Shiriyaki Onsen Hoshigaoka Sanso

The hot springs were wonderful. My skin felt silky-smooth in the water. The samue loungewear was great, with elastic at the wrists and ankles, and the fabric felt gentle on the skin. Even though the hotel was fully booked, I was able to enjoy the large public bath as if it were private.The open-air bath in the room was also spacious, and I imagine it must be stunning during cherry blossom or hydrangea season—though it may be hard to get a reservation because it’s so popular.The meals were all delicious as well, including corn soup, cheese chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), Jerusalem artichoke chips, and mukago (wild yam bulbils).I found an inn I would truly love to visit again. Thank you very much for your hospitality.

It was a cozy, wonderful inn. There were no flashy decorations or extravagant meals—and that was exactly what made it great. The hospitality was truly warm and welcoming.From the start, we were greeted with smiles, a welcome beer, tea, and simple yet delicious homemade hanamame (sweet simmered beans) as a snack. Wild grasses and flowers were tastefully arranged throughout the property, which felt very soothing.The room, hallways, and even the hot spring changing area were kept very clean, so we could relax comfortably. The sound of the river from the room and the scenery were lovely as well.The free-flowing hot spring bath was also wonderful—we could soak slowly while enjoying the view. At night, we enjoyed a sky full of stars.After bathing, there are complimentary tea and water available, along with a free drink corner, massage chairs, and vending machines for juice and beer.Nearby is a natural open-air bath in the river: hot spring water seems to flow into it and mixes with river water where part of the stream is dammed up. It appears to be well-known and many people were using it. Men entered as they were; women wore swimsuits or similar attire. There are no changing rooms or privacy screens—it really is just part of the river. My husband went in without any special preparation; I didn’t have a swimsuit with me so I had to skip it—I really wanted to try!As for meals, both dinner and breakfast felt carefully prepared dish by dish, and everything tasted excellent. The staff who served us were polite and friendly with warm smiles, making dining very pleasant.Throughout our stay I felt how comfortable this inn was—and for the first time I truly thought: this is somewhere I want to come back to again. Thank you very much for taking such good care of us.