Gora Hanaougi Madoka No Mori Guest house

The two of us spent two nights here, and the stay felt carefully thought through from arrival at the car to checkout. The rooms were spacious and well laid out, and the onsen experiences were spectacular. Everything about the setting encouraged us to slow down, relax, and disconnect. Breakfast and dinner were some of the best meals we’ve ever had, so don’t miss them. The whole experience felt deliberate, refined, and caring. A huge thank you to all the staff for looking after us so well and making the trip memorable. We’d strongly recommend it to couples wanting a few days to unwind and reset.

The shuttle pickup was the start of a wonderful stay. The ryokan was beautiful, and the staff were warm and welcoming throughout. Food and amenities were high quality, and the service exceeded what we expected. Thanks for making our visit so memorable. We only wish we could have stayed longer.

The communal onsen ended up being the highlight of our Japan trip. The setting was beautiful, and soaking in the hot water there was incredible. The in-room onsens were lovely too, and now I’m eager to come back. It was raining when we arrived at Madoka no Mori, but staff met us with umbrellas and towels and quickly brought us inside for welcome drinks and a treat. My husband and I had an amazing time. The meals were delicious and plentiful, so come hungry.

The service was impeccable, very attentive and often anticipating what we needed, though at times it felt a little too obsequious. That was the saving grace of the stay. The beds were comfortable enough, but there was no turndown service, which I’d expect at a “5 star” hotel. We’d splurged expecting a large, airy room, but the website photos were somewhat misleading. The room was dark, with a low ceiling. Having a private onsen on the balcony was nice, but the wood around it was badly decayed and rotting. That area needs renovation. The bathroom felt oddly arranged and tiny for a “5 star” property. You have to walk through the shower to reach the outdoor onsen, so you could interrupt someone showering. The toiletries were lackluster and gave a hospital vibe, and the large industrial hand sanitizer container right beside the sink felt strange. The food was okay, but the courses took a long time and most dishes didn’t taste especially fresh or flavorful. These were probably among our worst meals on a two week trip to Japan. I liked the experience overall, but at the current price I’m not sure I’d return without improvements to the room and better upkeep of the bathroom and onsen areas. There may be more cost effective options.