Nationwide × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan for Onsen and bath - 8Page Number

It was outstanding... Everything was impeccable—the attention to detail throughout the Accommodation was wonderful, the staff were warm and welcoming, every dish was delicious, and the Onsen was so amazing I wanted to soak in it again and again. Since we came to enjoy hot spring hopping and relax, having a small TV actually felt like a plus. We truly felt that simply spending time there had value. When we visit Kurokawa Onsen again, we will definitely stay at Fujiya!

Local buses run from Shuzenji Station, and the bus stop is right in front of the Accommodation, so it was easy to find. With only a few Rooms, the atmosphere is calm and relaxing. Because the number of guests is limited, the staff provided attentive service. The guest Rooms make great use of a traditional kura storehouse design while incorporating Japanese-style elements. The open-air bath itself was spacious and very satisfying. Even though it was an open and airy space, there was a roof for rain protection, so we could still enjoy it on a rainy day. The privacy screens were cleverly arranged—there was openness to the garden and sky, yet views from outside were well blocked, making for an interesting design. The amenities also felt natural-focused while still being high quality. The restaurant is in a renovated old traditional house that preserves its original character despite feeling new. There are also separate areas for a bakery and gelato. All three were delicious, which fully satisfied our desire to enjoy great food: the umami of shellfish at dinner, the aroma of mushrooms, autumn flavors like grilled cutlassfish with matsutake mushrooms and ginkgo nuts; plus wonderfully tasty eggs at breakfast—and even sashimi served with morning appetizers. Everything was carefully prepared. This is a comfortable Accommodation where you can enjoy both mountains and sea, making full use of Toi’s nature and culture.

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.

We stayed in the West Wing with my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, and our family—6 adults, 3 children, and 2 dogs. Everyone was thrilled, and it became a wonderful travel memory. As we were celebrating a special occasion, we asked for balloon decorations and to purchase fireworks. For meals, we hired a private chef. Inamuragasaki holds many memories for us. With the ocean right in front of us—and no power lines visible from inside—it was truly a special location. Since the kids are still small, they were overjoyed to use the rooftop jacuzzi like a pool instead of going into the sea. The adults could watch them safely and relax while enjoying the ocean view in complete comfort. The food was also excellent—hiring a private chef was absolutely the right choice. We also got to try out karaoke that you’re considering introducing as a service. Our child who loves singing was delighted and held onto the microphone nonstop. At night we enjoyed fireworks and made so many great memories with the kids. Everything was prepared in such a comfortable setting—easy for adults and fun for children. Our surfer family members even went into the ocean twice. It truly was an amazing place. We highly recommend it for family trips. We will definitely be back again. Thank you very much.

This was our first trip to Arima Onsen at my parents’ request. We considered several luxury ryokan, but chose Choraku because we could enjoy both Kinsen and Ginsen. From the warm welcome on arrival to the send-off, in-room dining, and the staff in charge of the large public bath, open-air baths, and post-bath relaxation area—everyone fulfilled their role with genuine hospitality. In recent years we have tended to choose more private-style accommodations, so it was truly moving to experience once again the heartfelt service of a classic Japanese ryokan. Beyond the excellent hot spring water itself, we were soothed by the lush green setting of Ichii-no-Yu and amenities such as the steam sauna using hot spring vapor—perfect for relieving everyday fatigue. The head chef is clearly highly skilled; both the taste and presentation of each dish were outstanding and beautifully conveyed an autumn feel. One small suggestion: it would be nice if there were a cushion or other soft padding on top of the floor chair in the room for added comfort. Overall, this has been our number one stay among all the places we have visited so far. We will definitely return. Thank you very much for everything.

We chose this property because we wanted a room with a private bath and were also attracted by the lounge, and it exceeded our expectations. The entire property and our room were spotless and beautiful, and we were especially impressed by the wonderful service from all of the staff. Thank you very much. We would love to visit again.

