Yunokuni Tensyo

The food and drinks were delicious, and everything was presented nicely. Everyone treated us so kindly and made us feel welcome throughout our stay. Special thanks to Tanaka mura, though I may have gotten your name wrong, for looking after us the whole time.

The staff at reception and the housekeeping team were friendly and attentive, which made the stay even nicer. We were lucky to book a room in the 425, and the hotel’s location was great, with a convenience store close by. There were complimentary snacks and drinks, plus a place to cook onsen eggs yourself. The building also has six semi-outdoor public baths where you can relax. We had a wonderful time and hope to come back.

The dinner and breakfast were much better than the hotel service for the price. I’d rather put that money toward a worthwhile restaurant than spend it on a night here. The afternoon tea snacks and eggs are limited to one serving per person, which feels stingy given the high room rate and the hotel’s “high class” image. The waitress who served us was polite, but seemed inexperienced and not well trained, and the service didn’t feel like the Japanese style I expected. Most guests were Japanese, with few foreign visitors. The hotel doesn’t seem to be trying to expand internationally, and many receptionists and dining staff weren’t comfortable using English, which could be a drawback for foreign guests. It may be highly rated by Japanese guests, but I wouldn’t recommend it to foreign customers.

The view from our patio over the park and mountains was beautiful at any hour, though sunrise was especially good. Our room had tatami mats and futons, which we chose for the traditional experience since we were used to regular mattresses at home. There was a Western-style sofa inside and Western-style seating on the patio too. The free in-room wifi was slower than I expected, but still usable. We were three people, newly arrived in Tokyo, and this was our first onsen during summer. The bathing areas, including the changing space, were very large. I wear glasses and could barely see once I was in the onsen, but my two friends could see well, and the spacious layout helped them feel at ease around the male nudity. The water was very hot and the whole experience was clean, enjoyable, and educational. The baths switch between male and female use from one day to the next, so you’d need to stay at least two days to try all the options. The dining area gave our group a table with plenty of room from the next one. The hotel was quiet while we were there, so dinner felt almost like a private meal. The food was good. We were comparing it with some excellent meals we’d had in Tokyo, so we may not have appreciated it as much as we could have. We still finished every meal full and happy, then were glad to stretch out on our futons afterward. Near the front desk, there were hot spring eggs and sweet potatoes. Just remember to pick them up once they’re cooked for you. The pool wasn’t open during our stay, though it looked fun, and the building’s shadow seemed to keep the area cool during the day. The entrance had a grand feel, with lots of shopping options. The stores there were tourist friendly, and a few sales spots along the walkways during the day had plenty of different goods and were worth a look. There were also lots of food choices and, overall, the ryokan had excellent views.