Nationwide × Accommodation For Enjoying Autumn FlavorsHighly rated for dining at Hotel·Ryokan

We stayed with you on a weekend in late September. With the weather swinging between hot and cool, days of rain, and even a typhoon, it really feels like anything can happen these days. So we decided: go where you want to go while you can, meet the people you want to meet when you can, and eat what you want to eat when you feel like it. And that meant—let’s go to WATANABE and enjoy autumn! By the time dinner started at 6:00 p.m., it was already dark outside the window. Looking up at the night sky reminded me how last year felt like summer all the way into October, and how we only started sensing autumn around mid-October. This dinner was another wonderful “WATANABE Special”—a luxurious and delicious course (including abalone salad and live Ise lobster with bouillabaisse sauce) that made me genuinely happy from start to finish. Boiled Toneri shellfish in seawater Mehikari fish fritters Herb toast topped with kampachi prosciutto-style ham Gougère filled with tartare of kombu-cured shrimp Snow crab and mushroom cake salé Red bell pepper mousse topped with Hokkaido sea urchin and consommé jelly Steamed abalone tabbouleh (couscous) with celery salad Ayu confit baked in pastry with tapenade and cucumber sauce Local turban shell & brown mushroom bourguignon-style dish Pan-seared white tilefish with peanuts, lightly curry-flavored Lemongrass granita Live Ise lobster with bouillabaisse sauce (assorted mushrooms) Homemade whole-wheat bread Japanese chestnut Mont Blanc dessert Madam’s petit fours and tea Every dish was delicious—especially for someone like me who loves fish roe/innards and being able to enjoy whole fish. Thank you for the wonderful feast both evening and morning. I’m always moved by the chef’s cooking, and soothed by Madam’s gentle smile. Thank you again for such a happy time. Today’s discovery: Madam makes that wonderfully chestnut-filled base of the Mont Blanc herself—amazing!

We stayed here as a couple to celebrate a birthday. From the meals and baths to the Room amenities and Shuttle Service, everything was filled with hospitality, and they were flexible in accommodating our requests, making our stay truly enjoyable and happy. Some Accommodations offer inclusive bar drinks or well-equipped Rooms, but this place is on another level—we were able to enjoy an extraordinary sense of luxury. We would definitely love to visit again. Thank you very much!

This is a perfect Accommodation in every way. Just one thing: it would be even better if there were in-house loungewear that matches the staff’s uniforms. After enjoying the Onsen, please consider offering stylish loungewear that blends naturally into the dining area.

I visited during the rainy season, a time I don’t usually choose. Both dinner and breakfast featured exquisite dishes that felt refreshingly cool to the eye and captured the early-summer atmosphere, lifting the gloom of the rainy skies. What makes this Accommodation truly exceptional is being able to enjoy outstanding cuisine at any time, thoughtfully crafted to reflect the season through sight, aroma, and taste. I also deeply appreciate the warm, friendly hospitality shown by all of the staff.

A luxurious Facility where extraordinary koi swim. We were able to enjoy a sand bath, a ceramic bath experience, and a private open-air bath at no additional charge. All staff were kind and provided attentive service. The Japanese cuisine served at the Yakusugi cedar counter was exquisite, with tropical fruits used throughout that were as beautiful to look at as they were delicious. The entire property was spotless and impeccably maintained, and the star-filled sky we gazed at late at night from the free-flowing natural hot spring open-air bath in our room was beyond words.

A calm Accommodation in a quiet, secluded area with hardly any traffic noise, where you can truly feel time pass peacefully. The meals weren’t overly large and the number of dishes was modest, but each one was carefully prepared and delicious. It was an adult-oriented Accommodation where you can genuinely relax and unwind.

Last time, the chef’s heartfelt cuisine was wonderful, so this time I booked a Multiple Night Stay. The food exceeded my expectations and truly moved me.\nThe hospitality of all the staff was also top-notch.\nThis is an Accommodation I would love to visit again. Thank you very much.

I chose to stay here because of its charming atmosphere, and I was sure my husband would like it too. Before booking, I called to ask about the room amenities. The head chef handed the call over to a female staff member, but her tone felt a bit harsh, and for a moment I hesitated about staying. However, once we actually arrived, that impression completely changed. Everyone who assisted us during our stay was very warm and welcoming, with genuine hospitality, and there was nothing at all that concerned me. The property was spotless throughout, and the lounge was comfortable—I was able to relax at ease. Above all, the food was outstanding. Each dish was prepared with great care while considering harmony with soy sauce, and I could truly feel the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and passion behind the cooking. Although the dishes made excellent use of soy sauce flavors, they never left an overly salty aftertaste—even after finishing everything—and I enjoyed every bite until the end. Because dinner was so exceptional, I would have been even happier if breakfast had been a bit more substantial. Including not only the cuisine but also the atmosphere and overall comfort of the inn, it became a truly memorable stay. This is a place I would definitely like to return to.

