Nationwide × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan - 31Page Number

It was my first time in a while soaking in a bath with a strong sulfur scent, and it truly felt like, “I’m at an Onsen!!!” I was very satisfied. The front desk staff and the dinner service staff were also young, efficient, and excellent.

This time, our large family of eight stayed to celebrate my husband’s 60th birthday. Our Room was upgraded, the meals were delicious, and the staff were incredibly friendly—we truly enjoyed our one-night stay. Finally, the view from the Room was amazing.

Simply the best. The staff’s professionalism, service, Room, meals, and architecture—everything was outstanding, and it made for a truly satisfying stay. The fittings were beautifully maintained, and it was fun just walking around and taking in the Facility. The amenities were well stocked, and the minibar was exceptionally well supplied, making for a wonderful time. And above all, the food was incredible—both dinner and breakfast were a perfect 10/10. Great care is also put into the desserts, which were delicious. A place I definitely want to return to.

I stayed here last July with my wife, and in October with my mother and aunt. This was our third stay, at the request of my mother and aunt who wanted to visit again. As with the previous two stays, we had a wonderful time from check-in to check-out. Thank you again to all the staff.

We returned to Koyokaku for the first time in a year. When it comes to Ureshino, Koyokaku is our favorite Accommodation as a couple. This time we stayed in a twin Room with a private indoor Onsen bath, and being able to enjoy the Onsen anytime is truly luxurious. For dinner, we enjoyed grilled Saga beef, colorful salads, and sashimi until we were completely full. After that, we took a relaxing walk together—something we don’t often do in everyday life—and realized again that this special time was possible thanks to this Accommodation. We were able to rest comfortably as well. Breakfast was just as wonderful: Onsen tofu, salad with roast beef, grilled fish, an Onsen egg, and rice porridge with six different toppings—such a luxury, and everything tasted amazing. This trip was another fantastic one. Thank you very much to all the staff for your kind hospitality again. We will definitely visit again.

Obuse, the town of Hokusai and chestnuts, is known for its beautiful streetscape that feels almost like a theme park. We arrived a little early by car, so we visited Gansho-in Temple and Jokoji Temple before heading to Masuichi Kyakuden. The ceiling painting at Gansho-in—Katsushika Hokusai’s “Phoenix Glancing in All Directions”—was truly breathtaking. As soon as we pulled up in front of Masuichi Kyakuden, a staff member came right out and efficiently carried our luggage inside. The highly sought-after “Chestnut Dessert Suzaku,” which is notoriously difficult to secure, will be offered from 9/10 this year. Because guests staying at Masuichi Kyakuden receive priority guaranteed access, it becomes even harder to make an Accommodation Reservation for stays from 9/10 onward. Since our stay was before then, making a Reservation was easy. Stepping inside Masuichi Kyakuden, you’re immediately enveloped by the stately atmosphere of the kura storehouse building. Our Room was on the second floor; we chose the Relax Twin style. Despite being in a kura-style structure, it also has a terrace, with plenty of natural light and an open feel. There are also more traditional, calmer kura-style Rooms available; however, we were told they are designed with high ceilings to avoid any sense of confinement. Designed by architect John Morford, the Room is fully Western-style with extensive use of stainless steel—its glass-and-stainless bath is well worth seeing. Amenities are L’Occitane; the refrigerator includes complimentary drinks; plus coffee and tea—everything you’d expect from a high-end Ryokan-style stay is provided, making the Room very comfortable. For dinner, we walked about three minutes to Obusedo Honten (part of the same Masuichi group). Every dish showcased the head chef’s experience and refined sensibility. The soup course, simmered dishes, and grilled items had a Kyoto kaiseki influence—above all else, the dashi was exceptional. The sashimi was fresh and perfectly seasoned as well. Local ingredients were used throughout for very high satisfaction overall. One note: the first items served—lightly dressed Kurakake beans and Matsumae-zuke—are not part of the course menu itself (just so you know). They’re clearly intended as snacks with alcohol—especially sake brewed by Masuichi Ichimura Sake Brewery within the same group—and both paired beautifully with their sake: firm Kurakake beans soaked in elegant dashi alongside Matsumae-zuke packed with rich seafood umami made each sip even better than before. In autumn Obuse becomes all about chestnuts; while we couldn’t try “Chestnut Dessert Suzaku,” we did get to enjoy “Mont Blanc Suzaku,” a Western-inspired take on Suzaku. It’s available at their affiliated shop “Entotsu.” We nearly gave up due to long lines but learned that overnight guests can make Reservations—so we were able to enjoy it without waiting. If you stay at Masuichi Kyakuden, be sure to indulge in one of their “Suzaku”-style chestnut sweets if you can. Overall it was an outstanding stay—we thoroughly enjoyed Obuse from start to finish.

