Kikuya Ryokan

I've returned several times because I love the retro atmosphere. It's one of my favorite inns. The staff are very friendly, and even though the building is old, it's clean and well looked after. I often seem to share the bath with regular guests, perhaps because there aren't many rooms. Still, when someone else is using the large bath, they adjust the timing, and I've always had the hot spring to myself and could take my time. I can tell someone is in the changing room, but they come back to check whether anyone is there. I've started doing that too. The free private open-air bath is great as well. You get 30 minutes, which is just right since the water is hot. I couldn't finish the upgraded dinner, so the regular dinner was enough for me. Everything was tasty and went well with alcohol. Breakfast is a favorite of mine too: plenty of sides for white rice, and the rice itself is delicious, so I always want another serving. The prices are reasonable, and I'd highly recommend this inn if you want to enjoy Iizaka's hot springs.

The inn is an older building, but it's cared for and we had a comfortable stay. We came to Iizaka Onsen shortly before Golden Week, and were warned that the spring water runs hot and free-flowing, so we should adjust the temperature. It turned out pleasantly hot. The large public bath and open-air bath are in separate places, and you can reserve the outdoor bath for private use at night at no charge. Dinner was served in our room, and the food was just right. We could relax and feel early summer arriving.

The private bath needed to be reserved ahead, and we had a lovely 30 minutes there. The water seemed cleaner than any other hot spring I've visited. Our family of four, including two children, had a comfortable stay at Kikuya Ryokan, a quiet and peaceful little inn. The landlady and staff were especially kind to us and the kids. The food was beautifully presented and delicious, and the children loved it. We happened to be there during the Kenka Matsuri (Battle Festival), which made things lively and fun. Even without the festival, Iizaka Onsen is a lovely town worth visiting. Kikuya Ryokan was a warm, family-friendly place with good food and clean hot springs, and I'd recommend it to families.

The hot spring water comes straight from the source and runs very hot, and even the bath in the room uses hot spring water. The inn feels extremely old, like stepping back into the Showa era. I chose the upgraded dinner and the portions were huge. The alcohol was good and cheap, while breakfast was plain, though the rice was delicious. The hospitality was so wonderful that, in the end, it made up for the downsides.