Gunma × Stays Popular For SunsetsHighly rated for dining at Hotel·Ryokan

From the moment I was picked up, the staff made a great impression, and as soon as I stepped into the Hotel, I was soothed by a wonderful aroma scent. I was shown to a private Room to check in. The Room had a simple design and was very comfortable to stay in. I also enjoyed choosing my favorite scent with the aroma diffuser in the Room. This time I joined the 1-night, 2-day fasting course. Since it wasn’t a water-only fast, I had carrot juice, homemade umeboshi (pickled plum), bancha tea, and more for dinner and again the next morning. After checkout, they treated me to rice porridge, miso soup, handmade umeboshi, hana ingen beans (runner beans), and bancha tea—everything was very satisfying. Personally, the hana ingen beans slowly simmered over two days with beet sugar were so delicious that I couldn’t help asking if they were available for purchase. After check-in, I also received a brown-rice onigiri with umeboshi, which I enjoyed on my long-distance bus ride home. There is no TV in the Room, but Wi‑Fi is available so you can use your smartphone. However, since it was such a good opportunity, I tried not to use my phone during my stay as much as possible. Time flew by as I read health magazines in the lounge with herbal tea in hand; opened the window in my guest room to read my own book while listening to birdsong; and reviewed personal finances that had been put off due to everyday busyness. From the Onsen bath area in the morning, you can see Mt. Asama—the view was truly wonderful. If there’s one thing to mention: since exercise is part of my routine personally, having showers in every Room would have made it even more comfortable by allowing me to rinse off quickly after working out. Other than that minor point, everything exceeded expectations—the staff were lovely throughout—and it was a stay I would definitely like to repeat.

I stay here around the same time every year. This year again, I was able to truly relax and feel refreshed. The staff were attentive, and everyone was wonderful. There are more foreign attendants now, but their Japanese is excellent, and I imagine they are well received by international guests as well. I use a wheelchair, and the considerate support provided was just right, making my stay even more comfortable. Having an Onsen in the Room that I can enjoy anytime is also fantastic. I would love to come back again for a relaxing stay. Thank you very much.

Mount Myogi rose like a folding screen, and the scenery was spectacular! The Hotel was clean, and the Onsen had great water. Meals were buffet-style for both breakfast and dinner. Unfortunately, it wasn’t food I’d want to eat again... There are many sightseeing spots nearby, so we were able to stop by various places and had a very fulfilling trip.

Aoki Ryokan is a charming blend of Western and Japanese styles, with its blue roof and distinctive design—an Accommodation that gave me a great feeling even before I stepped inside. Fresh flowers were casually arranged throughout, the floors were spotless, and everything was impeccably clean. Perhaps because it is an old Ryokan, the atmosphere felt wonderfully balanced and calm. I usually suffer from insomnia when staying away from home, but here I felt completely at ease and slept very deeply—something that surprised even me. I also enjoyed listening to the proprietress’s stories (including one about Kunio Inatani, a pioneer of skiing in Japan) and savoring meals filled with mountain vegetables. It was truly relaxing both physically and mentally. As this is a historic Ryokan, old tools once used are also displayed; I was especially struck by the large saw used to cut ice from Lake Onuma, which made me imagine how demanding that work must have been at the time. To everyone at Aoki Ryokan, thank you for such a pleasant stay. Tokyo – Mariko