Akagi Onsen Onyado Souhonke

The owner was kind, the food and baths were great, and the staff were especially sweet to my young daughter. It's tucked into the hills, with no shops nearby, so it suits people looking for a quiet stay. The place is old, and you can feel its history inside. I was surprised by some negative reviews because this is one of the best hotels I've stayed at.

The miso pork and apple gratin were especially terrific. This is a unique ryokan in the middle of Akagi mountain, run by its 17th generation owner! 😲 The open-air bath is nicely designed, though old, and the whole place seems to be aging well.

Dinner and breakfast were both generous portions and really tasty. We were there in June 2024, and the inn has a very retro feel, with vintage things displayed inside. I can see people either loving that or hating it. There were only three other groups staying that day, so the hot spring wasn't busy and we could use the private open-air bath right away. The tub was split into two sections and had an iron smell. There were lots of bugs in June, which made it hard to relax in the bath. The indoor bath only fits two or three people.

The meals had that nostalgic Showa-era inn style, with lots of different dishes, all very tasty. Finishing everything took some effort, though. In late August there were plenty of bugs, and Kincho spray was set out in the hallways. The spring water is beautifully clear when it comes out, then turns yellowish on contact with the air. It leaves a lot of sediment and has a thick, gloomy feel. There are separate indoor baths for men and women, plus a private outdoor bath that needs a reservation and is first come, first served. It's an old building filled with mysterious ornaments, a truly unusual place. Other guests were impressed too and called it the best, though I think you have to be a particular kind of person to feel that way. I gave it full marks, but I wouldn't recommend this inn to everyone. It's one of a kind.