Hokkawa Onsen Hotel

We booked the private onsen and really enjoyed it. The hotel alternates the top onsen between genders each day, and on our arrival evening my daughter and I were lucky enough to use the open rooftop bath together. The service was perfect, the rooms were clean, and the massage chairs were a nice extra. I wanted to get away from Tokyo’s crowds and try a Japanese onsen with my teenage kids. This was a perfect night away, and we truly enjoyed our ocean-view break. I’d highly recommend it for a relaxing getaway.

We booked the private onsen and were surprised by how nice and modern it was. Our room was huge, clean, and had all the amenities we needed, plus a great sea view. The hotel is a bit old, but I found it charming. It reminded me of when Japanese hotel rooms were still grand. The staff were very friendly too. We only stayed one night, but it was great value and I’d gladly come back.

For what it costs, there are better places in Kitagawa Onsen. The outdoor bath’s pipes leaked from time to time, so it was usable but still a poor experience. Dinner was in an uncomfortable room, the dishes were cold, the staff were inattentive, and there was no atmosphere. Even the front desk didn’t follow up on a simple request. It wasn’t worth the price for me.

The Hokkawa onsen is on the small side, with room for around 5-6 people to fit comfortably, so it might feel crowded at peak times. Our room, though, was clean and spacious, with an amazing view that was a real highlight. The hotel also gave wonderful service. A special thanks to Wang, who went above and beyond. He helped us find the train station, told us about local culture and history, and helped arrange our shuttle transfer. We really appreciated his warm hospitality.