Hotel Miyama

The location takes some planning: Onohara Station is about 2 km away, and public buses stop running after 5:30 PM. Try to arrive before then and make this your last stop for the day. There is a free shuttle to Seibu-Chichibu station. Once there, the staff are very kind. They help with some of your bags and show you to your room, which feels like a small home. It has a shoe-entry area, a balcony with a table and chairs overlooking the mountains and river, plus a living room with AC, TV, teacups, a teapot, and another table and chairs. There are large cabinets with yukata to borrow, and room for extra beds or chairs. The room also has a bathroom and toilets. Snacks and tea are provided for free. Breakfast is a traditional Japanese meal, and I found it quite unique, so give it a try. Guests can also use both the onsen and sento for free.

Miyama was a real find. The meals were delicious, the onsen was relaxing, and the customer service was excellent. We had a great stay, thank you!

The room gets very bright in the morning.

I booked a single room with dinner and breakfast. Dinner was excellent and there was plenty of it; the breakfast buffet was satisfying too, and everything felt thoughtfully done. The indoor bath is spacious and just the right temperature, and I enjoyed the sauna. I also got to use the open-air bath from 6:30 AM, which made me very happy. They don't specify the spring water quality, which left me a little unsure, though it is a heated hot spring. I didn't get to use the other open-air bath and would like to try it next time. The exterior gave me some doubts, but the stay was great and good value for the money. I'll come back.