美湯之宿旅館

From the open-air bath, we could see cherry blossoms in full bloom so close they felt within reach, and both of us were very satisfied.　For dinner, it was delicious—and a first-time experience—to pick shiitake mushrooms ourselves from a cultivation kit, grill them, and eat them. We also enjoyed having dessert in the lobby after moving to a different spot. The staff were very attentive as well.　The only downside was that the Facility felt a bit old, but overall it was a great Hotel.

I stayed for one night after a memorial service in Nagano. The Hotel itself may be old, but the location—and especially the open, airy first-floor lobby—was wonderful. I ended up using it like a café for a while and felt very comfortable there. The meals were great too, with generous portions and creative ideas. The steamed grilled rainbow trout was especially delicious. To be honest, I’d never thought river fish tasted that good before, but this dish really let me enjoy the aroma and made me realize how tasty it can be. I forgot to take photos. Most of the attendants were from overseas; their Japanese was sometimes unclear, but everyone was polite and hardworking, which left a good impression. One particularly energetic Japanese staff member chatted with me about rice and Nagano, and it really lifted my spirits. This is now another Hotel I’d like to stay at again if I have the chance. One more thing: for some reason, the inner bath at the back felt very hot on both days (me on day 1, my wife on day 2).