Kagari Kisshotei

We really didn’t want to leave. The staff went out of their way to make our stay better, and they cleaned our room twice a day. The service, food, and accommodations were all wonderful. The onsens were lovely and hot. We’d say this place is a must-visit.

The service varied depending on who we spoke to, but in the end we had a great stay and would love to return. The multi-course dinner and breakfast were amazing, made with fresh local produce. Both the public and private onsens were clean and at a good temperature, with a nice view of the gorge. In autumn, you can also take a scenic walk along the river and see the red leaves.

We’ve stayed here twice, during the winter of 2016 and again in 2022, and are coming back on February 3, 2024. I’ll update this review again then. The hotel is showing its age, but it’s still beautiful. The staff were friendly most of the time, though communication was sometimes difficult because of the language. The food and rooms were exceptional on both visits. We booked a room with an outdoor bath, which was totally worth it. The minibar and all three meals were included in the price.

It felt like a three-star hotel charging four-star prices, and simply wasn’t worth it. I first thought about giving it two stars, but the staff were kind and the food was pretty good. Dinner was already expensive, and the best parts of the meal cost extra, which made it feel even pricier. The room with the wooden bath also wasn’t worth the upgrade over a regular tub compared with other places I’d considered. I’ll stay somewhere else next time.