Maki Station × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan

Staying amid the vineyards and enjoying the warm hospitality of everyone who supported us made for an exceptional time. This is an Accommodation we will definitely want to visit again.

You’ll head toward the mountains on a narrow road that might make you wonder if there’s really a Ryokan up ahead. When we finally arrived, it felt like a hidden Accommodation—so exciting! The building was spotless and well maintained, and the staff were friendly, making it truly relaxing. The Onsen had a sulfur scent, and the meals—centered around fish—were delicious down to the pickles. I couldn’t stop going back for more rice! We made our next Reservation as soon as we arrived—it was that wonderful!

We visited on a family trip to celebrate my wife’s birthday. The parking lot in front of the main entrance was full, but we were able to park in the guest-only area as there was space available. The Onsen in the open-air bath was wonderful, and the meals were packed with delicious Niigata dishes and plenty of sashimi, which our whole family enjoyed. Unfortunately, it seemed there was no live piano performance that day, but another guest played beautifully, and we had a lovely time with coffee. We would like to visit again in a different season. All of the staff were very pleasant—thank you very much.

This was the final Accommodation of my first trip to Niigata, a 3-night, 4-day journey. Our Room was the 2nd-floor Western-style twin [Marronnier]. The bathroom, with a separate toilet, was very convenient and made our mother-and-daughter trip extremely comfortable. The closet was spacious, and there were plenty of hangers. Just before check-in there are shoe lockers, and you can walk around the building barefoot or in socks. From the large floor-to-ceiling windows in the Room and along the corridors, you can enjoy views of wine grapes vineyards and the mountain range stretching from Mt. Yahiko. I visited looking forward to Vinespa’s aroma hot stone sauna, but I was told it is no longer available after renovations—such a shame. Still, the open-air baths placed throughout the garden offered wonderful scenery, and I thoroughly enjoyed soaking both after dinner and before breakfast. Restaurant Cave d’Occi is beyond a European-style garden that is carefully maintained by gardeners. The April menu—beautifully presented and truly delicious—featured local ingredients (hairy crab, celeriac root celery), spear squid), wild boar meat), flounder), roast beef smoked with branches from wine grapes vines), etc.) without feeling overdone). At the winery shop, I had my favorite Zweigeltrebe and unoaked Chardonnay shipped home). The next morning’s Japanese breakfast surprised me—in a great way: zaru tofu with olive oil was delicious!! At checkout time) pizza toast) grape juice) at the library café tasted so good it made leaving hard). It’s an Accommodation that made me genuinely envy those who live nearby).

Although our trip was rainy, the staff kindly came to the parking lot with an umbrella to welcome us as soon as we arrived at the Accommodation. After that, everyone continued to treat us gently with warm smiles at all times, making it one of our favorite travel memories. The Onsen temperature was just right, and I ended up soaking for about an hour... Dinner was delicious, but breakfast was even better—an amazing variety and great flavors. We felt happy and completely full from the morning! It’s an Accommodation we would definitely love to visit again!

The Facility feels a bit dated, but the Room was spacious (even with a standard Reservation, it had two separate rooms) and very clean. Since the air conditioner’s airflow direction in the Room couldn’t be adjusted, it felt cold if you were sitting where the air hit directly. When making the Reservation, I meant to choose a plan with breakfast and dinner but mistakenly selected breakfast only, so there was no dinner included. However, the staff provided a map and recommended nearby restaurants where we could have dinner. Breakfast was buffet-style, but there were only two start times—7:00 or 8:00—and since seating is rotated at 8:00, you can’t be late. I wish start times could be chosen in 15-minute increments. The made-to-order omelet was delicious. There is an open-air bath, and as it is known as “beauty-skin hot spring,” it left my skin feeling smooth. The torii gate of Yahiko Shrine is very close by, making this Accommodation convenient for visiting the shrine.

It was a wonderful Accommodation. We were very satisfied with both the bath and the meals, and the staff were very kind. We had a relaxing stay. The Room was spacious, and we were able to unwind comfortably.

You can really feel the dignity of a long-established Ryokan. It had the distinguished atmosphere of an Accommodation that hosts the Kisei title match. After arrival, my companion was delighted with the welcome beer (or soft drink). We used the complimentary beer voucher during our stay after bathing and enjoyed a delicious post-bath beer. Dinner was served in our Room, so we could relax and take our time. I had breakfast in the dining area, though it seems in-room breakfast is also available. I say that because a staff member mistakenly came to deliver breakfast to our Room (an error). Both dinner and breakfast were enjoyable, making great use of local ingredients. Breakfast in particular was simple but delicious. At checkout, the staff apologized for the breakfast mix-up, and the proprietress also offered her apologies. That kind of thoughtfulness felt like true Japanese Ryokan hospitality.

The convenient location right in front of the station is a major plus, but when viewed from the station, the rooftop sign shows the name of a different Hotel, which was a bit confusing. The staff were very pleasant, and although the property feels a bit old, it has sufficient Facility for what you need, so I was very satisfied.

This was my first time using the service, and I was very pleased with the polite and attentive support. I appreciated receiving a phone call about the sauna event, which showed great attention to detail. I would love to use this service again!

During this Go To Travel campaign, I stayed at about 13 properties, and the meals here were the best—just as you’d expect from a kaiseki Ryokan. Everyone should visit at least once.

We’ve been staying here during the Obon holiday season since last year! Above all, the meals are delicious! My daughter, who is a picky eater, was so happy and said it was truly delicious—she even ate my portion as well. The property has a long history, but the Room is clean, and we really appreciate the thoughtful touches such as providing water. All of the staff are polite, and their smiles are wonderful. We’d love to stay again next year. Thank you very much!

I found a Plan that does not use wheat flour, vegetable oils, dairy products, or sugar, and stayed here looking forward to these meals. An Accommodation offering a “Four Toxins-Free Plan” is still rare across the whole country, so it felt like I had finally found one. There were many dishes, all of them truly delicious, and I left completely full. I was very satisfied. It may have been the best food I’ve had at any Ryokan I’ve stayed at so far. Niigata Prefecture is far from my home and not somewhere I often get the chance to visit, but that made the sightseeing feel fresh as well, and I had a wonderful time.