Kokian

The room is separate and relaxing, surrounded by forest. The open-air bath is just the right size, and the water flows directly from the source, giving it the smooth texture that is unique to Yuda Onsen, and it warms you from the inside out. The food has a delicate flavor that harmonizes with the ingredients. It leaves you feeling just the right amount of full, and even the rice and pickles at the end are delicious. If you're looking for a hearty meal, it may not be enough. This is an inn that will relax and heal you. I've been here 7 times.

I just want to say "like" the room, the service, and the food. Especially the room we chose this time gave us a big surprise, with an outdoor swimming pool. I would like to stay one night if I have a chance in the future.

This was my fifth visit, and I'm starting to think I don't need to come back. There are only two rooms with pools, and it's usually very difficult to book them on weekends. When you stay there, you can book up to a year in advance by saying "see you next year," so I ended up asking and visiting every year. When I stayed there in April this time, I was told that they were fully booked until after Golden Week next year. I don't know when they started allowing reservations more than a year in advance. I always go by car, and the staff's attitude is drastically different depending on the type of car I drive. Perhaps because I'm a repeat customer, the explanations have become more and more sloppy each year. The large public bath and meals were satisfying, but I've come to the conclusion that I would rather stay at a luxury hotel with perfect service no matter how many times I visit.

Having heard that it's a popular inn where it's difficult to get a reservation, I stayed in room 106, "Kirinsou." As expected, I thought it was a wonderful inn. (1) First of all, the high level of design that permeates the entire building. The extensive use of wood, and the deliberate exposure of the wooden beams in the high ceilings of the lobby and large public bath, creates a sense of warmth and solidity, resulting in an elegant and calm space that exudes a sense of luxury. (2) Next, the comfort of the guest room The spacious 52 square meter guest room has a bed, living room, Japanese-style room, washroom, shower, open-air bath, and balcony functionally arranged, and I think the ease of use has been well thought out. There is a fireplace in the living room, underfloor heating in the washroom and shower room, a refrigerator with free drinks and a Nespresso machine, and a bamboo blind hanging on the large balcony. In front of the sofa on the balcony there is a water basin filled with clean water, and it was a wonderful space that showed meticulous attention to detail. In particular, the large open-air bath for guests was wonderful, with the free-flowing alkaline simple hot spring water constantly overflowing from the tub with a soothing sound, and the water temperature was just right. Despite being in the heart of the Yuda Onsen hot spring town, we were able to enjoy a relaxing bath surrounded by tranquility. (3) High level of food The 11-course kaiseki dinner was full of the chef's innovative ideas that were not bound by the conventional concept of Japanese cuisine, and the menu was structured in a way that made us look forward to "what dish will come next?" The localized meals, mainly using high-quality local ingredients, were surprising and delightful in every dish, and every dish was a wonderful treat for both the eyes and the palate. (4) Thoughtful attention to detail in public spaces Despite being in the heart of the Yuda Onsen hot spring town, as soon as you step into this inn, you are greeted by a sense of tranquility and refined atmosphere, and because there are only 16 guest rooms, there is a feeling of spaciousness throughout. While the private open-air baths in the rooms are more than enough, there is also a large public bath with a high ceiling that gives a warm feeling of wood, an indoor bath and an open-air bath, and a pleasant relaxation area outside resembling a gazebo where drinks and homemade ice cream are available. If I had to nitpick, I would say that a sauna would be nice. There is a footbath on the terrace in front of the lobby, and the garden in front of it is planted with trees and a pond, and is meticulously maintained, making for a pleasant stroll.