Okawaso

A luxury Onsen Ryokan with significantly improved cuisine

This is an accommodation I have been a regular at for about 20 years, staying approximately 60-80 days in total. I initially chose this ryokan because I loved the open-air onsen and the stone sauna. Back then, the rooms were quite old, and the meals were typical of an onsen ryokan, with all dishes served at once on the table. However, over time, each room has been renovated, and more Western-style rooms have been added. The Comfort Twin Room I stayed in this time was very comfortable and exceptionally clean due to its recent renovation. Some rooms remain unrenovated as they were in the past, so it’s advisable to carefully research and select your room when making a reservation. The open-air onsen and stone sauna are still as wonderful as ever; they are so relaxing that you might find yourself soaking for longer than planned. The most significant change over these 20 years has been in the cuisine. The style of meal service varies depending on your reservation class, which aligns with your budget. Kaiseki meals served in a large dining hall allow you to enjoy each dish slowly as they are brought out one by one. In a higher class option, meals are served in private Japanese-style rooms underground with attentive service from staff members called nakai-san—offering a more serene atmosphere along with significantly upgraded food quality. In an even higher class option above that level, you can enjoy specially selected dishes prepared by the head chef—a culinary experience worthy of being called a kappo ryokan or gourmet ryokan. For example, even garnishes like shredded daikon radish (tsuma) accompanying sashimi are hand-cut from katsura-muki slices—a rarity among ryokans—and ingredient quality is remarkably elevated overall. If your budget allows it, we highly recommend indulging in this exquisite cuisine. Many guests may visit for its lobby hall reminiscent of Infinity Castle from "Demon Slayer," but this ryokan stands out for its perfect combination of excellent food, baths, and attentive staff service—highly recommended!