Ashinomaki Grand Hotel

We stayed here as a couple in early August. The Hotel had been renovated, and it felt both new and clean while still retaining a nostalgic charm—an unusual and memorable atmosphere. The large public bath also had an authentic open-air bath, which was very relaxing, and we enjoyed the lavish breakfast as well.It was a little disappointing that the basic skincare set provided was somehow only for one person, but overall we were very satisfied with our stay.

While planning a Tohoku road trip during the Obon holidays, I learned about Ashinomaki Onsen for the first time and wanted to visit. I chose this place from three options: Marumine, Prince Hotel, and this one. Using about 6,000 Yahoo points, the total came to 40,000 yen for two people with one night and two meals included, and the value for money was excellent.I prefer Japanese-style rooms, so I booked one. It was spacious—12 tatami mats plus a veranda. The building is an older large Onsen Hotel from the outside, but the interior seems renovated and felt new and very clean.The large public bath felt spacious. The indoor bath is huge, and the outdoor bath isn’t small either. Being along a gorge made it especially relaxing. The baths switch between men and women; in the open-air area of the bath on the left side facing the river, there are two lounge chairs. Since it wasn’t crowded, I kept alternating between soaking in the open-air bath and lying down on a lounge chair—two hours passed in no time. It made me wish I had stayed two nights to enjoy more time in the baths.The meals felt like classic banquet-style Ryokan catering (maybe old-fashioned?), but even the sashimi was delicious. Rice at both dinner and breakfast was cooked in an individual pot for each guest; however, it wasn’t enough for someone with my appetite. The extra rice I ordered afterward was unbelievably good—better than the pot-cooked rice.If it were about a two-hour trip from Tokyo, this is an Accommodation I’d love to visit on a whim. Another Onsen Accommodation has been added to my list of places I want to return to.