This was a truly wonderful Accommodation—one I’d absolutely love to return to! Both the exterior and interior were beautifully maintained, with tasteful decor and a very comfortable atmosphere. With pet-friendly Accommodations, you can sometimes notice odors in the Room, but that wasn’t the case here at all. The cleaning was impeccable, and everything felt extremely fresh and spotless—you wouldn’t even guess pets are welcome. Because of that, it also made me feel we should be extra mindful of good manners (such as using dog diapers) so everyone can enjoy their stay comfortably. The meals were delicious as well—gently seasoned so you can really taste the quality of the ingredients, and you could tell each dish was prepared with great care. The signature French toast in particular was outstanding! It’s something I highly recommend trying. Above all, the owner’s warm personality made our stay even more special—we were genuinely happy to be welcomed so kindly. Both the indoor bath and outdoor bath were great, and we were able to relax deeply. We had such a pleasant time with our dog; the food was excellent; and the owner was wonderful. It was an incredibly comfortable Accommodation. Thank you very much. We’d love to stay again!

We had a wonderful time in a very clean room with excellent facilities. The meal was also delicious—a meat-themed kaiseki course that felt refreshingly different from typical ryokan cuisine. The location, in the Higashiyama area, was another highlight, making it easy to explore around Kiyomizu-dera in the morning.

I think this Accommodation is very comfortable for solo travelers. I was worried about using the bath because I wanted to use it as many times as I liked whenever I wanted, but I was able to enjoy it to my full satisfaction. Breakfast also offered a generous variety. It’s an Accommodation that makes you want to come back anytime. The shakuhachi performance was also a refreshing experience.

This is the most satisfying Ryokan I have ever stayed at. The hospitality was beyond anything I could have imagined. The owner, the proprietress, and all the staff were wonderful people, and their warmth truly touched my heart. The meals, centered on seafood, featured outstanding ingredients and careful preparation—I was completely satisfied. What deserves special mention is the owner’s 100% buckwheat handmade soba: its aroma and smoothness were exceptional. I live in a prefecture known as a soba mecca, but I have never had soba better than this. Even the breakfast vegetables were all pesticide-free and homegrown, made with real care. The Onsen water was a reddish cloudy spring that felt gentle on the skin and relieved my fatigue. The building has a dignified presence with a sense of history. In every way it was outstanding—an Accommodation that makes you want to return again soon.

We stayed here on the first night of our 4-night, 5-day trip to Toyama to celebrate my mother’s 88th birthday—Toyama is her favorite place. There were three of us (mother and daughters), and since we don’t eat large portions, we were worried about whether we could finish a full auberge course meal. We contacted them in advance, and they kindly discussed various options with us. In the end, my mother was thrilled—she even finished not only her share but mine as well, enjoying crab that had just come into season. Every dish showcased outstanding craftsmanship, and we enjoyed the food served on beautiful tableware passed down through generations from the owner’s father and grandfather. They also prepared an 88th-birthday red vest (chanchanko) and hat for her, and the photos we took are a wonderful keepsake. The glass-walled bath with its breathtaking view was amazing, and thanks to their carefully chosen bedding, we slept very comfortably. It was satisfying in every way beyond just the cuisine. The owners are a truly warm and lovely couple, and it felt like the entire auberge was wrapped in that welcoming atmosphere.

This is an Onsen Accommodation you’ll want to return to again and again, with truly outstanding dedication to cuisine. Every visit leaves me thinking, “I’m so glad I came back.” Above all, I look forward to the meals each time. They are meticulous not only about the ingredients, but also about the dashi and even the grilling. The dashi is made with bonito flakes carefully shaved in-house at this Ryokan and natural true kombu kelp. The aroma and depth of flavor you notice from the very first sip are on a different level from ordinary dishes—you can taste the care that goes into it. The grilled items are also exceptional. They grill over binchotan charcoal sourced directly from a brewery in Wakayama. The eel in particular is superb: crisp, fragrant skin with tender, fluffy flesh. It’s delicious in a way that clearly reflects the chef’s precise technique and timing. I was also delighted to enjoy premium ingredients that are hard to come by in everyday life—Ginjiro uni (sea urchin), Saikyo-style hamo (pike conger), kue (longtooth grouper), Deshiko eel, and Shine Muscat “Hareou” grapes. And it’s not just about the food. The proprietress and all of the staff are genuinely warm and pleasant; their kindness comes through naturally when you interact with them. Their heartfelt hospitality is what makes this Accommodation so comfortable. The Onsen, the cuisine, and the hospitality—everything here makes you want to come back.

