Mori-Miyanohara Station × Stays Popular For Snow-View BathsHighly-rated Hotel·Ryokan

It may sound a bit exaggerated, but it felt like going back to my family home—catching up on how things have been lately and, if the mood struck, stopping by places I was recommended. Meals were unpretentious, and bathing felt just like soaking in our own tub at home. I was able to truly relax.

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!

Mr./Ms. Chitose stayed with us for the third time this year. One of this Accommodation’s highlights is the meals, but above all, it’s the quality of the hot spring water. We look forward to visiting again.

We stayed here for a family trip combined with our annual visit to the graves in Niigata. The building is old, and there was an unpleasant smell outside the room, possibly due to an out-of-service restroom nearby. However, the room was clean, and the Onsen was very relaxing. The Hotel staff were very kind, and we would like to stay here again on our next visit.

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.

After winding through narrow alleys, we arrived at the Ryokan. From the Room we were shown to, we could see the Asagama kiln up close. Since we arrived a little early, we headed into the Onsen town with a hand-drawn map made by the proprietress. After visiting three public baths, we stopped by a shop that brews craft beer and enjoyed a drink with edamame. The seasonal breeze felt wonderfully refreshing. These public baths are maintained by local residents, and visitors use them by placing a voluntary contribution in a donation box. Both the changing area and the bath itself are small, but it didn’t bother us at all. It was wonderful to see that these traditional communal baths are still part of everyday life here. The Ryokan is an older building, but it is well cared for and very clean. When I opened the window in my Room and read, I could hear people passing outside and birdsong carried on a pleasant breeze. In contrast to many Ryokan that feel shut off from the outside world, this sense of connection was especially comforting. What left the strongest impression was the food: dishes made mainly with local ingredients were not flashy, but beautifully seasoned—I found myself thinking how refined the chef’s palate must be. Breakfast was similar: simple rather than extravagant, yet deeply satisfying by the end. The couple who run the Ryokan were also very welcoming, making our stay comfortable from start to finish. This visit reminded me of what makes Nozawa Onsen so special as a town: narrow streets and old-fashioned shops remain; communal baths are protected by local residents; and its unique Onsen-town culture continues without being swept away by showy development. Soak in an Onsen, stroll through town, enjoy a beer, return to your Accommodation and read while feeling the atmosphere outside—then savor a delicious meal. It was a trip where such ordinary moments felt truly rich. I’d love to visit Nozawa Onsen again in another season.

I stayed at Naraya Ryokan before moving overseas in November. I won’t be back for a while, but I’m glad I had the chance to stay at such a wonderful Ryokan. The Room, meals, and Onsen were all excellent.

This was our first time staying at a Hotel in Tsunan with our dog. We used to stay in cottages with our children, but after we started keeping a dog, it was hard to visit Tsunan. Thanks to the pet-friendly Room and the new dog run, we were able to fully enjoy comfortable autumn days in Tsunan. The all-inclusive plan was also appealing, and comparing different types of Japanese sake was a lot of fun. Next time, we’d like to visit in winter for skiing and lanterns. Thank you very much.

I made an Accommodation Reservation to visit the permanent exhibitions of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. I chose this place because I thought it would surely be fully booked around the time of next year’s event, and I wanted to stay here before then. On the way there, I used the Shuttle Service bus. Since it’s quite a distance from the station to the Accommodation, using it was definitely the right choice. After arriving, I was able to relax with a welcome drink and sweets while enjoying the view outside, and spent a very peaceful time. The bath is small, but soaking while watching the sky darken and looking out over the forest was wonderful. Dinner featured shabu-shabu as the main dish. The rice was delicious in a way that really reminded me this is Niigata, and there was also a great selection of sake and wine. I enjoyed my meal while taking in the slowly fading scenery. It seemed like all of the other guests staying there looked happy as well. The items provided in my Room were minimal—nothing unnecessary—and I actually appreciated that. (I forgot to bring makeup remover, but they had Sekkisei amenities, which really helped! I use it regularly too, so that made me even happier.) One request: I would have liked a small step stool near the washer & dryer area. Since I’m not very tall, I couldn’t reach far enough into the dryer. Breakfast looked and tasted exactly like what you’d call “a Japanese breakfast,” and I was very satisfied. Thank you very much.

Nozawa Onsen has few accommodations that allow pets. Among them, we had an excellent stay in a spacious log house room, enjoying a relaxing onsen experience. They provided a parking pass for visiting the public baths in town and even allowed us to use the onsen after the trail race the next day. The attentive service was truly appreciated. We look forward to staying here again when we participate in the race next year.

Although there is only one type of spring source—our favorite sulfur Onsen—we enjoyed how the water color differed between the indoor bath and the open-air bath. The open-air bath also offered beautiful fresh green maple leaves, and we would love to visit again during the autumn foliage season. The meals were a satisfying amount for enjoying drinks, with seasonal items as well. The asparagus tempura in particular was outstanding. The building is old, but the Room had been renovated and was clean. From the Room, we enjoyed the garden flowers and fresh greenery.