Around Matsunoyama Onsen × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan

I stayed here to relax at an Onsen Accommodation. The homemade, heartfelt dishes were truly delicious. Dinner was great, but breakfast was especially memorable—the simmered royal fern, Tochio fried tofu and bamboo shoots, and simmered potatoes were outstanding. The potato salad was also excellent; the woman next to me had finished hers and asked for seconds, so I requested an extra serving as well. After bathing, I opened the Room window and enjoyed the pleasant night breeze from the satoyama countryside, soothed by a chorus of frogs. I was very satisfied!

I’ve stayed at many Accommodations, but this one felt truly original and made for a memorable stay. The meals were on the smaller side, but everything was delicious—local specialties and unique dishes using wild mountain vegetables, all carefully prepared with locally sourced ingredients. For breakfast, I also enjoyed the signature white rice along with a wide variety of toppings to go with it. As others have mentioned, the Onsen has a distinctive aroma and very salty water, and I’m glad I visited for that experience as well. One point for improvement: I wanted to enjoy the high-quality bath multiple times, but since we had to bring the bath towel from the Room each time, we ended up reusing the same one repeatedly. It would be great if bath towels were also provided in the public bath area.

A luxury to soak in the hot water while listening to Japanese bush warblers during the day and a chorus of frogs at night. The spring-inspired meals were also delicious and truly enjoyable. There aren’t any particularly special amenities or services, but everything feels comfortable—from walking barefoot on the tatami floors throughout the property to the subtle aroma in the air—and it’s genuinely relaxing. The building seems old, but it’s kept very clean, with no faults at all. It was so quiet that I could clearly hear the pleasant snoring from the next room—perhaps part of its charm. The Onsen is, of course, wonderful as well.\nI would definitely love to visit again.

I stayed at another Accommodation in the same group not long ago, but this was my first return to Tamakiya in 10 years. Last time, discovering Abe Shuzo through the sake pairing was a real highlight, so I did it again this time. Since it was a special occasion, I decided to pay the extra fee and choose the optional premium sake course. It more than lived up to expectations—I truly enjoyed a wide range of excellent sakes, including some with a playful twist. The sommelier’s stories were fascinating, and I wished I could have listened even longer. I was traveling solo, but the staff were consistently courteous and attentive, no different from how they treated larger groups, which I really appreciated. The food was also outstanding: a course featuring plenty of local Niigata ingredients, with every dish delicious from appetizers to dessert. Next time, I’d love to stay in midwinter when there’s deep snow.

We also welcomed international guests! It was awesome!

I just stayed here in March, but I came back again! It’s such a relaxing Accommodation, and I’d love to return for another restful getaway. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality.

The service was attentive and excellent from check-in to dining. Detailed explanations were provided throughout the accommodation, offering a sense of history everywhere. The quality of the hot spring water was exceptional and rare to find elsewhere. I would love to visit again in a different season.