Onyado Den Rikyu

This was my sixth visit in total, and I’m grateful to be moved every time. Thanks to the variety of rooms and the warm hospitality of all the staff, I’m able to truly experience the sense of escape from everyday life that I value when traveling. Above all, what impresses me every time is the food. Dinner in particular has never been the same menu even once, and the seasonal-themed dishes have become the highlight of each stay. Considering today’s rising costs for all kinds of ingredients, I’m deeply thankful and impressed to see the head chef’s extraordinary creativity and ingenuity reflected in every meal. One note of caution: because the food is so outstanding, you may find yourself drinking more—so if you enjoy alcohol, a bit of self-control is recommended (laugh).

We stayed here to celebrate a 60th birthday and our 30th wedding anniversary trip. The free-flowing Onsen indoor bath and the outdoor open-air bath were wonderful—wonderful! And Mt. Yufu right in front of us. It was a day we will remember forever. We were also touched by the surprise dessert plate at the end of dinner. The only thing we could have done without was the crowd while strolling around Yufuin.