Tazawa Kogen Hotel

"The hotel staff is incredibly polite and kind! The food prepared by the lady was excellent! The Nyuto Line bus stop is right outside the hotel, making it easy to get to both Nyuto Onsen and Lake Tazawako or Tazawako station. There's also an onsen right next to the hotel, located on the top of a hill. The hill offers a beautiful view of the mountains and the lake. However, there are no grocery stores or cafes near the hotel, so it's best to order meals directly at the hotel—they're super tasty and beautiful! Thank you so much for your hospitality and care!"

Natsuse Onsen Miyakowasure

"Natsuse Onsen Miyakowasure is truly remote. Although technically situated in Semboku — home to both Lake Tazawa and the historic town of Kakunodate with its award-winning luxury ryokan, Wabizakura — it feels far removed from civilization. The drive from Kakunodate takes over 30 minutes, and Lake Tazawa is about 45 minutes away. A key factor is the 4km gravel road leading to the ryokan: narrow, winding, and flanked by steep embankments. As tempting as it is to admire the hypnotic beauty of the Kamishirochosei Reservoir and its surrounding landscape, keep your eyes on the road — there’s little margin for error. Miyakowasure's seclusion is absolute: the gravel road is a dead-end, beyond which lies only a dam and power station another 2km away. The sense of serenity is immediate. Upon arrival, we stepped out of the car and were struck by the absence of buildings, power lines, or traffic noise. Just nature. Just peace. For those less inclined to adventurous driving, Miyakowasure offers a shuttle service from both Kakunodate Station and Mori no Eki (which also provides free parking). This is highly recommended during winter, as the drive could be downright perilous — even with chains. The name "Miyakowasure" draws from two inspirations: first, it's a reference to the purple tea flowers blooming in the central garden; second, it evokes the phrase "forget the capital," a nod to leaving behind the pace and politics of Kyoto in favor of deep tranquility. The 10-room property is charming, with vibrant hydrangeas (in full bloom during our visit), sakura trees, and onsen fountains dotting the grounds. A short walking trail invites guests to explore the lush surroundings. The inner courtyard features a dry rock garden and additional sakura. I can only imagine the seasonal transformations — especially during cherry blossom and autumn foliage. Indoors, however, things become a bit discordant. The combination of traditional Japanese architecture with flamboyant Edwardian furnishings is jarring. Sadly, this theme extends to the guest rooms. We stayed in the Kihinshitsu (VIP Room) "Kusabue," the ryokan’s top accommodation. The layout included a carpeted Western-style living room, a tatami room, and a wash area with a single sink. The futon setup — where tables and chairs are pushed aside during dinner — is something we've never warmed to. A dedicated bedroom would be ideal. The living room, meanwhile, featured a chandelier, a glittery multi-colored lamp, and furniture that has clearly aged. It's evident the rooms haven't been renovated since the ryokan opened in 2005, and they're certainly showing it. Fortunately, the onsen experience is where Miyakowasure shines. Each room boasts a gensen kakenagashi rotenburo — an open-air bath fed directly and continuously from the source. Nine rooms overlook the Tama River, while one offers only a mountain view. Kusabue is the sole room with both indoor and outdoor baths, a valuable amenity in colder months. The outdoor "

Onsen Yupopo

"The room can accommodate up to four floor mats. The area is quite good. The wet and dry areas are separated. The hot springs are separated for men and women, so you can soak in them at night. The room also comes with snacks. The room is also quite clean."

Farm To Table NORICHIE

Lodge Iris

"The room was clean, the public areas were clean and smelled good. The whole room was covered with short-hair carpets, which was really comfortable. I felt sorry for the workload of the staff. There were two guests, including me. I bumped into the other one after dinner and disappeared after breakfast. The staff was warm and polite."

Motoyu Mizusawa Sanso

"The facilities are a bit old, but there is no inconvenience because they meet the necessary and sufficient. The hot springs were so comfortable that I wanted to stay in them all the time. The meal was not luxurious, but none of them were very delicious and happy. I want to go again."

Machiya Hotel Kakunodate

"It quite a walk from the station to the hotel. It's at the edge of the samurai area though. The service is great and they provide drinks and the front desk. The hotel has nice art in the hallways. The room was nice and clean. Breakfast was outside the hotel around the corner and was good."

Akita Geijutsu Mura Onsen Yupopo

"Even though it was hot, the hot springs felt great."

Café & Inn That Sounds Good

"Very nice experience. The cafe has a warm and cozy ambience. The room is unique too with nice lakeview. The meals are special too. It is better to order meals during this period as you cannot find food elsewhere easily. It’s strongly recommended to visit the Lake Tazawa. The water is so calm and clear and clean."