It is more than a hotel, and feeling like a home

Nothing

Hands down, this was the most traditional ryokan experience one can have in Japan. It was perfect. Transport: There is a shuttle pickup from Kiso-Fukushima at 330 or 5pm, then drop off departing the hotel at 930am. Food: The dinner and breakfast were incredible, we were treated to a 9 course kaiseke while watching Mt. Ontake, and the most comprehensive shabu shabu for breakfast. The homemade blueberry jam was a bonus! Facilities: Free flow alcohol - wine, beer, juice, tea etc. Separate lounge for free flow sake and whisky. Perfect ambience. The onsen has four pools each, including 2 outdoors in nature - at night this is just serene. Rooms: Traditional Japanese style tatami, with plenty of bathroom amenities. There is a private spa on the balcony, where one can relax and do some bird watching. Overall, I can’t rate this ryokan enough. Thank you for the most pleasant stay, we will definitely come back during winter!

This is a very Japanese traditional ryokan, expect local experience. This is also what we love the most about it, in between the broken English we got to experience a real Japanese ryokan.

The area was beautiful, albeit quite remote. The views of Mt. Ontake from the room were lovely, and the staff were gracious and mostly helpful (although language barriers were somewhat difficult). The food presentation was stunning, and the staff were mostly kind and helpful. The communal bath facilities were clean and well maintained.

Unfortunately, we did not feel that we got the value we have come to expect for a 4 star stay at this price point. The location is quite remote, and no afternoon meals are provided, which is find, but there are no other local food options available. The hotel provided “shuttle service” is not adequate for travelers without a vehicle of their own. We coordinated our arrival around an afternoon pickup, and were told only at the very last minute, while still eating breakfast, that the only hotel shuttle to get back to the train station (30 minutes away by car) would be at 9:30am, which was before checkout time at 10, and not communicated in any way to us until nearly 9am, mid-meal. We had to literally leave during breakfast to go pack to leave, in a hurry. It was an abrupt and very disappointing way to leave! The rooms were okay, although a bit outdated for the cost, and while the food presentation and freshness was truly lovely, it was not amended for Western palettes, or for those of children (our son is 6 and barely touched anything but the rice, bread, or noodles). It would be nice to be able to have a bit more of a say in the menu, or at least a more clear translation of the ingredients for foreigners. I do appreciate the very thoughtful accommodations made for me as a vegetarian, although I think they mistook that for vegan and I wasn’t even served any desserts that were milk or egg-based (which meant beautifully presented fruit instead). overall the food was lovely, healthy and fresh, but I think that the language issue here, again, prevented us from fully being able to enjoy our meals. The amenities were okay- there is a snack lounge with tiny crackers and apple slices, and a nice beverage assortment, but again, the value offering here is not what we expect from a 4 star stay at this premium price. Lastly, perhaps because it was off-season (not winter or summer), the social/activity amenities onsite were limited.

Great food and service

hospitality was incredible. dinner and breakfast were excellent.

nothing

most friendly hotel staff found in Japan, dinner experience memorable, enjoyable onsen area and private bath tub, very large and comfortable rooms

All excellent from the hospitality to the food to the staff to the incredible surroundings. Just wish we’d had more time here!