This was my second visit since coming in May. My dog (my beloved “daughter”) was thrilled. It was about 5°C cooler than down below, but the late-summer heat was still intense, and it felt hot in the sun. My dog ran around the nature-filled dog run and had a great time. Because it was a weekday after the Obon holidays, it wasn’t crowded, so we could relax and enjoy ourselves. The building was clean, and the Room was also very clean. The large public bath felt like we had it to ourselves, so we could unwind and fully enjoy it. (We went twice.) The food was delicious as well. Since it’s close to home, it’s easy to plan travel time both ways, and for me this Facility has an ideal location. I’d love to take another overnight trip with my dog. All of the staff were friendly and made us feel welcome. Thank you very much.

This was our first time visiting on a family trip. Thanks to the staff’s heartfelt hospitality, we felt comfortable throughout our stay and are truly grateful. Both breakfast and dinner were delicious, and we had a relaxing, well-cared-for stay. We would love to stay again next time as well. Thank you very much for everything!

From the moment we stepped through the noren curtain, it felt special and exciting. The staff were cheerful and friendly, which was wonderful. The Room made me want to live there rather than just stay overnight. We enjoyed a delicious meal while watching the surroundings gradually grow darker. As an extra order, we had foie gras added on top of the meat, and it was excellent. Since it was an all-inclusive Plan, we fully enjoyed some great cocktails. It’s also close to Dazaifu, so we were very satisfied. I’ve already been recommending it to friends.

We stayed here with relatives. The service was excellent, and the meals were delicious. The portions are generous, so guests with smaller appetites may want to ask in advance. It is a wonderful Accommodation with thoughtful attention to detail.

Although it’s a secluded Accommodation deep in the mountains, it’s relatively easy to access by car and not difficult to reach. The Accommodation features classic, traditional Japanese architecture, yet it feels clean and has been thoughtfully renovated for comfort and ease of use. It was clear how much care goes into its upkeep, which I truly admire. The surrounding nature is lush, and the greenery and gentle sound of the river are very soothing. That said, the bedding mattress felt a bit firm for me personally, which was a small minus point (I didn’t wake up sore the next morning, so this is purely my personal impression). The hot spring source is around 37°C and lukewarm, but there are also heated baths, so it wasn’t an issue. If I had one wish: since I’m not fond of lukewarm water, I would have liked the heated tub to be larger. Meals were mainly simple countryside dishes, but everything was very delicious. Younger guests might find it a little light; in that case, I recommend ordering additional dishes. For us it was just the right amount—and we could get refills of rice—so we were very satisfied. Many of the staff were young, but they were always smiling and pleasant, with excellent attentiveness and consideration. This is an outstanding Accommodation that makes Japanese guests feel at ease—I hope it never changes. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

The Accommodation is a bit old, but the hot water is great, and above all, the food was absolutely delicious. Everyone was kind, and it was a warm and welcoming Accommodation.

On the day of my stay, I decided on a whim, got the Accommodation’s approval, and arrived after 8:00 p.m. When I told a man at the front desk that I was heading to a nearby izakaya for dinner, he cheerfully said, “Then please take this,” and gave me drink coupons for the place, lent me an umbrella, and even showed me a shortcut—always with a smile. It really put me at ease. The private bath was available until 11:00 p.m., so even though I arrived late I could relax and enjoy it. I also appreciated having a beer vending machine in the building. The property is old, but clean in an unpretentious way. The Room, futon bedding, and amenities all felt safe and comfortable to use. The other guests also seemed very considerate. Breakfast was great too—the main dish (grilled pork? hot pot?) went perfectly with rice and egg over rice. These days it’s rare, but everyone on staff I met appeared to be Japanese—maybe just by chance? Everyone provided such wonderful service that more than made up for the age of the building, and it was very comfortable throughout my stay. To be honest (and no offense meant), I only made a Reservation because there happened to be availability and didn’t expect much—maybe that’s why it felt even better. Next time I’d like to visit with dinner included. Thank you very much.

Unfortunately, due to the rain we couldn’t have a BBQ, but we still had a wonderful time. The villa alone was very comfortable, and we made many great memories. We really appreciated that apple juice, wine, rice, miso soup, and more were provided. Everything was delicious. The Onsen was also excellent; although it rained a bit, everyone went in twice—once at night and once in the morning. We thought we wouldn’t be able to roast marshmallows because of the rain, but the owner showed us how to do it using a siphon coffee maker instead! Next time, we’d love to stay again when the weather is sunny.

