Hitoyoshi Ryokan

Dinner and breakfast were delicious, varied, and imaginative, and the hospitality was excellent. The rooms are large, with unbeatable river views. The spring water is also excellent and worth making a special trip for. The outdoor onsen has been modernized to a high standard, and there are private baths for families. After being devastated by the flood, this historic ryokan reopened following an extensive, thoughtful renovation. It retains its old-fashioned elegance, while key areas like the dining room have been brought up to date. A couple of things to keep in mind: this is a classic ryokan, so there isn't a bath or shower in your room. It's on the pricey side, though worth the cost if it fits your budget. One of the two indoor baths and the private baths were left unrenovated, which may not suit everyone's taste.

We only booked one night, and that was a big mistake. The spacious room had a gorgeous river view, and the ryokan's classic details were lovely. It was conveniently located, and the service we received was really nice. I highly recommend it.

You can come for a bath without staying overnight, which is a nice option at this old-style Japanese onsen inn. It's by the Kuma River and near Hitoyoshi station. The onsen was great, though the building and facilities are very old. You can drink the spring water for your health, but I didn't find it tasty.

The breakfast and dinner were both very good and great value. We had a good-sized room, enjoyed the onsen indoors and out, and found the staff professional and friendly. Lovely ryokan. Too bad we stayed just one night.