Sōunzan Station × Stays Popular For SunsetsHighly rated Hotel·Ryokan

Now in my 40s and with my parents in their 70s, I stayed here for a special parent-and-child trip. Unfortunately, it rained, but in the end we had an extremely satisfying stay. The sense of history, the tasteful architecture and furnishings, the staff’s hospitality, the wonderful meals (we dined at Le Trianon for both dinner and breakfast), and the cleanliness of the large public bath—plus the stunning view from the open-air bath—were all outstanding. My parents were truly delighted as well. In particular, Le Trianon’s breakfast course was the best we have ever had on any trip! Each dish—from the egg dishes to the smoothies—was carefully explained to us, making it a memorable experience (I was especially impressed that they used eggs from my hometown). Recently I stayed at newer luxury hotels in Karuizawa and Atami in a similar price range to this Hotel, but this historic Hotel clearly stands apart in terms of service and atmosphere. I hope to return with my family someday. Thank you very much.

It was a wonderful Accommodation. The Room size and the open-air bath were both just right for relaxing. The staff were also lovely, with the perfect sense of distance, and it was very soothing. I’m quite strict about cleanliness, but it was flawless. I’d love to stay again. For this price, the quality makes me want to come back.

From the moment we boarded the elevator to the Ryokan from in front of Sounzan Station, it was an exciting experience. The Accommodation and all the staff welcomed us with a warm atmosphere, and everything—the Room, the carefully prepared meals, the Onsen, and the views—was wonderfully soothing. We were able to spend a slow, quiet, luxurious time. Thank you very much.

I finally visited this long-awaited Hotel for the first time. I called on the day of arrival and requested Shuttle Service to Chokoku-no-Mori Station. Because the number of Rooms is limited, neither the dining areas nor the Onsen ever felt crowded, and I was able to relax at a very leisurely pace. The staff’s thoughtful hospitality was outstanding, making it a truly meaningful stay. The cocktail pairing at dinner was a wonderful experience, with cocktails I would not normally order myself. Brunch also offered a wide variety of options, and it was a delight to enjoy champagne and wine from the morning. I felt this Accommodation is easy to use even for solo travelers. Thank you very much for such a wonderful time.

My second stay, following last winter. Last time I came by car. After sightseeing at Owakudani and other spots, I followed the navigation system and didn’t really know where it was, but this time I used the mountain railway and was surprised to find it was very close to Sounzan Station. Even on the walk from the station, I felt welcomed by a pleasant breeze and birdsong, and arrived at the Accommodation in great spirits. The attendant who looked after us was the same as last year. Their cheerful manner and excellent timing in serving meals were unchanged. The Room and shared areas were just as spotless as before—not a speck of dust—making everything feel wonderfully refreshing. The open-air bath assigned to each Room is located a short distance away, and ours was excellent again this time. With cuckoos calling more beautifully around this season, I could truly relax in both sound and hot water. The meals were delicious as before: a soup with pike conger eel (hamo) and junsai; seasonal ingredients like Manganji peppers with superb seasoning; gourd “kaminari-boshi,” which I hadn’t tasted in ages; plus breakfast highlights such as the vegetable salad and dressing, perfectly grilled salted salmon (both seasoning and doneness), and fresh yuba served at just the right moment. An Accommodation I’d love to return to for its hospitality.

This was my first stay here. The Room was clean, with a great view, and when I looked down from the open-air bath I could see the mountain railway tracks; when a train passed by, I could hear the clattering sound, which added to the atmosphere. However, it felt inconvenient that the bath and washbasin area were separate and required passing through the Room. I also wished there had been a shower hook at a lower height, and that the bathtub had been a bit larger. The meals were delicious, but the champagne we requested during meal preparation arrived late—only after several dishes had already been served—so if it was going to take time, I would have liked to be informed at the start. We also enjoyed having tea sweets in the Room as something to look forward to as souvenirs, but they weren’t available in the shop, which was disappointing.

This was my second stay, and once again I was very satisfied with both the generous portions and the delicious food. There were so many kinds of salad at dinner, both in variety and quantity—even the owner said he wasn’t sure how many there were. The salad alone can fill you up, but the bread was also excellent, and the hamburger steak was wonderfully meaty—very satisfying. The Onsen is a private bath. It’s close to the source spring, with a strong sulfur smell, and iron tends to oxidize. The temperature is just right, so you can soak slowly and relax. That said, the Facility is a bit old (the owner even joked it’s like a haunted house...), so it depends on whether it feels worth it for the price. For the Eco Plan, be sure to prepare properly yourself—bring changes of clothes, trash bags, etc. Once you get used to it, you won’t mind how old things are; it actually feels quite comfortable. We’ll be back again. Thank you very much.