Furukuchi Station × Highly rated facilities at Hotel·Ryokan

They provided clear, courteous explanations via LINE even before our stay, which made everything easy to understand. During the stay, they also sent updates via LINE, so we had nothing to worry about. When we entered the Room, it was clean and smelled wonderful. The tableware and cooking utensils were well stocked, so we had no inconvenience. There were only a few amenities, but since preferences vary, it didn’t bother us. There is no TV, but we watched movies on the projector—it felt luxurious on a big screen. We stayed mainly for the sauna, and it was piping hot—very satisfying. It would have been even better with a cold plunge bath and relaxation chairs. You can see the Mogami River from the Room and the bath—it’s very soothing. It was an excellent sauna trip overall.

For Yamagata, a paradise of Onsen, it's a bit disappointing that the large public bath uses Onsen additives. However, the breakfast menu is abundant and includes local gourmet dishes. The front desk staff are very kind and attentive. The room was clean and comfortable.

I love mountains and rivers, and this was my first stay because you can see both from the Room. As expected, you can see the Mogami River from the Room window, the open-air bath, and the dining area. I could also see the torii gate across the river. With only a small number of Rooms, I was truly able to relax. The Room had a lovely Tsugaru lacquerware sweets container. The open-air bath was quite hot so I didn’t stay in long, but my skin still felt wonderfully smooth afterward. One thing I personally appreciated was that the hair dryer in the women’s bath had strong airflow. All of the staff were very thoughtful, and it’s an Accommodation I’d love to visit again.

We stayed here during the summer holidays. True to its reputation as a hidden hot spring in Tohoku, the location was quite challenging to reach, but it was a wonderful Accommodation. The interior was kept very clean, and arrangements of lisianthus and asters placed here and there were soothing. One minor point—perhaps due to the deep mountain setting and humidity—the indoor toilet had a slight musty smell at times, but otherwise it was a very comfortable Ryokan.

This was my first stay since the renovation. Not only is everything beautifully updated, but the amenities are well stocked, and I was truly happy that even the single room has a separate bath and toilet.

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.

Thank you for having us for one night on Saturday. In short, as everyone says, the value for money is in a league of its own. The Facility is undeniably old and worn (so it may not suit those who are very particular about cleanliness), but the meals, baths, and service are all excellent. The food in particular felt very Yamagata—side dishes that go perfectly with rice. Considering the distance from Shinjo, the Shuttle Service also seems offered regardless of profitability. I imagine running this family business is incredibly demanding, yet they stay cheerful—it was genuinely moving. I want to support an Accommodation like this, though it’s a tricky balance since too many guests could lead to a decline in service quality. We also enjoyed our conversation during the Shuttle Service ride—it was very relaxing! My No. 1 Accommodation I hope will keep going strong.