Awara Onsen Kofu Yuden Beniya

I’ve visited Japan repeatedly over 36 years, and this is one of the best places I’ve stayed. The staff were warm and attentive, and the food gave a lovely sense of traditional Japanese cuisine. The Japanese-style rooms are spacious, with sliding doors, rice straw mats, and baths fed directly by hot spring water. From the lobby, you can see a Japanese-style garden and pond. I liked sitting there with tea or coffee, relaxing and looking around. A great place to experience traditional Japan and Japanese hospitality.

The service at Beniya felt genuinely welcoming from the start. A shuttle can be arranged in advance from either the JR or Echizen Tetsudo stations, and our driver was waiting when we arrived. At least five staff greeted us with bows at the entrance. A friendly room attendant showed us in and handled check-in in our room, so we didn’t have to go to reception. The same was true when checking out. Okamisan, the general manager, came by a couple of times to welcome us. Our room had a Japanese garden and an onsen bathtub, and the whole facility was rebuilt in 2021, so it felt modern and tidy. Breakfast and dinner were served in our room and were outstanding. I didn’t try the Kani cuisine this time, but it’s renowned as the best crab cuisine in the Hokuriku area. I also loved the drink menu, especially its wide selection of wine and sake. It may cost a little more than other ryokans, but I think it’s worth it for the authentic ryokan service.

Beniya has been owned by the same family for seven generations. The owner herself and some of her kids welcomed us, and they were super friendly. We spent two nights there and can’t really put the experience into words. We chose the traditional room and meals for an authentic Japanese stay, and don’t regret it. Our room had its own onsen, which we enjoyed morning and evening after long days in Tokyo and Kanazawa. We’re looking forward to coming back soon!

We stayed here for my husband’s birthday, and it was so relaxing. Everyone was lovely, and the food and service were amazing. We absolutely loved the place. It’s a great spot for a relaxing stay with warm hospitality.