Nationwide × Accommodation For Enjoying Autumn FlavorsHighly rated for customer service and hospitality at Hotel·Ryokan - 14Page Number

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.

I originally made a Reservation at “Nene no Michi Bettei,” but due to a change in Room allocation, I ended up staying at Hotel VMG Kyoto Kamogawa. From check-in to check-out, I was deeply impressed by the staff’s impeccable attention to detail and thoughtful hospitality. Sleeping in the bedroom while gazing up at the coffered ceiling felt like an “exceptional escape from everyday life.” At the paid lounge, alcohol and other drinks are available free-flow, with snacks as well—it truly feels like a private lounge. Because the property preserves the character of a historic building, soundproofing is not perfect; however, it more than makes up for it with an elegant, nostalgic atmosphere. The Japanese-style room next to the bedroom overlooks a small courtyard garden and offers a wonderfully atmospheric view that made time feel as if it passed more slowly. That said, perhaps because the air conditioning does not reach this room easily, I found the heat noticeable. Although it would involve additional cost, lending spot coolers or simple heaters to guests upon request during limited seasons (summer/winter) could help make better use of this room and may also become a new experiential highlight—especially for international travelers. I’m truly grateful to all of the staff for giving me such an extraordinary stay. This is a Hotel I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking an “indescribably exceptional escape from everyday life.”

This was my second stay. I visited with my parents, the three of us. The bath is on the small side, but the Onsen water quality is excellent—personally, I think it’s far better than most Onsen. Meals were the highlight for me, and the cuisine here is outstanding, on par with kaiseki in Tokyo. With plenty of seasonal ingredients, everything tastes wonderful and you can truly enjoy each dish. It was a very relaxing one-night, two-day stay.

Both the Room and the entire Accommodation were clean, and we had a very comfortable stay. The Onsen warmed us through to the core and helped relieve our travel fatigue. The meals were a delight both visually and in taste, and the steak in particular was outstanding. We had no contact with other guests, making it a quiet, relaxing space. Conversations with the staff were also pleasant, and we were very satisfied. We would love to visit again in a different season.

I was looking for a Hotel around Lake Toya where I could stay with my dog, and chose this Hotel— it was truly an outstanding experience. Both breakfast and dinner were exceptionally delicious, and I was completely satisfied. The facilities were clean and modern, and all the staff were wonderful. The only thing I noticed was that although you should be able to enjoy the beautiful view of Lake Toya from the bath, the outside view was blocked for privacy reasons. That part was a little disappointing. Other than that, everything was perfect, and we had a very comfortable stay with our dog. I would love to visit again!

All the meals were delicious, and the Onsen was wonderful. The Room and bath areas were kept very clean, so we had a very comfortable stay. The amenities were well provided and really helpful. There was bottled water in the Room refrigerator, and there was also a lounge where you can freely enjoy soft drinks; we had coffee after dinner as well. The Japanese garden in the courtyard was also beautiful. We could choose our favorite yukata, which made us feel even more excited. All the staff were kind and helpful. There were lots of cute cat-themed items in the lobby, hallways, and lounge, which was very soothing. We were able to relax at a leisurely pace. There was a roadside station and a supermarket nearby, so the location was convenient as well. It was such a lovely Accommodation that we would love to stay again. Thank you very much!

Both dinner and breakfast were very delicious, with just the right portions and well-timed service. We enjoyed a comfortable stay.

The Onsen water had a very silky, slippery feel—unlike anything I’ve experienced before—and it was wonderful. Since it was before Golden Week, there were very few guests and it was quiet, so I could relax. Dinner was extremely luxurious, and I’m sorry I couldn’t finish it all. I would recommend this place to anyone who loves Onsen.

The bath and in-room dining were both excellent. This is an Accommodation we would definitely like to visit again.

The Accommodation’s heartfelt hospitality was evident from check-in onward, extending through dinner, the Onsen, and every aspect of your stay in the Room.

Every month, coming back here makes us feel at ease. For us, it’s not just a place to stay—it’s a special place where we can truly relax when we return. Thank you so much to everyone who always welcomes us with the same warm smiles. The time we get to spend here is a source of comfort for our hearts. Chef, of course everything is delicious, but we can really feel the care you put into each and every dish, and it makes us happy every time. We’re grateful to keep finding dishes that make us think, “I want to eat this again,” no matter how many times we’ve had them. A huge thank-you to you and the entire kitchen team!! And to you—there may be all kinds of worries, but take it easy, stay calm, don’t get worked up, and keep a cool head. We’re cheering for you! If you ever need to vent, I’ll listen anytime (haha). See you next week—we’ll come by to see you again.

It was truly just a short walk from Sapporo Station North Exit. It rained a little on the way, and they even lent me an umbrella.\nI really appreciated the luggage storage service. Breakfast was also very delicious.\nThere were laundry facilities, and the Room was spacious and easy to use.

After watching your YouTube video, we thought it looked wonderful and made a Reservation. Even though it was the peak summer holiday season, we were incredibly lucky to secure a Room. As expected, there were many families and large groups, but thanks to the staff’s quick and well-organized coordination, there were no bottlenecks and my spouse and I truly enjoyed our stay. The baths were amazing, with so many excellent tubs to choose from. I especially soaked often in hopes of easing my chronic lower back pain and nerve pain. Shimobe Onsen has helped improve the numbness in my right hand and nerve pain in the past, so I feel deeply grateful for it. We would definitely like to come again for therapeutic bathing. Next time, we would love to stay in a suite Room with a private open-air Onsen bath.

Thank you very much for your hospitality the other day. Although it was only for one night, I was able to relax deeply. As rumored, the breakfast and dinner were delicious, everyone’s hospitality was excellent, and the Room was wonderful. I’m truly glad I chose to stay here. I also sincerely appreciate you finding my lost item and sending it to me right away—it was a great help. I hope to visit again soon. Thank you very much.

With only a small number of Rooms, we were able to enjoy the Facility without much contact with other guests. As for the baths, we were able to take our time and enjoy all of them—the private open-air bath, the in-room open-air bath, and the in-room indoor bath. We’d also like to try the stone sauna next time. There were hours when we could use the lounge for beer, alcohol, coffee, and more. Although we couldn’t make it for cocktail time, we still made good use of it. It would be even better if the lounge stayed open a little later. Every dish had a gentle flavor and there was an impressive variety; everything was delicious and beautifully presented, so we enjoyed it with our eyes as well. Being able to choose three desserts ourselves was also great. Because we could dine at a relaxed pace, the portions felt just right and everything was very tasty. The Room was so clean that it didn’t feel like 15 years had passed at all, and we stayed very comfortably. If I had to mention one thing, it would be that the wash area was a bit small. We also appreciated the thoughtful touches, such as having separate towels prepared for the open-air bath and the indoor bath. We would definitely like to stay again. Thank you very much.

It was my first visit. I was completely satisfied with everything, but there are three highlights worth mentioning. I have stayed at many Hotels, and the dining here was exceptionally satisfying. It’s rare to find Western cuisine of this quality. I was amazed by the consommé made from chicken and vegetables—it concentrated the natural flavors of the ingredients beautifully. None of the dishes felt heavy, and I enjoyed everything right to the end. The ayu paired wonderfully with eggplant as well, and I was impressed by how it all came together. My husband and I even said we would like to stay again just for the meals. The wonderful location was also a major plus. I could truly relax while taking in such a luxurious view. I believe that’s thanks to how meticulously everything is kept clean—from the rooms to the large public bath and even the garden. We enjoyed coffee in the library, and used cups were promptly cleared away; there wasn’t a single unpleasant detail. Above all, what stood out most was how wonderful your staff are. Everyone—the person who provided Shuttle Service by bus, the front desk team, each member of restaurant service staff, and housekeeping—was warm and professional. There were also staff members with charming Fukushima dialects, which sounded lovely to me. In particular, one restaurant staff member remained poised while still engaging in pleasant conversation; unfortunately I didn’t get their name. I hope to see them again on my next visit. Thank you very much.

All the staff were incredibly kind and warm. They responded quickly when I wasn’t feeling well, and thanks to that I was able to enjoy my trip without changing any of my plans. My first enzyme bath also helped relieve my fatigue. If it were closer, I’d feel like coming even once a month. The French restaurant was outstanding—the fish and vegetables were fresh and delicious. The wine pairing was perfect, and we enjoyed it very much. For breakfast we chose the Japanese set, and the kenchin-jiru soup—something I hadn’t had in a long time—was excellent. There was a wide variety of dishes, all delicious. The Room was comfortable as well, and we were satisfied with everything—we would definitely like to visit again. Thank you very much to all the staff.

It was a wonderful, very comfortable Accommodation. The Room layout and atmosphere were excellent, and simply gazing at the forest view from the window was soothing—I lost track of time. The in-room Onsen was easy to use, and the water temperature was perfect whenever I bathed. The staff who assisted us were also wonderful. The meals were delicious, and the portions were just right. I would love to stay again in a different season.

The Room and beds were flawless. The meals were also more than sufficient for us as an older couple with smaller appetites—we even wondered, “Is this really a lighter portion?” Everything was delicious. Not only was dinner served in our Room, but we were also able to have breakfast in a private dining room, so we could enjoy it at our own pace. When the season changes, we would love to stay again and look forward to the seasonal menu changes.

Thank you for your thoughtful emails even before our stay. On the day, our flight was suddenly canceled and we had to take the ferry, but you quickly adjusted the rental car arrangements. The food was cooked right in front of us, and both the taste and portions were excellent; the drinks were delicious too. The hot spring water quality was great, and we were able to truly relax in both body and mind. Everything was perfect!