IzuKogen Petit Resort Hotel Alcyon

The owners and their family were great, and so were the food and the place itself.

The bath area for guests is on the small side, but the open-air hot spring more than made up for it. I’d recommend this place if you’re after good food and wine somewhere peaceful, especially in the quieter season when it feels relaxing. I came on a road trip with two friends, and the meal was excellent from appetizer to dessert. The pan-fried salmon, raised in the freshwater of Mount Fuji, was refreshing but still full of flavor. The beef fillet with foie gras was satisfying in both quality and portion size, and the course felt very refined.

I’d definitely stay again. I booked the wrong date and time, which I’m really sorry about, but they were so kind and welcoming that I was grateful for how they handled it. The bath was private and relaxing, and all the food was delicious. Since I was pregnant, they adjusted some of the dishes for me. Such a warm inn, and one I’d recommend.

I came back with a friend because I’d enjoyed the food on my first visit. Dinner was beautifully served, and every dish was tasty. The steak stood out: lean but flavorful, and wonderful with the foie gras and sauce. Breakfast was the kind of healthy, delicious Japanese food I’d happily eat every morning. The daikon with sweet bean paste (?) and the mackerel were especially good. The owners were thoughtful too, and the stay was a lovely change of pace. I’d come again if I get the chance.