Syuzenjionsen SORA Togetsuso Kinryu Ryokan

Dinner and breakfast were both excellent, and the service was attentive. The outdoor onsen with LED lighting had won an award. The place is right beside the bamboo path and has a stylish, elegant feel. Several TV series have filmed on site. The price was one tenth of the Shitsurakuen hotel next door.

We only had one night here, which was a shame. The village felt cozy, and we walked along the bamboo street and saw a beautiful Japanese garden outside the hotel. Our dinner was in a private room, and we tried lots of dishes. Our host explained the ingredients and how to eat everything properly. Dinner was an invaluable part of the stay. The room’s view of the maples was spectacular, with a large balcony and a private onsen facing the same view. It was amazing. The room was fully equipped with a traditional tea set, several towels for the onsen, traditional socks and clothes, and complimentary mochi. It all helped us feel part of the culture. I truly recommend this hotel. It’s worth every dollar. Thank you!

The meals were elaborate, and both dinner and breakfast involved quite a few courses. If you have allergies or other special requests, let them know and they’ll adjust the food. The staff were kind and very helpful, though their English wasn’t always great, so I sometimes needed to translate on my phone. We found the shiatsu massage acceptable, but not amazing. Sora has the feel of a traditional ryokan with modern amenities. Just be aware the in-room onsen only fits one person. For a private bath with your partner, you’ll need to rent one of the two private onsens. It was 2k JPY for 40 minutes when I visited.

Good for a day trip. The water quality is excellent, and there’s a pleasant garden out back. Photos seem to show just one outdoor bath, but there’s also a very nice indoor area with a sauna and everything.