Okuyugawara YUI

We were thoroughly satisfied with the many delicious, beautifully presented dishes that captured the transition from summer to autumn.We enjoyed them in a private dining Room with a waterfall right in front of us.We stayed in a detached suite called Suirei, where a small stream runs through the Room.From the spacious open-air bath, there is another smaller open-air bath just down a few steps; each has a different temperature, so you can soak for as long as you like.The garden was also expansive, and we were able to fully enjoy summer and feel refreshed.Thank you very much for celebrating our 60th birthday with us.I hope to visit again even when I’m a grandmother.

I don’t usually post Reviews, but this was such a wonderful Accommodation that I wanted to share it in case it helps anyone considering a stay.I live in central Tokyo, and staying at luxury Hotels in Tokyo is one of my hobbies. A Hotel stay refreshes me and boosts my motivation for work. When I’m craving an Onsen, I choose highly rated Ryokan based on Reviews.YUI has become one of my favorite Accommodations—easily among the top Ryokan I’ve stayed at so far.First, the Room was spotless. I’m a bit particular about cleanliness, but there wasn’t a single thing that bothered me—I was completely comfortable. The meals were delicious, and all the staff were kind and welcoming with genuinely pleasant service.Check-in and check-out are completed in your Room, so you hardly run into other guests. If you want to relax quietly at your own pace, I highly recommend it.I had seen some strict Reviews about the food and was slightly worried, but everything tasted great to me. I was also happy that the drink prices were reasonable (laugh).A river runs right in front of you, and you can fully enjoy nature that you simply can’t experience in the city. The open-air bath in the guest room was especially soothing—I could soak slowly without worrying about anyone’s eyes.Many people dislike insects; what surprised me most was how few came inside. In Rooms with an open-air bath, that’s always something I worry about because I’m not good with bugs—but this time there wasn’t even one insect in the tub or bathroom when I woke up in the morning, which made it extremely comfortable. (You can see insects outside, but somehow they don’t come in.)Also, when it comes to summer Onsen bathing, I usually don’t like stepping outside into heavy humidity before getting in. At YUI, even when going outdoors I barely felt that muggy heat at all, so I could enjoy the Onsen very comfortably even in summer. (I’m not sure if it’s because of Yugawara, the building design, or being surrounded by nature.)This might get me scolded for nitpicking—but if I had to mention any downsides:The towels are clean and fluffy, but their absorbency is slightly weak. Also, if you’re arriving by supercar/low-clearance vehicle (?), you’ll need to choose your Room carefully—advance consultation is essential.To everyone at YUI: thank you very much for taking such great care of us during our stay. Sorry I couldn’t include photos—I’m not good at taking them. We will definitely visit again. I'm already looking forward to deciding which Room to stay in next time.