Ochiairo

It had been a while since my last stay at Ochiairo, and I was truly moved by how wonderful the dinner was. From fresh sweetfish tempura and eel sushi to game fowl soup, thick shiitake mushrooms, crispy cutlassfish, and seasoned somen served in an ice bowl with nori—each dish was exceptional. The Onsen was also very enjoyable, with gentle mildly alkaline water. I especially appreciated the wide selection of drinks available not only in the lounge but also in the Room refrigerator and even by the bath area—such thoughtful care to prevent dehydration. Finally, at checkout we received a coupon booklet for the Shuzenji Toll Road. This has been a long-standing service, but I was impressed again by such attentive hospitality. It is an inconvenient road where ETC cannot be used for some reason, so this was very helpful. I would love to stay at Ochiairo again to relax—everything from the Onsen and meals to the service is outstanding.

I was extremely satisfied with my stay—everything from the building and the Onsen to the lounge. I definitely hope to visit again.There was a manga corner with lots of classic Showa-era comics, and the lounge offered a variety of drinks, so from soaking in the Onsen to dining and spending the evening, everything was wonderful. This may come down to personal preference, but Tengu-no-Yu is mixed-gender and allows both men and women to enter wearing rental swimsuits, which made it great for enjoying as a family. The open-air bath where you can see the spot where two rivers “meet”—the origin of the name Ochiairo—was fantastic. I don’t usually use saunas much, but this one was clean with great views, so I tried it this time.The meals were delicious as well. Younger guests might find the portions slightly small, but for me (just under 40) they were perfect. The only reason I’m taking off one star is that the ayu was very bitter (though I understand ayu innards are naturally bitter, so it’s simply a matter of taste).Thank you very much to all of your staff. I would love to return again soon.