Asan Kotonami

The room’s interior and the onsen were stunning, and we especially enjoyed soaking there in winter. The dining area and food were excellent too. What stood out most was how professionally and warmly the staff looked after us: two people were waiting at the car park when we arrived to greet us and help unload our luggage. We’re very grateful to everyone who assisted during our stay. It’s one of the best luxury Onsen hotels we’ve experienced, and I’d happily recommend it to friends. The official photos do seem to show the hotel as it really is.

The value for three nights in such an amazing room, with two meals a day, still surprises me. It’s easy to recommend this place, though its style is very different from a typical resort. Our type F room (215) was huge and just right: two large single beds in one area, then tatami mats and a couch in another. The private terrace looked out over the forest, with a sitting area on one side and a large open-air bath fed by warm spring water. You could reach the shower directly from outside. It felt like a real luxury. Meals are carefully run affairs, with knowledgeable, curious and courteous staff moving quickly and precisely. As a Westerner, I needed a little time to adjust to all the attention and detailed procedures, but the experience felt special. The food was very fresh, local, minimally processed and traditional Japanese, with fish and rice at every meal. The menu is fixed, though it changes if you stay more than one night. Raw fish, whole cooked fish meant to be eaten whole, and seafood may take some getting used to. I’d say stay open and try it. On our last morning we could choose a Western breakfast. I was glad to have coffee and bread, even though my usual breakfast is fruit, oatmeal and Icelandic-style skyr rather than bread, sweet granola and jam. From arrival, the staff made us feel thoroughly cared for. We were seated in a big room by the lobby, given all the information we needed, and served tea and a sweet snack. We chose our dinner and breakfast times, then the kindest staff escorted us to our room.

The rooms are spacious and look out toward the surrounding mountains. There are several lovely baths, both indoors and outdoors, along with a private one you can reserve. The staff were gracious about my limited Japanese, and one even pointed me to a good Udon restaurant down the street. A beautiful place to visit.

Tucked away in the mountains, this felt like a real hidden gem, with a river and its own bridges around it. It’s the most exclusive onsen ryokan we’ve stayed at. Everything brought us joy, from the remote hot spring to the perfectly cooked meals. We couldn’t have asked for more from the experience or the service, and we hope to come back.