Hanayama Onsen Yakushi no Yu

This was a wonderfully rustic Onsen that Onsen lovers will adore. The naturally gushing spring water flows abundantly, and you can truly feel the power of nature. It also gets very lively with day-trip visitors. We stayed with the conger eel (hamo) course, and what surprised us most—given the simple exterior—was how outstanding the cuisine was. It was like a high-end kaiseki meal: beautifully presented, with seasonal touches so refined it almost felt too beautiful to eat. The soup course even featured delicate dew-like droplets, and as we enjoyed an authentic kaiseki course, we were warmed by the chefs’ heartfelt hospitality. It was our first time having an all-hamo menu from start to finish in so many different preparations! Even delicacies like liver and swim bladder were included—proof of exceptional freshness. The hot pot ingredients featured white vegetables and tofu chosen to match the hamo’s translucent look; even that alone felt like early summer had arrived, and it was subtly garnished with fresh green maple leaves misted lightly for a dewy finish. We were truly moved. Our whole family agreed there’s no more luxurious hamo course than this. With spring quality worthy of being called a hidden hot spring and cuisine that delights both the eyes and palate, it felt incredibly indulgent—and we’re grateful it’s so close to Osaka. The staff were wonderful, and the Accommodation was impeccably clean throughout. This was the most impressive stay we’ve had in recent years!

In any case, alternating between the vividly colored natural Onsen spring and the warm bath leaves your whole body pleasantly warmed through. The meal afterward was delicious, and I truly enjoyed my Onsen trip. The front desk staff were very helpful, and it made me want to visit Hanayama Onsen again.