I love traveling solo to Onsen and visit places all over the whole country. I’d heard of Umegashima Onsen, but for some reason it had never been on my list—what a loss, haha. Last month I stayed at Umegashima Onsen for the first time (at a different Accommodation), and it quickly became one of my favorite Onsen. This time as well, it was great that they only accept a small number of guests and offer private reserved baths. That said, I like to soak in the Onsen whenever I want as many times as I like, so I often choose an Accommodation with an in-Room bath or one that’s available 24 hours. Unfortunately, here it was only available until 11:00 p.m. Also, having to ask the staff each time to get the key made me feel hesitant. I wish I could use it more freely without worrying about bothering anyone. The meals were absolutely delicious. The ingredients were different from what I’m used to in the Izu Peninsula or Hakone, which made everything feel very fresh.

We arrived after climbing the slope of Mt. Daisen for a while in light rain and mist. Seeing the word “Church,” we hesitated for a moment, but when we opened the wooden lobby door, we found a charming space unified in an antique style—like stepping into a Kenji Miyazawa story. You can truly feel how much the owner couple and staff value and care for their guests. Once shown to our room, the fog gradually lifted, revealing beautiful views of Yonago’s cityscape in the distance, along with the Sea of Japan and Lake Nakaumi. The open-air bath on the terrace was pure luxury, soaking while taking in the spectacular scenery. Dinner was exceptional both in presentation and taste. We also enjoyed chatting with the dining staff, and the timing of each course was perfect. In this quiet natural setting, we spent blissful time that felt well beyond its price. A highly recommended Accommodation.

Because my son uses a wheelchair, the restaurant staff kindly assisted us, which was very helpful. We truly appreciate their thoughtful care. The meal was delicious, made with very fresh ingredients. The wine explanations were excellent, and the timing of serving the three wines was perfect. We would love to stay again.

On my first trip to Kusatsu Onsen, I stayed for two nights in the private open-air bath guest room “TAKASAGO.” Guest Room (TAKASAGO) The layout is wonderfully spacious, with the bedroom and tatami-style living area separated, creating a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Personally, I felt the room was a little dim due to limited natural light depending on its orientation, and I would have loved a larger sofa where you can really sink in rather than a low table—but overall it was an expansive, truly luxurious space. The tatami room with the low table faces a private garden and had a lovely sense of traditional charm. The maisonette-type rooms looked brighter and seemed to have more comfortable sofas as well, so I’d like to try one next time. Onsen Two different hot spring sources—Jizo Gensen and Bandai Kosen Gensen—are supplied here, making for an indulgent bathing experience. In addition to enjoying high-quality spring water anytime in the in-room open-air bath, the three private reservable baths each had their own distinct character and conveyed refined Japanese aesthetics. I thoroughly enjoyed soaking in Onsen throughout my stay. In particular, I loved “AWASE,” where three tubs are lined up from low to high temperature so you can experience a traditional bathing method—I went back again and again. Breakfast As dinner service was suspended during my stay, breakfast was the only meal offered—but its quality was outstanding, easily on par with dinner. I often stay at cuisine-focused Ryokan, and this was among the best I’ve experienced: creative composition of dishes, cooking that brought out the best of each ingredient, and thoughtful selection of tableware that elevated every course. Hospitality & Service The staff’s attentiveness and perfectly balanced approach—present when needed but never intrusive—left a strong impression and made my stay very comfortable. While there are a couple of minor preferences regarding the guest room setup, overall I was extremely satisfied with every aspect: Onsen, food quality (breakfast), and hospitality. I would absolutely love to return when visiting Kusatsu again.

The room was very nice, and the spa and view were excellent.

We visited during the Obon holidays, and the drive was not crowded at all. The Accommodation is in a great location, just a short walk to Irago Cape Lighthouse. Right in front is Koiji-ga-hama Beach, and we were able to relax at the Accommodation while enjoying the beautiful ocean view. The proprietress, the young proprietress, and all the staff were wonderfully pleasant and welcoming. We have stayed at many Ryokan and Hotels, but we think this place is the best. The food was also excellent, and we were completely satisfied with everything. We would like to take good care of the hibiscus we received on our way home—thank you very much. We would definitely like to visit again.