Nogami Honkan Ryokan

Nogami Honkan Ryokan: Beppu Best Budget Stay

posted in: Kyushu Japan | 0

Last updated on May 16th, 2026

During my recent trip to Kyushu, we spend two nights in Beppu and had an amazing time there. We stayed in Nogami Honkan Ryokan and really enjoy it. Read more on my hotel review on Nogamihonkan Ryokan, one of the popular picks in Beppu for ryokan stay.

Located in Oita prefecture, Beppu is one of the popular attractions in Kyushu. Popular for its hot spring Beppu is perfect for travelers to plan for one night or two nights stay. Many people are traveling from Yufuin, Kurokawa Onsen, or even Hakata (Fukuoka) by train or bus for a holiday gateway.

We were looking for a budget to mid-range accommodation during my trip to Beppu. We discover Nogami Honkan Ryokan (べっぷ野上本館) and only paid for about $80 USD per night for the Japanese room in a hot spring hotel. What a deal!

Nogomi Honkan Ryokan

Nogamihonkan Ryokan is located about 10 minutes walk from Beppu station. Upon exiting Beppu station, follow the navigation, we walked straight along the main road to the hotel.

Beppu Kitahama bus stop nearby NogamiHonkan
Beppu Kitahama bus stop nearby NogamiHonkan

If you are getting to Beppu by bus, you might get off at the Beppu Kitahama bus stop in front of the mall, which located 2 minutes walk to NogamiHonkan. 

NogamiHonkan Traditional Japanese Room
NogamiHonkan Traditional Japanese Room

Once arrived, we were greeted by the friendly staff. We got a traditional Japanese style room, which was spacey enough for two-person. My room was set up in the traditional Japanese style with a futon bed and tatami flooring. They also provide the Yukata dress for guests. 

Beppu Hotel Tips: We recommended to stay nearby Beppu Station for easy getting around and food hunting. The Nagomi Honkan Ryokan is located about 8 minutes walk from the station. It has a traditional Japanese ryokan with modern facilities with hot spring facilities. Popular pick in Beppu.

Nogami Honkan Onsen Bath

Reserve For Private Hot Spring in Nogamihonkan Ryokan

For in-house guests, you can free to use the public onsen (female and male separate) or reserve private onsen at additional charges. There are three private hot springs to choose from.

But unfortunately, we got no opportunity to try it. We fully enjoyed the free public onsen and dipped into the hot spring as much as we can. It was almost empty most of the time and so relaxing after a tiring trip.

Common Area

Nogamihonkan Ryokan Common Area
Nogamihonkan Ryokan Common Area

There is a nice seating area on the second floor with couches and tables, a fridge, and a microwave. A good place to chill and relax with a lot of magazines and comics for reading. Besides, there was a machine dispensing that provide coffee, green tea, black tea, and water for free.

Japanese Dining Area

Japanese Dining Area in Nogamihonkan Ryokan
Japanese Dining Area in Nogamihonkan Ryokan

The hotel also served dinner and breakfast at an additional cost. You can book it in advance and choose to dine in the Japanese or Western dining area. It is good to add in the breakfast as there are no restaurants serving breakfasts nearby in the early morning. Just wake up in the morning and went for a delicious breakfast wearing the yukata.

Bicycle Rental in Beppu Hotel

The legendary public bath, Takegawara Hot Spring (竹瓦温泉) is just a 2-minute walk from the hotel. You can try the public bath or the popular sand bath at 1000 yen. Great to do it in the morning before the check-out.

Besides, you can also rent the bicycle for FREE from NogamiHonkan to tour around Beppu if your physical is strong enough. But the bicycles are limited with first come first serve.

Nogamihonkan laundry service
Nogamihonkan laundry service

Another best thing to highlight is NogaminHonkan also provides self-service laundry service with washer and dryer available. Guests can use the coin laundry machine if you plan to wash your clothes during your long travel trip.

Nogami Honkan Toji Single Room
Nogami Honkan Toji Single Room

Please take note of different room types on different floors. We talked with a hotel guest and understand that her Toji room on the second floor is a type of single-room without an en-suite bathroom. She can only use the public bath and toilet outside of her room.

But she was satisfied with her room as the price is so reasonable for a single room which similar to the budget hostel. She can fully utilize all the hotel facilities including the hot spring bath with a similar price of the hostel. Such a steal! Truly one of the budgets stays in Beppu for a solo traveler.

Check for room rate for Nagomi Honkan Ryokan here!

