Fujinohana Hotel

The food is absolutely delicious, and the guestroom indoor baths and open-air baths are spacious, with lovely spring water that stays comfortable even during a long soak. I could look out over the well-kept garden from the open-air bath and unwind from the day's fatigue. It's a wonderful hotel, and I'll stay here again when I come home.

The whole inn has an Italian feel that makes it seem like another world, and the staff were so kind and attentive that we felt comfortable throughout. The restaurant owner's wife was friendly too, which made the already delicious food even more enjoyable. People who haven't stayed at the inn can dine there if they reserve. I also loved being able to adjust the hot spring temperature quickly and easily, so I went in many times.

The spring water, a sulfur type, changes with the season and time of day; deposits make it look milky. It left my skin silky, and Kirishima Onsen's water is excellent, much like what I've experienced at Yamagata Zao Onsen, Gunma Manza Onsen, and Niigata Tsukioka Onsen. Guests can enjoy the source water in their room around the clock. The property has only three rooms, but the villa-like stay feels special. Smiling staff greeted us, and the welcome drink was freshly squeezed juice. Mexican designer furnishings and fixtures run from the entrance through the lobby and rooms, making for a beautiful space. The chef moved to Kirishima after running a popular Italian restaurant in Nagoya, and the food was outstanding. His wife served us with a warm smile, a pleasant manner, and lovely timing. We ate well and had a wonderful time. My one disappointment is the price. The setting and stay are wonderful, and I understand the room is suite-sized, but various websites currently show about 140,000 yen for one night for two people, including dinner and breakfast. That's probably the highest range for luxury hot spring inns in Japan. Meal-inclusive luxury hotels in Hakone, Izu, Atami, and Karuizawa are in the 70,000 to 100,000 yen range. High-end domestic hotels such as the Tokyo Mandarin, Peninsula, and Aman, and the Kyoto Ritz-Carlton and Aman, offer spacious rooms and meals for around 140,000 yen. Given the price, I give it four stars.

For a place calling itself luxury, I don't see what's luxurious about the furniture, or the price. The rooms are small; from the bathroom you can see traffic lights, and you can hear the cars too. The food was okay, but there are plenty of nicer places to stay for this kind of money. I was really disappointed by the value.