Arima Onsen Gekkoen Yugetsusanso

Because we booked our trip at the last minute, the only dinner option available was the buffet, which was a bit disappointing at first. However, when we actually went for dinner, tempura and sushi were prepared fresh in the dining area, and the other dishes were also very tasty—we really enjoyed the meal. The service was well organized, and everything felt clean and well maintained. Overall, the staff provided attentive hospitality, and we had a very comfortable stay. It felt like this long-established ryokan has adapted well to international guests while preserving its strengths. We also really enjoyed the many baths.

I’m sorry to say this, because everything else was so wonderful, but I just couldn’t accept the drink prices, so I’m writing it here. My husband and I love Arima Onsen and visit twice a year. Even during the difficult COVID period, every inn worked so hard, and we kept coming to relax.Recently—perhaps due to inbound tourism—prices everywhere have been rising, and it’s started to feel out of reach for ordinary people like us. In that context, Gekkoen felt reasonably priced, and since I also remembered the TV commercials from childhood, we decided to stay here this time.It has a retro Showa-era feel and seems old in places, but that actually adds charm. Everything was well cleaned and well maintained—we were genuinely impressed as a couple and wondered why we hadn’t come sooner.The hot spring water was great as well; walking along the riverside at a relaxed pace before soaking made it especially lovely.Dinner was buffet-style, but seating was arranged comfortably in a calm tatami room. A hot pot and sashimi were elegantly set at each person’s place setting, and the rest of the dishes were also beautifully prepared with refined flavors—an excellent buffet overall.Now then—what sake should we pair with this delicious meal? When I looked at the menu, I couldn’t believe my eyes! Next to familiar sake brands that we’ve had before were prices I’d never seen anywhere. Beer prices still seemed within reason, but the sake prices were so outrageously high that it nearly knocked me over (laugh).So we thought we’d go with wine instead—but a glass of wine was 9,900 yen. We assumed it must be for a half bottle by mistake… but no—it really said “glass.” The mother-and-daughter guests next to us reacted exactly the same way when they saw the menu too, and all four of us ended up laughing together.Well thanks to that (in a way), we didn’t spend anything on alcohol—and since we didn’t drink, we enjoyed even more food until we were full.This is truly the only thing that felt disappointing. We were so shocked that I even forgot to take a photo of the menu.Is this also an effect of inbound tourism? With the weak yen maybe overseas visitors can order plenty of drinks—but for Japanese guests like us it feels far too expensive.The staff provided wonderful service throughout.The entire property was clean everywhere you looked; it’s an inn where you’d want to return again—and bring friends as well—but I just can’t get over how disappointing only this one point was (sorry for repeating myself).