I visited Shiobara Onsen with my 84-year-old mother from Taiwan on a family trip. The inn is quiet and cozy, with only 11 rooms. Thanks to the staff’s warm hospitality, my mother felt at ease throughout our stay. Dinner was a kaiseki meal made with seasonal ingredients, and this time we chose the rare soft-shelled turtle course. I was surprised when they even served soft-shelled turtle blood, but it became a memorable food experience unique to traveling. The hot springs are 100% free-flowing from the source. We stayed in the “Izumo” room, a spacious guest room overlooking the Hoki River, with both an open-air bath and an indoor bath. The two private reservable baths were also large and beautiful, and what impressed me most was that my mother could enjoy the hot springs without worrying about others. The scenery, cuisine, hot springs, and hospitality were all wonderful—an unforgettable set of memories with my mother.

I stayed at Fujitaya, a historic ryokan in Yugawara. What stood out first was the beautifully preserved historic building, which is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. The atmosphere of a traditional Japanese inn can be felt throughout, and despite its age, it is meticulously maintained. It didn’t feel simply “old”—it felt like a place that has been carefully protected with respect for its history, creating a truly charming setting. The highlight of this stay was the food. Dinner was served in the room as kaiseki cuisine, and every dish was delicious—I could really sense the high quality. I’m a slow eater, but the attendant kindly adjusted to my pace until the very end. They were considerate about when to bring each course, and in particular, our attendant chatted with us warmly between dishes, which made the meal even more enjoyable. It reminded me that staying at a ryokan isn’t only about eating well—it’s also about these personal interactions. I truly appreciated being able to enjoy dinner slowly along with such pleasant conversation. That said, because it is in-room kaiseki dining, staff will come in and out frequently to serve dishes and clear them away. I personally appreciated the attentive service, but for guests who prioritize privacy or quiet time in their room, this may be something to keep in mind. The hot spring baths were also excellent—especially the quality of the water. Soaking slowly in such good onsen within a historic building felt like a luxury unique to an established ryokan. It is not an inexpensive place to stay, but considering the delicious kaiseki cuisine, high-quality onsen water, and above all the thoughtful hospitality, it was more than satisfying. A wonderful ryokan that carefully preserves its historic architecture while never compromising on food or service—an experience that reminded me of what makes long-established Japanese inns so special.

We thoroughly enjoyed relaxing in the in-room Onsen; it was very soothing. The meals were delicious, and we were very satisfied. All of the staff were pleasant and helpful. The only disappointment was that there was no light near the bed and no bedside table to place glasses or a smartphone. The road to the Accommodation was narrower than expected, which was a bit scary.

We stayed here on a three-generation family trip. They kindly lent a wheelchair to my mother, who has difficulty walking, and the staff member in charge took wonderful care of us. Our whole family became a fan of them. (Thank you very much.) The hospitality was outstanding, and the baths were very clean. We were able to relax at our own pace. Every dish was delicious, and because meals were served in our room or in private dining rooms, we hardly ran into other guests inside the property. It was quiet and very comfortable. The Scandinavian chairs, reading materials, and small decorative items placed throughout the building were lovely as well—the sense of style was truly exceptional. It’s an inn that makes you want to come back. We would love to visit again in a different season.

My first time at Myoban Onsen. I’m excited to be able to stay at Okamotoya, which is highly rated in guidebooks. I was very satisfied with the milky-blue water. The Room was just the right size for one person and had a great view, and both dinner and breakfast were delicious. The dessert pudding and the orange juice at breakfast were especially appreciated since I don’t drink alcohol. Since this is a Multiple Night Stay, it really helped that they provided extra yukata and towels. Just one thing: at dinner on the first day, the rice and soup were a bit lukewarm (it was fine on the second day). Also, perhaps due to the season, the seating was quite close to other guests during meals, which made it a little hard to eat comfortably. Still, I’m so satisfied that I’d definitely like to stay again. Thank you very much.

As a returning guest, I’m impressed every time by the wonderful meals and the staff’s hospitality. I truly enjoyed the rich, flavorful cuisine, and I deeply appreciate the staff’s thoughtful care. This is an Accommodation I want to visit again and again. Thank you.