The price and access were the deciding factors for my Reservation. In midsummer, it’s convenient to be able to use multiple train lines via Crysta Nagahori, where you can stay cool with air conditioning and not worry about rain. It’s also nice that the area feels calmer just a little away from the Midosuji Line area. As for the price, it was quite affordable even compared with Hotels in central Osaka for the same dates. Even so, the Facility still feels new, and the Room was clean. The amenities, loan items (including a ReFa hair dryer), welcome drinks, and other services were well provided, which I really appreciated. A few things I noticed: There were take-away containers next to the water dispenser for bringing water back to your Room—very thoughtful. However, when I picked up the last one in the back, it was covered in dust, so I quietly put it back... Maybe because there is no sleep mode on the Room air conditioner, I found the noise noticeable when trying to sleep. There is no safety deposit box in the Room (I confirmed this at reception as well). So I ended up carrying my work laptop with me even when going out for personal reasons. Still—considering this price point—I was very satisfied!

We were thoroughly satisfied with the many delicious, beautifully presented dishes that captured the transition from summer to autumn. We enjoyed them in a private dining Room with a waterfall right in front of us. We stayed in a detached suite called Suirei, where a small stream runs through the Room. From the spacious open-air bath, there is another smaller open-air bath just down a few steps; each has a different temperature, so you can soak for as long as you like. The garden was also expansive, and we were able to fully enjoy summer and feel refreshed. Thank you very much for celebrating our 60th birthday with us. I hope to visit again even when I’m a grandmother.

Because it’s a small Accommodation, you rarely run into other guests, which makes it excellent for privacy. The exterior is very old. The lobby and hallways have a charming, classic feel—like a traditional Ryokan. But the Room has been properly renovated and is clean. The twin Room even had Simmons reclining beds. The only downside was the token shower booth in the Room and the small toilet, but otherwise it felt perfect. The private open-air bath was also fantastic. Even as the summer heat started to ease, the breeze was wonderfully pleasant. Dinner was an abundant spread of seafood and mountain delicacies, and breakfast with dried horse mackerel was especially good. At the end, the proprietress took a couple’s photo for us. A truly wonderful Accommodation—perfect for a short trip to Izu from around Kanto.

Because it is located on a hill, you can enjoy a beautiful, truly magical sunset. The meals feature local ingredients, including some unique dishes, and everything was delicious. The Room was spacious and comfortable for a relaxing stay.

This is a highly recommended glamping Accommodation. Many of the staff are young, and everyone provides outstanding hospitality. They also replied quickly to questions we sent by message before our stay, which made us feel reassured from the start. We visited in mid-July, and since the weather wasn’t great, the temperature didn’t get too high and we stayed comfortable. (On sunny, hot days, it may get a bit warm inside the tent. There is air conditioning, but it’s not very powerful.) Basically, everything you need is provided. (Coleman BBQ grill, charcoal, fire starters, tongs, fan, etc.) This time we stayed on a Plan that included dinner with late check-in. The meal came with beef, chicken, pork, and even game meat—honestly more than enough for a family of four with a teenage boy who eats a lot. Since we had a Multiple Night Stay (2 nights), they were flexible in helping us store what we couldn’t finish and even switching the next day’s meat to seafood as needed, which was wonderful. Both my spouse and I enjoy alcohol, so we really enjoyed the all-you-can-drink option. The selection was so good it almost felt unfair for an unlimited plan—and we were able to fully savor drinks unique to Hokkaido as well. They also had soft drinks like Hokkaido apple juice and milk (and it was delicious), which our teenage son definitely appreciated. There’s also a toaster so you can warm up bread you buy yourself, and coffee is available both hot and iced—truly attentive service throughout. You do need to leave the tent to use the bath and toilets, but neither felt crowded at all; everyone seemed considerate and kept things clean. It can feel slightly scary if you need to go to the toilet in the middle of the night (haha), but there are lights everywhere so it still feels safe. There is also a private sauna available for an additional fee; being able to relax there as a family of four may have been our best memory from this trip. Spending quiet time together while listening to the river was truly blissful. This is an Accommodation I’d love to stay at again if I have another chance—thank you very much!

The cuisine was outstanding and truly moving. Each dish reflected careful selection of fresh local ingredients and meticulous preparation. Given the location, I expected excellent seafood, but the vegetables were beyond anything I imagined. This Accommodation is well worth going out of your way for.