Yamatoya Besso

We visited on the last day of our trip to Shikoku. Dogo Onsen was a must for us, and after researching places to stay, we chose Yamatoya Besso. We arrived two hours early in pouring rain, but the staff welcomed us warmly and carefully parked our car. We also appreciated their recommendation of a delicious lunch spot. They even lent us a kit for visiting the local public baths.Then it was time to check in. This is an elegant, peaceful inn. Our room, Jincho-ge, was spacious and lovely, with a striking gold folding screen. We put off relaxing in the room and headed straight to the communal baths. There was an open-air bath too, and we enjoyed a leisurely soak. I preferred the atmosphere of the baths here to those at the main property.The eagerly awaited dinner was delicious throughout, with delicate yet complex flavors. The appetizer and soup were excellent, but the sashimi was the best I have ever had. The knife work was superb. I am often too full to fully enjoy the meat served toward the end of a meal, but this was delicious. We were satisfied right to the last bite. The staff member looking after us was very attentive and even brought us sleeping yukata after dinner.We were thoroughly satisfied and will visit again.

The Room design—especially the toilet layout and its combination with the washroom—was fantastic and I really loved it.The material of the in-room bath (I forgot the name) was made from very high-quality wood, and the wood fragrance was wonderful. Beer, ice pops, and water were all free, which was excellent service. The large public bath in the main building was also spacious and free to use—overall, it was simply great.