Kappo Ryokan Satsuki

Dinner was a real seafood spread, with crab, puffer fish, sea urchin, and more. Later, we went out for a soak at night and happened to meet a sweet, gentle kitten that made the stay feel special. From our room, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and looked especially lovely. The onsen felt comfortable and familiar, almost like bathing at home. The staff were thoughtful and thorough, and not speaking Japanese caused us no communication problems. It’s a lovely Japanese inn, and perhaps the most distinctive place in the area. We’d happily recommend it.

The hot spring was only okay, and quite small. The Japanese food was the best we had on this trip, though, and the service was excellent.

The food is worth trying, especially the traditional banquet cuisine (banquet cuisine). This ryokan has a very traditional Japanese style.

Dinner was all about seafood, and although it tasted great, the portions were more than I could manage. If you don't eat much, it may be a lot. Breakfast was tasty too, and just the right size. The bath is nearly private when no one else is staying, though every now and then someone may walk in unexpectedly. The women's bath has two washing stations and space for two people. Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, makeup remover, and face wash are there. The water seemed a bit hot at first, but I got used to it and could soak for a while. It felt wonderful. The bath is open all day, and I think they clean it early in the morning. I tried it around 2 a.m., and it was unbearably hot then, maybe because the exhaust fan was off. There was lotion and milk in the changing area, with what I think were six baskets. It was warm even in winter. The station is a bit of a walk away, but we got there without trouble. When we arrived in our room, the young proprietress, Neko-chan, was asleep. I was happy with the stay, though it's a little sad that meeting the cats depends on whether they feel like coming around. They probably won't show up in rooms they don't visit, and you can't make them. I suppose you'd need to stay several times to get a chance to spend time with them. I'd like to come back.