Izunagaoka Onsen Ebisuya

The baths beneath the cherry blossoms were a highlight. I booked a soak through the QR-code availability system and went at dusk, when the garden lanterns had come on. It was a wonderfully quiet moment. The rain and the full-bloom sakura made the stay feel like a lucky surprise. This Taisho-era ryokan has been lovingly looked after. It marked 100 years in 2023, and still seems to be changing with care. I stayed in the renovated Miyakawa room from 2024. It was clean and roomy, and the hinoki scent from the private bath was soothing. Choosing from the yukata and obi selection made check-in feel special, and the okami-san gave me a warm welcome right away. Dinner featured local fish and shabu-shabu. It was elegant, though a little on the safe side, and not every dish stood out. The timing and presentation were excellent. Later I enjoyed the complimentary drinks in the room’s bath. I skipped breakfast, then had one last rotenburo soak while the inn was quiet, with just the steam and petals around me. Dinner is seasonal kaiseki, and the rotenburo uses a convenient QR-code check for availability. I’d definitely come back.