Nogami Honkan Ryokan Review

Nogamihonkan Ryokan Room Type

All in all, Nogami Honkan Ryokan is an accommodation with a combination of ryokan and modern hotel. We definitely would recommend this ryokan if you are looking for a relaxing stay at a traditional Japanese hotel with modern facilities in Beppu.

The only downside is the hotel was located in the alley with restaurants and bars nearby. Some travelers review that it can be quite noisy at night time during the weekend. But we did not hear the sound during our stay. Maybe our room was facing a different direction. So if possible, bring along the earplug or try to request a quiet room. 

In short, the strategic location, cozy clean room, and public onsen bath making NogamiHonkan Ryokan a popular pick in Beppu. The price was very affordable in contrast with what was provided. It was definitely worth it!

Related Beppu travel stories:

Lastly, if you are looking for more information about traveling in Kyushu, take a look at our travel blog post below.

How To Plan Your Kyushu Itinerary: Ultimate Guide

Northern Kyushu (Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Kurokawa Onsen, Beppu, Yufuin, Kitakyushu, and more):

Southern Kyushu (Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Takachiho Gorge):

Mutekiya Best Tokyo Ramen

Mutekiya Ramen Ikebukuro: Must Eat Tokyo Best Ramen

posted in: Kanto Japan | 0

Last updated on May 16th, 2026

If you are looking for the best ramen places in Tokyo, Mutekiya is among the top three among all. The creamy juicy broth, super juicy pork and bite worthy noodles, make it one of the best Tokyo ramen. Must eat in Tokyo.

Located on the end street of Seibu Ikebukuro, Mutekiya Ramen is one of the popular restaurants among locals. It getting popular among travelers in recent years due to its taste flavorful ramen yet at affordable prices. Since our first visit to Mutekiya ramen, we always came back for this popular Tokyo ramen restaurant every time we visited Tokyo. The reason is simple. The ramen is superb wonderful!

Tokyo Hotel Tips: When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Tokyo check prices for Tokyo Best Hotel from Booking.com. We found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.

Getting There

Mutekiya Best Tokyo Ramen Restaurant
Mutekiya Best Tokyo Ramen Restaurant

The Mutekiya Ramen is located a walking distance from Ikebukuro station. It was pretty easy to find as long queue always in front. It was fairly early by the time we reached Mukekiya.

The queue was not too long and we waited for about 20 minutes to get in. While waiting in line, the staff from Mutekiya will present the menu and take your order so the food will promptly be served after seated.

Seating Inside Mutekiya Ramen Restaurant

The Mutekiya Ramen Ikebukuro is just a traditional ramen restaurant with a long bench on one side and few tables on the other. It only can cater to about 20 people which explains the long queue.

Our food order was done while we waiting in line with friendly staff. I ordered the hontoro tokumarumen, the famous pork with the thickest soup. 

Without a long wait, our best Mutekiya ramen was served.

Mutekiya Ramen

Best Food in Tokyo Mutekiya Ramen
Best Food in Tokyo Mutekiya Ramen Ikebukuro

My first sip on the soup. WOW. The broth was so flavorful. It was heavier and more flavorful than another ramen I’ve had. While the sliced pork was so generous, juicy, and chunky. It was meltingly tender and able to pull apart with chopsticks. Together with the tasty broth, it was amazingly good!

If the taste is too much on it, Mutekiya offers free Jasmine tea and spicy pickled to get rid of greasiness. I can’t stop eating it until the finish of the last soup. Ramen is chewy with great texture. Added, the eggs were also soft-boiled in the perfect way.

Although we need to wait for about 30 minutes to get it, it totally worth the wait. Our Mutekiya food tips to the traveler, please come at the right times and the lines aren’t so bad either.

Tokyo Best Ramen: Mutekiya

Best Food in Tokyo Mutekiya
Best Food in Tokyo Mutekiya

All in all, we had a wonderful meal in Mutekiya Ramen Ikebukuro and it is one of the best restaurants for all my japan trips. It is the best ramen at the most affordable price. This beautiful bowl of ramen definitely worth the wait and didn’t disappoint. Highly recommend Mutekiya for the best ramen in Tokyo. One of the reasons for me to come back to Tokyo!

How To Get To Mutekiya Ramen Ikebukuro: From the JR Ikebukuro station east exit, turn right and walk straight all the way for about 5 minutes. The Mutekiya ramen is on your right.

Lastly, this Tokyo ramen food blog is one of the travel stories in Tokyo. If you are planning on what to do and eat in Tokyo, feel free to read through our Tokyo travel blog:

How To Plan your trip to Tokyo (Must read for first time visitor):

Tokyo Food Blog:

Planning on an easy trip from Tokyo? Here is our travel guide: