Nationwide × Stays Popular For Snow-View BathsHighly rated Hotel·Ryokan - 65Page Number

Thank you for taking care of me on my solo trip. I was looking for an Accommodation where I could quietly relax and fully enjoy the Onsen and meals, so I chose Jinpyokaku. Even though it was a hot season, there was plenty of greenery, and the Room was clean, quiet, and truly private. It was extremely comfortable. In particular, the in-room semi-open-air bath with free-flowing natural hot spring water available anytime was outstanding. On the charming walkway to the dining area, I felt soothed by the courtyard while listening to the evening cicadas— a nostalgic feeling that’s hard to put into words. Dinner was served in a private room, and every dish brought out the best of each ingredient—I even found myself thinking how delicious vegetables can be. The shabu-shabu was wonderful as expected, and the deep-fried cod coated with buckwheat groats was especially delicious. The portions were more than enough, and I also really enjoyed the local beer. Above all, what impressed me most was the heartfelt hospitality of all the staff. Their manners were impeccable—almost too perfect—and their thoughtful care made me feel truly grateful. I wanted to rest both mind and body, and I thoroughly enjoyed everything. Thank you very much.

Everything was excellent, including the surrounding environment. The staff and the proprietress were all impeccable in their hospitality. Thank you very much. We will visit again in November to see the autumn leaves.

Because we’d mostly visited southern Onsen towns such as Zao, Akayu, and Kaminoyama, this year we decided to head north and went to Hijiori, Semi, and Ginzan. Hijiori had come up as an option before, but I had somehow assumed it was a remote, quiet, minor Onsen area. I was surprised to find it’s a rare Onsen town these days that still has real energy. While Zao and Akayu have largely turned into shuttered streets and feel like each place is operating separately for its own target guests, Hijiori Onsen has a welcoming style where the whole town hosts visitors together. The shops were lively too—I was truly moved to see that the best of the Showa-era Onsen town atmosphere still remains. I believe Yushin no Yado is family-run with additional staff; everyone was kind and warm in their service, so we felt at ease throughout our stay. And we were amazed by both the quantity and quality of the meals! It was so lavish I thought my stomach might burst—packed with mountain delicacies. I wished I had a bigger appetite. I felt bad leaving anything uneaten, and when I saw someone at a nearby table being served an enormous watermelon, I nearly despaired. However, they were clearly paying attention to how quickly we were eating; since I eat slowly, they switched mine to a smaller portion for me, which impressed me. As a couple who don’t drink alcohol much at all, strongly seasoned dishes meant to pair with drinks are delicious but make us need lots of water; if possible, it would be helpful to receive a pitcher of cold water once it’s clear we won’t be ordering beverages. The saltiness makes us thirsty—we end up drinking a lot of water and getting full before finishing the wonderful food. The private reserved Onsen in the annex offered as a guest perk had different water quality from the main bath area (which made it fun). It seems this Accommodation borrows the bathhouse of an older Ryokan that is no longer operating; because it didn’t lock properly from inside (no key), it made us nervous. Still, enjoying another type of spring water was great.

The free-flowing natural hot spring water overflowed generously, and it was wonderfully hot and relaxing. It’s located a little away from central Kusatsu, but I’m sensitive to noise, so I was thrilled to sleep soundly in the quiet. They provided Shuttle Service to the town center, so I could enjoy a beer without worrying about driving or parking. The facilities were clean, and the meals were delicious—I was completely full!

I stayed on Friday, July 11. That day, due to the eruption of Shinmoedake and news reports saying that Kirishima City was experiencing a water outage, many Reservations at Ryokans and Hotels in Kirishima City were reportedly canceled. However, in reality there was no impact at all, so I felt the reporting was overly alarmist—this is exactly reputational damage caused by rumors. Kirishima Hanamurasaki offers a very comfortable Onsen, and the food is absolutely delicious. In addition, the hospitality is outstanding. I would love to visit again. Thank you very much.

I felt completely relaxed. If the private family bath was available, I could use it, so when I wanted to warm up a bit before bed, I went there. In the open-air bath, all I could hear was the sound of the stream, water falling from above, and the calls of frogs—it was incredibly quiet. I soaked absentmindedly for about an hour, then ate when I got hungry. During my Multiple Night Stay, both breakfast and dinner had different menus each day, and everything—including the rice and water—was delicious, so I ate too much. I came by bus instead of renting a car; the bus stop is right in front of the property. There are also places within walking distance in Bungo-Mori, such as a roundhouse museum, so I enjoyed sightseeing as well. I’d love to visit again. The proprietress’s thoughtful hospitality was wonderful—I truly felt at ease. Thank you very much.

We stayed one night with breakfast and dinner included as a family of three. The location is quiet, and the building and Room are clean and not particularly old. However, it seems the property was originally a retreat facility, so even though it is called a Hotel, there is no shop or entertainment Facility. There are also no convenience stores or drugstores nearby. The meals were very delicious, but they were served as a kaiseki-style course rather than a buffet, with dishes brought out in order from appetizers to dessert. Meal times were fixed (breakfast at 7:30 and dinner at 18:30). Dinner in particular was quite early for us, and we couldn’t finish everything because we weren’t hungry enough. The chef seemed to be of Arab background, but both the food and service were excellent. The bath water is natural Onsen and was wonderful. The bathing area isn’t large, but even with six people using the washing area, the showers were manageable. As for the Room, if I had to mention something minor, one of the small light bulbs didn’t turn on. There is air conditioning (central system), but even in August it was cool at night, so we could sleep with it off. Overall it was clean and pleasant; however, not being able to choose meal times felt like having to fit the Hotel’s schedule. It seemed there were several groups staying, but only one other group besides us had breakfast and dinner included; most guests appeared to be No Meals Included. If you stay No Meals Included, please note that most restaurants along the lakeside close by late afternoon. There are also cup noodles available in the vending machine on the first floor.

There are some things that make you think "a bit off" as mentioned in the reviews, but considering the cost performance and being able to stay with my beloved dog, I personally think this is the best accommodation! It’s definitely one of the accommodations I’d love to visit again.

Nothing particularly outstanding or disappointing. The location is convenient, and you can start exploring Shirakawa Village from the morning. One of the service staff said they are from Yangon and send money back home to support their parents. I realized how tough that must be. When I went sightseeing, there were indeed many international visitors, but I didn’t feel that as much at this Accommodation. If I have the chance, I’d stay again—that’s about it.

The Facility and the Room felt a bit old, but everything was thoroughly cleaned and very tidy, so we were able to relax comfortably. The bath was also kept clean, and the Onsen felt absolutely wonderful. The meals were mainly mountain vegetables, but they were very delicious. This time we had kiritanpo hot pot, but according to the Reviews, game dishes seem to be popular, so next time I’d like to try them. The doburoku was also great. I’d like to stay at this Accommodation again if I have the chance.

This accommodation is located right next to a famous architectural accommodation in Shibu Onsen, in front of the ninth bath of the Sotoyu Meguri. It is an ideal location for enjoying the Sotoyu Meguri. The hospitality from all staff, including the proprietress, is exceptional, making it a very pleasant place to stay. While the guest rooms are slightly dated, the meals are impeccable in both variety and taste, and of course, the onsen water soothes deep into your body to relieve daily fatigue. For us as a couple, this accommodation exceeded our expectations.

I traveled with my son, and we were completely satisfied with the hospitality. If you have time, there seem to be various activities you can enjoy after check-in. (We checked in after 5:00 p.m., so we didn’t use them.) The restaurant food was excellent. It’s a buffet, but it covers most of Yamagata’s local specialties. The main dish—wood-fired Zao beef—really lets you taste the meat’s natural flavor, and it pairs perfectly with red wine. All-you-can-drink wine from Takeda Winery and Woody Farm was included, which was amazing. Even beer (Asahi and Heartland) was all-you-can-drink—what a surprise. Next time, I’d like to stay with my whole family. Thank you very much!

I stayed here during a touring trip. I had a large Room all to myself, and since I had plenty of time, I enjoyed the Onsen four times before checkout. As it was a weekday, I could relax at my own pace. The information said dinner would include salt-grilled ayu, so given the season I was looking forward to late-season ayu, but it turned out to be grilled trout instead. It was still delicious, but a little disappointing. Since it’s deep in the mountains, the stars in the night sky were incredibly beautiful. Thank you.

Soaking in the Onsen surrounded by nature is truly uplifting. Just an hour from Nagoya is also a plus.

I recently stayed at Kawano-an, a separate building of Momijiya. Located in a quiet riverside area, the room offered beautiful views of the river, which was very soothing. Especially in the morning, waking up to the sound of the flowing river and birdsong allowed me to forget the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy peaceful moments. The room was clean, comfortable, and had a wonderful traditional Japanese atmosphere. The staff were very kind and provided attentive hospitality. The meals were made with fresh local ingredients and were all delicious. The dinner especially showcased seasonal flavors with beautifully presented dishes that were also visually enjoyable. The bath was relaxing and helped relieve my tired body completely. Overall, it was an excellent accommodation where I could feel Japan's traditional hospitality. I would love to visit again if I have another opportunity!

It felt like an Accommodation focused on visiting nearby public baths, and the staff were very kind, which left a great impression. The canned beer and highballs available for purchase at the front desk were also reasonably priced. That said, a few things stood out: - I assume the Onsen is naturally low-temperature, but the open-air bath felt lukewarm. Since it was midsummer, I apologize if that temperature was intentional. - The Room with a private open-air bath was spacious and wonderful, but there was no wash bucket or chair for the bath, no sugar or milk/creamer for coffee, and no glass beer tumbler. It was a bit inconvenient. - The Wi-Fi only worked near the Room entrance. What impressed me most this time was the live performance by volunteers after dinner. From a large song list, they played our requested songs on saxophone, piano, and percussion—it was truly excellent and very moving.

This was our fourth time staying at an Accommodation in Hida Takayama as a couple, and our second time with our child (following last year). We felt Futari Shizuka was a very well-balanced Accommodation overall. Above all, the view was outstanding—you can overlook the townscape of Hida Takayama from the Accommodation. This was true both from our Room and from the baths. My wife and child were truly amazed by the scenery. Another highlight, along with the view, was the staff’s perfectly measured hospitality. There were international staff members as well, and when our child ended up eating my wife’s dessert, they quietly brought her an extra one. The comfortable sense of distance in their service felt wonderful. Next, about the meals and baths. Dinner let us fully enjoy everything—Hida beef of course, plus foil-baked dishes, tempura, and sashimi. Breakfast also had just the right number of items with a well-balanced selection; for me it was a perfect volume that suited my taste very well. As for the baths, we didn’t use the paid private bath, but we were more than satisfied with just the large public bath! Right after check-in—before dinner—I went into the men’s bath with my child; both the size of the bath area and number of baths were just right, and we could enjoy it together comfortably. The scenery visible from both indoor and outdoor baths was truly spectacular. The next morning we were able to use another bath as well; both the Goemon-style tub and indoor bath were great. Our child happily said they wanted to go in again and again—and that simply doubled our enjoyment. Overall, it felt like an excellent match for us personally. Auberge Hida Takayama and Honjin Hiranoya Annex—where we have stayed before—were also wonderful Accommodations, but Futari Shizuka felt perfectly “just right” in every way while still being excellent. On a personal note, there were sweets and figurines sold next to reception; by chance they had a character figure my child loves, so I could buy it as a gift—which became another great memory from Futari Shizuka for us. There were a few minor points such as steep stairs and some age to parts of the building, but thanks to those superb views and thoughtfully balanced hospitality, it became a trip we were truly satisfied with—and we are very grateful for that experience."""

At first, based on the photos and such, I didn’t come with very high expectations… but they had prepared a very spacious Japanese-Western style Room for us. On the table there were small, adorable rice balls… I really appreciated the thoughtful touch. As expected from Uonuma, Japan’s top rice region. Both at dinner and breakfast, the service was so kind and gentle. Not only was the rice excellent and the meals delicious, but thanks to the hospitality we enjoyed everything even more. The Onsen water felt wonderful, and by the next morning my skin was silky smooth. It also felt like everything was kept very clean. The open-air bath is small, but since it’s on the rooftop, the night view was beautiful. Inside the building there were various nostalgic items on display—it brought back memories, sparked lots of conversation, and we ended up getting totally absorbed in playing games too. As we left our Room and waited for the elevator, a staff member who had been cleaning nearby went out of their way to say politely, “Thank you very much—please take care,” bowing deeply as they saw us off. All of the staff greeted us with warm smiles, and we truly had a comfortable stay. These days many places employ overseas staff with whom communication can be difficult at times, but here everyone was courteous and kind—it made me genuinely happy. This has become an Accommodation I would definitely love to visit again. The building itself feels old-fashioned with its age showing somewhat, but it is carefully cleaned—once you visit, it isn’t an issue at all. One more thing—this was my own carelessness—but I slightly cut my finger on an inner edge of the towel rack. It may be good for families with children or elderly guests to take a little extra care. Thank you very much.

It feels a bit old, but that’s part of the charm. The Onsen was amazing! I could drink as much beer as I wanted, enjoy plenty of snacks, and relax in a calm atmosphere. It truly felt like we were visiting right in the middle of nature, which was fantastic. This time we planned a 6-day trip, and I’m glad we started on day one at this Accommodation!!

This was my second stay. The staff at the facility were just as kind and attentive as last time, making my stay very comfortable. The food was delicious, and the Onsen was excellent.