I have stayed in Shuzenji at Yagyu-no-Sho and at Sora next door, but this was my first stay at Asaba.
The moment I arrived and stepped into the entrance, a pond and a Noh stage opened up before me—an overwhelming view. I also noticed the pleasant scent of wood and the crisp, refined air. I assume everything is kept impeccably clean. Our Room was in the second-lowest price range, but it still had a view of the Noh stage, and with two adjoining rooms it felt very comfortable.
Both the staff member who guided us to our Room and handled check-in, and the attendant who served dinner and breakfast, were courteous yet pleasantly friendly, which helped me relax. Some luxury top-tier Accommodations have staff who make guests feel tense, but that was not the case here.
Dinner made it clear that each dish was prepared with great care. The soft-shelled turtle winter melon soup and the horse mackerel sashimi were outstanding. However, as others have mentioned, since the grilled dish was sweetfish and the rice was also sweetfish rice, I would have preferred a sea fish for the grilled course.
I used the large public bath about twice without running into anyone, so I could unwind in peace. The in-room bath was also very comfortable. I spent time in the salon before dinner on day one and after breakfast on day two; it was wonderfully quiet there, so I could relax while looking out over the pond and Noh stage.
I would like to stay again in a different season.