Ohara no Sato

The outdoor bath was extraordinary. I soaked in the hot water surrounded by trees and nature, and it felt like my own little retreat. There are two bathing areas, one indoors and one outdoors. The guest rooms were calm and relaxing, and everyone on staff was friendly. They use a translation device, so communicating was easy. The inn is in a quiet, peaceful part of the Kyoto area and doesn’t feel overly touristy. We didn’t realize pickup was available from Ohara bus station, so we walked there instead. It was quite a long walk, but the scenery was beautiful, peaceful, and refreshing. The hot spring baths would be especially lovely in the cool autumn or winter weather. The food was delicious and halal. We had a comforting hotpot in the evening, then grilled fish and anchovies the next morning, both fantastic. I’d love to visit again next year and would consider this a must-try destination. We also had a funny moment when we realized we had no idea how to set up the futon. We felt silly, but the staff kindly showed us, which made the stay even more memorable. Warm greetings from Indonesia.

The forest setting is really pretty, and the outdoor rotemburo, with its two-person bathtub, was pleasant. But the room we got, number 5, was tiny, with only a small window facing a wall and an air-conditioning unit. The mould smell was unbearable, and I couldn’t get it out of my nose. It made the stay really uncomfortable. Maybe the other rooms are better and the experience could be good if you’re lucky. Tatami floors or being a minshuku aren’t excuses for that smell. I’ve stayed in traditional, rural hotels all over Japan with tatami mats, and they’ve been very pleasant.

It’s a beautiful traditional Japanese house, and the food was great. They serve several kinds of miso, including varieties aged one, two, and three years, plus white and spicy miso. That was interesting to try. The one thing we found a bit odd was having to make the futon ourselves.

The food and forest setting were the best parts of our stay. Dinner and breakfast were fresh, healthy, filling, and full of authentic Japanese flavors. The small onsen was charming, and bathing outdoors with the forest view was lovely. At almost €250 a night, though, the price didn’t feel justified. The building seems not to have been renovated in a long time. It felt damp, moldy, and not clean, with a noticeable smell of mould and humidity that was hard to air out. The hotel infrastructure was weak, and the service could have been better. At check-in, the receptionist dealt first with walk-in onsen visitors paying just a few coins, while we waited with heavy backpacks. That wasn’t the welcome we expected at this price. I can’t recommend staying here. The food and natural surroundings are memorable, but the hotel’s outdated, moldy condition and unfriendly service let the experience down. There must be better places for the money in Ohara.