Fujiya Ryokan

I visited alone on a weekday just after the Obon holidays.Because I wanted a quiet stay, my conditions were to avoid the high season and choose an Accommodation with an age restriction.The service was excellent upon arrival, at check-in, and during meals.At dinner, I truly enjoyed hearing the Yugawara legend along with explanations of each dish.My Room in the new wing had a lovely atmosphere and was clean and comfortable.The meals made full use of local seasonal ingredients, and I was completely satisfied with the flavors, presentation, and portion sizes.The Onsen was free of added water or heating, and even as free-flowing spring water it was at a temperature comfortable enough to soak for a long time—so I ended up going again and again.It was so quiet and relaxing that I had the Onsen almost entirely to myself. I wondered if there were fewer guests that day, but at breakfast I realized it was nearly full—and I was also impressed by how pleasant the other guests were.I heard that the menu changes every month, so next time I will visit in a different season and bring someone important to me.Thank you very much for such a wonderful time.(There are just two small points I would like to mention quietly:1) It would be convenient if there were basket-style bags available for use inside the building when heading to the large public bath or meals, as they would make it easier to carry items such as keys or cosmetics.2) The carpet near the entrance to the large public bath is discolored red in places, which felt slightly unsettling. It is probably rust caused by Onsen minerals or furnishings.)

My spouse and I travel almost every week, and for the past two years we have stayed at Fujiya Ryokan without fail every month. This was our 37th stay in total. This is purely my personal opinion, but among the many top-class Ryokan, I think the dinner here is outstanding. It easily holds its own against places that cost twice as much per night. The signature eel dish is superb, of course, but what truly impresses us is that even after so many visits we rarely encounter the same dishes—each meal showcases deep, flavorful dashi and seasonal ingredients with remarkable creativity and care.Breakfast, on the other hand, is the same menu each month, yet it never gets old—and it always makes us want to come back again next month.It’s a slight shame there’s no sauna, and opinions may differ about the compact public bath, but we love it: in Yugawara’s clear, silky Onsen water you can also sense a gentle aroma of wood, making it wonderfully relaxing.We consider this a fantastic Accommodation that we absolutely want to visit at least once a month from now on as well.