Gensen Itto Minamiizu

This is a wonderful hot spring inn.Thank you for such a memorable stay.It was late August, so I would not have been surprised to see mosquitoes, but I wasn’t bitten in the open-air bath and could enjoy a relaxing soak (I think I stayed for about an hour).Just two weeks earlier, I’d had a terrible experience with mosquitoes even in the indoor bath at another hot spring, so I was a little nervous. Perhaps the well-maintained shrubs here helped. The private open-air bath was fantastic too.The meals were beautifully presented and delicious. I was thrilled by the boat-shaped sashimi platter and all-you-can-eat offerings at dinner, and impressed again by the beautiful presentation at breakfast! I will definitely return.The only slight downside was at the welcome drink corner. There was someone there who seemed to be a bartender, but although we made eye contact, they said nothing, leaving me briefly unsure whether I could help myself to a drink. Since they could probably tell we were checking in, a few words of welcome or guidance would have been nice.The person who drove us to the inn was very kind and friendly.Thank you very much.

We drove over Amagi and farther still. It felt like a long journey on the way there, but somehow much shorter on the way back.There is very little sightseeing nearby. That means once you arrive, you can park the car and simply stay at the inn. I never imagined that could feel so luxurious.Above all, this inn is about the hot spring water. It rises naturally on the grounds and flows straight into the baths, with no added water or heating. In the bath, you notice a gentle saltiness, and the warmth stays with you long afterward. I do not think I imagined how soft and hydrated my skin felt the next morning. After a soak, I understood that the name “Gensen Ichizu,” meaning wholehearted devotion to the spring source, is no empty phrase. This inn truly treasures its water.There are two large communal baths, with men's and women's access switching at scheduled times. I enjoyed trying a different bath at night and in the morning. They felt like entirely different experiences within the same inn.There are seven private open-air baths available for timed sessions, each named after a mountain or river in Minami-Izu. Some are free and others cost extra. We tried a free one first and thought it was more than enough, but decided to try a paid one too while we were there. It turned out to be a wonderful choice. We soaked for the full session, breathing in the fresh air without a care about anyone else. Even afterward, I found myself wondering what the next bath was like and wanting to try another. This inn has that effect on you. The building is spacious, and I also enjoyed walking along the corridors from bath to bath. It felt a little like exploring a traditional hot spring retreat.We went back to our room, lounged around, and then had dinner. The fish from Minami-Izu was delicious. Breakfast was genuinely good too. Then another soak. That alone filled the day. The staff struck just the right balance, giving us space while still being attentive.There is plenty of parking, so there is no need to worry if you are driving.I imagine any season would be lovely, but next time I would come when the Kawazu cherry blossoms are in bloom. See the blossoms, soak in the hot springs, and do nothing. I think that is what will bring me back along that road.