This is the oldest hot spring in the San’in region, and it’s also a natural free-flowing Onsen—an absolute must for an Onsen enthusiast like me (laugh). The building does feel old because of its long history, but that’s part of its charm, and I hope it will continue for many years to come. The meals were a bit too much for me as an older guest; I would have preferred smaller portions with higher quality. The staff were wonderful. Thank you very much.

We stayed in a private two-story house with a Barcelona sauna. We were satisfied with everything—the Room, bath, and Facility. Above all, the Onsen water was silky-smooth, the temperature was just right, and it was amazing. Everything provided—from the hair dryer and facial lotion to the shampoo—was excellent. It was the best Accommodation we have ever stayed at. We would love to stay again someday.

We stayed here on the middle day of a three-day holiday weekend. This wonderful inn exceeded every “I wish it were like this” and “It would be nice if they had this,” and within minutes of arriving I was already thinking, “I want to come back!” [Service / Facilities / Baths] Everyone who assisted us was warm and courteous, and we were able to relax in a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The room and the entire property were very clean, with tasteful ornaments and seasonal decorations throughout—such a lovely space. The amenities provided in the room and baths also reflected thoughtful attention to detail; you could really feel the staff’s care in having things that make guests think, “This is exactly what I needed.” Both the indoor bath and open-air bath could be reserved for private use, so we were able to unwind completely. The changing area was spotless, and the water temperature was perfect. When I headed to the indoor bath right after check-in, I was impressed—the mirrors gleamed, the faucets gleamed; everything was impeccably cleaned. [Meals] Both dinner and breakfast were absolutely delicious. Highlights included a rich, velvety pumpkin potage; grated yam topped with soy-marinated egg yolk; whole char that was delicious down to the last bite; gently flavored vinegared dishes; chestnut rice with clear soup, and more. The yuba (tofu skin) and Japanese pepper were also excellent. We upgraded the main dish to wagyu beef—it was tender with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. For breakfast, the rice cooked in an earthenware pot was fluffy and glossy—I ended up having multiple refills. Everything—from teriyaki yellowtail to sesame tofu, miso soup, colorful vegetables with homemade dressing—was delicately seasoned with comforting flavors, and all of it was wonderful. This is a truly special inn where you can feel genuine hospitality everywhere. We’ve traveled to many places before, but this is somewhere we definitely want to return to—an inn that made me feel grateful to be Japanese. Thank you very much for taking such great care of us.

It rained heavily all day. Still, from the Room we watched the large courtyard pond, the rush of water running from the roof into the gutters, and droplets falling one by one from the pine needles. Since the bath in the Room also opens onto the courtyard, we were able to enjoy that atmosphere there as well.

The hot spring water is simply outstanding. Meeting the friendly and kind proprietress is also one of the highlights. I’ll be back again later this year. Thank you for everything!

This was our second stay, and it was a wonderful Room where we could enjoy an open-air rock bath while looking out at the beautiful garden (with an indoor bath as well). Both dinner and breakfast were delicious, and my elderly mother was very satisfied. The service was excellent, and we truly appreciate all your help.

There is no large public bath, but every Room has its own Onsen, and it was easy to adjust the temperature. I was able to relax and enjoy the Onsen at my leisure in the open-air bath. Overall, it was a stay that made me want to visit again. For dinner, we ordered sukiyaki. The beef was very well-marbled yet extremely easy to eat—light and melt-in-your-mouth—and the portion size was just right to finish comfortably. Breakfast was a bit light and on the smaller side, but since dinner is meat-focused, I felt it was well balanced. The only disappointing point was that perhaps because it is for men only, there were no skincare items like toner or lotion in the Room. When traveling, it’s inconvenient to carry these so I usually don’t bring them; at high-end Ryokan these days they are typically provided everywhere, so I was surprised they weren’t available. Even women’s versions would be fine—I think you should provide them. Those who don’t need them simply won’t use them. Other amenities such as heated eye masks and facial packs were very well stocked.

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.