Spring Tourism Ichibankan)Starting in November, a winter crab set menu will be available. New HallAncient and ModernIt is also expected to beNovember 1, 2026With the opening of this facility, you can take a bath and eat crabs in the beautiful setting of the Sumiyoshi Coast, making winter Kyoto a truly slow-paced getaway to the hot springs.

For Taiwanese travelers, what is most appealing here is not just a single dish of crab, but the complete experience from raw food, grilling, deep-frying, and hot pot to mixed stew. During the day, enjoy the sea at the southern part of Kyoto, and in the evening return to the hotel for a relaxing soak in the hot spring. For dinner, you can slowly savor the crab, without having to rush back and forth between attractions. If you have already visited Kyoto City several times or want to add snowy scenery and coastal views to your winter Kansai itinerary, Kyoto-Danocho is well worth a night's stay.

A dish that offers a variety of flavors from crabs

The winter banquet starts with appetizers, followed by crab sashimi, crab tea bowl soup, charcoal-grilled crab, a whole live crab for each person, and tempura crab from the open kitchen. The second half concludes with crab sukiyaki and crab mixed rice, accompanied by pickled side dishes and dessert. From the cool, smooth sashimi to the charcoal-grilled aroma, crispy breading, and the soup of the main course, the same ingredients create different flavors, making it especially suitable for those who are arranging their first trip to Japan for winter crab dishes.

The dinner portion is quite substantial; you don’t need to plan a particularly rich meal for the afternoon. It’s recommended to eat a simple lunch and take a hot bath or walk along the beach upon arrival at the hotel to make dinner the star of the day. If you’re not used to spending long hours peeling crabs, you can also confirm the meal’s format and service method before dining; if any of your companions have shellfish allergies or do not eat raw food, you should mention this to the hotel at the time of booking.

The New Hall opened on November 1st, with the sea view rooms and Sunset Restaurant opening simultaneously.

The new building of Iwanagawa will officially open on November 1st, 2026. The hotel will feature sea-view rooms with semi-open-air hot spring baths. Guests will be able to enjoy the sea from their private spaces without leaving their rooms. The top floor also features a large hot spring bath overlooking the Pura coast, perfect for taking a bath once before dinner to experience the changes in the coast from day to dusk to night.

Dining space has also been added.Sunset Restaurant (Sunset Dining)A spacious open kitchen is also provided. The crab tempura is prepared right in front of you, ensuring that the heat and crispy texture are retained. Yozuki-no-ura is renowned for its sunset views. If the weather and your stay are suitable, we recommend arriving before sunset to check in. After checking in, don’t worry about traveling long distances; combine the sea view, hot spring, and dinner into a single experience.

Early planning can save on accommodation costs; first, distinguish between the two types of discounts.

The crab accommodation package offers early booking discounts: bookings made 90 days before check-in receive 10% off, and those made 45 days in advance receive 5% off. In winter weekends, the end of the year, and during holidays, it is usually difficult to find the ideal room type last-minute. If your flight and travel dates are already confirmed, locking in a sea view room in advance is more reassuring.

The hotel website also offers direct booking discounts; prices are 5% lower than other travel booking websites. After registering as a member, you can get an additional 5% more, for a total of up to 10%. This is a different explanation to the 90-day and 45-day early booking rules; the actual applicability and scope of these rules depend on the final amount displayed on the booking screen. When comparing prices, remember to consider the dinner options, the room's bathtub, cancellation conditions, and tax charges; don't just compare the lowest price.

Extend from the Kyoto metropolitan area to the Sea of Kyoto, plan at least one night.

Iwanokankyo is located in Kyotanbo City in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture. It is not in the same tourist circuit as Kyoto Station or the city center where Kiyomizu Temple is located. If you consider it as a day trip to and from the attractions, the travel time will be compressed, reducing the time for taking a hot spring bath and having dinner; the most suitable way is to arrange a night stay, then connect it with Tennoji Onsen, Ikeno, or the southern part of the island by taking the skywalk. For travelers using public transportation, please confirm the transfer method and time after arriving at the Kujukizuka Onsen station.

Motorists should be aware of winter road conditions. On the Sea of Japan side, there may be snowfall or icy roads. When renting a car, be sure to check for winter tires and avoid booking too many trips. If you want to take photos of the sunset, you can stay near the coast before sunset. If the weather is bad, leave time for the indoor baths, large public baths, and dinner, so you can still fully enjoy the core experiences of a ryokan.

Hotel and program information

Name of the hotel:Seaside hot spring resort Iwao-kan

New building name:Ancient and Modern

Opening day of the new building:Sunday, November 1, 2026

Winter menu:Starting in November, crab set meals will be available.

Address:266 Hamamatsuri, Nono-cho, Kyotanbo City, Kyoto Prefecture, 629-3245

Phone:0772-74-0190

Early booking:10% discount for bookings made 90 days in advance; 5% discount for bookings made 45 days in advance

Accommodation options:Crab accommodation reservation page

Hotel website:Iwanagawa Website

New Hall Information:Details of the renovation and opening of the past and present

Suitable for those who want to make winter cuisine the main protagonist of their journey.

This accommodation is especially suitable for travelers who enjoy seafood and want to experience a Japanese onsen ryokan dinner, or who are already familiar with Osaka and Kyoto city. If you just want to quickly take photos, the travel distance from Kitanobe might seem longer; but if you are willing to set aside time for a complete crab feast and a night of seaside hot spring, the journey will have a deeper sense of the season than city sightseeing.

Arriving early, skipping a few attractions, and leaving the time between dinner and the next day in the hotel are key to having a comfortable trip. From the ancient capital of Kyoto to the Sea of Japan, ending with crabs, sunsets, and hot springs, it will be a trip that is highly recognizable in winter in Kansai.