Seirakuen

The fish rice was a standout, though all the food was amazing and I enjoyed every bit of it. The nearby countryside is peaceful, good for a hike or an easy stroll past rice fields and small houses. It’s not too far from Tokyo, and it was a lovely place to forget the stress of city life for a couple of days. The design and welcoming atmosphere made a strong impression on me. Some rooms have been renovated while others haven’t, and I really liked the vintage feel that gives the place. I had an amazing time and would love to return.

At night, you can see stars from the outdoor bath if the weather is clear. You can reserve one of the two baths, wood or stone, for forty minutes. I recommend the stone one because it’s larger, and it could easily fit eight people, though you get to enjoy it alone. We stayed in the “Kai” room at this excellent ryokan in Nanasawa. It had a private outdoor bath that was relaxing, with a lovely wood smell, and a bench to rest on. The room was comfortable and had a nice bed. Dinner was amazing, a French-style twist on Japanese food, with every dish bringing a surprise. I wish more ryokan served food like this. The library and bar had a book on modern gastronomy that made me want to try more of this kind of food. It’s very convenient to reach from Tokyo, and I’ll definitely visit again.

The Kaisen dinner was fantastic, and the cozy room had a nice traditional Japanese feel. It was also spacious and clean, and the staff were very helpful. We came by bicycle and found it easy to access, and there’s a bus available too. With a 7-11 close by, we had pretty much everything we needed. Wonderful place for a great price.

The staff were very friendly at this relaxing onsen, about two hours from Tokyo by public transport.