Gio Onsen Ryosan

Overall, it was a very satisfying trip.First of all, everyone at the Accommodation was thoughtful and attentive, and they took great care of us.The Accommodation is built spanning a gorge, and together with the surrounding walking paths it was a very pleasant place.The open-air bath in the Room was excellent, and it also had a washing area, so one of the three of us was always in the bath.However, the large public bath felt fairly ordinary, and the hours were short as it was only open until 9:00 a.m. in the morning.Also, we received free café vouchers, but we were told we couldn’t add milk or lemon either, which left us with a slightly stingy impression.That said, as I mentioned at the beginning, our family of three had a wonderful trip overall—thank you very much.

The Accommodation consists of several separate buildings set on either side of a fast-flowing river with large boulders. It is surrounded by deep mountain forest. Although a national highway runs just behind the property and an expressway interchange is nearby—so traffic can be fairly heavy—traffic noise is barely audible. Thanks to the location and thoughtful landscaping, the road itself is not visible. Instead, you can clearly hear the sound of the rushing water, creating an authentic mountain atmosphere.On the grounds upstream along the valley stream, there is a café called Ryoan. It’s highly recommended for its wonderful ambiance, but please note that it takes several minutes on foot along a rough mountain path beside the gorge (more like a hiking trail). Guests are warned that it may be dangerous for young children (elementary school lower grades and under). It’s also difficult to access in traditional geta sandals.The renovated Room is clean, with new tatami mats and fittings. A large floor-to-ceiling window opens toward the terrace, with views of lush green mountains that make the space feel open and spacious. The outdoor bath on the wood deck—clean enough to step onto barefoot—is filled at bathing time (automatic setting; just under 20 minutes) before use. There is also a unit bath on the opposite side of the Room, which should be reassuring even in midwinter.Meals are served at tables in a large dining hall separated by low partitions. Dining times are staggered by table, so it remains quiet. The cuisine is excellent. Local junmai sake is also available in small bottles kept chilled in a bottle cooler.With the double-glazed windows closed, you won’t hear even the sound of water at all. It makes for a very quiet night.