Nationwide × Accommodation For Enjoying Autumn FlavorsHighly rated for customer service and hospitality 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!

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.

My first trip to Karuizawa with my mother! This Accommodation is famous for being hard to book, and we happened to find an available date, so we made a Reservation right away!! We drove there in a rental car, and from the moment we arrived, the staff’s warm hospitality made us feel truly welcome. Everything about the Accommodation was wonderful. There are four private Onsen baths that don’t require a Reservation, as well as a large public bath and a cave bath. Surrounded by trees, it’s an Accommodation where you can feel time passing quietly. I’ve stayed at many Hotels and Ryokans before, but this was the first time I experienced such outstanding hospitality—including the food!! It’s easy to see why so many guests return again and again!

This was my first stay here. From the moment I arrived at the Hotel, the staff’s hospitality at the entrance was so attentive that it’s impossible to compare with other hotels. When I entered my Room, it was spotless—not a speck of dust—and I was truly impressed by the outstanding skill of the housekeeping team. In the evening, I used in-room dining and had grilled vegetables, soup, and focaccia. Everything was absolutely delicious and genuinely moving. If you stay here, I highly recommend trying in-room dining. This time I booked a Plan with breakfast included, so I enjoyed breakfast at the restaurant on the first floor. There were three options to choose from, and I felt it’s a menu loved by guests of all ages. I traveled here from Tohoku, and it took quite a bit of time and money—but this was an exceptional Hotel that still made me think, “I want to stay here anyway!” Thank you very much for taking such great care of me during my stay.

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.

Because my mother has difficulty walking, we mentioned it in advance, and they kindly placed a special chair in the indoor hot spring to help prevent her from slipping. Their thoughtfulness was wonderful. The meals were delicious, and they were very kind to our dog as well.

This was my first stay, and just as everyone says, it was a truly wonderful Accommodation. The food was delicious, the Onsen water was silky-smooth, the staff were great, everything in the fridge was free, and the price was reasonable. The view was beautiful and very relaxing. Also, since I love drinks, I was thrilled by the wide selection of rice shochu... Thank you very much! I’ll definitely visit again.

Both the Room and bath, as well as the cuisine and customer service, were of a very high standard at this Accommodation. In particular, the private dining room was a wonderful space with a refined sense of style. The reflection of the waterway’s surface on the navy-blue wall inside was truly magical. I also felt it would be nice to raise the blinds a little at breakfast to enjoy it. The locally made cookies provided in the Room were also delicious. This is an Accommodation where I’d like to stay again, even in a different Room.

We stayed here over Silver Week to celebrate a birthday.\n\nAs this inn is known for its cuisine, we were most looking forward to the meals—and everything from start to finish was absolutely delicious. We booked the simmered golden eye snapper (Kinmedai) course because we specifically wanted to try it, and I highly recommend it at least once. The chef’s special sweets were also wonderful.\n\nThere is also a great selection of local sake. I didn’t have much of an image of Shizuoka sake before, but we enjoyed trying different ones by the single serving. The food was so good that we ended up drinking a bit too much.\n\nOur room was in a separate annex, and meals were served in a private dining room, so we rarely ran into other guests and could truly relax.\n\nWe also used the private reservable bath, and together with the bath in our room, we ended up bathing four times in total. The water temperature was perfect.\n\nAll of the staff were polite and attentive. We’d love to come back again as a treat for ourselves. We came to celebrate, but I ended up enjoying it just as much.

This hotel truly embodies exceptional hospitality. The service is attentive, courteous, and thoughtful—and the same goes for the dining. Not only are the flavors and ingredients outstanding, but it’s rare to encounter cuisine prepared with this level of care. I also loved the comfortable room, the hot stone spa, and the atmospheric semi-open-air bath. At all times, you can enjoy a pleasantly private space as well. By the way, on long drives the windshield tends to get dirty and obstruct your view, and although it bothers you, you often end up leaving it (maybe it’s just me?). I was impressed time and again by thoughtful touches like having it quietly wiped clean before departure. So-called “popular inns” often raise expectations too high before your stay, so in reality they can be disappointing more often than not. However, this was a rare hotel that made me want to visit with the stay itself as the purpose of my trip.

The private family bath was spacious and even had a waterfall feature, with the water at just the right temperature, so we could soak and relax. The atmosphere of the large public bath was also wonderful. The meals featured local ingredients, the portions were just right, and we were very satisfied! If you have mobility issues, going up and down to the first floor may be difficult, but it was a quiet place to spend time. We’d love to visit again after a hike in the mountains.

We had a truly wonderful stay. We stayed for two nights with our 1-year-old daughter. Dinner and breakfast were included, and the food was outstanding. They thoughtfully accommodated our child’s meals, taking her egg allergy and the size of the ingredients into consideration, and she was very happy. The staff also looked after her throughout, so we could enjoy our meal with peace of mind. The Room has special touches that help you forget the busyness of everyday life. Thanks to that, we were able to enjoy an extraordinary experience we don’t usually get to have. We would love to return again next time.

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.

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.

Unfortunately it rained, but thanks to that we were able to relax at the inn on the day we arrived. As other reviews mentioned, the staff were wonderful—every single person greeted us with a smile and provided excellent service, so we had a very comfortable stay. The next day, when the rain let up, we were able to take a walk and enjoy Dogo Onsen. Above all, the meals were outstanding! Not only was the food delicious, but the tableware was beautiful as well—both my elderly father and I finished everything. It’s a bit far from Osaka so we can’t visit often, but this is an inn we would love to return to. Please continue being such a lovely place. The staff’s hospitality is truly top-notch!

After arriving at Nakamatsuya in Bessho Onsen, we first visited the nearby Kitamuki Kannon Hall before enjoying a bath. The water temperature was perfect, and we felt wonderfully warmed up before heading to the dinner venue. There, an unbelievable variety of matsutake dishes kept coming—more than I’ve ever had in my life. I’m truly glad we came here, and I’d love to visit again around this time next year.

This is a small luxury hotel with 55 rooms. Because of that, the staff pay close attention to every detail. They greeted me by name whenever we passed, and kindly listened to casual conversation—it's the kind of hotel that makes you want to come back again and again.

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.

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 visited as two families, and the quiet atmosphere throughout the property and the deep presence of nature felt wonderfully soothing. Each of us was able to spend a calm, unhurried time at our own pace. The bagna càuda served at dinner was especially memorable—an exquisite dish that brought out the best of seasonal ingredients with great care, and one we would love to enjoy again. Yamanohito’s culinary philosophy—honoring the inherent strength of each ingredient—came through clearly, quietly yet unmistakably. The hospitality from all staff members was among the finest we have experienced at any accommodation. It never felt excessive; instead, they offered attentive support exactly when needed, allowing us to relax with complete peace of mind throughout our stay. This has become a truly special place for our family—one we hope to revisit in different seasons to enjoy changing mountain scenery and cuisine each time.