Ikaho Onsen Ryokan Fukuzenn

The spacious lobby and glass-walled elevator make your stay feel like a special escape. Above all, the open and airy large public bath was fantastic. The water is slightly on the cooler side, so you can soak at length—and before I knew it, my skin felt silky smooth. After the bath, there are cold water and barley tea dispensers, so staying hydrated is easy. The Facility and amenities aren’t overly luxurious, but it felt like all those “it’d be nice to have” items were thoughtfully provided in a subtle way, making it very comfortable.Both dinner and breakfast were delivered to our Room, so we could enjoy our meals at a relaxed pace. The portions were so generous for this price that I almost felt bad.It’s true that both the building and Facility are old, but the tatami in the Room was new, clean, and comfortable.Also worth mentioning is the uniquely spacious smoking room where you can sit on a sofa while smoking—smokers should definitely try it out.

Unusually for Ikaho, you can park your own car in a spacious lot right off the road, which makes everything stress-free. It’s a small Accommodation, but features like the glass elevator hint at its past as a luxurious Ryokan. I was traveling solo and was given a Room near the elevator with windows on two sides and an amazing view. The tatami had been renewed and was spotless. Best of all, the large public bath on the 6th floor has breathtaking views! I forgot all about the lack of an open-air bath and just gazed at the distant mountains. The water is clear “Shirogane-no-yu” (Silver Spring) and warms you through. The bath windows face east, so I hear sunrise views are also wonderful (I overslept). Another highlight was in-room dining. A staff member brought dinner and breakfast to my Room. I didn’t feel the loneliness that can come with eating alone in a dining hall, and I could relax and truly enjoy the delicious meals. In-room dining is such a treat—how many years has it been? Next time I’ll come with friends. The only downside is that the toilet and plumbing areas feel dated; I’d be happy if they were renovated.